National War Memorial Registry, War Memorial Catalog Of United States

THREE-FOURTHS OF A MILE SOUTH OF THIS SITE ON THE HUNTERSTOWN ROAD, NEWLY APPOINTED BRIGADIER GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER LED THE MICHIGAN CAVALRY BRIGADE IN HIS FIRST CHARGE AGAINST SUPERIOR FORCES OF CONFEDERATE CAVALRY ON JULY 2, 1863. DURING THE ATTACK, CUSTER'S HORSE WAS SHOT FROM UNDER HIM. WITHOUT A HORSE BUT UNINJURED, HE FOUND HIMSELF PRONE TO THE MERCY OF CONFEDERATE BLADES THAT BORE DOWN ON HIM. THIS DECISIVE FIRST ENCOUNTER NEARLY PROVED FATAL IF NOT FOR THE BRAVERY AND QUICK THINKING OF NORVELL FRANCIS CHURCHILL, COMPANY "L", 1ST MICHIGAN CAVALRY, WHO DEFLECTED A SABER BLOW AND PULLED THE "BOY GENERAL" TO THE BACK OF HIS STEED, EXTRACTING HIM FROM HARMS WAY.