PA Historic Places

Exploring East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg

A collage of four photos showcasing East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, a key site of the July 3, 1863, cavalry battle. The top left image features the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry Monument, honoring the regiment's role in the battle. The top right image displays a Confederate artillery cannon with an interpretive plaque describing Stuart's Horse Artillery. The bottom left image shows an informational sign titled "A Thunderous Charge," depicting Confederate cavalry and explaining their engagement with Union forces. The bottom right image features the entrance sign for East Cavalry Field at Gettysburg National Military Park, with a tree-lined road leading into the historic battlefield.

If you’re looking for information about visiting East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, you’re in the right place!

A monument at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, commemorating the First Maine Cavalry and their service during the cavalry battle on July 3, 1863. The stone relief depicts a Union cavalryman preparing to mount his horse, symbolizing the regiment's readiness and bravery. The inscription honors Col. C. H. Smith and the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps. The monument stands in a grassy field under a partly cloudy sky, serving as a tribute to the regiment's role in securing the Union rear during the Battle of Gettysburg.

East Cavalry Field was the site of a pivotal but lesser-known cavalry clash that occured on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

An informational sign at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, titled "A Thunderous Charge," describing the fierce cavalry engagement between Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and Union forces led by Brig. Gen. David M. Gregg on July 3, 1863. The sign highlights Stuart’s attempt to outflank the Union and describes the explosive, hand-to-hand cavalry fight along Hanover Road. The artwork on the sign depicts mounted Confederate soldiers, including a prominently displayed battle flag, against the backdrop of the battlefield.

Located three miles east of the main battlefield, this site is often overlooked by visitors drawn to the more famous locations such as Little Round Top and Cemetery Hill.

A map showing the location of East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, marked to the east of the Gettysburg National Military Park boundary. The map highlights key roadways such as Hanover Road and York Road, as well as nearby landmarks, illustrating the field's proximity to the main battlefield. This site was the location of the crucial July 3, 1863, cavalry battle where Union forces repelled Confederate attempts to threaten the Union's rear during the Battle of Gettysburg.

For that reason, visiting East Cavalry Field is a unique and peaceful experience, offering a chance to explore a more secluded part of the Gettysburg National Military Park.

A row of Civil War-era Confederate cannons displayed along a tree-lined road at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with a backdrop of open fields and a cloudy sky, marking the site of the pivotal cavalry battle that took place on July 3, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Directions to East Cavalry Field

East Cavalry Field can be accessed from multiple points, including Low Dutch Road, Hoffman Road, and Cavalry Field Road.

What Happened at East Cavalry Field?

The battle at East Cavalry Field unfolded as Union forces under Brig. Gen. David M. Gregg (a native of Huntingdon County, PA) and Brig. Gen. George A. Custer clashed with Confederate cavalry led by Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart.

A detailed map of the July 3, 1863, cavalry battle at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, depicting troop movements and positions of Union forces under Brig. Gen. David M. Gregg and Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, accompanied by portraits of the two commanders and key geographic landmarks such as Low Dutch Road and Hanover Road.

Stuart’s mission was to circle behind the Union Army and threaten its rear, but the fierce Union resistance foiled his plans.

A Civil War-era cannon on East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, positioned near a historical plaque detailing the role of the Army of Northern Virginia's Stuart's Horse Artillery during the battle on July 3, 1863, with a backdrop of open fields under an overcast sky.

The cavalrymen charged and countercharged across these fields, with plenty of vicious hand-to-hand fighting and artillery exchanges occurring as well.

An interpretive sign at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, titled "Come On You Wolverines," describing the decisive cavalry charge led by Union Gen. George A. Custer and the 1st Michigan Cavalry against Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart on July 3, 1863. The sign features a vivid painting of Union cavalry charging with sabers raised, American flags flying, and soldiers shouting battle cries, capturing the intensity of the clash that helped secure the Union's rear during the Battle of Gettysburg.

The engagement, while intense and strategically significant, is often overshadowed in historical narratives by Pickett’s Charge and the massive artillery duel that preceded it, which took place around the same time on the main battlefield.

The Third Pennsylvania Cavalry Monument at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, featuring a relief sculpture of a Union cavalryman on horseback, commemorating the regiment's role in the pivotal cavalry battle on July 3, 1863. The granite monument is adorned with a wreath of yellow flowers at its base, set against a backdrop of lush green trees under a clear blue sky. This monument honors the regiment's bravery in securing the Union's rear during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Visiting East Cavalry Field Today

The relative obscurity of the fighting that took place at what is now known as East Cavalry Field is the reason for the quiet, reflective atmosphere there today.

The historic Rummel Farm at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, set amidst rolling fields and bare trees under a partly cloudy sky. The farm served as a key landmark during the July 3, 1863, cavalry battle, where Union and Confederate forces clashed in one of the most intense engagements of the Battle of Gettysburg. The stone farmhouse and large barn overlook the open battlefield, symbolizing the strategic importance of this location in securing the Union's rear.

Walking along Gregg Avenue and Confederate Cavalry Avenue, visitors encounter monuments like the Michigan Cavalry Brigade Monument, which honors both the Wolverine Brigade and General Custer, the youngest general (age 23) in the Union Army at the time of the battle.

The Michigan Cavalry Brigade Monument at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, honoring the Union cavalry led by Brig. Gen. George A. Custer during the pivotal cavalry battle on July 3, 1863. The monument features a tall column topped by a statue of a Union cavalryman, with intricate carvings and a relief depicting the brigade in battle. A medallion of Custer is embedded in the column, and the surrounding open fields serve as a reminder of the historic confrontation that helped secure the Union's rear during the Battle of Gettysburg.

The Gregg Cavalry Shaft monument at East Cavalry Field is a 29-foot-tall obelisk made of New Hampshire granite.

The Gregg Cavalry Shaft monument at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is a 29-foot-tall obelisk made of New Hampshire granite. Dedicated on October 15, 1884, it honors the Union cavalry commander Brig. Gen. David McM. Gregg, who led the Union forces on the east flank during the pivotal cavalry battle on July 3, 1863. Notably, this was the first monument on the Gettysburg battlefield to recognize the contributions of both Union and Confederate units. The monument stands amidst a natural setting of trees and open fields, commemorating the significance of the Union cavalry's efforts in the Battle of Gettysburg.

Dedicated on October 15, 1884, this was the first monument on the Gettysburg battlefield to recognize the contributions of both Union and Confederate units.

An inscription on the Gregg Cavalry Shaft monument at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, commemorating the July 3, 1863, cavalry battle. The text highlights the engagement between the Union cavalry, commanded by Brig. Gen. David McM. Gregg, and the Confederate cavalry, led by Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, marking the significance of this strategic confrontation during the Battle of Gettysburg. The granite surface bears the carved dedication, serving as a lasting tribute to both sides of the conflict.

Interpretive signs provide detailed accounts of the battle, and the nearby Rummel Farm adds a sense of historical authenticity to the landscape.

An informational sign at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, titled "Braving the Firestorm," describing the cavalry battle on July 3, 1863, when dismounted Confederate cavalry advanced across the Rummel Farm toward Union positions. The sign highlights the fierce skirmishes, with Union cavalry reinforced by Michigan and Pennsylvania units, forcing the Confederates back. The artwork depicts Union cavalry troops, including the 1st New Jersey Cavalry, preparing for battle against a backdrop of open fields and the Rummel Farm. This engagement was a key part of the Union defense during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Cannons dot the rolling fields, giving a sense of the artillery’s role in the conflict.

A row of Civil War-era cannons displayed along a paved road at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with a bright red pickup truck parked nearby, surrounded by open fields, bare trees, and a clear blue sky. The scene highlights the historic significance of the site where a pivotal cavalry battle occurred during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Unlike the bustling crowds at other Gettysburg sites, East Cavalry Field is serene, making it an ideal location for quiet reflection and a deeper understanding of the cavalry’s contribution to the Union victory.

A sign reading "Confederate Cavalry Avenue" stands in front of a lush green field at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with a backdrop of distant trees and a cloudy sky, marking the site where Confederate and Union cavalry clashed in a critical battle during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.

Final Thoughts

For history buffs and casual visitors alike, East Cavalry Field offers a unique glimpse into a critical yet often overlooked aspect of the Battle of Gettysburg.

The First New Jersey Cavalry Monument at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, erected in 1888 by the state of New Jersey, honoring the regiment's role in the pivotal cavalry battle on July 3, 1863. The granite monument features detailed carvings, including a crossed-sabers insignia at the top, and stands amidst a backdrop of trees and open fields under a partly cloudy sky.

Its quiet beauty and historical significance make it a must-see for those seeking to explore the battlefield beyond the well-trodden paths.

A sign for East Cavalry Field at Gettysburg National Military Park, placed alongside a narrow, tree-lined road with fallen autumn leaves, marking the historic location of the July 3, 1863, cavalry battle during the Battle of Gettysburg. The site is maintained by the National Park Service and features wooded and open field areas.

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