1st Massachusetts Cavalry
Posted to the Project on 07 Nov 07
The eight companies of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry (A-H) were temporarily attached to Sixth Corps headquarters during the battle of Gettysburg. Raised from the counties of Essex, Hampden, and Suffolk, the regiment was commanded by Lt. Col. Greely S. Curtis (1830-1897), a Boston engineer.
The simple monument is located in front of the large equestrian to General Sedgwick along Sedgwick Avenue.
A nicely carved relief of a horse’s head, crossed sabers, and a lucky horseshoe are the monument’s most prominent features.
1st Massachusetts Cavalry
Sixth Corps Headquarters
Lt. Col. Greely S. Curtis (1830-1897)
Engaged: 292; no loss
Monument: Sedgwick Avenue
November 7th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Jenny,
I’m sure you don’t know this, which is why I thought I would point it out to you.
The 1st Mass. Cavalry was rather literally chopped to bits during the Battle of Aldie, June 17, 1863. It was left largely combat ineffective as a result, which is why it was assigned to serve as Uncle John’s headquarters escort.
The monument on the battlefield at Gettysburg is an exact replica of the monument that regiment erected on the Snickersville Turnpike at Aldie. Here’s a link to a photo of the monument at Aldie.
Eric
November 9th, 2007 at 12:11 am
I just saw a sign at East Cavalry Field that claims Company A of the 1st Massachusetts was at that battle and not with the rest of the regiment.