1st Maine Cavalry

The monument to the 1st Maine Cavalry is located along the heavily traveled (and extremely dangerous) Hanover Road near the park entrance to the East Cavalry battlefield.

The monument consits of a large bas relief of a cavalryman mounting his steed.

The 1st Maine Cavalry came from the counties of Aroostook, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Penobscot, Somerset, and York.

It was formed at Augusta in the fall of 1861.

Their commander at Gettysburg was Lt. Col. Charles H. Smith (1827-1902), a teacher and law student in Eastport, Maine at the beginning of the War.

Smith was wounded at the battle of Saint Mary’s Church on June 24, 1864 and was later awarded a Medal of Honor for that fight. He remained in the Army after the War.

(Company L served at First Corps Headquarters while Company I served at Cavalry Corps headquarters.)

1st Maine Cavalry

Cavalry Corps, 2nd Division, 3rd Brigade

Lt. Col. Charles H. Smith (1827-1902)

Engaged: 438; 1 killed, 4 wounded

Monument: Hanover Road

Tags: Cavalry Corps, East Cavalry, Gettysburg, Maine, Monument Project