Report of Maj. George K. Newcombe, 7th Michigan Cavalry

08 January 2007 by Published in: Union Cavalry 2 comments

Col. Stephen D. Mann normally commanded the 7th Michigan Cavalry. However, Colonel Mann was not in command of the regiment at the end of the Campaign for reasons that remain unclear to me. This is Major Newcombe’s report:

At Hanover, Pa., on the 30th of June, the regiment having the advance of the brigade in its rapid return from Abbottstown was thrown into position on the left of the turnpike to the left and front of Battery M, 2d U. S. Artillery. Two squadrons were dismounted and advanced as skirmishers, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel [Allyne C.] Litchfield. In the progress of the section of the action the regiment was moved to the right of the town as a support to Battery M. The skirmishers, after having advanced beyond the town as a support under command of Major Newcombe, were sent to occupy the town, which they took possession of and held until night, when the enemy withdrew.

At Hagerstown, on July 2d, the regiment, except one squadron, held in reserve, was advanced on the left as dismounted skirmishers.

At Gettysburg, on the 3d of July, on the extended right of our line during the early part of the day the regiment, as reserve and as a support to Battery M, occupied various positions on the field. At about 4 o’clock P. M. the regiment was ordered to charge the advancing line of the enemy’s skirmishers, who were strongly supported by their cavalry reserve. A desperate but unequal hand-to-hand conflict here ocucrred. The regiment being finally obliged to retire twice, rallied under a sharp fire from the enemy, without support or cover, and returned to the charge and held the field until the advance of the 1st Michigan.

At Monterey, on the night of the 4th of July, two companies, under command of Captain Armstrong, were detached to hold the mountain road. The remainder of the regiment fought on the right as dismounted skirmishers.

At Smithburg, July 5th, the regiment supported Battery M and occupied the extreme left.

At Hagerstown, July 6th, the regiment, having supported the battery in the early part of the affair, was afterward advanced on the right nearly past the town, when it was dismounted and thrown forward as skirmishers, driving the enemy beyond the town, and was then recalled.

At Williamsport same day, supported a battery.

July 8th, at Boonsborough, in the early part of the action, supported Battery M on the right of the Hagerstown road. As our line of skirmishers were falling back, Major Newcombe, with his battalion, dismounted and advanced to their support. The line advanced under a heavy fire and drove the enemy from the woods. Reinforcements coming up, a charge was made and the enemy was driven from the field. The remainder of the regiment supported the skirmishers, and was exposed to a heavy fire.

On the 12th of July, the regiment being attached to the 1st brigade, with it entered Hagerstown under a sharp fire from the enemy. In the afternoon the regiment was advanced to support the infantry at the extreme right of the town.

At Falling Waters, July 14th, on coming into action, Major Granger was dispatched to the right, where dismounting a portion of his command, he soon took from the enemy a ten-pounder Parrott gun, which, after having turned against the enemy with great effect, he brought from the field. Another portion of the regiment went to the support of the skirmishers, and the remainder as a support to Battery M. The enemy’s column advancing to charge the battery, that portion fo the right supporting it–seventy sabres–advanced to the charge and brought from the field 400 prisoners, with the battle-flag of the 55th Virginia. The dismounted skirmishers of the 7th captured the colonel of the 55th, with several other officers and a squad of men.

The 7th Michigan made an epic charge on East Cavalry Field at Gettysburg, but Major Newcombe seems to have given that charge short shrift in this report. I find that extremely interesting.

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Comments

  1. john
    Fri 07th Mar 2008 at 7:00 pm

    looking for info or copies of photos of maj. linus warner of the 7th mich. cav. He is a family memberthat i am researching.

    thank you,
    john Ph# 602-686-7900

  2. Alan
    Wed 01st Jun 2016 at 9:32 pm

    Walter Rowe a Pvt of Michigan’s 6th cavalry regiment, Co A, was severely wounded on July 2d, 1865 during a skirmish with the Rebs. He was my GG Grandfather. I’d be grateful for any information/pictures that anyone could share with me. Possibly a diary or other personal accounts of the 6th’s service during that time. I really hope to find a way to get a small grasp of what he went through. He left his wife a two small boys in Solon Twp, Kent Co, Mich. to preserve the Union at great expense to himself and his love ones. His wounds are still felt to this day by how his time on this earth was cut short by that early July day. He returned to his family, but never fully recovered, only to die just ten years later leaving my dear GG Grandmother to take care of the boys and by then, their three young sisters on her own.

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