What was the name of George Custer's brigade at East Cavalry Field?

George Custer’s brigade at East Cavalry Field was the Michigan Brigade. It was a Union cavalry formation also known as the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, the Wolverines, or Custer’s Brigade.

The brigade was organized in December 1862 from Michigan cavalry regiments. During the Gettysburg Campaign, the 1st Michigan Cavalry and an artillery battery joined the original 5th, 6th, and 7th Michigan regiments. Custer assumed command near Westminster, Maryland, shortly before Gettysburg.

On July 3, 1863, the brigade fought east of Gettysburg along the Hanover Road. Its regiments were involved in the mounted fighting that helped prevent Confederate cavalry under J.E.B. Stuart from turning the Union position while Pickett’s Charge unfolded farther west. Custer’s rallying cry, “Come on, you Wolverines!”, became associated with the unit.

The common mix-up is the Iron Brigade, a famous Union infantry formation that fought elsewhere on the Gettysburg battlefield. The Irish Brigade and Vermont Brigade were also Union formations, but neither was Custer’s cavalry command.