1st New Jersey Cavalry Monument

The 1st New Jersey Cavalry Monument on East Cavalry Battlefield

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Gettysburg National Military Park

Designation:

Civil War Monument

Amenities

1 listed

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Discovering no sign of Stuart, the 1st New Jersey Cavalry moved forward around 2 pm from the Lott House to this position to investigate Rummel’s Woods. This wooded area is beyond the stone farmhouse to your right front. Within moments, dismounted Confederates from Brig. Gen. Albert Jenkins’ Virginia Brigade appeared from behind the Rummel house and barn, formed a line and opened fire.

Federal reinforcements from McIntosh’s Brigade joined the NJ men and extended the line of battle to the left (across the road) and right of the monument. Soon the Union troops exhausted their ammunition and began to withdraw. They were replaced by the 5th MI Cavalry from Custer’s Brigade armed with new 7-shot repeating rifles. Custer, disregarding his previous orders, obeyed Gregg’s order to stay when the fighting began.

Several attempts were made by the Confederates from Rummel’s Woods to charge the retreating Union cavalry, but they were driven back by the repeating rifles. After the battle, John Rummel dragged 30 dead horses from the farm lane immediately behind the monument.