They Leapt The Lines

Fort Connor

A part of Union Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer’s Michigan Brigade, the 6^th Michigan Cavalry was mustered out of service November 24^th 1865.

The 6^th Michigan Cavalry was organized in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and mustered into Union service October 13^th 1862 with 1,229 men.  The 6^th was part of the famed Michigan Brigade, and saw it first actions at Hanover, Hunterstown and Gettysburg under the command of Union Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer.  The 6^th made a notable charge against the retreating Confederates at Falling Waters, Maryland July 14^th 1863, where they leapt their horse over the Confederate lines.

Once the Civil War ended the 6^th was ordered to duty in west to fight Indians.  They received a new commander, Brigadier General Patrick Edward Connor.  They spent the summer constructing Fort Connor, a supply depot that was used during the Powder River Expedition.  The 6^th mustered out of service November 24^th 1865.  They lost 135 officers and enlisted who were killed in action or died of their wounds.  They also saw 251 men die from diseases.

For more information take a look at this web site  6th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry

Protecting The West

Officially established on October 26^th 1862, Camp Douglas in Utah was named for Stephen A Douglas.

It was necessary to recall regular army troop back from frontier duty when the Civil War started.  This left the overland mail route and telegraph open to attack from Indians.  Camp Douglas was a small garrison located about three miles east of Salt Lake City, Utah.  Union Colonel Patrick Edward Conner of the 3^rd California Infantry was chosen to set up a camp in the Utah Territory, and he selected the site.  The Camp was named after late Illinois Senator Stephen A Douglas by Abraham Lincoln and was formally established on October 26^th 1862.  The first winter the post was made up of quickly built dugouts.  Connor had troops from California and Nevada posted at the Camp during the Civil War.  It became the headquarters of the Department of the Pacific and the District of Utah.