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6th Regiment Michigan Cavalry
1862-1866
The Sixth Cavalry was organized at Grand Rapids, under the
authority granted to the honorable F.W. Kellog, by the War
Department, approved by the Governor. Its recruitment being
completed, it was mustered into the service of the United
States on the 13th. of October, 1862, with 1229 officers and
men on its rolls.The Regiment left its rendezvous at Grand Rapids, fully mounted and equipped, but not armed, on the 10th. of December, 1862, under the command of Colonel George Gray, with orders to proceed to Washington.
While in the field in 1863, a flag was procured and presented to the Sixth, by General James Kidd, of Ionia, then a Major in the Regiment. This flag was borne through many battles, and is now in the possession of the state. In the latter part of 1864, the citizens of Ionia had made a handsome silk flag, which was delivered to the Regiment by the honorable James Kidd, of Ionia.
This flag, after being carried through the war, was taken with the Regiment to Wyoming, on an expedition against the Indians, and was the first flag to be flown over Fort Reno, on the Powder River. It is now in the possession of the relatives of General Kidd, and is a highly prized souvenir of the Regiment.
During its entire time in the service of the United States, they were assigned to the famous, Michigan Brigade, under the command of Brigadier General George A. Custer.
The Sixth's history is found under that Brigade's history.
Total Enrollment--1779..... Killed in Action--49..... Died of Wounds--26..... Died of Disease--247
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Copyright © 1995, Don Harvey, Revised 14 June 1996