C A Custer and the Battle of Falling Waters

[George F Franks III]

The Williamsport (Md) Heritage Committee with the Forest Glen Commonwealth is sponsoring the first "Grace Under Fire" October 8 & 9 from Gettysburg, Pa to Williamsport, Md. This event is focused on preserving and celebrating Civil War legacies of Williamsport, Md. This includes the role of George A Custer and his Wolverines. It will also include tours and lectures related to the July 14, 1863 Battle of Falling Waters (Md). See www/forest-glen-commonwealth.org, email [e-mail] or call 1-866-588-6503. This is an exciting and virtually untapped area in the life and times of G A Custer. Spread the word!

[George Armstrong Custer]

An interesting link, George - though there is more there on a certain Southern gentleman than our boy!

The significance of Falling Waters to Custer scholars is that his 1863 diary-like 3rd Division report on the action is the earliest known by him while holding the rank of Brigadier-General. Custer had assumed command of the Third Division on the morning of 15 July 1863, which was then lying near Falling Waters having fought a sharp and successful action at that place the previous day. The relevant extracts from Custer's report are these:

Sixth Michigan Cavalry, July 14: Was in the engagement at Falling Waters. Two companies - B and F, commanded by Major weber - charged the enemy, who were in position behind earthworks on the crest of a hill. Major Weber and Lieutenant Bolza, with many valuable men, were killed.

Seventh Michigan Cavalry, July 14: Was engaged on the right at Falling Waters, capturing from the enemy a 10-pounder Parrott gun, 400 prisoners, the battle-flag of the Fifty-fifth Virginia Infantry, and the colonel of the above-named regiment, with several other officers.

Battery M, Second US Artillery, July 14: Marched to Falling Waters, via Williamsport, shelling the enemy at the latter place, he being on the opposite side of the river. At Falling Waters the battery was employed throughout the day.

Source: Custer in the Civil War: His Unfinished Memoirs, compiled and edited by John M. Carroll (J.M.C. & Co., 1977).

Ciao,
GAC