Gettysburg Daily

Red Cloth Placed on East Cavalry Field’s Michigan Cavalry Brigade Monument

November 2, 2009



A red scarf has been placed on the top of the Michigan Brigade Monument on the East Cavalry Battlefield, possibly by the same individuals who put red cloths on top of the 44th New York Monument, and the Pennsylvania State Monument last year. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 11:30 AM on Sunday, November 1, 2009.

The “Red Cloth Vandals” have struck again, this time at the Michigan Brigade Monument on East Cavalry Field. Although some might think it is ironic/humorous that a red scarf was placed on the top of the unit commanded by Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer, we wonder why someone felt they could climb on top of a monument dedicated on June 13, 1889, and know that they would not harm it in any way.

Also, the Michigan Cavalry Brigade suffered approximately 257 casualties during the Gettysburg Campaign. Who are these modern day individuals who climb a 40 foot tall monument, to prove they could climb it, to prove how “brave” they are? Their efforts, in reality, mock the efforts of the men in this brigade who exhibited actual bravery and sacrifice during the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign.



The Michigan Brigade monument is located east of Custer Avenue on the East Cavalry Field. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 11:30 AM on Sunday, November 1, 2009.



This is one of two wayside exhibits explaining the action on East Cavalry Field on July 3, 1863. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 11:30 AM on Sunday, November 1, 2008.



The painting on the wayside, which could use some serious cleaning, shows Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer leading Michigan troops across this field with his distinctive red scarf. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 11:30 AM on Sunday, November 1, 2009.



The red scarf is the object hanging off the back of the statue on top of the monument. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 11:30 AM on Sunday, November 1, 2009.



It is not easy to see the scarf from the front. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 11:30 AM on Sunday, November 1, 2009.



It is very visible from the back. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 11:30 AM on Sunday, November 1, 2009.



This view was taken facing north at approximately 11:30 AM on Sunday, November 1, 2009.



This view was taken facing west at approximately 11:30 AM on Sunday, November 1, 2009.

See the following related posts:

Ball Placed Back on Top of Monument to Knap’s Pennsylvania Battery on July 9, 2009.
Peace Light Monument Mostly Cleaned of Vandalism on June 14, 2009.
It Has Now Been 145 Days Since the Peace Light was Vandalized on June 2, 2009.
153rd Pennsylvania Infantry Monument Update, and Peace Light Update on May 23, 2009.
Peace Light Cleaning Update: A Little More Progress on May 22, 2009.
Peace Light Cleaning Update: No Visible Progress on May 20, 2009.
Another Gettysburg Monument Vandalized on May 19, 2009.
Peace Light: Some Photographs Taken When the Vandalism was First Discovered on January 27, 2009.
Peace Light Monument Vandalism on January 10, 2009.
Eternal Light Peace Memorial Dedication Ceremony on January 1, 2009.
153rd Pennsylvania Monument on Barlow Knoll on September 14, 2008.
Red Cloths Finally Removed From Monuments on July 7, 2008.
Smith’s New York Battery Monument Still Awaits Restoration on May 31, 2008.
A New Type of Vandalism for Memorial Day on May 26, 2008.