The 6th Michigan Cavalry was organized at
Grand Rapids, Michigan, from May 28 to October 13, 1862, and mustered on October 13, 1862. Among the officers who later joined the regiment as replacements were
Thomas W. Custer, who would earn two
Medals of Honor while serving with the 6th in the spring of 1865. , July 14, 1863 The regiment was assigned to what became the
Michigan Brigade during the early part of the
Gettysburg campaign in June 1863. It saw its first actions under General Custer at the
Hanover,
Hunterstown, and
Gettysburg. Armed with
Spencer Repeating Rifles, the 6th provided superior firepower against the lightly armed
Confederate cavalry. Sent out to the
Old West frontier following the cessation of hostilities in mid-1865, the 6th, commanded by Colonel James H. Kidd and under the overall command of Brigadier General
Patrick Connor constructed "
Fort Connor" as a supply depot during the
Powder River Expeditions of that summer. A detachment of the regiment guarding James A. Sawyers wagon train participated in the
Sawyers Fight of August and September, 1865. The regiment was mustered out of service on November 24, 1865. ==Total strength and casualties==