Michigan Cavalry Brigade Association
The Michigan Cavalry Brigade Association is a non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to
historical education, preservation and remembrance of the Civil War mounted trooper.  Our group
participates in living history demonstrations throughout the United States in an effort to promote both
an understanding of our distinctive heritage and respect for military personnel past, present and future.  
We lend our support to schools, historic sites, museums, organizations and events, with the goal of
teaching this important aspect of our American, equestrian and military experience.

Our namesake, the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, was one of the most colorful military units of the Civil
War.  Fighting in every major campaign from Gettysburg to Appomattox, the Brigade distinguished itself
under leaders such as George Armstrong Custer, gaining the reputation as an exceptional mounted
volunteer fighting force.  The primary objective of the Association is to realistically represent the people
of the Civil War army, offering the modern audience an opportunity to learn in a unique manner.  Our
members spend countless hours researching primary and secondary source material, locating and sharing
artifacts, and working on mounted military drill and battlefield tactics in order to create an accurate
impression to share with the public.

The Brigade focuses on horseback troops of the American Civil War, although members have equipment
and uniforms representing many eras of United States Cavalry, from Revolutionary War through World
War II.  Each volunteer owns and pays for all of his or her own equipment, including horses, saddles,
and weapons, as well as transportation and incidental expenses involved in their participation.  This
year we may attend and participate at events as diverse as Civil War musters at Historic Fort Wayne -
Detroit, Perryville, KY,  the Civil War Muster in Jackson - MI, The Battle of Sacramento, Kentucky,
Morgans’s Raid reenactments, and the United States Cavalry Association's National Cavalry
Competition at Fort Riley, Kansas.

The MCBA operates as a non-profit organization (Fed ID #38-3141121 – Michigan Commerce ID #704-
889).  We appreciate your support and hope to meet you at this year's events.   

Field Cmdr., Cpt. Steve Smith  linkstrap@aol.com             Williamston, MI       517) 575-5752
Adjutant, Sgt. John St. John     michcav6th@yahoo.com    Allenton, MI            810) 533-2460