The Michigan Cavalry Brigade, consisted of the 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th Michigan Cavalry Regiments. According to Fox's Regimental Losses the brigade sustained the highest percentage of casualties of any mounted brigade during the war. Their numerous exploits and associations cause many historians to place them as the premier Cavalry brigade in the Union service during the Civil War. The Brigade held its first reunion on October 19, 1869 in Detroit and the second on the same date, a year later, in Grand Rapids.
It is worth noting that the first reunion flyer names the unit "The Michigan Cavalry Brigade” and the second names them "Custer’s Michigan Cavalry Brigade.” Members of the Brigade obviously wanted to closely identify with their famed Brigadier, whom they idolized. Both flyers are from the Major Robert C. Wallace, 5th Michigan Cavalry collection.