George Yates George Yates George Wilhelmus Mancius Yates (February 26, 1843 – June 25, 1876) was an officer in the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment. He was killed in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Yates was born in Albany, New York. He met Custer in Monroe, Michigan, and they became close personal friends. During the American Civil War, Yates was a second lieutenant in the 4th Michigan Infantry. Custer helped him secure a position on General Alfred Pleasonton's staff for Yates. Yates earned several brevet promotions in rank for his actions during the war. He fought at the First Battle of Manassas,
7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment action or mortally wounded and 2 officers and 256 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 343 fatalities. 7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment The 7th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was a part of the famed Michigan Brigade, commanded for a time by Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer. The 7th Michigan Cavalry was organized at Grand Rapids, Michigan in October 1862 by William d'Alton Mann, a future prominent Michigan newspaper and magazine publisher. He was later named as the regiment's colonel. The