Editing Battle of Gettysburg (section)

====Northeast of Gettysburg====
Stuart's cavalry division (three brigades), with the assistance of Jenkins' brigade, was sent to guard the Confederate left flank. Stuart was also in position to exploit any success the Confederate infantry (Pickett's Charge) might achieve on Cemetery Hill by flanking the Union right and getting behind Union infantry facing the Confederate attack.<ref>Starr pp. 437–438</ref> The cavalry fight took place about {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} northeast of Gettysburg at about 3:00{{nbsp}}pm—around the end of the Confederate artillery barrage that preceded Pickett's charge. Stuart's forces collided with Union cavalry: Brigadier General [[David McMurtrie Gregg]]'s division and Custer's brigade from Kilpatrick's division.<ref>Coddington, pp. 520-522</ref> The fight evolved into "a wild melee of swinging sabers and blazing pistols and carbines".<ref>Sears p. 462</ref> One of Custer's regiments, the [[5th Michigan Cavalry Regiment]], was armed with Spencer repeating rifles, and at least two companies from an additional regiment were also armed with repeaters.<ref>Coddington, pp. 258-259</ref> The fight ended in a standoff, as neither side changed positions. However, Gregg and Custer prevented Stuart from gaining the rear of Union infantry facing Pickett.<ref name="Starr p. 438"/>