Gregg’s Division served as a member of the Cavalry Corps in the Army of the Potomac. The division is honored by a monument and a secondary plaque.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Erected circa 1910.
What is it made out of? Foundation: Concrete. Monument: Granite. Plaque: Bronze.
What size is it? Seven foot tall monolith.
Who made it? Albert Russell & Sons Co. of Newburyport, Massachusetts. Erected by the United States War Department.
What does it depict? Monuments are rough-hewn monoliths, 4’2?x2?x7?H, consisting of Winnsboro, South Carolina granite. Bronze inscription tablet, 3’8?x3’6-3/4?, is affixed to the polished face of the monolith. Corps insignia, a bronze Maltese Cross, is excised & polished at top of tablet. Polished, excised Crossed Sabers Corps insignia centered above tablet, severely discolored from pollution deposits.
What does it honor? One of 22 Union division monuments that describe the movements and itinerary of each division of the Army of the Potomac. Designed by E. B. Cope.
How is it inscribed? The monument reads,
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
CAVALRY CORPS
SECOND DIVISION
Brig. General David McM. Gregg
First Brigade Col. John B. McIntosh
Second Brigade Col. Pennock Huey
Third Brigade Col. J. Irvin Gregg
July 2. Gen. Gregg with two Brigades left Hanover and took position about noon at the junction of the Hanover Road with the Low Dutch Road First Brigade on the right Third on the left connecting with the infantry pickets (the Second Brigade having been sent to Westminster). Took and held Brinkerhoff Ridge after a sharp skirmish with the 2D Virginia Infantry About 10 P. M. the two Brigades withdrew and bivouacked for the night on the Baltimore Pike a mile East of Rock Creek Bridge.
July 3. Took position with the right on Hanover Road. The Second Brigade Third Cavalry Division on the right. Gen. Custer having received an order from Gen. Pleasonton to rejoin his Division was relieved about 2 P. M. by the First Brigade. A large force of Confederate Cavalry under Gen. Stuart screened from view by woods having been discovered Gen. Gregg ordered Custer to remain in support of McIntosh until Confederate Cavalry could be driven back. Custer and McIntosh and the Batteries of Randol and Pennington were soon hotly engaged with the Confederate Cavalry and Artillery. About 3 P. M. Stuart made a charge with his reserves under Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee which was repulsed.This closed operations on the field.
Casualties Killed 6 Men Wounded 7 Officers 31 Men Captured or Missing 1 Officer 11 Men Total 56
When was this photograph taken? June 15, 2012.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located south side of Gregg Avenue, East Cavalry Field.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? No.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
Secondary Monuments and Markers
Monument Title: Iron Tablet
Photographed: September 19, 2009.
Location: Located at junction of Hanover Road and Hoffman Road. This monument is marked on the map above by a RED pushpin.
Description: Placed 1900-1901. Marks approximate center of division as it contested part of “stonewall” Brigade during afternoon of July 2. Painted aluminum tablet, 2’6″x1’7″. All 3’6″ H. It reads as follows,
Units of the Union Second Cavalry Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. D.M. Gregg, were engaged here with a portion of the Confederate “Stonewall” Brigade, Johnston’s Division, from about 6 to 10 p.m. on July 2, 1863. The 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry occupied the ground to the right, the 1st New Jersey Cavalry and Company A, Purnell (Maryland) Legion to the left, the 10th New York Cavalry and a section of Battery H, 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery were in support.
On July 3, the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry of Gregg’s Division was formed here in a skirmish line which connected on the left with infantry units on Wolf’s Hill and on the right with Brig. Gen. George Custer’s Cavalry Brigade.
At Gettysburg
Commander: Brig. Gen. David McMurtrie Gregg (April 10, 1833–August 7, 1916) was a farmer, diplomat, and a Union cavalry General in the American Civil War. More about this officer.
After Action Report: After Action Report of Brig. Gen. David McM. Gregg (will open a pop up window).
Cavalry Corps, AOP at Gettysburg
Cavalry Corps – 1st Artillery Brigade – 2nd Artillery Brigade – First Division – First Brigade – Second Brigade – Third Brigade – Second Division – First Brigade – Second Brigade – Third Brigade – Third Division – First Brigade – Second Brigade
