Draw the Sword

Location: East Cavalry Field

Order of Battle: Cavalry Corps, 2nd Division

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.

Monument Specifications: Polished granite rectangular monument with rough hewn sides. Bronze plaque affixed to front.

Dedication Date: ca. 1910.

Main Inscription: 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

Other Monuments and Memorials: Iron tablet located at Hanover Road at the intersection with the Hoffman Road. Placed 1900-1901. 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.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Brig. Gen. David McM. Gregg (will open a pop up window).