Summary:
Brig. Gen. David McM. Gregg commanded the Second Division of the Army of the
Potomac which included the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Gregg reports on repulsing
the enemy's cavalry charges.
Lieut. Col. A. J. Alexander, A. A. G., Cavalry Corps.
July 25, 1863.
Col.
The First and Third Brigades, of the Second Division, Cavalry Corps, arrived on the battle-field at Gettysburg, July 2, about noon, the Second Brigade having been sent to Westminster.
In compliance with orders from Maj.-Gen. Pleasonton, commanding the corps, I placed these brigades on the extreme right of our line of battle, and at the point of intersection of the Gettysburg and Hanover turnpike with the road which ran in rear of the right of our line of battle. A line of pickets was established in front, connecting with the right of the infantry line and extending well to the right of the turnpike. An attempt made to dislodge some of the enemy's sharpshooters posted in front of the center of my line caused the enemy to throw out two regiments deployed. This force advanced against my line, but was soon compelled to withdraw under the admonition of a half dozen well-directed shells and a telling carbine fire from behind a line of stone fence.
On the morning of July 3, I was again ordered to take a position on the right of our line, and make a demonstration against the enemy. The First and Third Brigades were again posted on the right of the infantry, but about three-fourths of a mile nearer the Baltimore and Gettysburg turnpike. This position was taken because I learned that the First [Second] Brigade, of the Third Division, was occupying my position of the day before. A regiment was dismounted and put in the woods as skirmishers, but the enemy was not found in any considerable force.
At 12 a.m. I received a copy of a dispatch from the commander of the Eleventh Army Corps to the major-general commanding the Army of the Potomac, that large columns of the enemy's cavalry were moving toward the right of our line. At the same time I received an order from Maj.-Gen. Pleasonton, through an aide-de-camp, to send the First [Second] Brigade, of the Third Division, to join Gen. Kilpatrick on the left. The First Brigade of my division was sent to relieve the brigade of the Third Division. This change having been made, a strong line of skirmishers displayed by the enemy was evidence that the enemy's cavalry had gained our right, and were about to attack, with the view of gaining the rear of our line of battle. The importance of successfully resisting an attack at this point, which, if succeeded in by the enemy, would have been productive of the most serious consequences, determined me to retain the brigade of the Third Division until the enemy were driven back. Gen. Custer, commanding the brigade, fully satisfied of the intended attack, was well pleased to remain with his brigade. The First New Jersey Cavalry was posted as mounted skirmishers to the right and front in a wood, the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry deployed as dismounted skirmishers to the left and front in open fields, and the First Maryland on the Hanover turnpike, in position to protect the right of my line.
The very superior force of dismounted skirmishers of the enemy advanced on our left and front required the line to be re-enforced by one of Gen. Custer's regiments. At this time the skirmishing became very brisk on both sides, and an artillery fire was begun by the enemy and ourselves. During the skirmish of the dismounted men, the enemy brought upon the field a column for a charge. The charge of this column was met by the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, of the First [Second] Brigade, Third Division, but not successfully. The advantage gained in this charge was soon wrested from the enemy by the gallant charge of the First Michigan, of the same brigade. This regiment drove the enemy back to his starting point. Other charges were made by the enemy's columns, but in every instance were they driven back. Defeated at every point, the enemy withdrew to his left, and on passing the wood in which the First New Jersey Cavalry was posted, that regiment gallantly and successfully charged the flank of his column. Heavy skirmishing was still maintained by the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry with the enemy, and was continued until nightfall. During the engagement, a portion of this regiment made a very handsome and successful charge upon one of the enemy's regiments. The enemy retired his column behind his artillery, and at dark withdrew from his former position. At this time I was at liberty to relieve the First [Second] Brigade of the Third Division, which was directed to join its division.
Our own and the enemy's loss during this engagement was severe. Our loss: Offcers, 1 killed, 17 wounded, and 1 missing; enlisted men, 33 killed, 140 wounded, and 103 missing.
On the morning of the 4th, I advanced to the enemy's position, but found him gone. Following toward Hunterstown, I found many of his wounded abandoned. From these we learned that the enemy had been severely punished and his loss heavy. One general officer was severely wounded
Brig.-Gen. Custer, commanding First [Second] Brigade, Third Division, very ably assisted me in the duties of my command. Col. J. B. McIntosh, commanding First Brigade of my division, handled his brigade with great skill, and deserves particular mention for his gallantry and untiring energy throughout the day. The Third Brigade, Second Division, Col. J. Irvin Gregg commanding, was held in reserve upon the field. The batteries commanded by Capt. A. M. Randor and Lieut. A. C. M. Pennington, jr., rendered most effective service. The fire of the artillery during this engagement was the most accurate that I have ever seen.
It gives me great pleasure to bring to the notice of the major- general commanding the efficiency and gallantry exhibited by my entire staff on this occasion.
A list of casualties of this engagement has heretofore been forwarded, and will again be found in a consolidated list.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. McM. GREGG, Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, Comdg. Second Division.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I., Volume 27. Part I. Reprts, Serial No. 43, Pages, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
