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Unsung Hero of Gettysburg: The Story of Union General David McMurtrie Gregg
Longacre's superb book addresses a significant gap in our understanding of the United States' victory in the American Civil War. —Barbara A. Gannon, Pennsylvania Heritage
Gen. David McMurtrie Gregg (1833–1917) was one of the ablest and most successful commanders of cavalry in any Civil War army. Pennsylvania-born, West Point–educated, and deeply experienced in cavalry operations prior to the conflict, his career personified that of the typical cavalry officer in the mid-nineteenth-century American army. Gregg achieved distinction on many battlefields, including those during the Peninsula, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe, Overland, and Petersburg campaigns, ultimately gaining the rank of brevet major general as leader of the Second Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. The highlight of his service occurred on July 3, 1863, the climactic third day at Gettysburg, when he led his own command as well as the brigade of Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer in repulsing an attempt by thousands of Confederate cavalry under the legendary J. E. B. Stuart in attacking the right flank and rear of the Union Army while Pickett’s charge struck its front and center.Historians credit Gregg with helping preserve the security of his army at a critical point, making Union victory inevitable. Unlike glory-hunters such as Custer and Stuart, Gregg was a quietly competent veteran who never promoted himself or sought personal recognition for his service. Rarely has a military commander of such distinction been denied a biographer’s tribute. Gregg’s time is long overdue.
Gen. David McMurtrie Gregg (1833–1917) was one of the ablest and most successful commanders of cavalry in any Civil War army. Pennsylvania-born, West Point–educated, and deeply experienced in cavalry operations prior to the conflict, his career personified that of the typical cavalry officer in the mid-nineteenth-century American army. Gregg achieved distinction on many battlefields, including those during the Peninsula, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe, Overland, and Petersburg campaigns, ultimately gaining the rank of brevet major general as leader of the Second Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. The highlight of his service occurred on July 3, 1863, the climactic third day at Gettysburg, when he led his own command as well as the brigade of Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer in repulsing an attempt by thousands of Confederate cavalry under the legendary J. E. B. Stuart in attacking the right flank and rear of the Union Army while Pickett’s charge struck its front and center.Historians credit Gregg with helping preserve the security of his army at a critical point, making Union victory inevitable. Unlike glory-hunters such as Custer and Stuart, Gregg was a quietly competent veteran who never promoted himself or sought personal recognition for his service. Rarely has a military commander of such distinction been denied a biographer’s tribute. Gregg’s time is long overdue.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 4, 2023
The title of this book is an accurate summation, as David Gregg was a consummate professional with little taste for the spotlight, an admirable quality which was of little personal value in a military where promotion often depended on a good press and good political connections. Still, coming off his professional zenith at the battle of Gettysburg, one is left with the question of why Gregg saw fit to resign from service in January of 1865. Longacre believes that family business, increasing ill health, and poor personal morale (by this point in the war Gregg was mostly a place-holder on an organization chart) are the most likely explanations. Set aside are more lurid theories such as an unwillingness to serve under Phil Sheridan (unlikely considering the post-war good relations of the two men), or being out of sympathy with late-war politics (a little more likely). Reading between the lines myself, one could speculate that Gregg might have lost the confidence of George Meade and some of the other corps commanders of the Army of the Potomac, due to a number of fights where Gregg can be interpreted as lacking a certain amount of "grip;" the ascendancy of Grant and Sheridan might well have saved Gregg's career, if not his promotion potential.
Apart from that, besides being a military life of Gregg, this book also works quite well as a focused analysis of the command politics of the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac; the quality that lifts this study above being just another biography of a little-known general (otherwise I would have only handed out three stars).
Apart from that, besides being a military life of Gregg, this book also works quite well as a focused analysis of the command politics of the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac; the quality that lifts this study above being just another biography of a little-known general (otherwise I would have only handed out three stars).
September 18, 2025
Gregg left no letters or recollections. That makes any biography hard. Longacre does not though go any extra miles to warrant this book. He has no great insights here not even on Gregg's sudden departure from the army. Still, it is well written and argued book so not bad, just unremarkable and unneeded.
January 7, 2026
In The Unsung Hero of Gettysburg, Edward G. Longacre shines spotlight on Union cavalry commander Brigadier General David McMurtrie Gregg. General Gregg was a steady, capable officer whose contribution to the Battle of Gettysburg has often been overshadowed by more famous names. Longacre persuasively argues that Gregg’s actions east of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, were vital to preventing a Confederate breakthrough and helping secure Union victory.
In the book, Longacre starts out talking about his early childhood and young adult life. He goes on to describe his time attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1855, a class that included several future Civil War officers.
This book talks about his time after West Point. Gregg served in the Regular Army cavalry (the 2nd U.S. Dragoons and later the 1st U.S. Cavalry), gaining experience on the western frontier, and leadership skills. This book describes his frontier duty in places such as California, Washington Territory, and the Great Plains. It goes on to talk about his participation in the Indian Wars, where he learned scouting, patrolling, and small-unit leadership.
The core of the book centers on the East Cavalry Field, where Gregg, alongside George A. Custer, confronted J.E.B. Stuart’s Confederate cavalry. Longacre makes clear that this fight was not a sideshow but a crucial engagement. By blocking Stuart’s attempt to strike the Union rear and flank during Pickett’s Charge, Gregg helped preserve the integrity of the Union Army at a decisive moment in the battle.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is Longacre’s portrayal of Gregg as a professional soldier rather than a flamboyant personality. Gregg is shown as methodical, disciplined, and tactically sound commander who understood when to fight aggressively and when restraint was required. Longacre also addresses how Gregg’s calm leadership complemented Custer’s aggressiveness, making their cooperation effective despite their different personalities. Beyond Gettysburg, Longacre provides valuable insight into Gregg’s overall Civil War service, including his role in the evolution of Union cavalry doctrine. Gregg was able to effectively utilize mounted and unmounted cavalry for battles and skirmishing.
I think it is difficult to write a book about General David McMurtrie Gregg because he didn't leave behind a memoir, diary, or many letters. Much of this book is taken from official military records. Doing this accomplishes the goal of writing a biography. It misses the first person explanation of why they did what they did or what they were thinking. Unfortunately, much of Gregg's life is lost to history.
This is a well written book about General Gregg and includes a description of the battles and campaigns he was connected to.
Overall, The Unsung Hero of Gettysburg is an important and well-argued assessment of David McMurtrie Gregg’s legacy. It is articulate and an effectively written biography of a meek man.
David McMurtrie Gregg was one of the ablest and most successful commanders of cavalry in any Civil War army. He was well liked in the army. Gregg was reluctant to celebrate his contributions to victory. Gregg exuded modesty and disdain for self-promotion. Gregg was considered modest and unassuming, unlike glory-hunters such as George Custer and JEB Stuart. Gregg was a quietly competent veteran who never promoted himself or sought personal recognition for his service.
"In action he was brave to a fault, as he was always in the thickest of the fight, and his very appearance on any part of the field, no matter how discouraging the situation, was enough to inspire the men with renewed energy and courage, for they always felt that wher-ever he took them he would certainly bring them out with the least loss possible. Whilst he was noted as being the most tenacious cav-alry fighter of the war, they felt that he was watching over them and that not a life would be sacrificed needlessly." - A Trooper in the 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac
He was a good man. He was many things, including a farmer and bounced around. He was a simple man. He was active in state and local affairs and raised funds to preserve Valley Forge as a national shrine. He visited Gettysburg Battlefield numerous times and gave speeches at events. David McMurtrie Gregg was truly a man of unimpeachable character.
In the book, Longacre starts out talking about his early childhood and young adult life. He goes on to describe his time attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1855, a class that included several future Civil War officers.
This book talks about his time after West Point. Gregg served in the Regular Army cavalry (the 2nd U.S. Dragoons and later the 1st U.S. Cavalry), gaining experience on the western frontier, and leadership skills. This book describes his frontier duty in places such as California, Washington Territory, and the Great Plains. It goes on to talk about his participation in the Indian Wars, where he learned scouting, patrolling, and small-unit leadership.
The core of the book centers on the East Cavalry Field, where Gregg, alongside George A. Custer, confronted J.E.B. Stuart’s Confederate cavalry. Longacre makes clear that this fight was not a sideshow but a crucial engagement. By blocking Stuart’s attempt to strike the Union rear and flank during Pickett’s Charge, Gregg helped preserve the integrity of the Union Army at a decisive moment in the battle.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is Longacre’s portrayal of Gregg as a professional soldier rather than a flamboyant personality. Gregg is shown as methodical, disciplined, and tactically sound commander who understood when to fight aggressively and when restraint was required. Longacre also addresses how Gregg’s calm leadership complemented Custer’s aggressiveness, making their cooperation effective despite their different personalities. Beyond Gettysburg, Longacre provides valuable insight into Gregg’s overall Civil War service, including his role in the evolution of Union cavalry doctrine. Gregg was able to effectively utilize mounted and unmounted cavalry for battles and skirmishing.
I think it is difficult to write a book about General David McMurtrie Gregg because he didn't leave behind a memoir, diary, or many letters. Much of this book is taken from official military records. Doing this accomplishes the goal of writing a biography. It misses the first person explanation of why they did what they did or what they were thinking. Unfortunately, much of Gregg's life is lost to history.
This is a well written book about General Gregg and includes a description of the battles and campaigns he was connected to.
Overall, The Unsung Hero of Gettysburg is an important and well-argued assessment of David McMurtrie Gregg’s legacy. It is articulate and an effectively written biography of a meek man.
David McMurtrie Gregg was one of the ablest and most successful commanders of cavalry in any Civil War army. He was well liked in the army. Gregg was reluctant to celebrate his contributions to victory. Gregg exuded modesty and disdain for self-promotion. Gregg was considered modest and unassuming, unlike glory-hunters such as George Custer and JEB Stuart. Gregg was a quietly competent veteran who never promoted himself or sought personal recognition for his service.
"In action he was brave to a fault, as he was always in the thickest of the fight, and his very appearance on any part of the field, no matter how discouraging the situation, was enough to inspire the men with renewed energy and courage, for they always felt that wher-ever he took them he would certainly bring them out with the least loss possible. Whilst he was noted as being the most tenacious cav-alry fighter of the war, they felt that he was watching over them and that not a life would be sacrificed needlessly." - A Trooper in the 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac
He was a good man. He was many things, including a farmer and bounced around. He was a simple man. He was active in state and local affairs and raised funds to preserve Valley Forge as a national shrine. He visited Gettysburg Battlefield numerous times and gave speeches at events. David McMurtrie Gregg was truly a man of unimpeachable character.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews