91st Pennsylvania Infantry - Wounded at Chancellorsville - NEW

Item CDV-11823

Description

Signed CDV of Colonel Edgar M. Gregory commanding the 91st Pennsylvania Infantry - Wounded at Chancellorsville

Edgar Mantlebert Gregory (January 1, 1804 – November 7, 1871) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War, Freedmen's Bureau official, and abolitionist. Prior to the war, he worked in lumber, banking, and railroad businesses in Cincinnati, where he also helped people escape slavery. During the war he rose to the rank of Brevet major general for his "gallant and distinguished service".
 
At the close of the war, he was made assistant commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau responsible in the state of Texas. Planters and others, concerned about the cotton crops, continued to treat blacks as slaves with harsh, cruel treatment and forcing them to remain in Texas. Gregory, a firm abolitionist, recommended the use of labor contracts to set the terms of employment and payment for rendered services. He was promoted to inspector general and left his position due to whites, like David Burnet, who found him too concerned about the rights of African Americans. He was appointed to the position of United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in May 1869 by Ulysses S. Grant and was in service when he died.
 
During the American Civil War, Gregory was a Union Army officer. Two sons also enlisted in the army and both served until the end of the war. On August 2, 1861, Gregory joined the Union Army and was made colonel of the 91st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. The regiment fought in 21 battles. Gregory was wounded in the leg on March 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Virginia.  His troops were attacked at Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg. He led during the Richmond campaign (Second Battle of Deep Bottom and/or Operations against the Weldon Railroad) in August 1864. He was brevetted brigadier general on September 30 or October 17, 1864 at the Battle of Poplar Springs Church for "gallant and distinguished service."
 
Gregory and his regiment were present at the Battle of Appomattox Court House and the resulting surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. There he took command of the Second Brigade, New York Volunteers, 1st Division, 5th Corps. On June 23, 1865, during the conclusion of the American Civil War, Gregory issued a general order: "People of color . . . the same personal liberty that other citizens and inhabitants enjoy." The order was endorsed by General Oliver Otis Howard.
 
His regiment mustered out in July 1865. He was brevetted major general on August 9, 1865 or August 9, 1866, for "gallant conduct" at the Battle of Five Forks. He was mustered out by the Secretary of War on November 30, 1867.
 
Source:  Wikipedia