Major General David McMurtie Gregg - Equestrian Statues on Waymarking.com

Born April 10, 1833, Huntington county. Both parents died from fever. He was sent with one of his brothers, who also died of a fever, to live with an Uncle, (McMurtrie is his mother's maiden name) David McMurtrie. He attended Milnwood Academy, than the University of Lewisburg (Buchknell University) and than West Point.

While at West Point he met 2 cadet who would influnence him. James Ewell Brown Stuart of Virginia, "JEB" Stuart, who became the leader of the Confederate Calvalry, and Philip Henry Sheridan, who developed the use of cavalry mounted infantry. The commandant of West Point was Col. Robert E Lee. Gregg class started with 71 cadets and graduated 34 and he ranked 8th. Col. Lee studied the abilities, weaknesses, motives and methods of these cadets who would become the military leaders whom he would fight with and against. After graduating he joined the cavalry.

Gregg served in Missouri, New Mexico, California and Washington state. He saw his first battle with the indians. 160 men surrounded by 1000 indians. He was in charge of the rear unit during a fighting retreat and saved the unit from massacre. When Fort Sumter was attacked, starting the Civil War, he choose to fight for the Union. On July 3, 1863 Gregg met JEB Stuart in a Cavalry battle on the East Cavalry Field at Gettysburg.

Brig. General Gregg and his 4500 men, including General Custer prevented JEB Stuart from attaching the right flank of the Union Army at Gettysburg. Stuart was trying to attack the rear of the Union Army. During this battle is when Gereral Custer waved his sabre and shouted "Come on you Wolverines". Gregg held off Stuart and his 6,000 troops from attacking the rear of the Army while Pickett was suppose to attack from the front.

Gregg, for unknow reasons, left the army in Jan. 1865. He was remembered by his men. "He was always found at the point of greatest danger and he lead us into battle and also brought us out safe!"

General Custer said: "I challenge the annals of warfare to produce a more brilliant or successful charged of cavalry than the one just recounted."

His modesty kept him from the notoriety he deserved. Some feel he never got the credit for what he did at Gettysburg!


He moved to Reading in Feb. 1865 to be amoung his wife's family. He did try to reenlist, but that failed. He tired farming but became acive in state and local affairs. He did return to Gettysburg on Sept. 28, 1910 to dedicate the Pennsylvania Mounment, he was 77 and the only living General from Pa. He also returned in July 1914 to East Cavalry Field.

He is buried with in a few blocks of the statue at Charles Evans Cememery. I found no mention of his horse's name.

Identity of Rider: Major General David McMurtie Gregg Identity of Horse: unknow Name of artist: Augustus Lukeman, New York Date of Dedication: 1922 Material: Bronze Unusual Features: Dressed in full military uniform with sword draw and by his side. Position: All Hooves Planted

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