John Irvin Gregg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Irvin Gregg
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| Nickname(s) | Long John |
| Born | July 19, 1826 Bellefonte, Pennsylvania |
| Died | January 6, 1892 (aged 65) Washington, D.C. |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848, 1861–1879 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Major General |
| Commands held | 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac 8th U.S. Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War Indian Wars |
John Irvin Gregg (born July 19, 1826 – died January 6, 1892) was an important officer in the United States Army. He served in two major wars: the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. During the Civil War, he fought for the Union army. He started as a colonel and later became a brevet general. A "brevet" rank means he was given a higher rank for his brave service, but it might not have been his permanent pay grade. Later, he was recognized as a brevet major general.
Early Life and Military Start
John Irvin Gregg was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Andrew Gregg, was a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. John was also a cousin to another famous Union general, David McMurtrie Gregg. He was even related to the governor of Pennsylvania, Andrew Gregg Curtin.
John Gregg began his military career during the Mexican–American War. He joined as a private soldier in December 1846. He quickly moved up in rank, becoming a first lieutenant and then a captain. He left the army in 1848.
After the war, he worked in the iron industry with his family's company. He married Harriet Marr, and they had two sons, Irvin and Robert.
Service in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, John Gregg returned to the army. In May 1861, he became a captain in the 3rd U.S. Cavalry. He soon became a colonel of the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry in November 1862.
Colonel Gregg led many different cavalry groups. These groups were part of the Army of the Potomac, a major Union army. He commanded the Third Brigade at important battles like Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. At Gettysburg, his cousin David Gregg was also a division commander.
Gregg showed great bravery in battle. He was wounded at the Second Battle of Deep Bottom. For his courage, he was given higher "brevet" ranks. In December 1864, President Abraham Lincoln nominated him to be a brevet brigadier general. This was for his excellent service in battles near Richmond and at the Battle of Trevilian Station.
For a short time in early 1865, Gregg was in charge of the entire Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac. He was wounded again at the Battle of Sayler's Creek in April 1865. The next day, he was captured but was released just two days later. He left the volunteer army in August 1865.
After the Civil War
After the Civil War ended, John Gregg stayed in the U.S. Army. In July 1866, he became a colonel of the 8th U.S. Cavalry. This was a position his cousin David McMurtrie Gregg had also wanted.
Gregg was sent to the Arizona Territory. There, he led missions against Native American tribes in the Mojave Desert. Later, he moved to the New Mexico Territory. From 1870 to 1873, he commanded Fort Union. He also led efforts to find and control the Apache people in that area. In 1872, he explored and mapped the Texas Panhandle.
John Gregg retired from the army in April 1879. He passed away in Washington, D.C. on January 26, 1892. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, a place where many American heroes are laid to rest.
