Maxcy Gregg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maxcy Gregg
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| Birth name | Maxcy Gregg |
| Born | August 1, 1814 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | December 15, 1862 (aged 48) Fredericksburg, Virginia |
| Allegiance |  United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848 (USA) 1861–1862 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Major (USA) Brigadier General (CSA) |
| Battles/wars | |
Maxcy Gregg (born August 1, 1814 – died December 15, 1862) was an American lawyer and soldier. He fought in the Mexican–American War for the United States. Later, he became a Confederate brigadier general during the American Civil War. He was badly wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg and passed away two days later.
Early Life and Education
Maxcy Gregg was born in Columbia, South Carolina. His great-grandfather was Esek Hopkins, a famous commodore in the early American navy. His grandfather, Jonathan Maxcy, was the first president of South Carolina College. Maxcy Gregg later attended this college, which is now called the University of South Carolina. He graduated at the top of his class.
In 1839, he became a lawyer in South Carolina. He worked with his father and was well-respected in Columbia. Gregg also had many hobbies. He loved learning about astronomy, plants (botany), birds (ornithology), and different languages. He even had his own private observatory.
Gregg strongly believed in "states' rights" throughout his life. This idea meant that individual states should have more power than the national government. He was part of the 1860 convention that decided South Carolina would leave the United States. He never married.
Role in the Civil War
Before the Civil War began, Maxcy Gregg was a big supporter of states leaving the Union. In 1858, he wrote a paper called "An Appeal to the State Rights Party of South Carolina." In this paper, he argued that people in South Carolina did not like being part of the Democratic Party.
When South Carolina left the Union in December 1860, Gregg helped create the 1st South Carolina Volunteers. He became the first colonel of this group. Later, he was promoted to brigadier general. He served in a group called A. P. Hill's Light Division.
Gregg's brigade played an important part in several battles. They helped in Hill's attack at the Battle of Gaines' Mill. He became well-known at the Second Battle of Bull Run (also called Second Manassas). There, his soldiers fought off six attacks from the Union army. He also served in Robert E. Lee's Maryland Campaign. At the Battle of Antietam, he was shot in the thigh. The same bullet also killed another general, Lawrence O'Bryan Branch.
Death in Battle
At the Battle of Fredericksburg, Union troops led by Maj. Gen. George Meade broke through the Confederate lines. Gregg's brigade was surprised by the attack. In the confusion, he was shot in the back.
Staff officers found Gregg and took him to a hospital behind the battle lines. Doctors found that the bullet had hit his spine. At first, Gregg couldn't feel his lower body, making him think he was paralyzed. However, he later regained some feeling in his legs. Despite this, doctors said his wound was deadly.
Maxcy Gregg died on December 15, 1862. On his deathbed, he said he was happy to give his life "fighting for the independence of South Carolina." Even Stonewall Jackson, who had disagreed with Gregg before, came to visit him as he was dying.
In Popular Media
Maxcy Gregg was played by actor Buck Taylor in the 2003 movie Gods and Generals.
See also
