April 21, 1862 (Sunday): For the Reocrd

General David McMurtrie Gregg

No. 11. Letter from Colonel David McM. Gregg, Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
CAMP NEAR HAMPTON, VA., April 21, 1862.

    DEAR COLBURN: A few days ago I saw published a letter from the General-in-Chief to General Kearny concerning the first occupation of Manassas by our troops. The first troops at Manassas were the Third and Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry. These being there before other regiments was the simple performance of a designated duty, and as such not deserving a public recognition. The reply of the General-in-Chief, however, acknowledges that the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry was, in fact, the first regiment at Manassas, and the object of the correspondence being evidently to secure to one or the body of troops the credit of the first occupation, I write you thus to ascertain if it is known at the headquarters of the Army that the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry entered Manassas with the Third Regiment.
    An official recognition of the service is not asked for my regiment; but since I was personally instructed by the Commander-in-Chief to perform a certain duty, it would be gratifying to myself and regiment
to know that he was informed that the duty had been successfully performed.
I am, your friend,



D. McM. GREGG,
Colonel Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Series I., Vol. 5, Part 1, Page 549.

Throughout the war and more so thereafter, officers and men were jealous of the role their regiment played in key events.  It was no small thing in 1862 when Union forces retook the old battleground at Manassas.  Here Colonel, later Major-General, David McMurtrie Gregg writes of the role of his regiment in retaking Manassas.  Gregg was a pre-war, regular army, Indian fighter who transferred to become colonel of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry.  Colburn was a staff officer to McClellan.  Gregg had a lengthy war record, being in the thick of most engagements of the Union cavalry in the East.  In addition, he was one of the rare individuals who seems to have emerged from the war without enemies, being both respected and liked by his peers.  After the war he was involved with a number of charitable organizations.