Edgar M. Gregory

Edgar Mantlebert Gregory
Born	Template:Birth date Sand Lake, New York, U.S.
Died	November 7, 1871(1871-11-07) (aged 67)
Occupation(s)	Union Army officer, Freedmen's Bureau official, United States Marshal
Years active	1861–1871
Known for	Union Army service during the American Civil War; assistant commissioner of Freedmen's Bureau in Texas; U.S. Marshal for Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Edgar Mantlebert Gregory (January 1, 1804 – November 7, 1871) served as an officer in the Union Army throughout the American Civil War, was an official with the Freedmen's Bureau, and held strong abolitionist views. Prior to the conflict, he was involved in lumber, banking, and railroad enterprises in Cincinnati, where he also contributed to aiding fugitives through the Underground Railroad. He advanced to the rank of Brevet major general in recognition of his "gallant and distinguished service." Following the war, Gregory took on the role of assistant commissioner for the Freedmen's Bureau in Texas. In this capacity, he challenged plantation owners who exploited African American laborers after emancipation and promoted formal labor agreements to regulate employment conditions. Later promoted to inspector general, he resigned due to resistance from white individuals such as David Burnet, stemming from his advocacy for African American civil rights. In May 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed him as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a post he maintained until his passing.

Early life

Gregory was born on January 1, 1804, in Sand Lake, New York and raised in Pennsylvania. His father was Reverend Justus or Julius Gregory, while his mother, Clarissa Downs, traced her lineage to early settlers of Norwalk, Connecticut and ancestors from Nottingham, England. He had siblings including brothers Henry M. and David, along with older sisters. During his youth, Gregory resided in Deposit, New York.

Pre-war career

For several years, Gregory lived in Deposit, where in 1832 he co-founded the Deposit Bridge Company alongside partners. Subsequently, he relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in ventures related to railroads, lumber, and banking. By 1844, he held the position of treasurer on the executive committee of the American Home Missionary Society and served as president of Cincinnati's Young Men's Auxiliary of the American Bible Society in 1846. Later, Gregory moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he pursued work as a preacher and founded the Home Guards militia.

Civil War

During the course of the American Civil War, Gregory acted as an officer within the Union Army. Two of his sons also enlisted and served throughout the war. On August 2, 1861, he was appointed colonel of the 91st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, which participated in 21 battles. He sustained injuries at Chancellorsville, Virginia in March 1863 and commanded troops at Little Round Top during the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg. In August 1864, Gregory led forces during the Richmond campaign and was brevetted to brigadier general later that year for "gallant and distinguished service" at the Battle of Poplar Springs Church.

Present at both the Battle of Appomattox Court House and during the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, Gregory assumed command of the Second Brigade, New York Volunteers, 1st Division, 5th Corps. On June 23, 1865, he issued an order upholding equal personal freedoms for people of color, which received endorsement from General Oliver Otis Howard. His regiment was mustered out in July 1865. Gregory earned a brevet promotion to major general in August 1865 or 1866 for "gallant conduct" at the Battle of Five Forks and was formally mustered out by the Secretary of War on November 30, 1867.

Background

General Gordon Granger declared the abolition of slavery in Texas but urged freed African Americans to stay in their homes and work for wages. African Americans in Texas encountered violence from white mobs if they attempted to leave, were sometimes forcibly brought into the state for labor purposes, or were prevented from reuniting with family members elsewhere. Some remained due to assurances from plantation owners regarding crop shares. Additionally, kidnappings occurred with victims sold to slave markets in countries such as Brazil and Cuba.

Texas

Following the war, Gregory was named assistant commissioner of the Freemen's Bureau for Texas and assumed control of the Galveston custom house in September 1865. Known for his abolitionist stance and chosen for his courage amid the state's unrest, he toured plantations in eastern Texas, discovering that African Americans endured violence and conditions nearly identical to slavery. As the sole radical abolitionist serving as assistant commissioner in Texas, Gregory regarded African Americans as dignified individuals deserving freedom, though he also held a sense of personal superiority.

Despite opposition from white Texans, Gregory addressed both black and white audiences about emancipation and Reconstruction. He stressed that freedmen needed to demonstrate their value through hard work and clarified that no land redistribution to African Americans would occur. To facilitate labor relations, he provided sample contracts to both freed people and their former owners.

Gregory introduced labor agreements between freedmen and ex-slaveholders, structuring these contracts as liens on crops cultivated by freed workers. He appointed agents to mediate conflicts and oversaw labor contracts, relief programs, and associated legal issues. Army troops supported enforcement of these agreements near plantations.

In addition to labor oversight, Gregory supervised the establishment of schools and churches. After being accused by David G. Burnet of inciting freedmen against their employers, he was removed from his post in January 1866. Nonetheless, he received commendations and was promoted to inspector general before departing his position in April 1866. His successor, Major General Joseph Kiddoo, shifted focus toward protecting white interests.

Maryland

As Maryland's commissioner in 1867, Gregory played an instrumental role in terminating unlawful apprenticeships that bound black children to former masters, which obstructed their civil rights and access to education. Estimates suggest that between 1864 and 1867 as many as 10,000 children were subjected to these arrangements. Under his guidance, apprenticeship practices were effectively ended in Maryland by 1868. The Freedmen's Bureau, with Gregory’s support, financed school construction and repairs, supplied educational resources, and partnered with religious and civic organizations to recruit teachers for African American children.

Marshal

On May 11, 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Gregory as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Personal life

Gregory was married to Ellen Young, a native of Deposit, New York, born around 1807 and passing away in 1868. Together, they had three children: Frances Henry, Justus Abram, and Sarah Augustus. He identified as a Republican and was a member of the Masonic fraternity, while his religious affiliation was Presbyterian. Gregory’s health deteriorated following a leg wound sustained during the Civil War. He passed away at 68 years old on November 7, 1871. His funeral, held privately in Philadelphia, included a military escort and was attended by clergy members, judges, and military officials. Both Gregory and his wife were laid to rest at South Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Legacy

The Edgar M. Gregory School, bearing his name, holds the distinction of being Houston’s inaugural educational institution for African American children. Today, it functions as the African American Library at the Gregory School, one of the limited number of libraries devoted to African American heritage. Situated within Houston’s Freedmen's Town National Historic District in the Fourth Ward, Houston, it serves as a custodian of vital cultural and historical materials.

See also

• List of American Civil War brevet generals (Union)