Gregg, Maxcy, 1814-1862. Maxcy Gregg papers, 1835-1888. - View Resource (original) (raw)

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Gregg, Maxcy, 1814-1862. Maxcy Gregg papers, 1835-1888.

Title

Maxcy Gregg papers, 1835-1888.

Abstract

Chiefly consisting of Civil War letters from J.R. Waddy, assistant to Gen. John Clifford Pemberton, re troop movements, drawing rations, artillery pieces, and disbanding of a regiment, and journal, 1839-1860, documenting travel around S.C. for hunting, fishing, and other leisure pursuits, and for his legal practice. Letters, 8 Apr. 1861 to Maj. D.R. Jones re proposed change in method of loading rifles; receipt, 20 Apr. 1861, Charleston, S.C., for $2000 from Gov. F.W. Pickens for regimental supplies for troop movement to Norfolk or Richmond, Va.; letter, ca. 21 Apr. 1861, consisting of an engineer's report submitted by W[illia]m B. Guerard at Combahee Ferry to Gregg, provides an estimate of "the amount of excavation required to replace these works in a completely defensive attitude"; letter, 14 May 1861, to Col. Edward Manigault, requesting leave for two officers. Letter, 1 June 1861, Head Quarters, Centreville, Va., to Lt. Col. Richard Stoddert Ewell, "Commanding advanced Post of Cavalry," stating in reply to his request, that he has applied to Gen. [Milledge Luke] Bonham to send reinforcements, sending immediately "Company E, 1st S[outh] C[arolina] V[olunteers]... armed with Minnie rifle muskets" and advising that if the group does not arrive before night, "take care... that... [the troops are] not fired on as an eenemy; Letter, 14 Jan. 1862, St. Paul's Rangers, Camp Scott (Cheraw, S.C.), from Capt. E.B. Scott, re illness and the camp's need for a surgeon; letter, 4 Feb. 1862 (near Pocotaligo, S.C.) to Gov. F.W. Pickens, re his fears of what might be passed by the Convention, "I think it desirable that it should repeal the Ordinance establishing a 'Council of Safety'... & without further legislation, terminate its existence"; and letter, 23 Feb. 1862, near Pocotaligo, S.C., to F.W. Pickens, re the abandonment of Nashville, Tenn., which could result in heavy combat if Union Army advanced on Huntsville, Ala. Papers related to Gregg's death include an undated essay, "Battle of Fredericksburg" by Mrs. M.S. Whitaker, mourning the death of Gregg and others; letter, 9 Jan. 1863, Yorkville, S.C., J. Monroe Anderson, Chaplain, S[outh] C[arolina] V[olunteers], 12th Regiment, to "Misses Gregg, Care of Mrs. Nancy Thornwell," Columbia, S.C., re circumstances surrounding Gregg's death; letter, Jan. 1863, Forest Hills, Va., re death of Gregg at home of a neighbor; letter, 5 Mar. 1863, from "Personne" [presumably, F.G. De Fontaine] enclosing moss and a leaf from the spot where Gregg fell; and clippings, re Gregg's death. Earlier items include letter, 8 Dec. 1835, to the president and board of trustees of South Carolina College re withholding of Gregg's degree; two volumes, "Sporting Journal" (1839-1860), re hunting and fishing expeditions, a record of game animals taken, weather conditions and Fisher's Pond; other entries discuss a trip to the mountains, 17 July - 12 Aug. 1843; attending "the Washingtonian lecture" in Winnsboro, S.C.; mention of David Johnson; and unsuccessful efforts to convince [William Waters] Boyce to assume editorial duties at the South Carolinian [newspaper of Columbia, S.C.]; entries, 27 Oct. - 5 Nov. 1843, re hunting a fishing trip by boat to Charleston and return by railroad; funeral of Sally Preston, 9 Feb. 1845; migration of vast flocks of [passenger?] pigeons seen flying over Columbia during Feb.-Mar. 1845; purchase of domestic birds, Dec. 1846: "near Christmas I bought from a German Bird Dealer... a starling & 2 goldfinches." Later entries in the "Sporting Journal," describe Gregg's securing of a commission in the Mexican War along with "Memoranda of Sporting Incidents & Observations in my Mexican Excursion" (16 Oct. 1847-10 July 1848); other topics ddiscussedinclude attendance at court in Winnsboro, Sumter and Lexington, S.C.; attending the Southern Convention at Nashville, Tenn., during secession crisis of 1850-1851; a severe storm in Aug. 1850, "which made great havock among the trees in Columbia especially the old India Trees." Other topics documented include the political campaign of 1851; and meeting, May 1851, of delegates of Southern Rights Association in Charleston, S.C., and failure of secession movement; 20 Jan. 1858, re description of the town of Granby (Lexington County, S.C.) near Columbia,S.C., "All the houses are gone... India trees have been cut down... grave-yards of the Hane & Seibels families are close pressed by the Cotton field...."