MICHIGAN AT GETTYSBURG, PRESENTATION COPY TO DAVID MCMURTRIE GREGG, CIVIL WAR

Description

Up for auction is a copy of the book “Michigan at Gettysburg.” It was a presentation copy to Brigadier General David McMurtrie Gregg who commanded a cavalry division in the battle. In addition to Gregg’s two brigades, the Michigan cavalry brigade of George Custer (1st, 5th, 6th, 7th regiments) fought under Gregg’s command on East Cavalry Field on July 3rd.
As seen on the flyleaf, George Briggs (the Chairman of the Michigan Commission) presented this copy to General Gregg. There were no Michigan units in Gregg’s brigade, so I figure he was given the book since Custer’s brigade fought under him on July 3rd. Briggs was the Adjutant of the 7th Michigan during the battle. He worked his way up the ladder of command until he was appointed Colonel of the 7th Michigan dating from May 26, 1865.
Since the presentation is written in calligraphic lettering (not Briggs’ normal hand-writing), I researched Briggs’ records in the National Archives. I copied a few forms from his post-war Pension file. Briggs wrote his information on those forms in the same calligraphic style, so it seems safe to say he wrote the presentation to Gregg himself. I will include those forms with the book for the winning bidder.
As for the book’s condition, I would rate it only as Fair (i.e., shows wear and tear but all the text pages and illustrations or maps are present). As shown in my second photo, the cover has separated from the book. Otherwise the binding is tight with no missing pages. The book has ex-library markings on the spine and some inside pages. There are also tears and/or tape on some pages; the most pronounced tears are on pages 1 - 6 (see my sixth photo). The great majority of the pages are in very good condition with no tears or stains.
The book contains the foldout map of the East Cavalry Field battle on July 3rd. The map is in good condition; the only issue is a separation in the right hand portion of the fold.
Please look at my photos and judge condition for yourself. If you have any questions, or would like additional photos, please let me know before you place a bid.
Only USA bidders, no foreign bids accepted. Thanks for looking.