Edgar Mantlebert Gregory | |
|---|---|
 Edgar M. Gregory during the American Civil War | |
| Born | January 1, 1804 Sand Lake, New York, U.S. |
| Died | November 7, 1871 (aged 67) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Place of burial | Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia |
| Allegiance | United States (Union) |
| Service | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1867 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Major General |
| Commands | 91st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps Assistant Commissioner, Freedmen's Bureau Texas Assistant Commissioner, Freedmen's Bureau Maryland |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | U.S. Marshal, businessman, pastor |
Edgar Mantlebert Gregory (January 1, 1804 – November 7, 1871) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War, Freedmen's Bureau official, and abolitionist. Prior to the war, he worked in lumber, banking, and railroad businesses in Cincinnati, where he also helped people escape slavery. During the war he rose to the rank of Brevet major general for his "gallant and distinguished service".
At the close of the war, he was made assistant commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau responsible in the state of Texas. Planters and others, concerned about the cotton crops, continued to treat blacks as slaves with harsh, cruel treatment and forcing them to remain in Texas. Gregory, a firm abolitionist, recommended the use of labor contracts to set the terms of employment and payment for rendered services. He was promoted to inspector general and left his position due to whites, like David Burnet, who found him too concerned about the rights of African Americans. He was appointed to the position of United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in May 1869 by Ulysses S. Grant and was in service when he died.