Claim: Quincy Adams Gillmore's first independent command came at the head of a cavalry expedition against Confederate General John Pegram whom he defeated at the battle of Somerset.
Evidence: Quincy Adams Gillmore (February 25, 1825 – April 11, 1888) was an American civil engineer, author, and a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Though long associated with engineering and artillery, Gillmore's first independent command came at the head of a cavalry expedition against Confederate General John Pegram. Gillmore defeated the Confederates at the battle of Somerset for which he was given a brevet (military) promotion to colonel in the U.S. Army.