Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-05-07
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
BY RITCHIE & DUNNAVANT.
FRIDAY, MAY z, 1855.
TESTIMONIAL TO LIEUTENANT ROBERT
b PEGRAM.

Is. PEGRAM.
Notwithstanding poetic extravaganza, and all the
shallow philosophy which prstes about the effem
macy Of civilization and the sordid tendency of a
utlitsrian age, we are well convinced that there i:
no herosm so sublime as that which results from the
! education Of men reared among the influences Of
Christianity and scientific enlightenment. We hold
that our modern heroes necessarily gifted with
broader scope Of conception, higher and clearer ap
probation Of moral requirement, larger command
Of all the elements of power-that they are endowed
with greater and purer incentives TO excellence and
are enabled to WELD more fully and more efectualy
the means of its attainments-than ever were the
great men OF more imperfect civilization.
1t ID our privilege to recall to readers the incl
dents of late naval bettle which places in the
strongest relief the superiority to which alude.
Few of those who read the report of Lieutenant Pc.
gram, were at first prepared to award him the need
of heroism out,rvalling the fclions of romance
II was plain statement of facs, detailed with busi.
nesske professional accuracy, warming, indeed, in.
to eulogy when it touched the meri,orious services
of his associates and subordinstes but scarcely re-.
vealiog more than routine performance of duty on
the part of the commander himself It was not until
the British report was published and private accounts
had reached the public, that the common mind began
to appreciate the fact that American officer had
displayed an efficiency go extraordinary as to chal-
lenge comparison with the most brilliant auccess Of
Drake or of Nelson. 1t was no mere onslaught Of
unskied courage but difficult enterprise requir-
ing all the skill and discipline of veteran officer in
the pride and strength of manhood, the tact of su
perior judgment, the nice management Of al accom-.
pished seaman, the training of skilfu artlerymau,
where the ardor of courage and the endurance Of a
martyr had to be coupled with calm calculation and
prompt decison-during contest OF seven hours,
every moment of which critical instant--seven
hours of unremting toll for hand and eye and brain,
under the burning sunshine of an August day.
Pushing an open boat, armed with single howt.
zer, and complement of small arms, into the midst
of feet of pirates, supplied with heavy odnsn2e !;
every roundtop of the enemy Es;.aed with savages,
who stood rsGdy 10 nur merry prcecties too cruel for
the use of civilized mem standing in the bow of his
boat to direct his cannon with his own hand signal.
ing by gestures to his coxswain watching the move.
ments Of the thirty ships of tbs enemy, and the three
boats of hia o,n little heeti watching the direction OF
each broad side leveled against him; obliged to pros.
tra.e his men, in the bottom of his boat to avoid
an occasional shower Of grape shot obliged, more
than once, to -oTse irom sIumber men who, from
exhaustion aud fatigue, would fall asleep at their
oars till the cannon of a junk we're silenced,
and then drawing close enough tG pick from the
round :ops the assassins Who stood prepared to
| overwhelm him with hand grenadea filled with
Greek FIRE and poisonous smoke then gallantly lead
ing charge over the bulwarks OF a private vessel
driving the pirate crew into the sea- restraining his
own men from punder, and, for the cake Of despatch
and discipline, cooy destroying boards of treasure
which might have tempted the cgpdly OF monarch
all this affords IN imperfect recital Of the succession
of feats performed, over and over again, in the
OF that weary hours into which Lieuten
ant Pegram crowded lifetime of heroic efficiency
No nation can repay such deeds &C ibeso. The
State Of Virginia can olter no reoonpense to her gal
liant sou, other than the need Of her grateful &C
acknowledgement. This tribute has been most appro
priaely rendered by the following resolution, unani
mously adopted by tho General hsyenbly, April 9th
1883
"Whereas, combined naval force, consisting o
| two English and two American boats, under the com
| mand of Commander Fellowes, of the Royal Navy
and Lieutenant Robert B. Pegrau1, oi the United
States Navy, carrying two boat guns and one hun
dred and fifty men, armed with small arms, recently
engaged pira.cal fleet in the Chinese Seas. consist
| ing Of thirty iunks, mounting three hundred guns
and manned by three thousand men, and defeated the
enemy with the loss Of ten or twelve iunks and si1
hundred men, sustaining on their part loss in killed
and wounded OF nearly third of their number; and
Whereas this victory was in part due to the brilliant
courage and admirable conduct of Lieut. Pegram, AND
entities him to some mark Of consideration from his
native Statei therefore,
1 AN. Nat kka Of
wealth be requested to procure sword, with suita
BILE inscriptions and devices, and to bestow the came
spon Lieut. Pegram, in behalf of the General Assem-
bly, as testimonial Of thtirhigh regard for his char.
scter and services, together with copy of the fore.
going preamble and resolution engrossed on parch
| nent."
| On the 22nd ultimo, our esteemed townsman, Ma.
jor William Munford performed the agreeable duty
of delivering to Lieut.. pegram the original copy Of
this resolution, together with the following letter
from the Governor:
Governor Wise 10 Lieuhnant Peeram.
RIcRMoND. Va, April l9, 1858.
10 RoBT. B. PEGRAh, Lieutenant U. =. N.
Sr:-By special messenger, Col. VIM. Munford
I send to you resolution of the General Assembly
of your native State, which will ever be part of her
archives TO show that she is proud of you as one OF
her sons. The sword will be cent when procured.
trust you may long live, in health and vigor, to win
more lsures for your own brow and more honors to
illustrate Virginia.
With just pride and commendaon,
am, sir, most gratefully, you're,
HENRY A. WISE.
The presentation of the resolution took place al
Lieutenant Pegram's private residence, near the
Gosport Navy Yard. Major Munford accompanied
the delivery with the following short sddress-thar
which It would be difficult to frame more beautiful
piece Of dioon, one more appropriate to the occa
sion:
MAJ. Muntord's Remdrks.
As you are already aware cir, l am h0nored with
commission from Governor Wise, to deliver to you
| Resolution unanimously passed by the General As
.embly of Virginia. voting you sword for gallant
conduct in the Chinese Seas.
He, who, 10 his country's service, has secured his
country's approval, by the faithful performance
prescribed duty, has found an object worthy OF ht
ambition and fuds In Il no mean reward; but to him
who has stepped beyond these bounds, and nobly
dsres the EXTREMIST pers in the cause Of humanity
it s the impulse Of every generous heart to accord
higher praise and stronger evidences of approval.
I will not offend the modesty which has charac
terzed your bravery, by any special mention of the
deeds Of your honorable life. Not only do the pages
of our own historic annals bear the record but the
| mistress Of the Seas" in bullen-brilaDt with
the recital of your gallant bsaring-has borne hel
generous testimony to your chiVarous ana successtu
service.
To witness merit thus receiving its just reward, il
at ali times pleasant to manly heart and permit me
to assure you, sir that one in this circle of youl
family and friends derives more pleasure than myself
from this acknowledgment by your Mother Common
wealth of your proud title to her gratitude and love
Accent it. thsn, cir, az cheerful tribute to your
worth, and ajust acknowledgment of your services
The following letter contains Lieutenant Pegram''
modest acknowledgment of the compliment paid him
by his native State:
Lieutenant Pcgram to Gorernor W,se.
| NAVY YARD GosPoRT, April 23d, 1855
His E1cellency HENRY A. VICE. Governor OF Vir
ginia.
Sir feel most highly honored by the very com
plimentary manner in which you, have been
graoiousy pleased to convey to me oy your AID
Major VIM Munford, as special messenger, the dis
tnguished honors that have been conferred upon me
bv The General Assembly of my dear native State
little thought that the simple performance OF q