Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-06-07
Rtom u. nharle,.on C,nrir.
rum Toe JdufttssOH S'
GEN J. JOHNSTON PETTlGREW.


The laurel aud the cypress ourshed side By side and
the shouts of victory are ever bendd and subd1ed with
the voice of Waing and amentatou. The victory when
We confidently eIpec. to receive in fuller reports rom
the well fought fields Richmond, will De- as dearly
purchased a victory be which locks to cur uitl'
mate delyeraDee from fate incomparaey worse tnah
DEATH No brighter, nobler or more gallant spirit has
sealed in maryrdom the field devotion TO our cause,
than Gen. J. Johneto1 Pethgrew.
James Johnston Petfigrew was a son OF Hor
Ebeu, Petiigrew, OF Tyrell county, North Carolina,
cousin of our fellow citizen, James L. Pedgru, and WAS
born III 1881.
He entered the old and cherished nursery Of bis ma
tive Safe after full GCademca preparation, and grsdu
ated with distinguished honor5 from the Uniyelsi Of
North Carolina 10 1876 President Polk, native OF
North Carolina and alumnus of this University, at
tended bis Commencement with members OF bic Cabi-
net aud other distinguished citizens The orator Of the
Literary Societies John Y Mason, Secretary OF tie
Navy, and afterwards Minister TO France. Among tie
scen fc visitors and guests WIS Professor haury, VINO
was so f4Yoraby and deeply Impressed with the gs and
requirements OF the young grsdua2 inst ne engaged
him for the Mathematical Chair of the Observatory i'll
Washington. Mr.. PettigreW remained IN Washington
until ls4S when he removed to Charleston sud CON
pnted under the tuition of his Distinguished relative
and fatherly FRIEND j. L. Pegru the legal studies he
had commenced.
He was admitted to the bar aud proceeded to Europe
for study observation and Improvement be passed
three years chiefly 10 Germany aud Spain, and made
dgent use OF the many advantages there presented to
one oil bis qualifications.
Ga returning to Charleston, he began practice and
justified fully the highes: expectations OF bis admiring
friends.
IN 1856 he was elected Representative in the Gen
eral Assembly and there distinguished himself above all
new members and above his years. lbs speech on the
Judiciary reform is well remembered as one OF the best
efforts Of legislative oratory and his mastery re.
port against the opening Of the slave uade, was admired
IL tbNaa bod aniu
ions
In 1853 he returned TO Europe with enyisbe creden-
tis auu I, mona's 10 seek honorable commission in
the French or Sandman rYcG, but his arrival was da
pointed by the peace soon after the bat
tie Of Solferno He then visited SpaiC-l ayore land
where history had strongly interested him before he
FIRST set foot Spanish SOIL His admiration OF the na-
lion was increased by association with the people and
after failing in his prt ct 10 enlst the giment Of H
e 10 the Confederate service, in the autumn OF lStO
prepared from notes taken during bis two Vslts and
had printed Tor private circulation, very attractive vol
ume entitled Spain and the Spsnards full OF beautiful
description and profound It u ction.
Ga his return 10 OhsrlsOl be Nss electe1 Colonel OF
the first H. Regiment South Carolina militia, and vas
placed 10 GIL important command at the time that NJ lr
Robert Anderson began tue which is now III cting
AmeiIa.
After the recovery OF Fort Sumter, he desired to 60
with his regiment Virginia, but prevented by the
regulations which retained the power OF appointment
over regiments lie then volunteered as private with
the Washington Light Itfntry Volunteers of the Hamp
ton Legion but transferred by election as &c
lionel TO the command OF North Carolina regiment.
Previous to the whdrawsl Of army from the p
tomac, he was rendered the commsnd Of Brigade,
which ne modesly declined
The changes of war, the necessities Of additional br
gades and the appeals of friends WHO knew BID
merits and his qualfcltions induced him to withdraw
lis tecsior and accept the appointment thus honosby
NrFaHTN ant hIahu hQU
| and so many have sought, without qualifications.
H, has fallen "a all such wish fall il early death
must come Let his cOmpeers who survive see that hi
| fall is not in vain.