Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-10-11
THE GALLANT PELHAM.
From the Houston (Texas) Journal.

From the Houston (Texas) Journal.
Where is there soldier of the old army
who was on the heights of Fredericksburg,
but can recollect the hero, young Pelham,
fighting his guns in front of Franklin s
corps. One thrill of admiration ran
throughout the army, and the great hero,
as brave as he was modest, had his reward
in the general orders of Gen. Lee, of the
battle, when he styled him "the gallant
Pelham" name that was at once adopted
throughout the army. The sublimity of
this compliment is enhanced by the fact
that he was the only one ever mentioned
by Gen. Lee in general orders, under the
rank of General.
We watched him fighting with unremit-
ting ardor the guns that he commanded
Now firing, now retreating, and then
returning almost to the very line of the re-
turning foe-at each discharge a silver line
of white would CLEAN where the line of
blue had before stood. It was a grand and
terrific sight. We could hear all around
the shouts of our men as they cried: "See
how he fights. Who is it I? What a sol
dier It is Pelham p and cheer after
cheer went up when making his stand near
the centre of the field, he fought until
nearly every horse he had was killed, and
the men torn to fragments by shot and
gliding to the right Of us came Stonewall
Jackson's and A. P. Hills corps, and the
lines collided. Pelham's work was done,
and General Lee, in presence of his corps
commanders and his staff made the remark,
' Is it not a wonder how one SO young can be
so brave % This compliment brought from
him only blush upon his beardless cheek
Brave and heroic heart, we saw him fall
in the front of Averill's fierce surprise. He
was leading to the front some stragglers,
and endeavoring to rally broken line his
fine sabre glistening in patriotic circles
over his head, and his clear voice cheering
up each weary heart to one more honest
effort, when a shell burst over his head,
and one fragment went kissing through his
brow. He fell, and for moment there was
pause. Stuart for a moment stopped and
looked at him, and said in solemn tone,
the tears trickling from his eyes, "Serving
on my staff is fatal-it is fatal"
The following narrative of Harry Gill
more tells the rest of the close of this pure
good life:
"He was taken from the field by Col.
Harry Gilmore, laid upon his horse and
placed in charge of two dismounted men
with orders to carry him to an ambulance
and call surgeon. Col Gilmore thus re-
lates in his book, entitled ''Four Years in
the Saddle" the subsequent fate and brutal
treatment of one of the noblest spirits that
perished for the "Lost cause"
con my way to Culpepper, I overlook,
near Brandy Station, the two men had
placed in charge of Pelham, making their
way back to Culpepper, with the body
across the horse, just as they had started
from the field of battle, his head and hands
hanging down on one side, his legs on
the other-face, hair and hands soaked and
clotted with mud and blood.
Overwhelmed with horror, I had him
laid on the grass in the fence corner, and
then. to my astonishment, found him still
alive. Imagine my indignation and vented
wrath, when found that instead of look
ing for an ambulance, they had moved to-
ward Culpepper, distance of eight miles,
four of which they had already accom-
plished. I firmly believe that had surgical
aid been called to remove the compression
on the brain, his life might have been saved,
can ambulance was Immediately sent
for him, and by the time had dispatched
my business with the telegraph, Pelham
had arrived in town, and was at once con-
yeyed to Bessie's home, where the
ladies had all things in readiness for his le-
ception. Three surgeons were soon in at
tendance and after, by gentle hands he
had been washed with warm water, his feet
and hands swathed in flannel, and some
brandy poured in his mouth. the surgeons
commenced relieving the compression on
the brain. The piece of shell that had !