The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-04-16


The memorial of the life OF GeneralJ. john
ston Pettigrew, lately issued from the press
OF Messrs. Walker, Evans & Cogswell, of this
CITY, is something more than graceful ana
worthy biography OF one OF the noblest ana
most chlvalrous of the peerless bano VINO
fought and died in the armies OF the South'
Mr.. Trescot Judged correctly that some
knowledge of the ways OF peace was neces-
sary TO just appreciation OF the clrcum-
stance of war; and assuredly none who are
ignorant OF the spirit of the times, OF the
habits of the people and their modes OF
thought, can understand why the Confede-
rate war began, and how, once begun 1t
drew into its ranks Uniorist and Secession
ist, STRIPPING aud greybeard, doubter ana
cnthusiast-all for the State, and the South.
The generous conviction, expressed by Mr.
Trescot. that "mcn never will mistake
''purity of purpose, nobleness, self-sacritic-
..inc lives, or heroic deaths, be they spent
ION one side or the other" will find re-
sponsiye echo in the hearts OF the truest SOL
diers ofthe Confedcracy. And those who live
beyond the border may seek the solution OF
what to them is difficult problem, in the
graphic summary given in the pages OF this
Memorial of The causes which bred an al
most fanatic intensity OF State loyalty, and
which settled the question OF duty when the
ordinance OF secession was passed. Men
had their misgivings hut there was "no hes
citation us to what they had to do" Calmly,
and with philosophic spirit, and chasteness
of dction, now too uncommon, Mr. Trescot
traces the character of South Carolina and
its people; Illustrating the commonwealth
BY che individual gentleman, and finding in
the one citizen y representative OF the yir-
tues, and, perhaps, the faults OF the State.
The early life OF General Pettigrew, his
scholastic successes, his appointment as
professor in the Washington Observatory,
his admission to the Charleston bar his for
eirn travel and his brief but brilliant polltl-
cal career, are described with cautious care;
and no opportunity is lost OF pointing out
wherein the eminent student and scholar vas
the type OF his race.
General Pettisrew was ''by nature essen-
sstially soldier;" and in 1855 he determined
to apply for 4 stuff appointment in the Sar-
dinian service, anxious 10 take his part in
the great cause OF struggling, expiring hui
smanity" The peace of ViiiaTranca put ali
end to the purpose OF his journey to Europe;
but during his absence he devoted himself
to the study OF military science, and upoa
his return to Charleston was elected colonel
of the First Rifle Regiment, 'the best Or
s:ganization ofvolunteer troops in the State"
When the war broke out Colonel Pettigrew's
regiment occupied Castle Pinckney, and was
afterwards transferred to Morris's and Sulli-
vans Islands Immediately after the reduc-
ton OF Fort Sumter, Colonel Pettigrew Or
ganizcd rifle regiment 'for the war; but
the War Department declined to receive Or
ranized regimeuts, and the different compa-
nies obtained admission into other orSanlza-
,ions. Colonel Petiigrew joined the Wash
ipcton Light Infantry volunteers-lhen COM
mandel by General James Conner, himself
as gallant soldier as ever drew sword
and q little later was appointed Colonel ol
The Twelfth North Carolina In 1862 he was
offered a commission rs Briyadier- General.
This lie declined to accept on the ground that
che had never been under fire. never han-
sdlcd troops in action, and his conviction
swas firm that no man who had not been
"actually tried in battle should be appointed
SO the rank OF Drisadier." Not long after,
Colonel Pettigrew was persuaded by General
Holmes to yield his convictions and accept
the appointment. Atseven Pines he was des-
peratcly wounded and taken prisoner, and
upon his return 10 the field was placed in
command OF q brigade near Petersburg
His lirmness, skill, prudence and dashlng
vaIor inspired confidence and enthusiasm
wherever he went; che only needed time to
''have won his way to the highest military
distinction" AtGettysburg he commanded
Hcths Division which took part in "the fatal
"and famous advance" on Cemetery Hill, on
the morning of the Sd July, 1865. His noble
brigade, which on the morning OF the lst
july mustered three thousand men, num-
bered OH the morning Of the 4th eight nun
cred and lhrty-llve.
Tie end WAS near. On the morning OF
the li.il July s!nal! squad OF United States
cavalry charged upon General Heth, Gene
ral Pettigrew and group Of officers who
were walking towards the left OF their divi-
vision. Tie arms OF the men were stacked,
...h:cre was brief alarm, an obscure and
confused skirmish, q few scattered shots,
land, within sight OF whole division,
General Peltigrew was mortally wounded
'.hy one ofthcse reckless troopers, who made
''their escape as rapidly and safely as they
chad made their attack" There are few OF
the veterans of the Army of Northern Vir-
ginia who do not remember that drizzly day
at Falling Waters when the news OF the
wounding Of Pettigrew flashed through the
ranks; nor is it forgotten that there was
then found Il grim consolation in the belief
that of the troopers who made the attack
Only two or three escaped.
,rhrnn DAYS later General PettiIrcW died.