Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-18
GEN. E. W. PETTUS.
ed by Capt. w. C. Ward, of
Birmingham. ~

Capt. w. c. Ward kindly furnishes the
State Herald with the following inter-
esting features. connected with Gen. %.
w. Pettus:
Gen. Pettus married Miss Mary, daugh-
ter of Gov. Chapman. They have been
blessed with three children: Hon. Frank
L., Mrs. Lucy Roberts, of Blount county,
widow, and Mrs. Lacy, of Dallas coun-
ty. Gen. Pettus has been a father to
the orphan children of his brother and OF
his wife's relations. He Is generous, lib
eral and kind hearted a good citizen,
kind neighbor, just and honest man.
For thirty years he has been member
of the beard of trustees charged with
the duty of public education in Selma.
In 1850 Gen. Pettus gave up his place
as solicitor and left for California to hunt
gold. AT that time he was a resident OF
Sumter county, and he left his wife at
home while he went out to seek his for
tune In California his health failed, and
he returned to Alabama reduced in for
tune and broken in health. He was APP
pointed circuit judge, holding that office
until 1858. He removed to Cahaba, then
the county seat of Dallas county, and
formed a law partnership with Dawson
& McGhee. They did a large business
until 1861 In August the Twentieth Ala
bama regiment was organized, and he
was elected Northumberland. He was
with the famous Twentieth through the
Kentucky campaign, and also in Tonnes
see. He was al the battle of Cumber-
land mountain and forced the pass. At
Grants Pass, below Vicksburg, he stay
ed too long in the fight, was surrounded
and captured. While the fsderals were
marching him back to prison a halt was
ordered at night. He lay down in
fence corner and rolled himself in dark
gray blanket. When the guard. and
prisoners were ordered to fall in and re-
sumo the line of march he didn't fall in.
When the rear guard passed him he rose
and took to the woods. In forty-eight
hours he Joined his command at Big
Black and went into Vicksburg with
Pendleton.
Gen. Pettus' most thrilling adventure
was when he captured the federal re-
doubt. He called for volunteers and with
fixed bayonets his men followed him over
the breastworks. The federals were sur
prised, killed and captured. The whole
army rang with praise at this bold ex-
plot. A big Texan stepped up to Gen.
Pettus, slapped him on the shoulder and
said: You ought to be Texan"
At the close of the war he settled in
Selma and formed law partnership with
Col Dawson. They were very prosper
GUS and their income from their law prac-
uce amounted to 100000 a year. In 1872
Gen. Pettus was nominated for the state
senate, but was beaten by Jere HARRISON.
Gen. PettuS was a leader of the people in
all affairs connected with the reconstruct
ton period. In the fall of 1871 the ne
groes had complete control of every office
in Dallas county. Law and order were
thrown to the winds. In this condition
the negroes became turbulent. In per-
sonal encounter between a negro and a
white man named Bailey the negro was
killed. Bailey fled for his life pursued
by negro mob, and was caught. The
mayor and police were run over. The
sheriff, a carpetbagger professed him
self helpless. Gen. Pettus assembled 100
men in an upper room on Broad street
They were apparently unarmed, but car
ried revolvers concealed. He placed HIM
self at their head and marched to the
scene of disturbance. He met the sheriff
on the way and carried him along He
ordered the negroes to disperse and they
sullenly withdrew. Gen. Pettus has such
commanding presence that his appear
ance overawed the mob. Baxley was re-
moved to the county jail, and Senator
John I. Morgan was appointed special
solicitor to prosecute the rioters Gen.
Pettus has ever insisted that the state
and county government must be placed
under the rule of the white man. He has
never been an officeseeker. He is the
tribune of the people.