Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-19

met us and pointed out the position we
wero TO take and the work we were 70
do. In on old stubbie-held on little
knoll we numbered, and Jackson, In per-
son. directed Pegram to throw shells into
q distant woods. We opened fire as di-
erected. using lj- and -J-second shell
no enemy in sight Three hundred yards
i'm front OF us was heavy growth or
green corn, extending for a mile or
more over beautifully undulating ground.
70 the left was the road by which we
had come. and the only line OF retreat
in case such an emergency arose.
We had fired only a few shots when
over the hill and through the corn we
saw at least a brigade of blue infantry
coming straight for the guns. Changing
from shell TO .shrapnel and canister, we
turned our entire attention 10 TINS col
umn, but they continued 10 come on
without a waver Finally we doubled the
charges OF canister, and then they broke
and went back over the hill. Just then
We noticed coming down the road at full
speed and IN easy shell range body or
blue cavalry If they passed our flank
80 were lost Changing front 10 the leit'
We raked the road. first with shell, then
with canister. The cavalry came on al
most past the danger point, then broke
and went back.
Our attention was then called TO our
old friends. tho infantry, who had been
reinforced and were coming through the
corn as IL 10 take our guns 90 all hazards.
The situation looked desperate, as We had
no support nearby. Pesram ordered
double charges Of canister, and, selling
tho flag. he went from gun to gun. way
ing IL in the very faces Of the men ana
begging: Don't let the enemy have these
guns or this flag; Jackson is looking at
YOU. Go I'm, men; give it 10 them"
The column laltered and went back ana
reformed only TO come again. On they
came, and were getting IN good canister
range when an order came 20 ldl back.
Tho bugle blew, Timber TO the rear;
cluuoncers mount" Just as this order
was executed one OF the gun horses was
killed. and 81 looked as If the only pru-
dent thing 10 DO was to leave this gun
and save the rest, IL We could. Pegram
d.d not think 50, and he quickly gave lne
order:
Action. 'front.' Fire double charges OF
canIster.
While we obeyed this order under his
personal direction. tho drivers replaced
The dead horse, and again the bugie
sounded: Timber TO the rear! cannon
GERS mount! Retire. which was Instant
~ obeyed, FOR tho enemy were within
less than 1O0 yards OF cur guns ana IN
great force.
We galloped away with all Of our guns
but achievements coming up, We soon
had our old position back. After this Pc
gram heard the men discussing how near
we came losing the gun He merely said:
Men, whenever the enemy takes a gun
Of my battery. look for my dead body in
front OF it, And he kept his word.
From private in an infantry company
he rose to be a colonel Of artillery, and
commanded az one time as high as sixty
guns in battle He never lost single
piece until the final breakup at Five
Forks. He died. aged %. in Gilliand Field
IN little redoubt. by the side OF the first
gun the enemy had ever captured from
his command. and his eyes were closed IN
death zero they claimed the prize.
What Napoleon said OF Ney might well
be said Of Willie Pegram. the boy artll-
lerist What a man! What soldierT
OF boyish form and face. IN camp and on
the march hs had tho voice and manners
OF a schoolgirl. Kind and gentle 10 his
men, still a stern disciplinarian. requiring
every one TO do his whole duty. Amid the
roar OF his guns on the battlefield he be-
camo a giant in voice and stature. and
seemed to know In the hottest battle just