The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-08-28


States came he was still at the Acadc-
my. just one week before he was to
graduate and get his commission in
the United States army he resigned
and went South to take up arms for
the people Of his own section. Like
the majority Of his comrades, he was
first Southern, then American, and
sympathized with the soldier who de-
clared: 81 would fight with France
against any nation of the known world,
but with Brittany against France"
1t is said that fair daughter of
Indiana assisted him to get through
the lines into Kentucky. Succeeding
in this, he went at once to Mont
gomery, Alabama, the first Confeder-
ate Capital, and reported for service.
From Montgomery be was sent to
Virginia, and at the first battle OF
Manassas his bravery and ability as q
soldier were 80 conspicuous that Gen.
Stuart had him organize for his COM
mand six-gun battery. Some of his
men were from Talladega, others were
Frenchmen from Mobile, and these he
placed in charge Of the one Napoleon
gun in the battery.
At Cold Harbor, when it was neces-
sary to engage the Federals in des.
perate skirmish that certain maueu-
vres might be effected, he dashed a
third of q mile in advance of the force,
and, with only one gun, drew the fire
of an entire battery of the Federals.
At the second battle Of Manassas he
thrust his guns forward almost onto
the columns Of the enemy, and won a
warm expression Of appreciation from
Stonewall Jackson, the silent, taciturn
commander, who rarely gave either
commentator or censure. 1t was
here that Jackson said to Stuart:
General, if you have another Pelham
give him to me-
At Shepherdstown, again he was in
advance Of the troops with one piece
Of artillery. When the enemy in
overwhelming numbers were almost
upon him Stusr. ordered retreat. His
men reluctantly obeyed the order, but
Pelham seemed unconscious OF the
fact that he was alone, and continued
to load and fire his piece until the
Federals we're so close upon him that
escape seemed impossible. Then he
mounted one of the horses and started
of with the gun. He had only gone q
short distance when the horse was
shot under him, but he cut its traces
and mounted another. This too, was
shot, and then third horse met the
same fate, but he finally escaped with
his gun through binding storm of
shot and she'll.
At Sharpsburg he showed the same
superb courage, and shen came Fred
erioksburg and the climax of his glory.
The little town with it's Gordon of hills
stood ready for the baptism of blood
and flame, when, in Novsmber, 1862,
Summers grand division of the Fed
eral army moved toward it. Then two
of Longstreet's divisions hurried to it's
defence, and on the 2lst they took
their position on the crest of the hills.
Next Jackson's command came from
the Shenandoa Valley and, early in De-
cember, Gen. Burnside approached
with his immense force, and an at
tempt was made to throw a pontoon
bridge across the Rappahannook River,
that the troops might reach the town.
The brave Mississippians, however,
under Barksdale, kept up such gal
ling fire along the river front that they
defeated nine different attempts of
Federals, and kept up the engage
ment until all the Confedorates were
in position.
On December 13 the battle opened.
The Federals, with their brilliant uni.
forms and glistening bayonets, made a
splendid appearance, while the grim
veterans under Jackson, in their dull
suits of butternut brown, mostly
ragged aud threadbare, and thei,
poor aocoutrements, were in sad con.
trast.
The engagement opened on the Con
federate left, where Pelham stood
ready with his six-gun battery. As
the dense masses of the Federale ad
vanced the artillery made great gaps
in their ranks, but they still pressed
on. Six desperate charges they made
all marked by the most unfiinchine
courage and determination. Meagher'
Irish brigade left its dead within
twentv.fve pacns of tho u,oll bob;nS