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

Pelham Napoleon. Then there was
a shrill, hidcous, indcscribablc shrek
of shell as it swirled through the
charging lines of blue. The surgiug
mas recoiled, halted, hesitated; then,
with demoniacal yell, pressed for
ward the single gun. The yell ceased,
and for moment there was a ghastly
hush. And then there came thunder
ing through the sir from across the
Rappahannock boom on boom. From
southeast to east, from east to north
east; then from the north came huge
shells whirling death in their arms.
Pelham had drawn upon himself the
concentrated FIRE Of half dozen bat
teries-twenty-four guns-yet hie gun
continued to roar and never failed to
slaughter. No other gun on the Con-
federate side and yet opened, but this
lone war dog howled on. And in the
haif iu'i between tic hccms of the
cannon there foated above the noise q
sound that seemed strange on that day
of multitudinous terrors-the Napol-
con Detachment singing the "Mar-
seillsise" as they fought their gun.
Like Internal imps in tophet they
fitted about in its smoke. Two
armies looked on while the Mobile
Frenchmen wrote history with blood.
Time wore on. Still the gun roared,
and the sound Of its roaring thunder
ed through the air. Gen Lee said:
1T is glorious to see such courage in
one so young" In his report of the
battle he spoke Of no one but Pelham
below the rank Of major general, term
ing him "the gallant Pelham!"
At dark the Federals withdrew, the
ground was heaped with their dead
and dying, and the day ended for them
in most disastrous defeat.
John Pelham was now only "a, but
the services OF this great day had
made him lieutenant colonel. The
order was issued. but had not gone
into effect when the fight occurred at
Kelly's Ford, on March IL, 1863.
Here he saw regiment wavering and
dashed forward in their lead, shout
ing: Forward, boysl Forward to
victory and glory!"
In this gallant action he fell, his
brain pierced by fragment of a shell.
He died in few hours.
Gen. Stuart telegraphed the event,
saying: "The noble, the chivalric,
the gallant Pelham is no more.
How much he was beloved, apprecia-
ted and admired let the tears of agony
we shed and the gloom of mourning
throughout my command bear witness.
His loss is irreparable."
In Stuart's general order announc-
ing his death to the division he said:
"His eyes had glanced over every
battlefield Of the army, from the Ma
nassas to the moment of his death !;
and, with single exception, he was a
brilliant actor in all. The memory of
the gallant Pelham, his many vir-
tues, his noble nature and purity Of
character are a sacred legacy in the
hearts of all who knew him. His re-
cord was bright and spotless, and his
career brilliant and successful"
He was calmly and reckIessiy brave,
and saw men torn to pieces around
him without emotion, "because his
heart and eye were upon the stern
work he was performing
The body of tho young hero was car
ried to Richmond; there it lay in state
at the Capitol, and was then taken to
the old home at Jacksonville, Ala
bama, for burial. The spirited lines
of A. Sidney Morton deserve. place
in an, record Of this young hero:
"Into the hurtling storm of shell,
Into the gaping mouth of hell,
Pelham, the dauntless, dashed
Out from the meagre line of gray,
Ont to the bloody fringe of fray,
Where thousand thunders crashed.
"Lashes to straining horses piled,
Cheers of defiance as they ride,
Under the eye OF Lee.
Out OF the day and into night,
Cioudod In smoke they ride to fight,
Glorious eight to see!
"Out Of the bedlam Freedom speaks,
Hear It In Pelham's Parrots shrieks.
Pelham! 'tis bravely done!
In the concentrating, deadly hail;
Daring TO Gle, but not TO fail,
Pelham still fights his CUNT
"What Is that sounde IT'S not cheer-
There, yet again-lists Comrades, hear!
Hark, 'tia the hymn Of France!
Rising, the lofty anthem swelle,