The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-29


the providence OF God he was not al
lowed to remain with lis very long.
No one knows what his record would
have been IL he had lived until
the close of the strugsle--briliiant.
no doubt: an example for tile
whole world to have followed Butt
this was not to be. On March II. 1855
he fell while leading the Third Vir-
giria Cavalry In charge against tie
enemy's cavalry (Averilrs) who had
crossed the Rappahannock River mi
Kelly's Ford. and was making for Cul-
pepper Courthouse. r'itz Loe's brigade
was resisting the advance of Averill'si
forces, consisting of 200 men. suceefs-
fully. The Horse ARTILLERY. then an
der command Of Captain James
Breathnd pelham having been pro-
noted najor) arrived on the scene and
at once opened on the enemy's cavalry
and Martins Independent Horse Bat
terry of New York, six guns.
General j. e. 3. stuart and Major
John Pelham were in Culpeper Court
house attending military court. when
the firing OF Brea.hedis guns an
nounced the attack of Ayerjll's force
upon Fitz Lee. They mounted their
horses and Immediately rode to the
scene OF the conflict rapidly. Mator
Pelham on reaching the field came up
quickly to the battery tEreathed's), and
finding that Bresthed was working
his battery TO great advantage. and
the FIRE OF the eneny's battery seemed
TO be Stacking. he said 10 Breathed:
Captain. do not let yonh fire cease;
drive them from their position These
were the last words ever heard him
utter. He then rode off In the direc-
ton Of the Third Virginia CaTary.
tlrt,n ar nh M ,-t,c <ver
forming to charge the enemy's csv-
airy on the other side of the stone
wall. The adjutant OF the Third Cav-
airy writsss
AT that moment regiment OF Fed
eral cavalry swept down upon us. Pei
hams sabre flashed from its sheath in
an instant. AT that moment his ap-
'pearance was superb. His cheeks were
burning; his bright blue eyes darte.l
lightning. and from his lips. wreathed
with smile OF joy rang. Forward as
he chcered on the men. He looked the.
perfect picture of hero. as he was.
For an instant he was standing in his
stirrups. his sabre flashing in Ills
grasp; for moment his clarion voice
rang like a bugle that sounds the
charge. and then I saw him hurled
from his saddle under the trampins
hoofs OF the horses. With a single
bound of my horse 1 reached hir. He
lay with his smiling face. turned up
ward: his eyes closed. a shell had
burst above him. a fragment OF which
had struck him on the head He was
gone, and his young blood sacred 20
the men of his battery and the entire
command. had bathed Virginins soil."
He was placed tenderly across his
faithful horse and conveyed most ten
n nt-1, Ia, hf<,fy1 H., ~,
adjutant of the Third Virginia Cavalry,
and some men to the house OF Judge
Shackelford, az Cuipeper Courthouse.
Va. When he reached the Courthouse
he was Just breathing. and in short
while the soul OF the gallant soldier
winged its flight to the God that gave
1t. That night the men of the battery
babe good to their gallant and
idolized commander as he laid in the
parior of Judge. Shackelford's house.
General Stuart also came. With meas
ured step, his black plumed hat in
hand. he approached the body looked
long and siienliy upon the smiling fana.
his eyes full of tears; then STOPPING
down he pressed his bearded lips to
the marble brow. As he did so the
breast of the great Stuart was shaken.
a sob issued from his lips. and teac
| fell on the pale cheek of Pelham.
Severing from his forehead lock OF
| the light hair, he turned away. and as
he did SO there was heard in low. dees
! tones. which seemed to force their -was
through tears, the single word Fare
we'll 1t was Stuart's last greeting
on this earth to the spirit of Pelham
soon to meet each other whsre the roar
of battle never comes.
| The next day General Stuart sent
ITO Mr.. Curry, his, representative in the
Confederate States Congress, the fol
flowing dispatch:
/ The noble. the chivalruos Pelham. i:
tno more; he was killed in action; his
remains Will be sent you to-day. How
much he was loved, appreciated anG
admired let the tears of agony we have
l'shed and the gloom of mourning
throughout my command bear witness
Ills loss is irreparable.'
Afterwards in general order to hts
4 command he says. He fell mortal,
wounded with the battle cry on hi:
lips and the light OF victory beaming ii
his eyes. His eye had glanced ovel
every battlefield of this army, from
the First Manassas to the moment o
/ his death. and he was. With singh
exception a brilliant actor in them all
i The memory of the gallant Pelham
4 his many victories. his noble nature ant
purity of character is enshrined as
i sacred legacy In the hearts OF all WIZ
knew him. His record has been brigh
and spotless, his career brilliant an.
successful. He fell the noblest OF sac
rifices on the altar of his country
Il Such is a brief but resplendent recor,
4 of this boy hero, the American I'll
u Rochejaquelein.'' One who loved hin
i from his old States Of Alabama writes
!. I'm person he was Of ordinary statu
!. and light build, but remar ka bly, snewy
I He was considered the best athlete d
West Point, and he was there note,
J, for his fondness for fencing, boNin!
!, etc. The Prince OF Wales tnow Edwar,
j, WILD was struck with his horseman
! ship when he visited the academy Il
i 1860. lie had a boyish appearance
!. erect and neat address. Modest as 4
!, maiden in the social circle, he shon
!, with the mild effulgence of a Pleiad
u but the battlefield transformed hlr
into the fiery meteor With its dazzlin
!, glare. He was calmly and recklessl
, brave, and saw men torn to piece
J around him without emction-his hear
Z and eve We're on the stern work h
/ was performing. Even in early yout
| he fought a larger schoolfellow tt
t he tainted with exhaustion"
: Well might old Stonewall say: q
= l,. ~ III.