The farmer and mechanic., 1915-03-02


..,n on his generation as General J.
fnhuston Pettigrew. The brilliance
~ his intellectual powers. the ro-
nance of his military career, the
harm OF his striking personality, ap-
,.atad strongly to the imagination of
t.s ronternporaries, and they always
.oolse and wrote OF him in terms of
thc yarmest eulogy. OF his intimate
.-soeiates none knew him better than
General James Conner, of Charles
t,,n General Conner himself had q
aistfuguished career in war, at the
tar. and in politics. Entering the
t'aufederate army as a captain, by
.rccessive promotions he attained the
rank of brigadier-general; in 1855,
te vas promoted to the rank Of
maior-general, but his commission
though forwarded to him failed to
reach him before the surrender of
General Lees army. Before the war
General Conner had been United
states District Attorney; and after the
gar was elected Acknowledgement of
south Carolina on the ticket headed
3v General Wade Hampton. General
conner was long and intimately asso-
eiated with Pettigrew iR-~society, at
the bar, in politics. and in war, and
mo man had better opportunity to
form a just estimate ot ms character
anu ability.
me following letter. therefore,
written TO a kinsman of Pettigrew
probably Joseph Blythe Allston)
only one year after Pettigrew's death,
IS ~ particular interest to the people
of North Carolina. 1t, together with
tre other documents accompanying
This article, is in the Pettigrew Pa
rrra in possession of the North Caro-
papers have recently been presented
fo the North Carolina. Historical Com
mission by General ottigrew's nieces
thy Misses Pettigrew Of Tryon, n. &
They embrace. the papers Of Rt. Rev
Charles pettigrew first EpiscOpa
Giah0p of North Carolina, Of his sor
EpeneZer Pettigrew. member of Con
sress, and of the latter's son, Genera
Johnston Pettigrew; and cover the
wears t772 TO 1867. They form one
vi the most valuable collections o
historical papers bearing on Norti
Carolina in existence.
Geucra! COnncr's Sketch of Pettigrevs
Chaffins, Aug. s, 1864.
NT dear Allston:
In compliance with your request
viii endeavor to give you a sketch o
nay acquaintance with Johnston Pet
uerew. ] regret that the many in
ierruptions of camp life and activ
service prevent my sending a NOR
huiag tribute TO the memory Of on
friend.
Ii was early in 1850, while attend
ing the law courts as a student that
Tor the first time saw Johnston Petit
grow. He had but recently been ad
mited 10 the bar and was then max
ing arrangements to travel and com
plete his studies in Europe. He ha
heen a student Of law in the Ofhc
ot his distinguished relative, the HoI
James l.. Petigru, the acknowledge
leader Of the bar of our State. l wa
myself a student in the same offic'
and on entering it had been impress
cd with the reputation which Pett
grew had left behind him among h
fellow students, and l listened wit
"aEerGeSs to the stories which the
related of his wonderful quickness {
intellect, and facility in acquiring il
formation. The number of law st'
dents in the city was at that tin
large and all Of them had TO some e.
tent become acquainted with Pett
grew, and all were enthusiastic
their admiration of him. To me
was Il stranger. j had never m
ann, and when for the first time
was pointed out to me in court l r
sarded him intently. His appea
ance well confirmed all that l h:
'%Ah' ic lntelleCludl CIldI dItCA L'
very feature and even the quiz
movements of the body seemed to
put in harmony with what ] h
heard Of the quickness of his min
He left shortly after for Europe and
continued my studies i'll the law {
nee Two years afterwards he =
.ufned and commenced the pracH
oI law in Charleston in connectl
with Mr.. James l.. Petigru, and l J
'alne acquainted with him, an q
luaintance which ripened into an
oinacy which lasted unbroken dt
tng his life.
Ills first appearance in court "
a. Junior counsel in a cause of sol
Importance. The leaders Of the /
we're engaged upon either side. \
teugru reserying to himself the
ply, entrusted to his junior the ops
ing argument in the case. Pet
crews effort on that occasion at OF
hic loo