Drew
Major
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2012
"John Pelham (1838-1863) of Alabama was one of the most noted Confederate artillery officers of the American Civil War. Serving in the Eastern Theater, and mostly in Virginia, he organized and commanded James Ewell Brown (J. E. B.) Stuart's Horse Artillery."
Major Pelham died of wounds sustained at the Battle of Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. JEB Stuart announced the loss of Pelham:
"The major-general commanding approaches with reluctance the painful duty of announcing to the division its irreparable loss in the death of Major John Pelham, commanding the Horse Artillery. He fell mortally wounded in the battle of Kellysville, March 17th, with the battle-cry on his lips, and the light of victory beaming from his eye... His eye had glanced on every battlefield of this army from the First Manassas to the moment of his death, and he was, with a single exception, a brilliant actor in them all. The memory of "the gallant Pelham," his many manly virtues, his noble nature and purity of character, are enshrined as a sacred legacy in the hearts of all who knew him. His record has been bright and spotless, his career brilliant and successful."
-General Orders #9, March 20, 1863, Official Records
I found myself at Brandy Station, Virginia yesterday afternoon and stopped to spend a moment at Major Pelham's monument. One may learn more of his life at the Encyclopedia of Alabama.
Major Pelham died of wounds sustained at the Battle of Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. JEB Stuart announced the loss of Pelham:
"The major-general commanding approaches with reluctance the painful duty of announcing to the division its irreparable loss in the death of Major John Pelham, commanding the Horse Artillery. He fell mortally wounded in the battle of Kellysville, March 17th, with the battle-cry on his lips, and the light of victory beaming from his eye... His eye had glanced on every battlefield of this army from the First Manassas to the moment of his death, and he was, with a single exception, a brilliant actor in them all. The memory of "the gallant Pelham," his many manly virtues, his noble nature and purity of character, are enshrined as a sacred legacy in the hearts of all who knew him. His record has been bright and spotless, his career brilliant and successful."
-General Orders #9, March 20, 1863, Official Records
I found myself at Brandy Station, Virginia yesterday afternoon and stopped to spend a moment at Major Pelham's monument. One may learn more of his life at the Encyclopedia of Alabama.
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