John Pelham
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1838-1863
Although "The Gallant Pelham" served the entire war with the
artillery, he was destined to fall while moonlighting in a cavalry
charge.
A native Alabamian, he withdrew from West Point upon the outbreak of
hostilities and joined the Confederate army. His assignments
included: lieutenant, Wise (Va.) Artillery (early 1861); captain,
Stuart Horse Artillery (March 23, 1862); major, Artillery (August 9,
1862); lieutenant colonel, Artillery (April 4, 1863, to rank from
March 2); and commanding Horse Artillery Battalion, Cavalry Division,
Army of Northern Virginia (August 1862-March 17, 1863).
After fighting at lst Bull Run, he became the captain of the first
horse artillery battery that served with JEB Stuart, becoming close
friends with the general. Commanding his unit, he saw action at
Yorktown and during the Seven Days. Promoted, he commanded all of
Stuart's horse batteries at 2nd Bull Run and Antietam. At
Fredericksburg he held up the advance of a Union division against the
Confederate right with only two guns. With only one gun left, he
continued to shift positions despite the fact that 24 enemy guns were
now concentrating their fire on him. Disobeying repeated orders to
withdraw, he only did so upon running out of ammunition. General Lee
observed and said, "It is glorious to see such courage in one so
young!"
Known as the "Boy Major," he heard of an impending action at Kelly's
Ford on March 17, 1863. Away from his battalion at the time, he
joined the fray with the cavalry. He fell victim to a shell fragment
while directing a column past a fence. Thought to be dead, he was
thrown over a horse and led from the field. Quite a while later he
was lowered to the ground and found to be still alive. He died
shortly thereafter. Some believed that prompt attention might have
saved his life. (Hassler, William Woods, Coloneljohn Pelbam, Lee's
Boy Artillerist)
