ies in that it was highly mobile to keep apace
with fast-moving cavalry columns. Over the
ensuing winter months, Pelham mercilessly
drilled his men for teamwork, speed, and pre-
cision and was ready for combat by spring-
time.
In April 1862, a huge Union army under
Gen. George B. McClellan landed on the Vir-
ginia Peninsula and began groping inland. Pel-
ham’s battery received its baptism of fire at
Williamsburg on May 5, 1862, and was continu-
ously engaged throughout the ensuing Penin-
sula campaign. He rendered especially distin-
guished service with Stuart’s column during
the capture of White House, McClellan’s main
supply depot, and also chased off a Union gun-
boat. He also acquired a reputation for reck-
less bravery when—with only two cannons—
he bombarded the entire Union army at
Malvern Hill. Pelham consequently obtained a
promotion to major in August 1862, just prior
to the Battle of Second Manassas. Here he was
instrumental in providing fire support to Gen-
eral Jackson’s corps at Brawner Farm, and lat-
ter accompanied Gen. Robert E. Lee’s inva-
sion of Maryland. His battery was actively
engaged in desperate fighting around South
Mountain (September 14, 1862) and helped
hold back a surging Union tide. Three days
later at Antietam (the bloodiest single day of
the Civil War), Pelham was posted on Lee’s left
flank, which scythed down ranks of Union sol-
diers advancing through the cornfield. The
young officer’s bravery and skill in laying his
pieces made him a favorite at Stuart’s head-
quarters. He was also the toast of the Confed-
erate press and hailed as the South’s most
youthful hero.
In the fall of 1862, Pelham’s battery accom-
panied Stuart on his famous “ride around” the
Union army. He then helped cover Lee’s re-
treat from the Shenandoah Valley, skirmishing
constantly with pursuing Union cavalry. But
Pelham’s finest moment as an artillery officer
occurred during the Battle of Fredericksburg
on December 13, 1862. Posted on the far left
of Lee’s defensive line, expert fire from two of
his cannons impeded the advance of Gen.
William B. Franklin’s division for nearly two
hours. In the course of the day, he also ended
up dueling with a Union battery of 32 pieces,
despite direct—and repeated—orders from
Stuart to withdraw. Pelham nonetheless held
his ground until one cannon was damaged
and he was nearly out of ammunition. Rather
than rebuke the impetuous officer, Lee report-
edly declared, “It is glorious to see such
courage in one so young!” Thereafter, he be-
came popularly regarded as “Gallant Pelham.”
The dashing Pelham, who was youthful,
handsome, and unattached, became a favorite
with the belles of Virginia. In March 1863, he
ventured to Culpeper to call upon Betsey
Shackleford, a romantic interest, when word
of an impending cavalry battle arrived. Ac-
companied by Stuart, he rode to Kelly’s Ford
on the Rappahannock River, where several
columns of Union cavalry were locked in a
duel with Gen. Fitz-Hugh Lee’s command.
Eager for action, Pelham volunteered his ser-
vices as a cavalry officer and was leading a
squadron into the fray when he was suddenly
struck by an artillery fragment. His wound,
though serious, was not regarded as life-
threatening, and he was taken to the Shackle-
ford residence to convalesce. He died there
that evening, aged 24 years. Stuart grieved
openly and ordered Pelham’s body placed in
state at Richmond. He also named his daugh-
ter Virginia Pelham in his memory. In recogni-
tion of his sterling service to Confederate
arms, the young soldier was also posthu-
mously promoted to lieutenant colonel. Pel-
ham, once revered as the “boy major,” re-
mains enshrined in Alabama folklore, an
enduring symbol of courage, sacrifice, and de-
votion to duty.See also
Davis, Jefferson; Jackson, Thomas J. “Stonewall”; John-
ston, Joseph E.; Lee, Robert E.; Stuart, J.E.B. “Jeb”Bibliography
Brooks, Victor. The Fredericksburg Campaign. Con-
shohocken, PA: Combined, 2000; Hassler, William W.PELHAM, JOHN