therefore immersed his considerable intellect
in the study of military science by joining the
local militia. In 1859, he ventured to Italy to
participate in the war for independence
against Austria, but hostilities concluded be-
fore he arrived. Pettigrew then returned home
and published a book about his experiences.
South Carolina seceded from the Union in
December 1860. Pettigrew, widely regarded as
an authority on military affairs, gained an ap-
pointment as an aide to militant Governor
Francis W. Pickens. He also functioned as
colonel of the First South Carolina Rifles. On
December 26, 1860, the Union garrison at
Charleston under Maj. Robert Anderson se-
cretly ensconced itself at Fort Sumter in the
middle of Charleston Harbor, and it fell upon
Pettigrew to deliver Governor Pickens’s note
of protest. Over the ensuing five months he
became a common sight in the camps and
troop assemblies as South Carolina mobilized
for war. He was on hand to witness the bom-
bardment of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861,
and declined future participation on military
boards in favor of active field service.
Despite his influence upon South Carolina
military affairs, Pettigrew failed to receive a
command of his own. Eager for action, he
then joined Wade Hampton’s legion as a pri-
vate. After arriving in Virginia, he learned of
his election as colonel of the 22nd North Car-
olina Infantry. Pettigrew subsequently spent
several months drilling and disciplining his
men and assisted in the blockade of the Po-
tomac River. His popularity at home led to a
promotion to brigadier general, which he gra-
ciously declined, citing his lack of experience.
Nonetheless, he finally relented and accepted
a promotion to command rank as of March
- In this capacity Pettigrew fought against
the forces under Union Gen. George B. Mc-
Clellan during the Peninsula campaign (April–
June 1862). Pettigrew’s brigade, composed of
units from North Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas,
and Virginia, was part of Gen. Gustavus W.
Smith’s division and closely engaged at Seven
Pines on May 31, 1862. However, Pettigrew
sustained a serious injury when he was shot
through the throat. Refusing to be moved to
the rear, he was left behind when his com-
mand retreated; he was taken prisoner the fol-
lowing day.
By August 1862, Pettigrew had recovered
and was exchanged. He then assumed com-
mand of a new brigade composed entirely of
North Carolina troops. He remained in south-
eastern Virginia and eastern North Carolina,
fighting small actions around New Bern, until
May 1863. That fateful year, he was trans-
ferred to Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern
Virginia as part of a division under Gen.
Henry Heth, in Ambrose P. Hill’s III Corps.
After the stunning victory at Chancellorsville,
Lee led his men on an ambitious invasion of
Pennsylvania while a Union force com-
manded by Gen. George G. Meade shadowed
him closely. On July 1, 1863, Heth advanced
upon the road junction of Gettysburg while
foraging for shoes and encountered a cavalry
division under Union Gen. John Buford.
Heavy fighting ensued as the Confederates
repeatedly tried and failed to push Union
forces off McPherson’s Ridge. Once Heth sus-
tained a head injury, Pettigrew assumed com-
mand of the division and led it to final victory
by day’s end. Casualties among North Car-
olina troops had been severe, with the 26th
North Carolina Infantry sustaining a loss rate
of 72 percent—the highest of any regiment in
the Civil War. Heth’s division was accordingly
taken out of line to rest and missed the
bloody and inconclusive fighting on July 2.
However, on the third day, Pettigrew mus-
tered his men to assist the famous attack of
Gen. George E. Pickett against Cemetery
Ridge. The attack failed, his troops suffered
horrendous losses, and Pettigrew was
wounded in the hand. Once again he refused
to leave the field. In the wake of this unex-
pected reverse, Lee sullenly withdrew his
battered army back to Virginia.
Despite its recent decimation, Pettigrew’s
brigade was called upon to act as a rear
guard. On July 14, Union cavalry engaged his
force at Falling Waters, Maryland, where Pet-
tigrew was shot in the stomach. CriticallyPETTIGREW, JAMESJOHNSTON