Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/23

 Annual Reunion of Pecjram Bitttalion Association. 17

largely outnumbered (as the official reports prove), pushed the enemy slowly, but steadily, through the pines to an open field beyond. Suddenly the Federals, who were evidently handled by some resolute officer, put in two fresh brigades. The South Carolina brigade, in turn, was being pushed back slowly, stubbornly disputing every foot of ground, when Pegram, spurring through the line-of-battle, snatched the battle-flag from the color-bearer and rode with it straight towards the enemy. When forty or fifty yards in advance of the whole Hne, placing the color-staff on his stirrup and turning in his saddle he dropped the reins on his horse's neck and shouted out in tones that rang clear above the iron storm, ''Follow me, me?i ! " It was a scene never to be forgotten — the glorious sunset, the lithe, boyish form now sharply cut against the crimson western sky, now hid for a moment in billowing smoke, the tattered colors, the cheering lines of men.

With a rousing yell the sturdy little brigade closed up on the col- ors and never after gave back a single inch. The young color-bearer ran forward to him, the tears standing in his eyes, and cried out, " Give me back my colors, Colonel ! I'll carry them wherever you say ! " " Oh, I'm sure of that," answered Pegram cheerily, handing over the flag. " It was necessary to let the whole line see the colors, that's the only reason I took them."

In the action of the next day, October ist, he received a slight wound, being struck in the leg by a minie-ball while riding along the skirmish line. He would not, however, leave the field during the fight, despite the remonstrances of General Heth and his own officers, nor would he apply for leave of absence afterwards.

In the latter part of October General Heth applied for him to be assigned with the rank of Brigadier-General to command Field's and Archer's (consolidated) brigades, and shortly afterwards Lieu- tenant-General R. H. Anderson, knowing nothing of Heth's appli- cation, recommended that he be assigned with the same rank to a brigade in his corps.

The recommendation of General Heth was forwarded to army head-quarters by Lieutenant General A. P. Hill with this endorse- ment: " No officer in the Army of Northern Virgiiiia has done more to deserve this promotion tha7i Lieutenant- Colonel Pegram. ' '

Fortunately the papers were returned with the endorsement that " the artillery could not lose the services of so valuable an officer," §nd he received instead of the appointment to a brigade a com- mission as full colonel of artillery, a rank reckoned in every service