Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/215

 Pcgram Battalion Association. 209

ever carried a gun into action, and next in command, the "boy" soldier, Willie Pegram, whom I had known and loved from his baby- hood, and who in the beginning of the war, seemed like " Minerva," to have sprung armed from the god-king of war. I do not unsex him in the simile, for with all the manliness of any man, he had all the gen- tleness and tenderness of a woman. As charged against King David of old by his brethren, I could not resist, in the " haughtiness of my heart" and though temporarily absent from my own command resting upon my horse to see this "battle." Rapidly they wheeled into position ; I saw the boy soldier leap from his horse, and with a comrade (I wish I could give his name) sight the first gun and fire it ; I saw its first shot surge through the advancing column of the enemy, and then like lightning flashes, shot after shot ploughing through their ranks, like some "cyclone of desolation " through a narrow valley, leaving carnage in their tracks and aiding far to produce the demoralization which resulted in the memorable panic of that day. I can never forget I do not wish even to forget this scene, and when I recall it I feel there may be fitness, perhaps, in my voicing them, at least, in the solemn ceremonies of this day. Called, with his equally gallant and lamented brother to distant scenes of war in the west, I only once again saw this gallant hero and Christian warrior. Sad, is it not ? to think that at the early age of twenty-three years almost a bud, but a bud which had wonder- fully blossomed he should lay down his life, a sacrifice upon the altar of his country, but not before he had given his name to this " battalion," and it and himself to history ; not before he had thrice been recommended for promotion by gallant corps commanders, and with an endorsement from General Lee of which any man might well be proud: " I would approve, but I cannot spare him from my command ! " Better than promotion better die a colonel with this encomium, than \hz generalship he had earned. Peace to thy ashes, brave and gentle comrade and friend.

Time forbids that I mention other names. I would love to mention them the " Crenshaw," the outcome of another loyal and brave heart from our midst the Letcher and the Fredericksburg batteries, with their noble men and officers and last, but not least, the Pee Dee Battery from our gallant and plucky little sister State, South Carolina. We will never forget any of you, and this register en- shrines your noble dead.

But the shadows of the coming evening warn me that I must not linger. I can only present you this record as a whole the register