Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/303

 AlalHiin / f i Ill-mi and

the message- was received that General Wheeler was in the trenches with his men. This son of the great State of Alabama has won the love of our entire country by his high honor and great daring.

Amid all clamor and criticism, by friend and foe, his name is never utti-ivd save with praise. Alabama, in former times, sent forth another son who, on the battle-fields of Virginia, gained the names of "gallant " and "vigilant." This is, therefore, an auspicious and fitting occasion, chosen by R. E. Lee Camp Sons of Veterans, to present t<> the sponsor Veteran Camp, the picture of him whoso worthily won, and wore his characteristic designations. Major John Pelham was a marvellous development of the age in which he lived. Great was he of whom the London. Times could say, " no one of an equal age in either army has won an equal reputation." Lovable was his character, which drew r from an enemy in arms the praise: " I rejoice, dear Pelham, in your success."

Useful was the man, whose loss at the early age of twenty-four was mourned as an irretrievable disaster to the Cause for which he fought.

Loved, honored and admired by friend and foe, at home and abroad, had he lived longer, his name would have been written higher and his fame would have shone brighter in that galaxy of he- roes whose memories shed brilliant lustre on the annals of our stu- pendous struggle.

REVIEW OF PELHAM'S LIFE.

Mr. Cox gave a very interesting review of Major Pelham's brief but brilliant career. The speaker told of his birth in Calhoun county, Ala., September jth, 1838; of his parentage; early life; of his entrance of the Military Academy at West Point at the age of eighteen; of his success there, of his leaving with his class-mate, General Thomas L. Rosser, as soon as Fort Sumter was fired on, although he was cer- tain of graduation at the close of the session. After spending a few days at home young Pelham went to Montgomery, whence be was ordered to Lynchburg, as inspector of ordnance.

Continuing, Mr. Cox briefly reviewed some of Pelham's greatest military achievements.

Soon he was placed in command of the artillery on the left wing at Sharpsburg. General Stonewall Jackson, observing his action in that battle, said : ' 'Every army ought to have a Pelham on each flank. ' ' A few days before the battle of Fredericksburg, at Port Royal he attacked the terror of those gunboats, with such success that they were driven down the Rappahannock River. His daring and dashing