Page:Wearing of the Gray.djvu/155

 PELHAM &quot;THE GALLANT.&quot; 139 the famous youth lies low at last. He fell &quot; with the battle-cry on his lips, and the light of victory beaming from his eye.&quot; In the words of the general order which his beloved commander issued, &quot; His record bad been bright and spotless ; his career brilliant and successful ; he fell the noblest of sacrifices on the altar of his country.&quot; The theme grows beneath the pen which at first attempted a slight sketch only, and my paper is growing too long. A few words more will complete the outline of this eminent young soldier. The name of Pelham will remain connected forWer with great events ; but it will live perennial, too, in many hearts who mourn bitterly his untimely end. All who knew him loved him ; I believe that no human being disliked him. His character was so frank, and open, and beautiful his bearing so modest and unassuming that he conciliated all hearts, and made every one who met him his friend. His passions were strong ; and when he was aroused fire darted from the flint, but this was seldom During all my acquaintance with him and that acquaintance dated back to the autumn of 1861 I never had a word addressed to me that was unfriendly, and never saw him angry but twice. &quot; Poor boy ! &quot; said Stuart one day, &quot; he was angry with me once&quot; and the speaker had known him longer than I had. He had rare self-control, and I think that this sprang in a great measure from a religious sense of duty. He would sit and read his Bible with close attention ; and, though he never made a profession of his religious convictions, it is certain that these convictions shaped bis conduct. The thought of death never seemed to cross his mind, however ; and he once told me that he had never felt as if he was destined to be killed in the war. Alas ! the brief proverb is the comment : &quot; Man proposes, God disposes.&quot; Thus, modest, brave, loving, and beloved the famous soldier, the charming companion he passed away from the friends who cherished him, leaving a void which none other can till. Alabama lent him to Virginia for a time ; but, alas ! the pale face smiles no more as he returns to her. As many mourn his early death here, where his glory was won, as in the southern land from which