"Gallant Pelham" CSA Maj. John Pelham

[Battleline]

Done per request.

Maj. John Pelham (b. 1838, d. 1863) Boy major of the horse artillery, the “Gallant Pelham” John Pelham blended the thunder of artillery with the mobility of the cavalry during his career in Confederate service. Born Sept. 14, 1838, in Benton County, Alabama, Pelham entered the U.S. Military Academy as part of an experimental five-year program in 1856. Pelham excelled in the study of artillery under Maj. Henry Hunt and was noted as the best athlete at West Point at that time, excelling in boxing and fencing. His horsemanship once impressed the visiting Prince of Wales. Just short of graduation, Pelham left West Point April 22, 1861, and headed south. Intercepted at New Albany, Indiana, Pelham was detained and prohibited from crossing the Ohio River. Still, he found a way to cross the river, wooing a local girl and convincing her to help him to Kentucky. Reporting to Montgomery, Alabama, Pelham earned a commission as first lieutenant in the Regular Confederate Army and was assigned to ordnance in Lynchburg, Virginia. Soon, he was sent to Winchester, Virginia, to drill Albertu’s Battery. At First Manassas (July 21, 1861) Pelham was valuable, stationing his battery on Henry House Hill and rendering vital support for the Confederate defenses there. Gen. Joseph Johnston recommended his promotion to captain. On November 29, 1861, he came under the command of the horse artillery of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. That proved to be a good pairing as Pelham worked on the “flying battery” concept of artillery, which involved rapid movement of two or more guns. The flying battery would stop to fire and then limber up again to find another shooting location. This “shoot and scoot” concept would later be used in armored warfare through the 20th Century. Wherever Stuart’s cavaliers went, so did Pelham’s artillery. At Williamsburg and Gaines' Mill, Pelham earned additional praise. After pasting Federals at Second Manassas, Pelham earned credit from Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, who reportedly said to Stuart, “General, if you have another Pelham, give him to me.” At Sharpsburg, he dueled with his former mentor, Hunt, while commanding the Confederate artillery on the left. At Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862,, Pelham enjoyed his greatest success. Deploying his “Napoleon Detachment” (a gun manned by Creoles from Mobile), Pelham struck at the flank of the Federal advance on the heights. Pelham’s crew evaded concentrated fire of no fewer than 24 Federal cannon and continued to bloody the Federal advance for two hours. “It is glorious to see such courage in one so young,” said Gen. Robert E. Lee. After Pelham retired back to the lines, he assumed command of artillery on the Confederate right. Pelham’s gallant conduct earned a promotion to lieutenant colonel. The order was being confirmed when Pelham was killed at Kelly’s Ford on the Rappahannock River March 17, 1863. After going to visit ladies in Culpeper County when he heard the sounds of battle. While waiting for the artillery to come up, Pelham joined a charge of the 3rd Virginia Cavalry. “Forward, boys! Forward to victory and glory!” Pelham urged. Soon after, he was hit in the head with shrapnel. Taken to the home of Bessie Shackelford, Pelham died around midnight. Stuart wrote to J.L.M Curry, then representing Pelham’s Alabama district in the Confederate Congress. “The noble, the chivalric, ‘the gallant Pelham’ is no more. He was killed in action yesterday. His remains will be sent to you today. How much he was beloved, appreciated and admired, let the tears of agony we shed and the gloom of mourning throughout my command bear witness. His loss is irreparable.” Pelham lay in state at the Confederate capitol in Richmond. He was buried in Jacksonville, Alabama. Later, Pelham’s legend was written about by John Esten Cooke.

[Elbarad]

Thanks for that, though it was not my request, it was a good read.

[Gil R.]

It was my request. Pelham was too important an officer not to include. When he died in spring 1863 he received a posthumous promotion to lt.col., but I think there's no doubt that he would have been a general by the end of that year had he lived. So I'll put him in the game in a future patch and have him arrive late in 1863, and those who think this too ahistorical will be able to mod the file easily to give him a 0% chance of appearing in the game.

I visited Fredericksburg on Saturday, which got me to thinking that Pelham should be in FOF.

[Gil R.]

Copied, thanks.