Near Wilson in Wilson County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Gen. W. D. Pender
Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 18, 2013
1. Gen. W. D. Pender Marker
Erected 1959 by Archives and Highway Departments. (Marker Number F-34.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list.
Location. 35° 44.876′ N, 77° 46.268′ W. Marker is near Wilson, North Carolina, in Wilson County. Marker is at the intersection of NC-42 (State Highway 42) and Town Creek Road, on the right when traveling west on NC-42. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6106 Town Creek Rd, Elm City NC 27822, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Toisnot Church (approx. 4.7 miles away); Wilson Normal & Industrial Institute (approx. 7.6 miles away); Military Hospital (approx. 7.7 miles away); Our Confederate Dead (approx. 7.7 miles away); Wilson Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.7 miles away); Confederate Military Hospital No. 2 (approx. 7.7 miles away); Wilson Hospital and Tubercular Home (approx. 7.7 miles away); Owen L. W. Smith (approx. 7.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilson.
Regarding Gen. W. D. Pender.
this page online
From 1856 to 1860, Dorsey saw active service on the frontier in New Mexico, California, Oregon, and
Washington as a member of the 1st U.S. Artillery and the 1st U.S. Dragoons. In March 1859 he married Mary Frances Shepherd and had three sons: Samuel Turner, William D., and Stephen Lee. In 1860, he was appointed adjutant of the 1st U.S. Dragoons stationed in San Francisco. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Pender resigned his commission, choosing to fight for his native state. Appointed an artillery captain by the Confederate government, he was sent to Baltimore as a recruiting officer.
In May 1861, Pender returned to North Carolina and instructed new regiments forming at Raleigh and
Garysburg. He was elected colonel of the 3rd North Carolina Volunteers (13th N.C. Troops), and then transferred as commander of the 6th North Carolina Troops. In combat at Seven Pines, during the Seven
Days Battles, Pender performed so valiantly that he received a promotion
Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 18, 2013
2. Gen. W. D. Pender Marker, looking east along NC Route 42
commanded the brigade throughout the Peninsular Campaign and was wounded at Malvern Hill. Returning to duty, he was wounded again at Second Manassas, but continued on through the Maryland Campaign, Fredericksburg where he was wounded a third time, and Chancellorsville.
At Chancellorsville, Pender took command of A. P. Hill’s division when Hill was wounded. Following the death of Stonewall Jackson Hill was promoted to command of the Army of Northern Virginia’s Third Corps, and Pender received promotion to major general in command of Hill’s division. Lee wrote of the 29-year-old: “Pender is an excellent officer, attentive, industrious and brave; has been conspicuous in every battle, and, I believe, wounded in almost all of them.”
Two months after Chancellorsville, Pender led the division in Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania. On July
2, 1863, Pender was struck by a piece of artillery shell while leading his division in an assault on Cemetery Hill at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was evacuated to Staunton, Virginia, where he underwent a
botched amputation of his leg. The procedure ruptured an artery, and he bled to death on July 18, 1863. His body was returned to North Carolina, and he was buried in Calvary Churchyard in Tarboro. After his death, Lee remarked, “His promise and usefulness as an officer were only equaled by
Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 18, 2013
3. Gen. W. D. Pender Marker at the intersection of North Carolina Route 42 and Town Creek Road
Pender County is named for W. D. Pender. In World War II, the U.S. Navy commissioned a Liberty Ship, the SS William D. Pender, in his honor. (North Carolina Office of Archives & History — Department of Cultural Resources)
North Carolina Office of Archives & History, `
4. Gen. W. D. Pender
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 668 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on May 7, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 26, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
