Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Gallant Pelham
Pelham’s actions provoked an immediate and savage response. Within minutes, more than two dozen Union cannon had Pelham and his artillery crew under fire. Undeterred, the Confederate officer continued the unequal fight, occasionally shifting his gun to throw Union artillerists off balance. Three times Stuart bid Pelham to retire; three times Pelham refused. “Tell the General I can hold my ground!” he replied. With his ammunition running low, Pelham brought his gun off the field. His actions delayed the Union assault by nearly an hour and propelled Pelham’s fame to new heights.
(Sidebar): Major John Pelham
Upon witnessing Pelham’s action at Fredericksburg, General Robert E. Lee remarked: “It is glorious to see such courage on one so young!” Pelham died just three months after this battle, impulsively leading a cavalry charge at Kelly’s Ford.
Erected 2007 by The Delaware Corporation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1862.
Location. 38° 15.156′ N, 77° 25.581′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is at the intersection of Benchmark Road (County Route 608) and Tidewater Trail (Virginia Route 2), on the right when traveling north on Benchmark Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22408, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Battle of Fredericksburg (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Gallant Pelham (a few steps from this marker); Stuart and Pelham (a few steps from this marker); Fort Hood (a few steps from this marker); Fredericksburg Campaign (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dead Horse Hill (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Fredericksburg Campaign (approx. 0.6 miles away); Jackson Holds Prospect Hill (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. On the center right is a painting captioned "A mounted John Pelham directs the fire of his men at Fredericksburg in Bronze Guns and Iron Men by Don Troiani. Courtesy of Historical Art Prints, Southbury, Connecticut." A portrait of Pelham is included with the sidebar.
Marker originally faced Tidewater Trail. It was moved about 50 ft south, now facing Benchmark Rd.
Also see . . . Fredericksburg150 – That “other guy” on the Confederate right: Capt. Mathias Winst. Biographical sketch of Mathias Winston Henry, commander of the 2nd Stuart Horse Artillery at the Battle of Fredericksburg. (Submitted on December 14, 2012, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,254 times since then and 69 times this year. Last updated on January 27, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on August 6, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.