John Pelham

Of course no one could talk of Calhoun County history without mention of the "Gallant Pelham," nor would I try to do so.
As most of you know, John Pelham was born at the Bush/Rush(?) place, on the Alexandria Road, now owned by Mrs. Thomas Aderhold, on Sept. 14, 1838, spending his childhood there and at Alexandria, where his father, Dr. Atkinson Pelham, had built a home and was engaged in the practice of medicine.

His boyhood playmates at Alexandria, in their life time, delighted to tell of their youthful adventures and escapades, some of them extremely dangerous, in which the "Gallant" John ever took the lead. This spirit was carried with him to West Point, which he entered in 1856.

John Pelham is primarly (sic) the young man's hero, for during his entire brief life he constantly displayed the dash, daring and courage of youth. In fact, could you imagine Gen. "Jeb" Stuart loving any other kind of man as he did Pelham.(sic)

His classmates at Alexandria and at West Point always described him as being as gentle as a woman, yet as manly as the best of his fellows. His personal popularity, which seemed to be limited only by his wide circle of acquaintance, bespeaks for him real manliness, and the absolute absense of all "bluff and bluster."

Mr. Peter Pelham, of Georgia, himself a brave Confederate soldier, relates the following incident, which is not quoted literally, which somewhat illustrates the high regard of John Pelham's classmates at West Point, who later "wore the blue" in battle:

"I was engaged with my command, under Gen. John T. Morgan, at La Vergne, Tenn., and was sent back to look for my brother, William, who had commanded our one piece of artillery until the Yanks blew it up, and in this way became separated from my command. I was caputured, and as I was not in uniform and carried a shot gun, my only arms, I was suspected of being a bushwacker. I was in great danger of being condemned to be shot, as was my two companions, but on the trial court was a Captain Gillam, who, when he heard my name, questioned me closely, particularly about my family, and especially about my brother, John. Captain Gillam then said to the court, "I believe the boy is telling the truth. His brother, John, was my classmate at West Point, and I know that John Pelham would not tell a lie to save his own life."

To my reader who would further read the story of Major John Pelham, I would commend (sic) John Eston Cook's "Wearing of the Gray," and for a more romantic story one might read "Surry of Eagle's Nest." Also Confederate histories and magazines.

The Anniston Star (Anniston. AL) 01 Jan 1900 (Page 58)
(This was a special edition of the Star.)