04 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. he left the haunts of the old " bower " I think he regretted it. But work called him. The fiat had gone forth from the imperial closet at Washington, that another "On to Richmond should be attempted — and where the vultures of war hovered, there was the post Off duty for the Horse Artillery. The cavalry crossed the Rluc Hidge, and met the ad valuing column at Aldic — and l'elham was again in his clement, hurling destruction upon the ranks of General Bayard. Thenceforward, until the banks of the Kappahaunock were reached by the cavalry, falling back in order, ad was designed — from that instant the batteries of the BOOM Artillery disputed every step of ground. The direction of the artillery was hit with unhesitating confidence to the young officer ; and those who witnessed, during that arduous movement, the masterly handling of his gum. ean tell how this confidence was justified. It was the eye of the great soldier, the hand of the born artillerist which was evident in his work, during those days of struggle. He fell back neither too soon nor too late, and only limbered up his guns to unlimber again in the first position which he reached. Thus fighting every inch of the way from Aldie, round by Paris and Markham's, he reached tlm Rappahannock, and posted his artillery at the fords, where he stood and bade the enemy defiance. That page in the history of the war is scarcely known ; but those who were present know the obstinacy of the cont< and the nerve and skill which were displayed by the young officer. That may be uuknown, but the work done by l'elham on the great day of l"r« derieksburg is a part of history now. All kuow how stubbornly he stood on that day — what laurels encircled his young brow when night at last came. This was the climax of his fame — the event with which his name will be inseparably connected. With one Napoleon gun, he opened the battle on the right, and instantly drew upon himself the fire, at close range, of four batteries in front, and a heavy enfilading fire from 30-pOUnjd 1'arrois across the river. Rut this did not daunt him. Tliat NapoleOD gun wa- the same which he had used at the battle of Cold Harbour — it was taken from the enemy at Seven Pines — and, in the hands of the young officer it had won a fame which must not be tarnished by defeat ! It- grim voice must roar, however great the odds; its reverberating defiance must roll over the plain, until the bronze war dog was silenced. Bo it roared on steadily, with l'elham beside it, blowing up caissons and continuing to tear the enemy's ranks. General Lee was watching it from the hill above, and exclaimed, with eyes filled with admiration, " It is glorious to see such courage in one so young!" It was glorious, indeed, to sec that one gun, placed in an important position, J'old its ground with a firmness so unflinching and heroic — to sec a beardless boy sternly standiug in that horrible hurricane of shell, with iron resolution and a soul as immovable as rock. Not uutil his last round of ammunition was shot away did Pelhain retire, and then only after a peremptory order 6ent to him. He afterwards took command of the entire artillery on the right, and fought it until night with a skill and courage which were admirable. He advanced his guns steadily, and at nightfall wae thundering en the flank of
