The Perfect Lion

The Life and Death of Confederate Artillerist John Pelham

By Jerry H. Maxwell

University of Alabama Press

The South has made much of J. E. B. Stuart and Stonewall Jackson, but no individual has had a greater elevation to divine status than John Pelham, remembered as the “Gallant Pelham.” An Alabama native, Pelham left West Point for service in the Confederacy and distinguished himself as an artillery commander in Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Lee is reported to have said of him, “It is glorious to see such courage in one so young!” Blond, blue-eyed, and handsome, Pelham’s modest demeanor charmed his contemporaries, and he was famously attractive to women. He was killed in action at the battle of Kelly’s Ford in March of 1863, at twenty-four years of age, and reportedly three young women of his acquaintance donned mourning at the loss of the South’s “beau ideal.” Maxwell’s work provides the first deeply researched biography of Pelham, perhaps Alabama’s most notable Civil War figure, and explains his enduring attraction.

Maxwell's depth of research is exemplary, and the level of detail and analysis present in his narrative should fully satisfy even the most demanding Civil War students. . . . The Perfect Lion completely blows away all previous efforts, worthily assuming the mantle of the standard biography of John Pelham.’
—Civil War Books and Authors

'At the battle of Williamsburg, May 5, 1862: 'In an open field, a young captain of twenty-three, with gunners who had been drilling only three weeks, had commanded a bat- tery with a gallant daring that made men ask his name. It was John Pelham.' At Gaines’ Mill, June 27, 1862: ‘'Ensued one of the most gallant and heroic feats of the war’ [wrote Stuart.] Captain Pelham, with his single Napoleon, direct- ing fire against two Federal batteries ‘with a coolness and intre- pidity only equaled by his previous brilliant career.’ Pelham it was who cleared the way for Stuart’s advance to the White House, Pelham who chased the Marblehead down the Pamunkey, Pel- ham who challenged the Federals across the Chickahominy, and Pelham who, at Stuart’s order, opened from Evelington Heights. ‘I feel bound to ask for his promotion,’ said Stuart, ‘with the remark that in either cavalry or artillery no field grade is too high for his merit and capacity.'' —Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee’s Lieutenants: A Study in Command

The Perfect Lion is the best and most thorough biography in print of the handsome young cannoneer.' —Mobile Bay magazine

'The Perfect Lion examines Pelham's life, death, and popularity in detail, and is a welcome addition to Civil War biography shelves.' —The Civil War Shelf

Using rich archival materials, the author is able to weave the life of John Pelham into the overall picture of the first half of the war in Virginia. His writing is smooth and detailed. Maps are a superb highlight, indicating the position of Pelham in the battles. [ . . . ] this is a superb book that is a wonderful addition to the historiography of the field artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia.’
—Blue Gray

Jerry H. Maxwell (1942–2011), was a noted speaker on Civil War topics and the author of many articles on the conflict.

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction 1

1. “The Most Adventuresome Member of That Adventurous Group” 3

2. “We Are a Class beyond the Common Ones” 12

3. “Fear God and Know No Other Fear” 22

4. “Madness and Fanaticism” 33

5. “We Predict for Them a Brilliant Future” 46

6. “War Is Not Glorious” 53

7. “An Honour to Be One of Them” 62

8. “Like a Duck on a June Bug” 75