William Pegram facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Pegram
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| Nickname(s) | Willy |
| Born | June 29, 1841 Richmond, Virginia |
| Died | April 2, 1865 (aged 23) Dinwiddie County, Virginia |
| Place of burial |
Hollywood Cemetery
Richmond, Virginia |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–65 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held | Purcell Battery, Virginia Light Artillery Pegram's Artillery Battalion |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William Ransom Johnson Pegram, often called "Willy", was an important artillery officer during the American Civil War. He served in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee. Born on June 29, 1841, he was sadly killed in battle on April 2, 1865, during the Battle of Five Forks. Willy was the younger brother of another Confederate general, John Pegram, who also died in the war. Their grandfather, also named John Pegram, was a major general in the War of 1812.
Contents
Who Was William Pegram?
William Pegram was born in Richmond, Virginia. When the Civil War began in 1861, he was studying law at the University of Virginia. He quickly decided to join the fight.
Pegram's Role in the Civil War
Willy Pegram joined an artillery group from Richmond called the "Purcell Artillery" in April 1861. Artillery units use large guns, like cannons, to support soldiers on the battlefield.
A Brave and Fearless Officer
Pegram quickly became known for his bravery. He was even General A. P. Hill's favorite artillery officer. People noticed his scholarly look because he wore gold-rimmed glasses, even during battles, due to being very nearsighted.
Confederate General Henry Heth once said that Pegram seemed happiest when he was in battle. One of his soldiers remembered that Pegram believed a soldier should always choose the most dangerous job.
Rising Through the Ranks
Willy Pegram fought in many major battles in the eastern part of the war. He started as a private and rose to the rank of colonel, commanding sixty cannons. Many people thought he should be promoted to general.
Both General Henry Heth and General Richard H. Anderson asked for Pegram to become a general and lead an infantry (foot soldier) group. General A.P. Hill also supported this idea, saying that no officer deserved the promotion more than Pegram.
However, General Lee did not promote him. Lee thought Pegram was too young, even though he was around 25 years old. Lee also felt that Pegram was doing such an excellent job with the artillery that they couldn't afford to lose him. Many believed Pegram was the best gunner in the entire Army of Northern Virginia.
A Personal Loss for Willy
Willy's older brother, John, was a graduate of West Point. John was killed in February 1865 at the Battle of Hatcher's Run, not far from where Willy would later die. His brother's death greatly affected Willy, as they had always been very close.
How Did William Pegram Die?
Willy Pegram once famously said, "Men, whenever the enemy takes a gun from my battery, look for my dead body in front of it." This showed his strong commitment to his cannons.
On April 1, 1865, at the Battle of Five Forks, Pegram was badly wounded. He was next to one of his cannons when it was captured by the enemy. He died the next morning, on April 2, 1865, at 8 o'clock. He was buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.
Willy Pegram was a dedicated and brave officer who played a key role in the Confederate artillery during the Civil War.
Images for kids
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William Ransom Johnson Pegram
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Confederate Colonel rank insignia
