behind AotW

This is William Ransom Johnson “Willie” Pegram in a photograph contributed to his Findagrave memorial by Mike Serpa. Pegram was an excellent artillerist, though notably nearsighted. The story in Richmond was that’s why he got so close to the enemy before engaging.

He was Captain commanding the Purcell (Richmond) Artillery in Maryland and he was slightly wounded in the head at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862. He was promoted to Major in March 1863 and Lieutenant Colonel in February 1865, but was mortally wounded at the battle of Five Forks, VA on 1 April 1865 and died the next day. He was then only 23 years old.