History of Tyrrell County North Carolina United States of America

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James Johnston Pettigrew, soldier, was born at Lake Phelps, Tyrrell county, N.C., July 4, 1828; son of Ebenezer Pettigrew (1783-1848), representative in the 24th congress, 1835-37; state senator and extensive planter; brother of the Rev. Dr. William Shephard Pettigrew (1818-1900), at the time of his death the oldest Protestant Episcopal clergyman in the state, and grandson of the Rev. Charles Pettigrew . He was graduated with the highest honors from the University of North Carolina in 1841, and was professor in the national observatory, Washington, D.C., 1848. Shortly after he removed to Charleston, S.C., studied law with his kinsman, James L. Petigru, 1849-51, and was admitted to the bar in 1850. He traveled extensively in Europe, was secretary to the U.S. minister to Spain, Daniel M. Barringer of North Carolina, for several months in 1852, and on his return to the United States established a law practice in Charleston, S.C. He was a representative in the South Carolina legislature, 1858-59, and in 1859 joined the Sardinian army in Italy, but the early termination of the war prevented him from seeing active service. He accordingly returned to Charleston, and organized and drilled a regiment of riflemen. Upon the secession of South Carolina in December, 1860, he took possession of Castle Pinkney, and demanded of Major Anderson the evacuation of Fort Sumter. He was transferred to Morris Island and engineered the construction of batteries to guard the harbor; was commissioned colonel of the 22d North Carolina regiment in 1861, and was stationed at Evansport, on the Potomac, where he constructed and guarded the fortifications. He was commissioned brigadier-general in 1862 and took an active part in the Peninsular campaign of that year. He was present at Seven Pines in June, 1862, being severely wounded and taken prisoner; was exchanged in August, 1862, and aasigned to a new brigade. He was placed in command at Richmond, Va., which he defended against General Stoneman's raid. On the third day of the battle of Gettysburg he commanded Heth's division and took part in Pickett's charge. While defending the rear of General Lee's army during the retreat that followed he was surprised at Failing Waters, Va., by a small band of Federal cavalry and was mortally wounded, July 14, 1863. He is the author of Spain and the Spaniards (1859). He died near Winchester, Va., July 17, 1863.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Tyrrell County North Carolina

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