The Gallant Pelhams—Other Heros

Confederate Veteran
Volume 2, Number 7, Page 219
July 1894

L. B. Giles, of Laredo, Tex., corrects an error in the Veteran concerning the Pelham whose name was changed from Ten Eyck. Mr. Giles served in the Eighth Texas Cavalry, and knows all the facts. After reference to the " gallant John Pelham" and to Charles T. Pelham, who served in Terry's Rangers, he states that these noble men were first cousins.

Charles T. Pelham was indeed " the hero of every engagement in which he was an actor." He leveled his pistol like firing at a target, and died in the front of a cavalry charge in Northern Georgia, in the spring of '64. His aged father and mother, grieving at the loss of their only son, asked the Texas Legislature to change the name of a beloved grandson, Charles Pelham Ten Eyck, to Charles T. Pelham, which was done. This gentleman, together with his mother and brothers, were until recently residents of El Paso. Mr. Giles states:

If I remember correctly, it was near Norvell's Station, in front of Dalton, early in the morning. The Rangers, Col. La Grange's Indiana Brigade, some were mounted and others on foot. We took about sixty prisoners, including their gallant commander. La Grange's horse was killed, and falling caught his rider, holding him fast. John Haynie, the quickest soldier in the Confederate army, dismounted to relieve and then captured him.

I did not know that the Rangers had arrived from East Tennessee. We had often met his command the previous winter, and on one or two occasions he had been very kind to some of our boys, and the big hearted Haynie determined to return his kindness. Mounting him on a captured horse, he escorted his prisoner to Col. Thomas Harrison, Brigade Commander, and introduced him, without depriving him of even his side arms. The prisoner was a handsome, young fellow of martial bearing, but withal a philosopher, and told Col. Harrison that he was in command of the brigade.

These facts were given to me the last time I met Gen. Harrison, who has since " crossed over the river." I wonder if Col. La Grange is living. John Haynie was drowned in North Carolina just before the close of the war. His was as gallant a spirit as ever answered the call of his country.