134 WEARING OF THE GRAY.
steadily, and at nightfall was thundering on the flank of the retreating enemy, who no longer replied. No answering roar came back from those batteries he had fought with his Napo leon so long ; he had triumphed. That triumph was complete, and placed for ever upon record when the great Commander-in- Chief, whom he loved and admired so ardently, gave him the name in his report of " the gallant Pelham." Supreme tribute to his courage immortalizing him in history I To be the sole name mentioned beneath the rank of Major-General in all that host of heroes and mentioned as "the gallant Pelham !" Thenceforward there was little for him to desire. He had never cared for rank, only longed for glory ; and now his name was deathless. It is true that he sometimes said, with modest and noble pride, that he thought it somewhat hard to be con sidered too young for promotion, when they gave him great corrl- mands as at Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg and called on him when the hardest work was to be done. But he never desired a mere title he had not won, and did his soldier s duty thoroughly, trusting to time. So noble and important, however, had been his recent services, that promotion was a matter of course. The President said, "I do not need to see any papers about Major Pelham," and had appointed him a Lieutenant- Colonel ; and it only awaited the formal confirmation of the Senate, when he fell on the Bappahannock. His fall was a pub lic calamity to the nation, but none to him. It was fit that such a spirit should lay down his great work before the hard life of the world had dimmed the polish of the good knight s spotless shield. He wanted no promotion at the hands of men. He had won, if not worn, the highest honours of the great soldier ; and having finished his task, the gentle spirit took its flight, pro moted by the tender hand of Death to other honours in a brighter world. III. In this hasty tribute to one whom I knew well, and loved much, it is hard to avoid the appearance of exaggeration. The character of this young soldier was so eminently noble his soul
