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GEN. J. JOHNSTON PETTIGREW KILLED
Among the killed in the late battle we deeply regret to learn, is Brigadier Gen. James Johnston Pettigrew, of this State.
Gen. Pettigrew was a son of the late Hon. E. Pettigrew, of Tyrell county, N.C. He graduated at theN.C.Universityin 1847 and was about 34 years of age. Young as he was, he had already gained high distinction as a lawyer and a statesman, an almost unbounded intellect and the most dauntless courage he has exhibited military qualities of so high an order, as to have been proposed, while Colonel of N.C. Volunteers, as a suitable Commander in chief for the Confederate armies.—Observer
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A Letter from Richmond.
We take the responsibility of publishing the following letter, sent to a gentleman of this county, as it confirms the report that had previously reached here, that Gen. Pettigrew, Col. Lightfoot and Lt. Col. Long, were not killed; but are prisoners, in the hands of the enemies. The letter also contains other information interesting to our readers.
“Richmond, June 8th 1862.
Dear Sir:–I drop you a hasty note, in compliance with my promise. I have spent this day in visiting the various hospitals, and I don’t believe I ever was so much fatigued. I am happy to inform you that we had heard very exaggerated accounts from the 22nd Regiment. The Adjutant’s report, which I sent to Mr. —-, will show about 138 killed and wounded in that Regiment, and that Gen. Pettigrew, Col. Lightfoot and Lt. Col. Long are prisoners and not killed.
There are a superabundance of Physicians, and any number of kind-hearted ladies to wait on and relieve the sufferings of the sick and wounded. The ladies are untiring in their efforts to relieve their sufferings; you can see them making their way to the hospitals with all kinds of eatables and clothing; and then they will give them flowers, with such looks and kind words as to make them almost forget that they are suffering. Too much cannot be said in praise of those kind hearted and patriotic ladies. The Government has also made ample arrangements for the sick and wounded. I feel much more sanguine than I ever had done, in our gaining ourIndependence. One thing is certain, if the gentlemen were as united, determined, and as untiring as the ladies of this City, the Yankees would not remain here very long.
The authorities have determined to keep visitors away from the different Regiments, and have positively repulsed to let any have passes unless they have friends there who are very ill.
G. W. R.
Note: Catherine Edmondston also wrote about this error in her journal last week: http://wp.me/p1qIB8-Rb
Source: The Greensborough Patriot, June 12, 1862 as found in Confederate Newspaper Project
