Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. Born in Richmond, Virginia, he received his early education from private tutors. In 1826 he entered West Point, graduating 5th of 40 cadets in the class of 1830. Following 3 years in the army, he resigned to go into teaching. In 1838 he received ordination as an Episcopal rector and 15 years later became the minister of Grace Church in Lexington, Virginia, a post he held for the remainder of his life. He was 51 when the Civil War began, but despite his age, he was elected Captain of the Rockbridge Artillery in Lexington. Not forgetting his religious training in his first battle, he shouted "May the Lord have mercy on their poor souls, Fire!" as his four guns, "Matthew," "Mark," "Luke," and "John" roared into action. He was quickly promoted to Colonel and chief of artillery on the staff of General Joseph E. Johnston, who called him "that model of a Christian soldier." On March 26, 1862, he was elevated to Brigadier General, PACS. He served with the Army of Northern Virginia for the rest of the war and for much of the time was in name only chief of artillery. A good organizer, he was often given to long-winded-ness. His field performance was at best average, and in the last two years of the war his duties were largely administrative, confined to command of the reserve ordnance. He never lost sight of his religious calling and often preached to large gatherings of soldiers. Following Appomattox, he returned to his church and labored to rebuild his shattered community. Robert E. Lee served on his vestry for a short time. He died in Lexington, and was buried beside his son Alexander "Sandie" Pendleton, one of the Confederacy's most famous staff officers.
Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. Born in Richmond, Virginia, he received his early education from private tutors. In 1826 he entered West Point, graduating 5th of 40 cadets in the class of 1830. Following 3 years in the army, he resigned to go into teaching. In 1838 he received ordination as an Episcopal rector and 15 years later became the minister of Grace Church in Lexington, Virginia, a post he held for the remainder of his life. He was 51 when the Civil War began, but despite his age, he was elected Captain of the Rockbridge Artillery in Lexington. Not forgetting his religious training in his first battle, he shouted "May the Lord have mercy on their poor souls, Fire!" as his four guns, "Matthew," "Mark," "Luke," and "John" roared into action. He was quickly promoted to Colonel and chief of artillery on the staff of General Joseph E. Johnston, who called him "that model of a Christian soldier." On March 26, 1862, he was elevated to Brigadier General, PACS. He served with the Army of Northern Virginia for the rest of the war and for much of the time was in name only chief of artillery. A good organizer, he was often given to long-winded-ness. His field performance was at best average, and in the last two years of the war his duties were largely administrative, confined to command of the reserve ordnance. He never lost sight of his religious calling and often preached to large gatherings of soldiers. Following Appomattox, he returned to his church and labored to rebuild his shattered community. Robert E. Lee served on his vestry for a short time. He died in Lexington, and was buried beside his son Alexander "Sandie" Pendleton, one of the Confederacy's most famous staff officers.
Bio by: Ugaalltheway
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
See more Pendleton memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
