He disliked Jackson and mistrusted Stuart. Here is a revealing profile, based on letters to his wife, of Lee’s favorite young general.
UPON RECEIVING A REPORT, which later proved to be false, that General John B. Hood had been killed at the Battle of Chickamauga in the fall of 1863, General Robert E. Lee ruefully wrote President Davis: “I am gradually losing my best men—Jackson, Pender, Hood.” Pender, whom Lee thus immortalized as a stalwart division commander in the Army of Northern Virginia, was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, on February 6, 1834, the son of an “indulgent” father, James, and
William Dorsey an “affectionate” mother, Sarah. During his boyhood Dorsey attended a local school and performed the usual farm chores. For relaxation he enjoyed riding, hunting and fishing in the east Carolina country around his home town of Tarboro.
At the age of 15 he began clerking in the prosperous general store owned by his brother, Robert. However, the indoor work soon palled on the active, outdoortype of lad, who secured an appointment to West Point upon the recommendation of Congressman Thomas Ruffin. On July 1, 1850, the spare, erect, olive-complexioned North Carolinian enrolled at West Point together with classmates Otis Howard, J.E.B. “Beaut” Stuart, Stephen D. Lee and Samuel Turner Shepperd. He became an ardent admirer of Stephen Lee, but he was suspicious of Stuart, whom he regarded as a “schemer.”
Cadet Pender compiled a respectable record at the Academy, excelling in mathematics and cavalry tactics. He also exhibited qualities of leadership, as evidenced by his advancement to cadet lieutenant. He graduated 19th in the 46-member class of 1854.
After graduating as a brevet second lieutenant in the artillery, Pender served with the 2nd Artillery in Fort Myers, Fla., and later with the 1st Dragoons in New Mexico. Upon the outbreak of Indian uprisings in the west, Pender was ordered to the Pacific Coast. Here during the next four years at Forts Vancouver and Walla Walla he participated in expeditions against the marauding red men.
During a leave in the spring of 1859, Pender married Fanny Shepperd of Good Spring, N.C., sister of his former West Point classmate. Returning East again in 1861, Pender, who was now adjutant in his regiment, resigned his commission in the U.S. Army and offered his services to the Confederacy. Receiving a captaincy of artillery in the Provisional C.S. Army, Pender was sent to Baltimore to take charge of the Confederate recruiting depot there. At the end of March he wrote his wife:
I am sending men South to be enlisted in the Southern Army. I merely inspect and ship them. I do nothing that the law could take hold of if they wish to trouble me, but Baltimore is strong for secession, and I am backed up by the sympathy of the first men here.
Early in May Pender returned to North Carolina, where he was elected colonel of the 3rd North Carolina Volunteers. He spent the summer of ’61 around Suffolk, Va., drilling his troops and socializing. The latter habit occasioned a marital spat when he wrote his wife:
I was at a little gathering two nights ago, and had a nice time dancing and flirting with a very nice girl. I am trying to get her to knit you a sac for the hair, but she said that she is not going to work for my wife, but will do anything for me.
Fanny Pender, understandably hurt by her husband’s glowing description of his flirtation, alarmed Pender by failing to answer this letter. When she finally resumed writing she seared his feelings of guilt with the simple statement: “The young lady acted dishonorably, and you must have encouraged her.”
The sad but wiser colonel managed to heal the rift by assuring his wife that “I love you better and better every day, my guardian Angel, my existence.”
Later that summer Pender succeeded Colonel Charles F. Fisher as commander of the 6th North Carolina Regulars. During the fall and winter he drilled his officers and men at Manassas in what a fellow-officer described as a “firm and very courteous manner.” This same admirer, Brig. Gen. W.G. Lewis, also recalled that Pender’s camp “was a model of cleanliness, regularity, and good order.”
IN THE SPRING Pender’s regiment accompanied General Joseph E. Johnston’s army to Yorktown, where Pender wrote Fanny:
We have a magnificent army here; the largest and finest we have ever had at (one) place. We have our best Generals also. We all believe and hope we shall whip them [the enemy].
While waiting for action Pender candidly pondered his chances for advancement:
I shall be promoted some of these days [he wrote Fanny]. I do not feel any uncomfortable uneasiness about the matter; no more than when you were with me. I want the promotion as much for your sake as anything else. I should like for those who have known of me to know you are the wife of a General and from supposed merit and not of political influence.
Pender finally saw action at the end of May with William H.C. Whiting’s division in the indecisive engagement at Seven Pines. Here in his eagerness to strike the Federals, Pender pushed ahead of supporting regiments and ran into an ambush from which he coolly extricated his men while inflicting severe damage upon the bluecoats.
FOR HIS GALLANTRY in action Pender was promoted to brigadier general in command of the North Carolina brigade which had been commanded by Johnston Pettigrew, who had been taken prisoner at Seven Pines. Early in June Pender was assigned to A.P. Hill’s newly organized Light Division, then stationed near Mechanicsville.
With George McClellan along the Chickahominy near the outskirts of Richmond and Professor Thaddeus Lowe peering down from his silken balloon, which daily hovered overhead, Pender wrote Fanny:
Darling, you asked my opinion of our prospects. They are in some adversity now, but I do not and can not believe they can ever conquer us. Let them take Richmond, what then; we can still fight and will fight. Let them take every large town and still we are not conquered. Did not the English have all the towns in the Revolution, and did not our fathers fight on until the end was gained?
While in defensive lines north of Richmond Pender infused his brigade with the same spirit that had characterized his regiment. After three weeks’ service with his new unit, the general wrote Fanny:
I have N.C. troops and am determined that if any effort of mine can do it, this Brigade shall be second to none but Hood’s Texas boys. He has the best material on the continent without a doubt.
During the ensuing Seven Days’ battles, Pender led his men against Fitz-John Porter’s left at Beaver Dam (Battle of Mechanicsville); stubbornly maintained an advanced position against the Federals entrenched at Gaines’ Mill, where he was wounded in the arm but “which has not caused me to leave the field;” and fought at Frayser’s Farm, where he came to the aid of a hard-pressed Alabama brigade. In these initial engagements Pender gained the respect of his men, one of whom noted in his diary: “He was as brave as a lion and seemed to love danger.”
Later his lust for battle seems to have diminished temporarily, for after Second Manassas he wrote to Fanny:
I am sick and tired of hearing of guns, and I hope I may never see one after this war is over. Our fight on Saturday was, I suppose, the largest ever fought on this continent. The Federals were supposed to have about all McClellan’s and [John] Pope’s forces commanded by Halleck. They had nearly 3 to our 1 and were badly whipt….
I flatter myself that I had more to do with the success of the day than my rank would indicate, for I saw their position and send [word] to Gen. [A.P.] Hill [that] if he would order his Division to attack the thing would be up with them. He did so and they fled precipitately. By our move their right flank was turned. During the fight I commanded three brigades and parts of two others. I presumed to direct and the officers seemed very willing to have some one who would take the responsibility. My command took several pieces of artillery, my Brigade taking two. I flatter myself I did good service.
The day before Jackson’s Corps alone was engaged, principally Hill’s division and for services in that fight I was complimented by Gen. Hill for the manner in which my Brigade behaved, and every one in the Division speaks of the handsome manner in which they went in….
I have written so much about myself because I suppose you had rather hear of that part of the fight where I was than any other. Longstreet’s Corps and Anderson’s Division were also in the big fight. I rode out in the edge of the field the enemy were formed in and never saw such a magnificent sight in my life. As far almost as the eye could search they had one continuous line of troops with artillery….It looked fine but was not generalship, for their line was nearly perpendicular to our left and as soon as attacked [they] were turned.
My head is well [a shell had grazed the top of his head] but little more bald than of yore, a small quantity having been shaved off. I have certainly been most fortunate thus far….
We marched 42 miles in two days, getting entirely in Pope’s rear, taking his trains, burning their depot at Manassas containing… Quartermaster and Commissary Stores. Marched to Centreville and…crossed back to the other side of Bull Run…and performed the most brilliant and daring feats of generalship and soldiership ever performed.
The boldness of the plan and the generalship and completeness of the execution were never beaten. Lee has immortalized himself, and Jackson has added new laurels to his brow— not that I like to be under Jackson, for he forgets that one gets tired, hungry, or sleepy.
We are resting today but move again tomorrow morning…I have no idea when they will make another stand. My love to all. May God protect us all and may we show our gratitude by obeying his laws.
AS THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA began the Maryland Campaign, Pender wrote Fanny from Frederick on September 7:
Are you not surprised to find us in Md.? We crossed day before yesterday and now have possession of this part of the State. Our cavalry are hovering around Washington and it is said they have gone into Penn. General Lee is in good earnest, and the Yankees are terribly frightened….
…Their army has been totally demoralized by the recent whippings we gave them and are now in and around Washington behind their fortifications. It was rumored here before we came that four of the six members of the Cabinet were opposed to McClellan’s being again placed in command of the army, but that the soldiers refused to fight unless he was, and there is some truth in it….
General Lee has shown great generalship and the greatest boldness. There never was such a campaign not even by Napoleon. Our men march and fight without provisions, living on green corn when nothing better can be had. But all this kills up our men. Jackson would kill up the army the way he marches and the bad management in the Subsistence Dept.— Gen. Lee is my man.
During this first invasion of the North, Pender saw action at Harpers Ferry, Antietam and Boteler’s Ford. Then in December he rushed from a visit with his wife in Richmond, to join his troops then massing at Fredericksburg. On December 3 he wrote Fanny:
This command after a long and fine march has at last come to another for awhile, unless the Yankees cross the river, which I do not think they will attempt, although they pretend to be making preparations for it. If they were afraid to advance from Warrenton it would look like nonsense to attempt it here. One cannot imagine the degree of confidence and high spirits displayed by our men.…
Gen. Lee is very anxiously waiting for a fight. He told me to-day that he believed he would be willing to fall back and let them cross for the sake of a fight. All accounts are to the effect that they will not fight, and their numbers are not as terrible as might be supposed.
As A.P. Hill has been recommended by Gen. Lee for Lt. General I hope he will be promoted, which would be a means of both getting out of Jackson’s command and myself a Division. General rumors and general feeling both have pointed me out to be Gen. Hill’s successor. He told me the other night that he hoped I would soon be a Major General. I had no idea that I was a man of reputation in the army until I got back. This is not to be repeated…for I do not like to have it thought that I might have my head turned, etc.
My people (troops) were glad to see me and said they knew I would be back before the fight came off. They seem to think I am fond of fighting. They say I give them “hell” out of the fight, and the Yankees the same in it.
Ten days later Pender gave John Gibbon’s bluecoats unmitigated “hell” as they attempted to overwhelm the left wing of the Light Division. Pender himself was shot in the arm but insisted on rejoining his troops as soon as the wound was dressed.
The five-month period of inactivity between Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville bored Pender, who described his situation to Fanny on March 24: “It is very lonely indeed and I almost long for the campaign to open….”
Adding to Pender’s depressed mood was growing doubt that he would receive the promotion that had seemed so imminent before the Battle of Fredericksburg. On April 11 he confided to Fanny:
I do not believe Gen. Jackson will have me promoted because I have been recommended by Gen. Hill. He wants some one in the place who will feel under obligation to him.
Boredom was finally relieved in May, when Lee and Jackson whipped Joe Hooker at Chancellorsville in the classic flank attack. During the assault on May 3, Pender, though wounded, grabbed the flag of the 22nd North Carolina when it faltered after the loss of Colonel C.C. Cole. Riding ahead on his black mount, Pender led his troops up to and into Henry Slocum’s entrenchments. Two days after the battle he penned a hasty note to Fanny:
We had on the 2nd and 3rd the hardest fight we ever had. They had great odds against us and a strongly fortified position, but about 5 hours hard fighting on the morning of the 3rd found us in possession. There has been a series of fights from here to Fredericksburg. They are putting forth the most desperate effort….Thus far we have whipt them beautifully. I have had better luck than usual having only been bruised a little by a spent ball.
Following the news of Jackson’s death, Pender joined in the general speculation as to who Stonewall’s successor would be. On May 22, Pender sized up the situation as follows in a letter to his wife:
It seems that Gen. Stuart has been in Richmond trying to assist Gen’l Hill out of this corps. He [J.E.B. Stuart] is a scheming fellow as ever you saw. I do not like him over much and would not have him command the corps for anything in the world. I would want Hill to have it. Gen’l Lee is on Hill’s side.
Pender’s apprehension over the appointment of a new corps commander was relieved on May 24 when Hill was promoted to lieutenant general and assigned to command the new III Corps. Hill immediately recommended that Pender be promoted to major general and placed in command of the Light Division. In his letter to Lee urging Pender’s appointment, Hill stated:
Gen. Pender has fought with the Division in every battle, has been four times wounded, and never left the field….[He] has the best drilled and disciplined Brigade in the Division, and more than all, possesses the unbounded confidence of the Division.
Lee concurred, and Major General Pender succeeded Hill as head of the famed Light Division. The announcement was enthusiastically received by this own men, some of whom regarded him as “superior even to Hill.” Lieutenant Colonel Lewis of the 43rd North Carolina stated: “It was firmly believed that General Lee had said that General Pender was the only officer in his army that could fill the place of Stonewall Jackson.”
THE LIGHT DIVISION was the last to leave Fredericksburg for the Pennsylvania Campaign, and on the eve of his departure Pender wrote:
Tomorrow morning we start as I suppose for Penna.; the enemy having left the vicinity of Fredericksburg last night apparently in great haste and fright. We march for Culpeper direct going by our last glorious battle field of Chancellorsville….I really feel sad in leaving this part of the country altho’ my anticipations are of the most sanguine. Thus far Gen. Lee’s plans have worked admirably, so say Gen. Hill who I suppose knows them. I do not but can see far enough to look into Md. May God in his goodness be more gracious than in our last trial. We certainly may be allowed to hope as our mission is one of peace altho’ through blood. The enemy seems to think we have 90,000 men which will scare them so badly that they will be half whipt before they commence the fight. I do not anticipate any fight this side of the Potomac….
Gen. Lee has gotten fully one week ahead of Hooker, who has been slumbering here in front of one-third of our force. If things turn out well in the west we may expect good results by fall.
As his men marched toward the Potomac, Pender confided to Fanny:
Responsibility is a load that is anything but pleasant. I bring up the rear of the Army and have been somewhat expecting a raid on my rear, but now I feel secure as there is no doubt but Hooker is going for Washington in too much of a hurry to think of me….
On June 28 the Light Division bivouacked at Fayetteville, a village just east of Chambersburg, Pa. Here Pender wrote his last letter to Fanny:
We are resting today after marching 157 miles since leaving Fredericksburg twelve days ago yesterday. Until we crossed the Md. line our men behaved as well as troops could, but here it will be hard to restrain them for they have an idea that they are to indulge in unlicensed plunder. They have done nothing like the Yankees do in our country. They take property and crops but in most cases pay no money for it. We take everything we want for government use. The people are frightened to death and will do anything we intimate to them. The rascals have been expecting us and have run off most of their stock and goods. I bought a few articles for you yesterday and will get you a nice lot before we leave. We pay about 200 per cent.
I am tired of invasions for altho’ they have made us suffer all that people can suffer, I can not get my resentment to the point to make me feel indifferent to what goes on here….but for the demoralizing effect plundering would have on our troops, they would feel war in all its horrors…I have made up my mind to enjoy no hospitality or kindness from any of them. Everything seems to be going along finely. We might get to Philadelphia without a fight, I believe, if we should choose to go on. Gen. Lee intimates to no one what he is up to, and I can only surmise.
I never saw troops march as ours do. They will go 15 or 20 miles a day without having a straggler and hoop and yell on all occasions. Confidence and good spirits seem to possess every one. I wish we could meet Hooker and have the matter settled at once….
Now darling, may our Good Father protect and preserve us to each other to a good old age. Tell Turner [their baby boy] I have a pretty pair of patent leather shoes with heels for him.
On the afternoon of July 1, Pender’s division relieved Henry Heth’s and assailed the Federals, in Douglas Southall Freeman’s words, “with the fierce might that always made Pender’s charges terrifying.” After driving the enemy through the town to the heights beyond, Pender took position on the left of Seminary Ridge.
Here on July 2, while preparing to ready his division for an attack late in the afternoon, Pender was struck in the leg by the fragment of an exploding shell. He was taken by ambulance to Staunton, where the leg became infected and had to be amputated. The doughty North Carolinian survived the amputation for only a few hours. Just before the end he summoned a chaplain to his bedside and whispered:
Tell my wife that I do not fear to die. I can confidently resign my soul to God, trusting in the atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ. My only regret is to leave her and our two children. I have always tried to do my duty in every sphere of life in which Providence has placed me.
Pender’s loss was irreparable. Lee rated Pender the most promising young office in his army, and after the war remarked that had Pender lived he would have been a corps commander.
However, the greatest tribute which General Lee paid Dorsey Pender was a statement corroborated by General Heth, G.C. Wharton and Major J.A. Engelhard of Pender’s staff, that:
I ought not to have fought the battle of Gettysburg. It was a mistake. But the stakes were so great I was compelled to play; for had we succeeded, Harrisburg, Baltimore and Washington were in our hands, and we would have succeeded had General Pender lived.
Originally published in the October 2012 issue of Civil War Times. To subscribe, click here.
