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VITAL STATISTICS
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BORN: 1828 in Tyrell County, TN
DIED: 1863 in Falling Waters, MD.
CAMPAIGNS: Seven Pines, Gettysburg, and Falling Waters
HIGHEST RANK ACHIEVED: Brigadier General
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BIOGRAPHY
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| James Johnston Pettigrew was born on July 4, 1828, in Tyrrell County, North Carolina. He studied at the University of North Carolina at the age of 15, did extremely well academically, and was appointed by President Polk to be assistant professor at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. Pettigrew. often called by his middle name, Johnston, held the position for two years, then traveled to Germany and studied Roman law. He settled in Charleston, South Carolina, practiced law, took part in the militia and was elected to the state legislature. After participating in the capture of Fort Sumter, Pettigrew enlisted in the Confederate service, and was commissioned a brigadier general on February 26, 1862. He led a brigade at the Battle of Seven Pines, and was wounded and captured there. He later commanded a brigade at Pickett's Charge, remaining on the field despite a wound in the hand. Pettigrew was severely wounded in the abdomen at Falling Waters, Maryland, on July 14, 1863, and died from the wound on July 17, 1863. |
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