On February 21, 1818, Representative Peterson Goodwyn (DR) of Virginia's 19th district died in office.
A special election was held to fill the resulting vacancy.
Pegram took his seat on November 16, at the start of the Second Session of the 15th Congress.
[2] Pegram would only serve for that single session, as he would be defeated for re-election in 1819 against James Jones.