Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-02-13

Upon tll,s trait of manner merely, I NAV
seem TO dwell too long But it is not a tri-
fe. l am trying to delineate man of whom
We Southerners are proud-aud this rare
/ grace was his. 1t reflected clearly the char
aeter Oft individual-the noble pride, the
true. courtesy. and the high-bred simplicity
of one who amid all the jarring strife OF an
excited epoch would not suffer his serene
equunimity of gentleman to be disturbed :;
who aimed to do his duty to his country, not
rise above his associates who was no po-
liter to the high than the low, to the power
ful than to the weak, and who respected more
the truth and courage beneath the tattered
jacket than the stars and wreath on the
braided coat. The result, of tins kindly teel-
ing towards " men of low eSState" was marked
An officer long associated with him said to
me- one day, g l do not bolisSe there ever was
general more beloved by his whole COM
nIand. and he more than returns it. General
Hampton has u real tenderness, I do believe
for every soldier who has ever served under
him" He was always doing the poorer
members of his command some kindne S.
His hand was open like his heart. Many a
brave fellows family was kept from want by
him aud hundred instances of this hber-
ality are doubtless recorded in the grateful
memories Of the women and children whom
ne fought for, and fed, too, in those dark
days. This muuifcence was no where else
recorded. The left hand knew not what the
right hand did.
hazard a few words more, at the risk of
repetition, in re'cren ce to the personal bear
ing Of the man. His composure upon trying
occasions, as in every day life, indicated
SeIf-pOised and indcpcndrnt character He
rarely yielded to hearty mirth, but his smile
Was very friendly and attractive. You could
see that he wGs person of earnest feelings,
and had good heart. In camp he was
peasant companion, and those who saw him
daily became most attached to him. His
staff were devoted to him. | remember the
regret experienced by these brave gentlemen
when Gen. Hampton's assignment to the
command Of all the cavalry, separated them
trOm him. The feeling Which they then ex-
hlblted left no doubt of the enfcnte cor,liuEe
between the members of the military family.
General Hampton liked to laugh and talk
with them around the camp fire to do them
ever kindness he could-but that was his
we"kuess towards every b,dy-and to play
chess, drau2hts. Or other games, in the inter
walls Of fighting or work. One of his pussious
was hunting. This amusement he pursued
upon every Occasion-Over the fields OF Spott-
ON the rivers of Sou.h Carolina His success
was great. Ducks, purtridges, squirrels, tur-
key aud deer fell before his double>b barrel, in
whatever country he pitched his tents He
knew all the old huuIsmen Of the regions in
which he tarried, delighted to talk with such
men Oh the nob'e sc!enae OF venery, and Was
considered by these dangerous critics, a tho.
rough sportsman. They regarded HIM, it is
said, us II coulrade not und s;inguished, and
sent him, III friendly recognition ut his merit,
presents OF venlsOn and other game. W ich
was plentiful along the shores of the Ruwau'y,
or i'll the backwoOds UI Dinwidde Hump
ton Was holding the right OF Gen. Lees line
there, III supreme command Uf Ill the Vir
S'n'u cavalry but it was not as hunter Of
blue birds $50 we used TO call our North
ern trieuds-that they respected him most
1t was as a deer hunter; and l have heard
that the hard fighting cavalier rclished, very
highly, their good opinion Of him in that
character. 1t is singular that love for hunt
ing should SO often characterize men of ele-
giant scholarship aud literary taste. This
great soldier aud iluntsnan was also poet
and one day Cen Stuart spoke in high COM
incubation ct his writings. His prose style
was fOrclLle and cxcellent-in letters. reports
and al! that he wrote The admirably writ
ten address to the people OF South Carolina,
which was recently published, will display
the justice OF this statement. That paper
Ike all that came from him was compact,
vigorous, lucid. written in English" and
everywhere betrayed the scholar, no less than
the patriot. 1t will live when thousand
octavOs have disappeared.
Such was Wade Hampton. the man-a
gentleman OF refinement, purity, and eleva-
ton III cverv fibre Of his being. 1t was i'm
possible to Imagine anything course or pro-
Zane III the action or utterance of the mun.-
An oath never soied his lips g Do bring
up that artillery" or some equivalent excla-
NATION was his nearest approach to irritation
even. Such Was the supreme control which
this man, of character full of fire, force and
resolution, had over his passions For under
that simplicity AID kindly courtesy was the
largely -moldcd nature of one ready to 60 to
the death when honor called. In a single
word, 1t vas pOwerful organization under
complete control, which the prescut writer
seemed to recognize in Wade Hamptnn.-
Under that mectness and dignity which made
him conspicuous among the first gentlemen
OF his "I"'ch, was the stubborn spirit of the
born soldier.
Little space is left to speak of him in his
military character. l preferred to dwell upon
Hampton, the man, as he appeared to me
tor Hampton. the General will find many
historians. Some traits of the soldier, how
ever, must not he omitted-this character is
too eminent to be drawn only in profile. On
the field, Hampton was noted for his cooIness.
This never left him. 1t might almost be
called repose, so perfect was it. He was
never an excitable man, and as doubt and
danger pressed heavier, his equanimity seem
ell to in reaSe YOu could Saa that ti,;s ,,.s-
truly stubborn spirit do not think that
anybody who knew him could even imagine
Wade Hampton s. furried." His nerve was
made of invincible stuff, and his entire alb.
sence of all exctability on the field was spo-
ken Of by his enemies as a fault. 1t was said
that his C olneSs amounted to defect in
carnlr,. lanAar- thnt ho ,r......i A. IL u