The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-08-14
From the Land We Love. |
Cavalry Scouts.
by GENERAL WADE HAMPTON.

BY GENERAL WADE HAMPTON.
The following sketch Of scout life, by
General Wade Hampton, is taken from
the August number Of the Land ecc
Touc.
Captain John Ester Cooke, IN his last
book, Wearing of tho Groy"-a most
interesting and captivating worS-has
given n chapter to this same subject.
llc gives various gallant deeds and hair.
breadth escapes as occurring to one Of
those bravo mon, whom | recognize
well, though his name is not mentioned,
but he omts ono exploit which was
among the most remarkable Of his ca
rccr In supplying this omission, I
shall supply the incognito OF S. as
Captain Cooke has not given his NOME.
The occasion TO which alusion is here
made, took place when Meade had his
army encamped near Culpeper Court
House, and tho object was to cndcavor
to ascertain the position, numbers, &c,
&c, Of the Federal troops. s.. un-
dcrtook to accomplish this object, and
lie adopted plan worthy of his boldncss
and address. Disgusting himself as n
country woman, he procured a small
cart, which he loaded with poultry,
vegetables, &c, and he drove boldly INTO
the Yankee lines, where he made ap-
plcation for pass. This he obtained !;
he then sold his stock and after spending
three days ut Afeade's hcad-quarters-it
is to be hoped without scandal to that
worthy he left his friends in blue,
bringing in to General Stuart all tho
information desired. This apccdotc
forms the only exception to tho state.
mcnt made by me previously. That
only such as came under my personal
observation would be given. This oc-
Cured before S. was associated with
us, as he was after General StuarL's
death but I have every reason to be-
lieve that the affair happened just as has
been described.
Selecting special scouts and particular
incidents from tho whole number, as I
propose to do, beg now to introduce
to your readers Sergeant Shadbourne,
of the jeff. Davis Legion, whose ex.
potts would of themselves form a vol
ume Shadbourno was detailed as a
scout by General Hampton, and he was
constantly engaged on this duty until
the end Of the war. He was you, e
man of very prepossessing appearance,
tall, active and resolutc. Ordin,riiy,
he appeared to be only a handsome
young fellow, with large, soft. mild
eyes ; but as soon as fight began, he
became transformed instantly into the
dashing cavalry man his whole soul
seemed to be in tho battle, and his black
eye blazed Ike fire. Armed with at
least two pistols, and often three, hc
would dash against the enemy, firing
aSSA rapidity and precision mot sur.
passed by even Mosby, who was "vcry
handy with his pistol" Butin all the
excitement of a battle, Shadbournc was
perfectly cool, ready for any emergency,
or TO. avail himself Of any advantage
On occasions ofthis sort, he proved that
he possessed qualities which only needed
wider field for their exercise to make
him leader AS illustrative of this
shall give, first, all account Of one Of his
performances which was witnessed by
myself. II you remember, Wilson and
Kautz with q large force made rad
against the South Side and Danvillo
Railroad. AT Stanton river bridge
they were repnlsed and returned to JOIN
Grant near Petersburg. Near Stony
Creek they were mot by our cavalry and
defeated with loss. Retreating towards
Reams Station they wero met by Fitz
Ice and Malone, when their rout be-.
camo complete and final. Kautz push.
ed down to cross the Halifax road, 20
that he could get into his lines, while
Wilson fled towards tho Nottaway
river. Shadbonrne was sent by Gene
raj Hampton just after tho fight at
Reams Station TO find where the enemy
were. Taking five men with him, he
moved up'a county road leading from
HALIFAX to the stage road. On this, he
had not proceeded far, when he mot the
advanced guard OF Kantz's retrcating