The Van Buren press., 1871-06-06
Wade Hampton's Homo.
III. V. Redheld's Columbia Letter In Gin
Commercial

| >~r
Wade Hamptons Homo.
III. V. Redhelds Columbia Letter in Cin.inna,i
| Commercial.
| walked on some three miles from the
city, and was directed by some children
to the hill to the right of the road where
are the ruins of Gen. Hampton's famous
residence--famous because beautiful and
costly, and the former home Of the most
distinguished descendant of distinguish.
ed family. B-fore the war the Hamp.
tons were the first of the first families,
having descended from long line of an
cestors wealthy aud waIliie. The old
and original Hampton was a revolution
airy general, and the family have since
kept up the reputation he gained as fight
ing stock. / turned from the road up
among the trees. as directed. and in a
| short distance came to the ruins. The
site WAS magnificent. From the top Of
this hill or rise of ground the country
spread out before you, visible in all di-
rections. To the west Columbia lay, en-
shrouded in trees, and to- the east and
north landscape of rare !oveliness pre-
sented itself. But the looks of the place
itself was in sad contrast to what could
be seen from it. Nothing is left Of what
was IN elegant mansion. but four stout
pillars and q great mass Of blackened
brick thrown in confused heap. The
house was large, and is said to have been
was Costly and historic. Herr, e,'s We're 1' gat6.
cred the trophies and "herooms Of
one Of the oldest, weathiest and most
distinguished families Of South Carolina
But in February, 1864, the house and its
contents were reduced to ashes by the
cavalry Of Sherman's army. Hampton
has never rebuilt, having been reduced
to the verge Of bankruptcy by the war.
The surrounding grounds were once
beautiful, and remnants of their beauty
remain to this day. 1t is said that Hamp-
ton expended sixty thousand dollars in
laying out and beautifying these grounds.
All around the ruins OF the house are
walks and drives, shaded by the numer-
Gus trees and shrubbcry that grow so
luxuriantly in this southern cline. But
for seven years these grounds have been
turned out to the common. Cattle roam
over them at pleasure, and no one seems
to have cared to prevent it. The hedges
have grown stiff and rank and out Of
shape. the cedars and pines and "box
trees" sadly show the need Of attention,
but are still beautiful The flowers are
nearly all killed out, only one now bloom.
ing here and there, making the surround,
ing desolaton still more impressive. I'm.
agine that which was once a miniature
garden Of Eden turned out to the cattle,
the shrubbery eaten down, the flowers
and small plants trampled over, the trees
untrimmed, the graveled walks grown up
in weeds and brambles, the hedges broken
and scattered, and you have some idea Of
"Millwood now. There we're row OF
frame houses near, formerly the servants
apartments, but all deserted. Desolation
and silence reigned supreme. Seeing a
small house, Some distance away, that
looked as though it might be inhabited,
| walked towards it. A small boy was
playing in the yard.
"Who lives here p / asked.
Mother" he replied, apparently
startled at the appearance OF stranger
at that desolate looking place A lady
came to the door, evidently OF the poor
white persuasion.
THAT house In ruins was formerly
Wade Hampton's, was it notf" inquir-
ed.
"Yes, there's where the general lived
before war. But the Yankees, they tore
everything up about the place and barn
ed the house They seemed to have more
spite against the Hamptons thar any
body else. They destroyed three fine
houses belonging to the family. One was
where the generals sister lived, and was
mighty nigh as fine place as his Then
they burned up Frank Hampton's house.
The general himself 10 now at the West,
but we look for him. back some time this
month"
wandered around through what were
ten years ago beautiful parks and gar
dens, although now hardly to be recog.
nized as such, down to the road, and
away from the desolate place.
How the old families have been broken
up and scattered The former homes OF
the Hamptons is now desolate hill, and
the family is no longer the power in the
land that it once was The Prestons, Mid
dletons. Pinkneys and Rhetts have all
been reduced from their high estates.
They are no longer the rulers Of South
Carolina. But let US pass everything to
their credit that is due, and say that,
through the long years that these fami.
lies ruled the State, they stole mono OF
its revenues, nor disgraced its high places
by ignorant and corrupt men. Faulty 40
the old.time southern Democratic politi.
clans were, they we're honest Whatever
they did. they did not steal