The news and herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1876-1881, 1876-12-14
GEN. WADE HAMPTON,
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH,
From the Yor;ville Enquirer,
by J. WOOD DAVIDSON.

Gen. Wade Hampton, written fol
the columns of this paper by {
talented son of Carolina, who has
since removed from tho State L
was prepared and published simply
us biographical sketch of an illus
trious citizen Of the State, whose
Hpme WAS an embodiment of virtue
and valor; and was not intended tc
subserve any political or other pur
pose. :.
The recent nomination of Genera
Hampton to the Chicf Magistracy OF
tho State, again brings his name
prominently before the people, and
attaches q deep interest to the
principal events in his past career
We presume our readers will re
quire no apology from us for again
presenting in our columns the
principal events in the life of one SO
much endeared to the people of the
State, and around whose name So
much present interest attaches.
- BY birth, residence, education and
character, General Wade Hampton
is a South Carolinian. Perhaps nc
better representative man could be
found-representativo in that he
combines in himself q fairer share ol
those better qualities of mind and
character, of which Southernors are
40 uniformly proud, and upon which
the genuine South Carolinian bases
his individuality. He is type or
representative man Of both section
and State.
His grandfatller-Colonel Hamp.
ton, of Revolutionary fame, and
afterward u General in the war OF
l912-bore the same name. AS a
partisan officer Of the forces OF
Marion and Sumter, he was noted
for the rapidity, boldness and sue.
cess of his movements. In the late
war-that of 1S12-he received the
appointment of Brigadier, and serv-
cd under Gen. Dearborn in the
operations against Canada.
His father, Col Wade Hampton,
served as aide. de camp with Gen.
An drew Jackson in the defence OF
New Orleans. --.
Thus three generations have
served with distinction in war.
Lieutenant-General Wade Hamp-
ton, the subject of the present
sketch, was born in Charleston in
the year 1918. He entered the
3 South Carolina College in 1885
His graduating speech was upon
Iasso. The peculiar character OF
the man appeared while yet youth
il his conduct at great fire in
Columbia, where he won the nd
niration of older heads by the
GOODNESS, forethought and daring
which he exhibited From his
earliest boyhood he was noted fol
his fondness for hunting; and has
enjoyed, from that time, the repu
tation of being the best shot an6
the most successful huntsman in the
State.
He served before the war in bvtl
branches of the State Legislature
The memorable public measure tn;
he led, was the opposition to the
re-opening of the African slavt
trade. He was in the Senate at
that time. Gov. Adams, in his
message, had recommended the
re-opening of that trade; and the
committee to which the subject was
referred, submitted report f,vora
ble to it. Senator Hampton was
member Of that committee, and was
the writer of a, minority report
which took strong grounds agains
the action of the majority. His
treatment of his own slaves wa.
always humane, of which fact W.
shall have further evidence in event!
CHAT have occurred since the war
~:sde is said to have been the owner
of q greater number of slaves thar
any other planter in his State.
He married first Miss Preston, O.
Virginia, and second Miss McDuffie
daaghters Of Gov. McDnfie, O
South Carolina. His home, at Co
lumbia, has been characterized al
the "abode of splendid hospitality
and as.ope Of ytheymost superb resi-
dences2in the United SttlteB. "~ ,Thiy
was destroyed by Sherman's troop,
at the same time they burnec
Columbia, in February, 1865. ,Th,
house was isolated, and must hav
been fred separately---one among
the thousands of Of viola
ton Of the laws and rights of war
in the destruction Of private proper
ty.9 n~o fifs iSa,gyiis fntry Z IS 52s1sgal
When the war Of secession aros,
in 1861, Wade Hampton entered
service rs q asprivate in Captain A. r
Taylol's Congaree Mounted Rifle
= men, which did service near Charles
y ton during the reduction of For
Sumter. in April of that year
AS soon as the ihvasion Of Vir
ginia made that State the theatre, 8 8
the war early in 1856 and 1t be
Came manifest that q general wa
was inevitable; he set about forming
his command to, take part in ii
This command consisted Of all thre,
branchosiof the military cavalry
infantry and artillery--and wa
known tllrouyhont tile war, 3as tli
HAMPTON {I pin1s! ~ 4 rhir fxuas I, 4 n,,fyoY I,