The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-09-14
er. in which he fell unexpectedly I upon ,

er. in which be fell unexpectedly upon
two squadrons of Federal cavalry, cap
tured several officers and hundred men,
and all without any loss on his side. On
the 18th, he made successful dash upon
Dumfries and again, on the l6th, still
more successful. one, in which he brought
off hundred and thirty prisoners. L.
In the splendid and eventful but varied
operations of 1863, General Hampton did
some of the most gallant fighting Of the
whole war. In the battle Of Brandy Sta
ton his command consisted of the First
and Second South Carolina Cavalry, the
First North Carolina Calvary and the
Cobb, JEFF Davis and Phillip Legions-
all cavalry and mounted artillery. The
fight was obstinate and bloody. The
character of the contest and the spirit
shown by the Confederates, appear in
the striking fact that every field officer to
whom the command suecessively fell was
wounded-Col. Baker, of the First North
Carolina; then Colonel Young, of Cobb's
Legion; then Col. Black, Of tie First
South Carolina; then Lieutenant Colonel
Lipscomb, of the Second South Carolina.
The important results ofthat engagement
are a part of history. The limited space
at our disposal here does not allow us to
present them.
In Lees Pennsylvania campaign, the
cavalry had some of the most arduous
service; and the gallant performance OF
the duties enacted Of them by those try
ing circumstances, established for them
that prestige which they bore into the
memorable warfare around Richmond
and Petersburg in 1864 warfare, in its
inequality Of forces, and the heroism dis.
played in it, and its ends accomplished
by daring and endurance, unparalleled
in history. a .r.v;.,
In the grand drama of Gettysburg
those three July days of the; not of red
death-Gen. Hampton took part. What
part he took appears in the effects upon
the field and those which followed quick.
" after. Upon the field he was three
times wounded, and his command so torn
by the terrific work that of the twenty
three field officers in his brigade, twenty
one were either killed or wounded. Soon
after General Hampton-up to this time
a Brigadier-was promoted to be a Major
General. The Confederate government,
made duly sensible of the services done,
was not reluctant to accord to him its ap-
propriate recognition and reward-pro-
motion.
To detail the many operations of Gen,
Hampton's cavalry from the memorable
days of Gettysburg to the still more MEM
orable days of May, 1864, might come
within the limits of a biography, but
cannot within those of brief sketch like
this. .r.... ...
Upon the death of Stuart, May, 1864,
General Hampton became the comman-
der.in-chief Of the cavalry branch of
Lees army. -
AS part of his grand move on Rich
mond. Grant sent Sheridan to deal some
blows cooperative to that end. .. Sheridan
was to take Gordonsville and Charlottes-
vile, and destroy their railway connec-
tions, after which he mas; to move on
and capture Lynchburg in conjunction
with Hunter. On the, 10th. Of June, at
Trevillian's Station, on the Central Rail-
road, Sheridan discovered an unlooked-for
resistance. Hampton's troops were form
ing across his route. On the morning Of
the 11th, the battle was fought, battle
hardly surpassed during the whole var
in its determined and almost desperate
daring. Sheridan was severely handled,
and bis expedition thwarted.. Rapid
movements on the part of Hampton
brought these commands again and again
in contact at the White House, at Forge
Bridges and finally at Samaria Church,
where Sheridan's forces were handsomely
routed. ..a; .g-.,a- j. * .:a ~ s
This brilliant achievement accom-
plished, Hampton vas returning to re-
Join Lees army, On the 26th of June,
after three weeks Of Herculean service,
when new task appeared for him. This
was, to, intercept, and damage Wilson's
command, who was ascertained to be en-
route from Staunton River bridge, for
Grants army. Fitz Lee was to cooperate
with an artillery and infantry force placed
at Beams Station. Hampton found
Wilson at Sappony Church, broke his
main line Of battle, and kept up hot
and embarrassing pursuit for several
days. The troops at Reams' Station ad-
ded further to the discontinue, and the
whole affair, added laurels to Lees caval-
~ arm, and inspired degree of caution
in Sheridan's calvary that they never
fully recovered from until some days after
the affair at Appomattox. Hampton took
800 prisoners. A summary Of these ope-
ration, beginning on the 18th of JuneTT7
two days before he met Sheridan at Tre-
yillian's-is thus given in Gen. Hamp-
toms official report: .A. 80 "a
During this time-a period of twenty
three days-the command had no rest,
was badly supplied with ration, and for
age, marched upwards Of four hundred
miles, fought the greater portion Of SIX
days and one entire night, captured up
ward of two thousand prisoners, many
guns, small arms, wagons, horses and
other materials of war, and was com
pletely successful in defeating two of the
most formidable and well organized e1-
peditions of the enemy. This was accom-
plished at cost, in my division, of seven
hundred and nineteen killed, wounded
and missing. The: men have borne their
privations with perfect cheerfulness they
have fought admirably, and wish to ex-
press, before closing my reports, not only
my thanks to them for their good con-
duct, but my pride at having had the
honor to command them." ..i..'.-.,.
This language is characteristic Of the
man. Candid and generous as he is
brave, none caD be more ready TO accord
to others their due need of praise.
Then came few months of lull. Rest
there could not be. That eternal vigi-
lance which is said to be the price OF lib
erty, is q veritable condition of existence
in the face ofsuch an enemy under such
circumstances.
The 10th of September is the date of
Hampton's famous Beef Raid. This con-
sisted of first ascertaining that an i'm
mense shipment of beef.cattle had been