The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1883-07-13
WADE HAMpToN's LEGION,
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The city of Columbia, S, c., during the
war, witnessed an episode that has not yet
found its way among the records of that
evcntful period. 1t was the occasion of the
resignation by Gen. Wade Hampton ofthc
command of his famous champion Legion
and his farewell to the old soldiers whom
he had organized anu equipped, prior to his
promotion to the cavalry service with
which his name in after years was SO sig,
nfcantly identified. II city never looked
More beautiful than on that bright spring
morning. Nature had celebrated her glo-
rious rcsur,ectior, Air, earth and sky
seemed in harmony with the occasion. The
gardens were in full bloom the soft south
winds came laden with the perfume of myr-
iads Of flowers, and the winged choristers
Of the woods were holding high carnival.
There wss one objective point that day to
which everybody, young and old, white
and black, hurried, as if auimatcd by a
common thought, to great grove on the
outskirts Of the capital. BY thousands the
people Aocked thither from the adjacent
towns and villages and long before noon
dense multitude had assembled arouud
{ the platform on which were to take place
the official exercises Of the day.
WADE uAMpToN's APPEARANCE.
The lie ion" had meanwhile formed in
line in camp aud, preceded by their band,
were marching through the streets Of the
city to the place where they were soon to
part with their old commander. AS they
appeared upon the scene aud their battle
flag came in view the enthusiasm of the
immense throng was something to be long
remembered. Cheer after cheer greeted the
war,worn veterans and did not cease until
with steady tramp they had filed into po-
sition around the platform, on which were
seated group Of distinguished men, whose
names have since become ilustrious in the
annals Of the conftderacy a moment
later the tall, commanding figure of an Off
Ger, whose face told of exposure to the
elements, was discovered ascending the steps
to join the compatriots with whom he had
associated in council and on the field. He
WAS clad in suit of faded gray and cars
ried in his shand q weather beaten, war>worn
felt hat. a look of sadness rested on the
handsome features, and there stood before
the multitude the idol of South Carolina.
TO that audience DO introductioI WAS nee
essarJ, for it recognized in an instant the
chevalier, sans peur, ct sans rcproche, :,
around whom has since clustered so many
memories oithc late desperate strife-Wade
Hampton.
HAMPToN'S FAREWELL.
Some minutes elapsed before he was
permitted to speak, and when he did so it
was with voice trcmulous with emotion
Turning to the throng he made brief ad.
dress in recognition of the warm welcome
of which he had been the recipient, and
then turning to his old command he uttered
the touching and eloquent sentences in
which he Sade farewell to the men who
had followed his fortunes since the begins
ming Of the war. His language may not
have beer recorded, but those who we're
present will not foeget the closing remark ::
} "Soldiers think you will all bear wit
ness that 1 never ordered the Legion to 90
where l did not lead you, and believe you
will be true to your past in whatever du.
ties you may be called upon to perform in
the future. Farewell for the present I;
but We shall meet again on many field.
May the God of battles bless you and
bless our cause -
Among the soldiers present WAS one who
had received a heavy sabre cut aud still
wore his arm in Slug. Some one asked
how he was wounded. "Dcfcnding that
life, which is worth ten of miuo," was the
answer. "In one of the hand-to- land fights
federal soldier had his sword raised and
was in the act Of cutting down Hampton
when [ threw my arm up and caught the
blow. But | never have regretted it, for
there he stands the embodiment of our
people" He was young Georgian, and is
to-day successful merchant in the city of
Savannah.
A PALMETTO TOKEN.
Seated next to General Hampton on the
platform was the Rev. DIR Palmer, now of
New Orleans. After making an address in
his own peculiarly effective style, he drew
from his pocket small parcel which he