The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-08-18
HAMPTON STOLE oarrLE.
A Daring Adventure OF Two Great
Confederate Gcnefals.

The following anecdote of Gen. L.
Nj. L. Young is a good illustration of
the military genius of that Gashing3
officer and his superior, Gen. Wade,
Hampton
Some years ago the general was re-
lating some OF his experiences in the
war. He had been asked especially to
tell OF the capture of the corr .l'of cat
tie, which General Grant had brought
together as base of supplies of his
arm, on the Chickahominy, in 1864,
says the New York Times. This cari-
ture was one of the most brilliant and
successful raids of the war, in which
General Young had played gallant
ana conspicuous part; but throughout
the narration casual listener would
nave thought that he was relating the
incident to show how magniiicently
Hampton had conducted the affair."
The conception and plan were Hamp-
tons. 1t was arranged that picked
body OF 800 cavalry, under Hampton,
should sweep around TO Grants rear,
capture the corral and drive the cattle
INTO the Confederate lines, while Gen.
Young should hold at bay any Federal
troops that might come to the support
OF the corral guards. The scouts had
gathered every detail OF information
needed. They knewthc exact location
OF the cattle, their number and quality
OF the troops on guard, the relative po-
sltion OF the great army of Grant and
how long it would require for him to
dispatch assistance to the guard when
attacked. Hampton relied upon Young
to keep back the entire army, if neces-
sary, until he could get the cattle out
OF reach. AS cattle havo to be driven
slowly, and over fairly good country, 1t
was necessary for Hampton to drive
them quite close to the enemy's lines,
making the risk very much greater.
Everything worked smoothly until
the cattle had been captured. Tho
negro guards were soon disposed of
and the corral, consisting of $500 head
OF cattle, was shortly being driven to-
ward the Confederate camp. To reach
the rear of the lines Hampton and
Young and all OF their troops had been
In the saddle day and night and had
ridden fifty miles almost without q
halt. Despite the fatigue of horses
and men q forced march to be made by
Hampton, while Young and his weary
calvary had to face the entire Federal
lines ana draw their fire" " until the
raiders were out OF harms way. Gen.
Young accomplished this in most bril-
liant style. He stretched out his $500
troopers into so long u line that it
seemed Us if nothing less than an army
could occupy the space. BY
rushing from one point to another q
body OF his men and con-
centrating fire on the Federal advance
he succeeded in keeping up the decep-
tion The FedeTals expected moment
tarily to engage the Confederates in
force, and SO advanced cautiously,
feeling their way. The dashing cav
airy officer was playing Napoleonic
n nj
OF Grant realized that it was putting
forth its giant strength against
handful Of daring horsemen Hampton
was safe, and the special lines of the
grand army OF the Conicderatcs closed
up and galloped away, having com
petcd the most rack less foray of the
war. "Thc Federal CATTLE" added the
General, "formed the basis Of our sup
plies for the rest Of our campaign"