The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-22
DEAD HEROES HOkORED
fooneludea from First Page.)

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tlon nothing was left but to retire the
whole dtsmounted line and take up q
new position along RiohlaRh Creek In
our rear Meantime l gathered up the
mounted detachment with Hampton,
who was mortally- wounded in the me-
lee, except three or four, who We're taken
prisoners, and moved back after chaig7
Ing the Federal regiment. That soon
Tell back, however, which gave us time
to reform our lines To this day l have
never known how far Col. Wickham act
ed on my suggestions. l have learned
from others that his regiment was some
three of four hundred yards In Hamp-
tons rear, that lie did not dismount the
two squadrons on Hamptop's right.
and did not move up with the remand
er of his regiment TO his support. My
orders to Col. Hampton were to charge
anything. as l expressed It, fly in the
face of anything" that comes UP the
hill In front of him. He was too good
and gallant a soldier to receive q charge
standing My information from Lieu
teEnnt John T. Rhett. who was with
him. was that he was very much per-
picked by Col. Wickham not assuming
command and giving directions, and
that when he gave the command for the
forward movement of his detachment,
(only a handful of mem to meet the
enemy's charge, some one gave the
command, "by fours left about WHEEL"
and the enemy came upon them in
that attitude. OF course. none of us
could tell in I'm eXteniled field like that
what takes place or what could have
been done elsewhere. l was not disap-
PORTED in my anticipations of what
the enemy would do. We had driven
them back twice on the left, and l am
quite confident If my suggestions had
been promptly acted upon the right
hpnn IF
we had transferred come of our rifle
men from the left to right and could
have held our strong position almost in
definitely. But, as have said on a for
mer occasion, sometimes the smallest in
cident or accident changes the fate of
combats and battles.
Let me suspend this' narrative a few
moments to pay IL brief Tribute to one
OF the noblest. most unself1sh. gallant
gent!smen my lameHted friend, 1t. Col
Frank Hampton. He was my friend,
for during the most intimate association
| astent and mess mate for many trying
| months with the relation of superior
and inferior officer, an association and
relation where the good and bad quail
ties of mani are more cer:ainly dis
closrd than any other. there was never
an unpleasant word either official or
personal passed between us. He was
ono of the most unselfish men | have
ever known, always considerata of
cSHCIs. 40 IlOl remember, except upon
one occasion. TO have heard him speak
unkindly or unpleasantly of another
His devotion to his maiden sisters and
his mothe;less children was so gentle
and tender as to become almost feminine
IN It's quality. And yet wthal. he was
most manly man, courageous, faithful
TO his duties. and uncompla.ning un6r
the most trying circumstances. He was
shot in the stomach with a pistol ball
in the melee about l o'clock on the 9th
l1cn laI
| about the head, carried him some dis
tancs before he was aware of his own
| wound. Lit. Broughton, of the Beaufort
Company "A" accompanied him to the
rear, and when his horse began to fail
he turned into a pine thicket near the
Barbour house below Stevensburg and
remarked to Broughton he mus. he hurt
as he felt sick.sIh. Broughton advised
him to d!smount and rest. He there
| upon pulled off his coat, made a pillow
OF II and for the first time discovered
what proved to be 4. moral wound He
was moved 10 farmhouse and expired
about O'Clock that night OF internal
hemorrhage. ] was laid low soon afte.
Hampton was shot, and never saw him
again. He sent me most affactionate
| message which ! cherish as a sacred
souvenir of his parting benediction.
rms is the account of his wound and
death given me by Broughton. He, TOO,
poor fellow. later Went CALAMITY to his
long account, handsome, dashing,
faithful soldier of the Confederacy.
Having reformed my own regiment
along the west bank of Richmond creek
si.iil covering my camp and Brandy
station, VIZ Wee In position again to
make stand and defeat on our part at
least, the object of the reconnaissance of
the enemy. which was no doubt. TO as
certain IL Gen. Lee had any portion of
his infantry in that vicinity
Not being strong enough TO assume
the offensive, we awaited an attack
The enemy approached cautiously Hay-
ing stationed one piece of artillery near
| church. noich of Stevensburg, Gregg
had opened fire from this gun TO cover
the advance of his teoops. Farley re-
| mounted. near the osntre of our line
watching the desultory firing which
usually precedes an attack and were
chatting pleasantly about the cool per-
dormance of the man with the striped
| hat (Turner) when q twelve-pound shell
from the ene'ny's gun struck in the field
about twenty steps away from U.S. rico
| chett:d. passed Through my sight ankle
on through my horse, cutting the saddle
slrth, through Farley's horse taking off
] his right leg at ithe knee 1--WE were facing
In opposite directions). The shsH having
accomplished its mission, fell without
| exploding near by. If il had rounded I'D
| Its career by an explosion, I would not
| be here to-day 10 enjoy your company
and tell you about It, My poor, faith
| full horse, who had borne me safely
| through SO many per!lous places. bound
| ed In the air landing me, saddle, &C.
| ley's horse dropped under him at my
| feet. or rather foot as ii was then. Far
| ley feil with his head residing on his
no: SEES side. This bold, daring reckless