The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-08-13

further enhanced by the fact that bot
Sheridan and Wilson were soldiers
great ability, dashing, accomplished
perhaps the ablest cavalry commander
in the Federal service. More tina
that, do not think it would be ex
J travagant to say they commanded tn
best equipped and best mounte
cavalry in the world.
General Hampton remained IN Vir
ginia with the army of Northern Vir
Iginia participating in all the operation
of that incompatible army unit
January, 1865. Butler's division wa
transferred to South Carolina at tha
time. Wheeler's division of cavalry
reached Columbia in February, 1866
with the remnant of Hoods army. The
two divisions united IN Columbia
Wheeler, as major general, ranked
both Hampton and Butler. The
former was promoted TO lieutenant
general and placed in command of the
tive divisions and retained command
until the surrender of Johnson's army
at Greensboro, N. c., in the latter part
of April, 1865.
Before the final arrangements OF
capitulatlon between johnson and
Sherman, both Hampton and Wheeler
left Johnson's army at Greensboro, in
tending to join the Confederate forces
in the Trans-Mississippi department.,
leaving Butler In command of the
cavalry of Johnson's army. Their
plans, however, were changed and
they decided to abandon further re-
sistance to the United States armies.
This is brief and imperfect state
ment of General Hampton's military
career. Ihave not attempted TO give
in detail, Oor the limits imposed by
an address like this would not per-
NIT it), of his splendid achievements
in that long, perilous and unequal
struggle. You old battle-scarred vet.
Grams, gallant survivors of the great
est armies the world has ever known,
know and appreciate the value of those
achievements and services. Let us
hope the present and coming genera
tions will not allow the illustrious and
brilliant career Of General Hampton
to grow dim or lose any of its lustre as
the years roll on.
Those of us, who have personal
knowledge of his great exploits, military
and civil, cannot in the course of
nature expect to linger much longer on
earth, and must necessarily commit to
those who come after US, the guardian
ship of Confederate valor--and the
patriotic purposes of their high en-
deavor. There were three Confeder-
ate cavalry leaders who are entitled to
primacy In that brilliant galaxy of
splendid dashing sabreux, who taught
the world so much in the use of
mounted troops in offensive and de-
fensive operations of armies-Geperals
Stuart, Forrest and Hampton ranking
in the order named, not necessarily in
merit. "a
1t would not be profitable or api
propriate at this time to draw COM
PARSONS between them. The friends
and admirers of each would naturally
give the palm of merit to their per-
sonal choice. The cold criticism of
history will IN after years assign to
each of these great soldiers his proper
place in the order of military merit.
When that. is done we need have no
fears, as to the place our distinguished
friend and comrade will occupy.
General Earl Van Dorm may properly
be placed in this competitive list for
the first place among the great cavalry
soldiers of the world. All had one
qua. ~ in common, strong, vigorous,
robust constitutions, quality not to
be ignored in the makeup of success
full cavalry leader.
can speak advlsedly from personal
knowledge and almost constant associ-
alton with General Hampton. He was
a man of most temperate and ahstemi-
GUS habits, and in the many long,
weary, exhausting marches, engaging
in almost daily combats with the en-
emy, which sometimes swelled into
fierce battles, he never seemed to real
Ize what fatigue was. Superadded 10
Metaphysical powers was another crown
ing quality, which enabled HIM to pass
so successfully through 80 many exact
ing trials of endurance, namely, un-
varying equanimity of temper and
dignity of department. He never lost
his head and rarely his temper. He
never swore an oath or took the name
of the Lord in vain-leavlng, / fear,
that painful necessity, which sometimes
arises in managing column of rollick-
ing horsemen, to his less fortunate sub
ordinates.
AS these ceremonies are in the ma
ture of memorial services, tributes of
affection and esteem for our departed
comrade, and as there are others who
wish to avail themselves OF the oppOr-
tunity to show their appreciation of
him not only as soldier and states.
man, but as man and great exalted
citizen, 1 cannot with propriety enter
into the details of his brilliant military
services and no less brilliant achieve
ments in civil life and pursuits of
peace. Suffice it to say that he parti-
cipated with brilliant distinction In the
first battle of the war at Manassas, and
in the last at Bentonville, N. c., con-
trbuting In the meantime by his COM
manding military talents, genius, in.
tuition, or whatever 1t may be called,
to the glorious triumphs and achieve.
ments Of the Confederate struggle
especially IN the army of Northern
Virginia. His antagonist never got ths
better of him. No honorable soldier
whether friend or foe, ever suffered
indignity at his hands.