The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-04-16
The End Game Peacefully Friday
Morning Just Bsfors 8 O'clock,
3. 49,
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF UN-
CONSCIOUSNESS.
The Dead chieftain Will be Mourn
ed Throughout the State He
Deeply Loved.
From the Columbia State, April 12. ]

III peace, ulS0 AL wal, o0OPis DOtO.S~
by his people-preeminently distin-
guished as soldier and as statesman;
the commander who told his men when
he started with them to war that he
would never order the humblest of
them to go where he himself would not
first lead, the man who frequently gave
the rare and inspiring picture OF
lieutenant general riding far in ad.
advnce of his troops into the thick Of
battle-this noble Carolinian whose
courage and gallantry were only equal
ed by his wisdom in matters Of State
policy, is no more. His life's race, SO
full of incidents and exactions, has
been run. He died on the anniversary
of the day that he saw accomplished
bis grandest Undertaking in behalf OF
the State he so devotedly loved-the
day that Chamberlain turned over the
State capitol to him, and the work OF
reclaiming South Carolina from car
petbag rule was done. He passed
away as peacefully as if dropping to
sleep surrounded by his loved ones.
Without the scene was as calm and
peaceful as the deathbed scene. The
birds sang sweet carols, and the spring
air was laden with the fragrance OF
flowers.
South Cardinals grand old man
breathed his last yesterday morning at
$50 O'Clock, having been unconscious
for some hours prior to the end. He
had known the end was near, and ne
faced the inevitable with the same
calmness that he had ever displayed
when death was imminent. By his bed
side stood that sturdy surgeon, who
had been his friend and beside him
in war as we'll as peace, DR.. B. W,
Taylor, ministering to him in his final
moments.
Tie capital city of the State is ap-
propriately draped in mourning. Flags
are at half-mast, and the Confederate
monument has black streamers flowing
from it, doping upon a Confederate
flag draped about the base.
The people are in mourning. Indeed,
the south will be in mourning for
Wade Hampton was an idol OF the
south, and his death leaves but two
surviving lieutenant generals OF the
Confederate army-Gordon and Long
street. Men who were under Hamp-
ton dearly loved him. He has ever
been their hero, and they are anxious
TO pay all honor to his memory. Many
an old soldier will doubtless look upon
the dead chieftain S face for the last
time today and tomorrow.
Telegrams O: coincidence have poured
in from every direction since the news
of the death OF Gen. Hampton was
flashed over the wires.
Wade Hampton was undoubtedly the
most prominent figure in Confederate
circles when he died. He was com
mander whose dash was equalled by
his stategy and generalship, and the
eminent soldier, Robert +. Lee,
regarded him as one OF the grandest
soldiers of his age. When he was taken
from the army in Virginia Lee said
that the right arm of the army had
been cut off. For these reasons, and
scores of others, Wade Hampton was
loved, and thousands will mourn with
the family.
HIS LAST PUBLIC APPEARANCE.
The news of Gen. Hampton's death
was scarcely a surprise, yet it was not
expected for few days more at least.
The old soldier had been in failing
health for some months. His last
public appearance was in Charleston
on the occasion of the South Carolina
college centennial, December 18th last
On that occasion there we're two occa-
sions upon which the aged hero spoke,
and he made brilliant speeches exclt-
ing great enthusiasm. One speech
was in the auditorium: the other at
the banquet that night. Gen. Hampton
had not been so much like himself m
wears. He came back to Columbia
and soon his friends saw that the end
was approaching. During the past
few months he has been steadily grow
inc weaker, though up to short time
ago. he continued to take his daily
drive accompanied by his sons. Six
davs ago the general became vey weak,
and had to take to his bed. He fully
realized that the end was ;near. Dur
ing the last "a hours be had been con-
scious only at times.
WHEN THE END CANE.
On Thursday evening Gen. Hampton
had a long farewell talk with one OF
his sisters, in which he expressed
beautiful sentiments. To Bishop Capers5
and to one of his devoted friends and
comrades he expressed himself IN
beautiful terms, forgiving all enemies
and referring to the great beyond.
When the end finally came there
were with the general. who was un,
conscious, his sisters, Misses Kate and
Caroline Hampton, his devoted daugh-
ter, Miss May McDuffie Hampton, his
sons Messrs. Geo. McDuffie and Alfred
Hampton, mis- nephew Mr.. Frank
Hampton, his niece, Mrs: john =.
Haskell, and DR.. B. w. Taylor who
was surgeon general on his staf IN
the Confederate army. He passed
away peacefully mad seemed simply TO
drop off to sleep. Such was the END
of a grand mans career, the end OF a
man great in life and still great In
death.
heart disease, superinduced by old age,
the general baving reached his o4th
birthday just two weeks ago.
C,Irx- pTTJ Tailed