The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-05-14
HAMPTON, THE PEERLESS.
A Warm Tribute from an Eminent n o1tl-
Editor.
COL =. X Mcclure, in the PHILADELPHIA Record

home with the hope of gathering up
some remnant of his broken fortune.
From the day chat the war ended no
expression of bitterness or resentment
ever came from Wade Hampton. On
the contrary, he not only earnestly
urged the restoration Of peace and
fratcrnal brotherhood, but was one Of
the few men in the South who appre-
ciated the fact that the negro was not
only freeman, but citizen, and was
entitled to be treated and respected as
such.
My first acquaintance with Hamp-
ton was in October, 1862, when Stuart
made his celebrated raid around Nc
Clellan's army, then in Maryland. 1
was then on duty at Harrisburg as
assistant Adju:ant General of the
United States, but always spent one
or two days with Sunday at my home
at Chambcrsburg. When 1 arrived at
the Cha.nbersburg depot on one of my
home visits for brief rest was sum-
moned by the telegraph operator to
his private office. lie had just re-
ccivcd several dispatches from Mer-
cersburg stating that Confederate
cavalry force was then in possession
OF that town and was moving in the
direction of Chambersburg. It was
starting intelligence, indeed, and it
seemed incredible that Confederate
force would attempt to raid Cham
bersburg, only an hour distance from
Hagerstown, where there was large
Union force, with ample time and
equipment to bring it to any point in
the Cumberland Valley. 1 waited for
an hour and was advised Of the pro-
gress of the Confederate force as it
moved steadily toward Cham bersburg.
| telegraphed to the Union comman-
der at Hagerstown, not knowing who
he was, stating the facts and suggest
ing rs matter of precaution that a
small force of infantry and artillery
should be hurried to the defence Of
the town. In charity I will not give
the name Of the Union commander,
who answered that the suggestion Of
a Confederate force entering Cham
bersburg was too absurd TO be oonsid-
cred. Half an hour later the advanc-
ing Confederates had reached Cham
bersburg turnpike, and were moving
directly upon us and only ten miles
distant. l then repeated an appeal to
the Union commander at Hagerstown,
stating the facts and urging him to
send force to intercept the enemy,
as there was yet ample time to do so,
but the only reply was an intimation
that military commanders had no time
to waste on lunatics. Winding it i'm
possible to get any relief from the
Union army, as could not hopefully
communicate with any officer beyond
Hagerstown, l went to my office and
sat down TO avail. events aad accept
The situation as pbilosophically as
possible.
Soon after dark several Confeder-
ates appeared at the western part of
the town with white rag tied on
stick, and announced to the first citi-
zens they met that they bore flag of
truce from the Confederate army and
desired to be conducted to the Union
commander of the town. AS there
were no troops in Chambersburg they
were so Informed, and they asked to
be conducted to some citizens of the
town with whom they could communi-
cate the wishes Of their commander.
They were brought to my office, where
they courtcously announced that they
were there by orders of their comman-
der to ask for the surrender of the
city. [ told them that there were no
troops to oppose them, and that there
was nothing 10 hinder them from en-
tering Chambersburg whenever they
chose to do SO, but as this first inva-
sion of the enemy naturally produced
the widest CONSERVATION in the COM
munity / said to the bearers of the
truce that wished to know what as
surancc of 'afety could be given to the
people. asked who their comman-
der was and was told that his name
could not be given. I then asked
where he was and that information
was also refused. I, then inquired
whether they could take me to their
commander and assure my safe return.
They said they would, and, accompa.
MED by Col. Thomas B. Kennedy,
then prominent lawyer Of the town
and now president Of the Cumberland
Nollo~ D~s1.1.I