The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-09-03


fore the convention of Confederate
veterans at Grcenville, S. c., is given
herewith
Comrades and Friends:
1t is eminently proper and appro-
pirate that we should suspend the
ceremonies usual at our reunions and
dedicate few hours to paying homage
and respect to the memory of our
most distinguished comrade-General
Wade Hampton, who has died since
eur last reunion.
Hewas literally, and in fullest sense,
my immediate comrade, as he was of
many of you here today. With the
exception of brief intervals, when he
was in command of an infantry bri.
gade, or we were absent from the
army disabled by wounds or sickness,
we were in the same command from
the beginning to the end of the war.
General Hampton began his military
career in the Confederate army as
Colonel of the Hampton Legion, an
organization made up largely by him
or through his influence. He contri-
buted freely from his own private
means to it's equipment and prepara-
tion for service in the field.
The Legion was composed of eight
companies Of infantry, four troops Of
cavalry, and battery of horse artil-
lery, afterwards increased to two. It
wan kept together until the Summer
st 1862, when, as a Legion, it was
D.vken up. The infantry retained
the name. The cavalry by the addi-
tion of six troops was increased to q
regiment known as the Second South
Carolina Cavalry. The First Brigade
Of Cavalry Of the army of Northern
Virginia was composed of the First
and Second South Carolina and the
First North Carolina. The Cobb
Legion Cavalry, the Phillips and JEFF
Davis Legions Of Cavalry and Hart 8
Battery. Pending the organization
and getting together of this Brigade,
General Hampton was put in command
Of a Brigade of Infantry.
After the organization Of the first
cavalry brigade, General Hampton
was assigned Ito its command in the
latter part Of the Summer Of 1862.
He remained in command of this
brigade until the 9th Of June, 1863,
when he was promoted to Major Gen.
eral and assigaed to the command Of
the First Cavalry Division composed
Of Buffers, Rosser's and Young g
brigades, ranking in the order named.
After General Stuart's death fr,m
9 mortal wound at Yellow Tavern, in
May, 1864, General Hampton became
the ranking Major General of Cavalry
in the Army of Northern Virginia.
The cavalry corps of that army con-
sisted Of Hampton's, Fitz Lees and
VIM. d. F. Lees divisions.
General Hampton, although the
ranking major general, was not placed
In command ofathe corps until Sept.
1864, when Nj. c. Butler was prosnot.
ed TO Major General and assigned to
the command Of Hampton's division.
It is due to the truth Of history to
say that General Lee, from some sin.
ioter influence, hsd not duly spprecia.
ted General Hampton's high military
qualities until after the battle Of Ire.
williams Station, on the 11tn and 18th
OF June, 1864, where, with only two
divisions, Hampton's and Nitz Lees,
he defeated Sheridan at the head OF o
largely superior force, turned him
back from his contemplated raid to
join Hunter in the valley, aud com.
Aelled him to seek shelter uader Fed.
eYal General Boats in the Pamunkey
river.
After defeating Sheridan, as above
stated, General Hampton moved
sososs the front or General Lee 8
army, met Wilson at the head of two
divisions at Sapony Chnroh, twenty
miles below Petersburg, returning
from his raid down the Southside
railroad towards Staunton river, and
defeated him, after an all night fight,
scattered his forces, capturing his ar
tillery and ambulances and compelling
him to make q long detour with the
remnant Of his command to regain
Grants lines.
When it is remembered tha. Trevil-
lian's Station and Sapony Church,
near Stoney Greek station, are abous
equal distances from Richmond in op.
posite directions, aud that Hampton
practically with the same troops, de-