The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-12
GEN. HAMPTON DEAD
SOUTH CAROLINA's OLD WAR
HORSE is NO MORE.
A HERO IN WAR AND PEACE.
HIS CAREER a LONG AND HONOR
ABLE ONE.


Character in south CnrOIina's His
Has Passed Away-His End Was
Peaceful and He Died surrounded
by HIS FamiIy-By His own Re-
quest He VIII Not Be Given n
State mediterranean, State
and City Flags Are All Flying at
Half Mast in Columbia.
Columbia. S. c., April 11.-Gen. Wade
Hampton died just after o'clock this
morning and tonight every town in
South Carolina is mourning the man
! who, considering his combined services
and achievements in peace as we'll as
war, is considered the states greatest
son.
The end came somewhat unexpect-
| eddy, as it was only within the pre-
ceding thirty-six hours he was known
to be seriously i'll. A few days ago
the general, after rallying from an
attack, was able to take a drive with
his sons, Alfred and McDuffie. He
drove through Main street and then
stopped at the Columbia State and
asked to see the three Gonzales broth
ers. He greeted them cordially and
said he had driven through the street
to enable the people to see there was
yet life in him. 1t was his last appear
ance.
The Generals last moments were
painless and for several hours before
death came he was unconscious. Dur
ing the last few days he~has been talk
ing constantly to long departed friends
and has again led to victory the noble
| legion that followed him to battle as
veritable war god.
Gen. Hampton's two sons, his sisters,
his son-in-law, Col. John c. Haskell
and Col. Alexander C. Haskell were by
his bedside when the end came Imme-
diately the news spread over town.
| Schools were dismissed social func-
lions called off and the bells tolled. BY
noon the state house and Confederate
monument were draped in black The
Secretary of the Treasury ordered the
flag at half mast over the postoffice
| and United States Court building so
that all public edifices, United States,
state. county and city. showed flags
floating low. Strong efforts were made
to get the family to consent to a state
funeral, but the Generals wish was
that the last ceremonies should be as
| unostentatious as possible. The burial
| VIII take place Sunday afternoon In
the meantime the body Will lie at Gen.
Hampton's home. the gift of South
Carolinians, and the doors will be open
to the public from 10 to 2:3O O'Clock
Sunday. squad of the Governors
Guards has been detailed as a guard
of honor. They and detachment of
veterans from Camp Hampton win
act as a guard of honor about the
| Hampton residence until the interment
| The General had passed his Saith year.
The Governors Proclamation.
| The Governor issued this proclama-
| ton:
| Whereas, The Hon Wade Hamnton.
| a former Governor of South Carolina.
and United States senator, died at
his home in Columbia this morning at
| ten minutes before O'Clock, full OF
years and Of honor;
Therefore, l, M. B. McSweeney.
Governor of South Carolina, in recog-
milton of his distinguished services to
| his people and his country throughout
his long and honored career, and in
| further recognition of his broad states
! manship and true nobility of charac-
| Ter and his high patriotism and devo-
| ton to duty and his state, do request
| that on tomorrow, Saturday, all pub
lie offices in the state of South Caro-
| lima be closed. And as a further testi-
| monial to his worth that the flags of
| the state and of the United States be
| put at half-mast on the State Capitol
| and all other public buildings in the
state, and remain in that position un-
| til the funeral services are held"
| The family objected to state fun
eral. Bells were tolled in all the towns
| when the news was received, and many
schools were closed.
A Review of His Career.
Wade Hampton was a son of
the second Wade Hampton, and
was born in Columbia, s. c., in 1915
He graduated at the University Of
South Carolina, and afterward studied
law. Under his fathers training he
became a good horseman and famous
hunter. He served in the Legislature
of South Carolina in early life but his
political views were those of a national
rather than secession Democrat, and
were not popular in his state His
speech against the reopening of the
slave trade was pronounced by Horace
Greedy in the New York Tribune "a
noblest sentiments of the Christian and
patriot"
His earlier life was devoted to his
plantation interests in South Carolina
and Mississippi.
When the Civil War began, Hampton
first enlisted as a private, but soon
raised command of Infantry, cavalry
and artillery, which was known as
"Hampton's Legion" 1t won distinc-
tion wherever it appeared in the war
At Bull Run 500 of his infantry held
for some time the Warrenton road
against Keye's corps, and were sus-
tanning Gen. Lee when Jackson came
to their aid.
In the Peninsular campaign the fire
eaters of the Legion were again dis
tingushed, and at Seven Pines lost
half their number, while Hampton him
self was severely wounded in the foot
Soon after he was made brigadier gem
eral of cavalry, and with his Legion
assigned to "Jeb" Stuart's command.
He was frequently selected for de-
tached service by Gen. Stuart. in which
he was uncommonly successful Hamp-
ton was constantly on the most ad-
vanced line, or skirmishers, cheering
them on-the most conspicuous mark
to the enemy. He used to laugh when
warned against such exposure Of him
self, and said he was not afraid OF
any ball aimed at him.
In the Maryland and Peninsular