The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-06-08
HAMPTON's SWORD FOUND
And Returned to the Relatives Of the
Old Hero


The lost has been found-a beauti-
full silver chained sword. The long
lost sword of Gen. Wade Hampton Of
South Carolina, has been returned TO
his relatives. Aspecial dispatch from
Marietta, Ca, to the Atlanta Journal
says through the long and continuous
efforts Of Major J. Gid Morris, Of that
place, the sword which was presented
to Gen. Wade Hampton by the ladies
of Richmond, Va, during the civil
war, has been located and returned to
the nearest relatives of the lamented
General Hampton.
While discussing the building of the
Polk monument with union S. ldier
who was visiting the kennesaW bat
tlefelds, the sword was located and
found to be in the possession Of Capt.
Joe Majors, of Eureka, Ill. who was
captain Of company A, S6th Illinois
regiment.
1t was the purpose OF Mr.. Morris to
have this sword sent to the Marietta
Camp Z. c. V. at this place, and have
this camp turn it over to General G..
A. Evans at the approaching Nash
vile reunion, and have him turn it
over to General c. l. Walker, Of South
iCrolina, and by him delivered to the
relatives of General Hampton. But
mi>taking the plans Of Mr.. Morris,
Captain Majo.s sent the sword direct
ly to Governor Heywocd, of South
Carolina, and he has turned it over to
the relatives Of the late Gen. Hamp-
ton.
Major Morris has been more thin
TWO years in locating and having re-
turned the sword carried by General
Hampton in the Confederate service,
and he is very proud Of the fact that
it has at last been returned to those
who prize it more highly and to whom
it rightfully belongs.
Captain Majors has written to Ma
jor Morris stating that be did not cap
ture the sword nor did he steal it dur
ing the war, but that he purchased it
of union soldier near Columbia on
the night prior to the evacuation OF
that city by the Confederate soldiers,
fabou1 the 1st Of April, 1865.
One Of the most remarkable incl
dents connected with the location
and return Of this sword after an ab-
sence Of 40 years, is that the man
who low returns it-Captain Majors-
lost bis sword at the battle Of Kenne-
saw mountain on June 9th, 1864,
who was relieved Of it by a man
named John Williams, Confederate
s,ldier at the famous Cheatham Hill
fight, and returned to him on the
thirty. fifth anniversary Of that battle
by a grandson Of the man who cap
tured it.
The fact that Newton M. Morris,
brother Of Major J. Gid Morris, was
the courier Of General Hampton from
Georgia during the entire Confeder-
ate service, is an additional cause o1
rejoicing on the part Of Major Morris,
that he was instrumental in locating
and returning the sword to the rela
tiveS of the general with whom his
brother was so closely associated, be
icg with him through many stirring
scenes, by his side when wounded, aud
surrendered with him in North Caro-
lima on April 10th, 1865.
Although the plans were not carried
out as originally intended by Major
Morris, his peyertb eless very glad that
the sword which was no doubt held ir
dearest esteem by one OF the south's
most gallant soldiers, has at last beer
returned to his relatives.