Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-06-03
aatisesltaneo,ls &eaaing.
WADE HAMPToN's SWORD.
II Has Been Returned by a Yankee
Officer Who Has Had II For Years.

Officer Who Has Had II For Years.
The sword of a chieftain returned
by foe. The stainless blade Of him
who sleeps meath the giant oak in
peaceful Trinity churchyard-the
knightly Hampton.
This sword, which has been obtain
ed from Mr.. Jos. Major of Eureka, ILL.,,
Is one long missing, but the one In
whose keeping it was, has been known
for some time. Mr.. McDuff1e Hamp-
ton, learned in March Of this year that
the sword was in the possession Of Mr..
Major, communicated with him and
received in reply the following letter:
"In regard to the sword Of which
you ask, have a sword that probably
once belonged to your lamented father.
"You ask for the particulars as to
how I came to get 1t. I will try and
inform you the best can.
About the 18th Of February. 1865.
our corps, the Fourteenth, being then
on the extreme left Of Gen. Sherman's
column, a battalion Of mounted infan-
try were passing through our camp at
night, and one Of them offered for sale
this sword and having lost my own /
bought it. He said about noon as their
command was some distance from the
main road, on nearing farm house
they saw four or five officers leave
hastily in the opposite direction and
he being the first to reach the house
found the sword lying on the bed In
the room adjoining the dining room.
He said that everything appeared as
though the officers were eating dinner,
and being surprised, left hastily
leaving the sword. I did not know
this man and at the time did not be-
lieve one word of it, I only thought he
had taken 1t from some private house.
I regret to say there was much Of that
done.
1.-THE sword is not like those in gen.
eral use in either army, more like
dress sword used on civic occasions.
The belt Is such as used by guard off,
GERS, Of light material, with emblem
Of the c.. S. A. with what appears to
be like silver chains fastened to belt
to hold sword in place.
"The carved ivory hilt is moulded
with ancient helmet, with small chains
in place to guard.
1.-THE sword Is Of usual length and
thickness and Is engraved and stamped
thus, 'Ames Mfg. Co., Chicopee, Mass
and has a silver scabbard. After
got this sword I covered the scabbard
with leather, not to hide but to avoid
theft, the belt and chains I did not
use at all. I did not see the engraving
on the scabbard until I was mustered
out of the service. On the scabbard
is engraved, Lieut.. Gen. Wade Hamp-
ton, C. S. A
This sword is in very fair condi-
ton considering wear and usage. was
not a staff officer, simply Of the left
line. AS l recollect we were on that
day about Is miles southwest Of Co.
lumbia. 1 was not in Columbia at all
I'm telling you how I came by this
sword, 1 say bought it. simple fact
but do not for one moment infer that
l would sell it to you or any living
creature. God forbid.
But if you, as representing the late
Gen. Wade Hampton, are satisfied and
certain that this was your fathers
sword I will cheerfully return 1t to you
at once, but 1 want satisfactory evil
dence that you are the person you
represent"
To this letter Mr.. Hampton wrote
Mr.. Major again thanking him for his
courteous letter and generous impulse
He suggested that the sword be deliV-
cred to him through Gov. Hayward as
q matter of formal and easy identifica-
ton. This was done and the govern
or received the sword on Friday last
and handed 1t to Mr.. Hampton on the
fo1lowinp day.-Columbia State.