The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-12-18

lulIS us WIFI Ills lullucu lHIcICSGS Ill
South Carolina and Mississippi, de-
voting himself to the activities of a
planter with ample fortune, and using
for recreation the rod and gun rather
than willing away time with listless
purpose in fashion s circle. He was
called upon to serve the people in the
Legislature, and made all excellent re-
cord in that body for common sense
and sound Judgment. Tie was men,
Der Of the State Senate when the war
broke out, and his political sentiments
were strongly conservative, not being
inclined TO ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
Union.
When the States decided upon q
Withdrawal from the Union, he
promptly offered his services rs Il
private in the defense of South Car
olina, but was shortly afterwards Civ
en- authority to organize command
Of infantry, artillery and cavalry.
which became known as the Hampton
Legion, and achieved great distinc-
ton in each arm Of the service Tic
commanded the infantry of the Lc-
"ion with marked ability at The First
Manassas. and was wounded in the
head. In the campaign on the penin-
sula the command again added to its
reputation, and at Seven Pines in
creased the distinction and fame of its
1pn ,,.1,> 1r1 r.
performing gallant and effective ser
vice. Tie was commissioned rs brima-
dier general on The 2Sth Of July, 1862,
and was assigned to the command Of
cavalry brigade under Gen. J. e. B..
Stuart, which figured very PROMINENT
ly in The army Of Northern Virginia.
General Hampton was hcnccforth
identified with the cavalry service,
and in the Maryland campaign of
1862 he was in charge of the rear
guard of the cavalry division in the
movement westward from Frederick
City, a perilous and important posi-
ton, as the enemy was pressing the
Confcdcrates with vigor and persist
ence. He was participant in
Stuart s raid in the rear of Mead's
army, and he met the enemy's cavalry
near Gettysburg on the Sd of July, in
which engagement he was wounded
three times, and two of them sabre
cuts. His command suffered very
heavily in this battle, nearly one-half
of his men being killed or wounded.
On the third of August, 1868, just
one month after the Gettysburg fight,
Hampton was promoted major-gener-
al and assigned to the command of a
cavalry division. General Stuart was
mortally wounded at Yellow Tavern
on the 11th Of May, 1864, and died
the next day. Hampton was the rank
ing officer and took command Of the
cavalry corps Of the Army of North
ern Virginia. He defeated the raid Of
Dahlgren and Fitzpatrick, and after
several days fighting he gave Sheri-
dan check at Trevilian g Station,
which broke up the Federal plan of
juncture with Hunter and the capture
of Lynchbulg. He captured 5000
prisoners and large quantities Of war
material, sustaining loss Of 710 men
in twenty three days. In September,
1864, he struck the rear of Grant s
army at City Point, capturing 400
prisoners and bringing away 2,4SG
bccvcs, and shortly afterwards in an
other action he captured 500 prison.
crs. Tn February, 1865, lie was pro-
noted lieutenant general, and assign
cd to the command Of the army Of
Joseph T.. Johnson, where he render
cd conspicuous service in checking
the advance Of Sherman and in select
in% The battle ground Of Bcntonvillc,
which was the scene Of his last en-
"a"cmcnt with the Federal troops.
After the close Of hostilitics he rcSum-
cd life as a planter, and gave his at
tcntion to the large interests in Mis-
sissippi, where he was engaged when
called upon to lead the movement for
the redemption of the State, in 1876.
Ills courage and collncss under all cir
cumstances, coupled with his sagacity
and discretion, made an enduring sue
cess Of what was regarded by many
as hopeless undertaking, and he was
crowded with civic honors that even