The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-08-30
COL. CREWS TELLS OF
A CLASH WITH HAMPTON.
A Midnight Charge in Which he Felt
the Weight Of his Leaders Sabre
Hampton Almost Shot by
One of his Own Men.


and The Sunday News to write for
the latter story regarding war IL
cident in which Gen. Hampton, my
self and others Of his cavalry com
mand participated, and which came
dangerously near resulting in the
serious wounding, if not death, Of our
beloved chief. I herewith submit the
subjoined brief sketch:
1t may be necessary, by way of
sort of preface, to say that about five
years charge Of Col. 7. B. Crews, of
Lauress, edrson in honor Of Gen.
Hampton, several thrilling incidents
in his war career were related. Among
was the following as reported in the
papers of that city:
MIR. ". W. Russell, who was a
scout and guide; rode with: both
Stuart and Hampton, gave some Incl
dents in the raids Of the latter. He
cehted how one dark night two de-
1aehments, one under command Of
Hampton, the other in charge Of Col.
e B. Crews. Of Laurens, met in the
darkness while trying to flank Burn
sides army, and nothing but the pres
ence of mind of private saved Gen.
Hampton from being killed, like Jack
son, by his own men,
A veteran friend of mine, who was
present on the occasion, wrote me a
note requesting that give the incl
dent more in detail. I tried to do
so, briefly explaining, or rather cor
recting, some of the errors or lapse Of
fact on the part of the speaker, which
was not unnatural after an interval
of forty Years since the incident oc-
cured.
The facts of the somewhat memoir
able incident in question, as | remem-
ber them, they having occurred near
ly forty-five years ago, but which I
believe are substantially correct. are
as follows:
\ short time before the battle Of
Fredericksburg. some time in the lat
ter part Of November or early in De-
cember, 1862, Gen. Hampton made a
raid and reconnaissance into the Yam
kee lines, his command on this parti-
cular occasion being composed of de-
tachments from the several regl-
ments Of his brigade, consisting of a
thousand or more cavalry and coup
Ee Of guns of Hart's battery. The
command crossed the Rappahannock
at Kelly's Ford, about dark, and after
proceeding some miles, went into biv-
ouac until just before day. 1t was a
clear, but bitterly cold night. No fire
was allowed, Of course, as we were
then we'll inside the lines Of the ene-
my, some twenty miles or more, per-
haps, where even loud talking was
forbidden, officers commands being
rather whispered than audible. Leav-
ing bivouac cavalry on such quests
never thought Of going regularly IN
to camp the command proceeded to
a point near Stafford's store in up
per Stafford County, situated on a
road known as the "Telegraph
road" highway leading from Fal-
mouth, where Burnside's army was
then encamped, to Dumphries. This
road was of much Importance to the
enemy, being the main artery or chan
mel Of communication between those
two posts, especially at this particul-
ar juncture, and hence was strongly
guarded by Yankee cavalry, pickets
being posted every half mile, with a
strong reserve post Of several hum
dred. Gen. Hampton's immediate
purpose was to capture this reserve; !;
but. in addition. had other objects in
view.
Just before reaching Telegraph
road, which was approached by a
cross-country road, Gen. Hampton's 5
command, with the exception Of the
Jeff Davis Legion, was halted sever
al hours to allow time for the latter
regiment, which was sent eircuitous
route, to get in rear Of the Yankee
reserve.
Afer waiting sufficient time, as
supposed. for the legion to make the
circuit, the main portion Of the COM
mand struck the Telegraph road and
proceeded npon it. for the purpose OF
capturing al the force at the reserve
-oosr thar the leoiOn failed to capture.