Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-05-31
TO BUTLER AND GARY.
Colonel Brooks Wants to Erect Monu-
mentS.

1T has been forty-five years since
the Confederacy sank behind the hor-
lion at Appomattox never to rise
again, and those of us who have sur
vived the waste of time should write
something to cherish the memories of
our heroes who fell in battle by our
side and to recall the gallant deeds
that were displayed on the bloody
fields in the war of secession. Wheth-
er the deeds were crowned with sue
cess or consecrated in defeat, ii is to
idealiZe principle and strengthen char
acter. intensifying love of country and
convert defeat and disaster into pillars
of support for future manhood and
noble womanhood."
Thus wrote Col. U. r. Brooks, one
of Buffers immortal cavalry, accord
ing to a Columbia letter.
On the state house grounds, as a
fitting testimony of the services To his
state, there stands a beautiful eques-
trian statue of the daring cavalry
leader Gen. Wade Hampton.
1t is Col. Brooks fond hope that in
a few years there may be erected upon
the state house grounds statues to the
memory of two other great southern
leaders-Gen. NJ. C. Butler and Gen. NJ.
w. Gary. He has suggested that at
the next session of the general assem-
blv a committee be appointed from the
inf f.
ter. At his speech in Johnston on Me-
mortal Day, on the historic ground
from which these two great soldiers
came, Gen. Brooks started the move
ment for the erection Of suitable stat
ues to two of Edgefelds sons.
I'm 1851" said Col. Brooks today,
growing reminiscent, when the Hamp-
ton Legion was formed, none respond
ed sooner than Butler and Gary. on
Thursday morning, June 6, 1861, NJ. c.
Butler made a short speech to the
Edgefield Hussars, at Edgefield court
house. THE time has COME not to
talk. but to fight" With these words
he rode at the head of one of the most
gallant bodies of cavalry that the war
saw. This was company l, of the 3rd
South Carolina cavalry.
"A few. days later NJ. w. Gary
marched from Edgefield at the head OF
company of cavalry known as wat
sons Greys. Both were among the
first to reach Columbia and Hamptons
Legion was soon organized. or four
companies of the cavalry, Butler was
made the major. He was soon after
ward made colonel of cavalry. Mart
Gary commanded the infantry part OF
the Legion known as Hamptons Le-
gion.
"Hampton's Legion was soon brigad-
ed with Hoods Texans. There was
formed a brigade consisting of three
Texas regiments the 18th Arkansas
and HamptrI's Legion, forming HOODS s
famous brigade. The name Hamp-
TONS Legion was retained throughout
the war.
IN the spring of 1864 the Hampton
Legion was taken from the brigade
and was mounted here. having fought
toward this state from the west. Col.
Mart Gary commanded the brigade.
Gary was Immediately afterward mace
brigadier general. There were three
very fine regiments. the Hampton Le-
gion. under Col. Logan, now living III
Greenville county: the 7th South car
olina, under Col. A. c. Haskell, ana the
oath Virginia cavalry, under Col ROD
bins. Gen. Hampton placed Gen. Gary
on left of his y ...Lng the Chica-
hominy, near Richmond, keeping Gen
Butler and his celebrated cavalry OF
the right of his army, below peters,
burg.
"This showed how much was valued
the services Of these distinguished Oh
fcers. They were his trusty lleuteh-
ants in war as well as i'm peace. IN
&c Hampton depended on THESE wv"
mon he advised with them on seVeral
occasions.
"Rut for these three men. the
mighty trio. Hampton, Gary ana hu'-
ler-the state might not have heeh re-
deemed for years. I will continue |"
urge the erection Of monuments |"
commemorate the great work "i theS'
men who always offered their services
for the good of their state
II is n coincidence that Hampton
Cary and Butler were all born in the
month of March. though in differen'
vears and all three died in April
Tho dates are: Hampton, born 2Sth
March. 1918. died 18th April l'oZ
Cary. born 25th March, 1892, died ''h
,nriI 1881: Butler, born Sth March'
1896. died 14th April. 1909.