Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1920-12-16
CHAPTER vi.
The Birth. Life and Passing Of the
@Faamiltoa Corps."

ksUA2ktNS& NOA Ess
From the day OF my fathers return
he spirit of lie about the place vas
nueh changed and everything became
very martial and war-like IL Is true
he work OF the plantation continued
he same as before. and there was lit
le commotion or excitement in the
quarters or among the Geld hands:
but the slaves attached 10 the house.
md the body-seryants OF all the menl-
hers OF the family. became as much
excited, and almost as martial rs their
masters
of course, | did not comprehend
things fully at that time: hut locking
rack on events as they rapidly uia-
rolled themselves, ! do not believe
now that many IN our part of the
Sorld thought tho people OF the North
would really fight: and that old uncle
Toms contempt for the Yankees was
ufly shared By a large majority Of his
betters, and more especially by the
oanger element, believe they look
ID upon II all as more or less Of a
unketing lark. and expected the
Nerth to assent to secession on the
irst show Of force believe many Of
he leaders wcrc OF this opinion. and
uttered lightly and thoughtlessly into
ho bloodiest war of history.
That my father did not share these
Jews learned long afterwards in
'eading through some OF his old let
ers. and understood II last the mean
ng of the stern words had heard
hat mronins. when passing as child
ndtr my brothers windows His let-
.ers show clearly that he and some
ew OF his closest friends were any
hing than sire Of The right OF seces-
sion. and oRfy assented TO he inevit-
bic with great reluctance. and Vent
nto the conflict With full knowledge
II its difficulties and dangers The die
,cing cast, however, he gave his whole
onl family and fortune To his native
state. and strove with all his might to
ttain victory; and when that proved
iain. ID make defeat as little disas-
rons as possible.
hut ali that is advancing matters,
md | only insert il here 10 explain
,onaitions ii homo at the start OF the
treat struggle. All my brothers and
listers and their friends were ardent
ccessionists. aisd never dolbted for &
nornont the inRieliaae triumph of the
enfederacy iis the Yankees should
snexpectedly find courage to stand w
gainst our gallant cavaliers: and
'elieve thai was the general feeling
mong tho young people OF The STATE
nd throughout the South
AS soon as the act Of secession be
.ame known. without waiting for any
all, all my brother and the other
0nng men of the neishborhood or
,anized themselves into a volunteer
,orps OF cavalry. and wont into camp
or exercise. and to prepare tor anex-
lseted contingency that nc Yankees
;hould prove fractious
From what have since learned OF
Military life | can see that, from .
oldierS point Of view. this first camp
vas ludicrons as il was enthusiastic
md patriotic.
Tho troop was called The Hamilton
gorps. in honor of my father, anC
sas composed entirely OF the young
,entleme OF the surrounding country
who, while they wore all excellent
,hots, had none of them any military
raining whatever They ali rode &C
amp followed by their body servants
md pack mule loaded with proyf.
ions. 20 that the comforts of life
.hould in no way be wanting Each
rad his rife, brace OF pistols and .
ong sabre. many brought their shoi
runs as we'll. and some their dueIine
lAatcls i'm case Of accidents
MY brother, James, was captain 81
me of the troops. and Charles lieu
enant in the other. and my other sil
srathsrs were private troopers
The camp was pitched in beauii
nj grove oSexsooking the creek, aboa'
i've M les fFqm sOak Hill. and eyeri
nir d.. ali the young ladies of th,
,fnIntrv side used 5 drive or ride ou
70 : to caeer and err ourage the mar
l.iai artlor Of their warlike knights
Fur their enter ainment magnificen
seats OF horsernaEship would be dis
played. and the mos superb and won
derful rife practice done II was al
glorious frolic. and such sport and
lun MAS never seen before,
Sometimes. too. they would dis
mount and drill as infantry, and were
getting along tamousiy. with the as
sistance OF several old copies OF Har
rlee's tactics. though thar OLD warriel
would hardly have recognized somA d
lis lisp orders. as translated b. ths
o-FsSa, cf Tic IIaH3l.9n Corp f0l
this VAS certainly the most polits
camp ever seen, and the priYates ~ert
.reated with the same consideration
ana courtesy as the officers. and tbs
captain would command. Now gentle
men. il you please. fonrs right March:
ar. Gentlemen. Company A At@n
tion.', and so on
And so it went on from day to das