Underappreciated......Wade Hampton

[Carronade]

I also have to say yes and no.

At the risk of sounding conceited knowledgeable people like us here appreciate Hampton; but I expect a lot of folks who could name Lee, Jackson, Longstreet, Stuart, Forrest, etc. wouldn't know him.

As others have noted, Hampton was in the position of a backup quarterback for most of the war. Being from South Carolina, it was fairly natural for him and his legion to report to the ANV. If circumstances had put him in an independent role or as senior cavalry officer in some other Confederate army, he probably would have made a name for himself comparable to Stuart or Forrest.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

He was the consummate subordinate officer. He was superb as a cavalry commander, and I daresay that the Army of Northern Virginia's Cavalry Corps actually got better with him in command. He put a number 9 butt-whooping on Sheridan at Trevilian Station and bought the Confederacy another six months of life as a result.

Hampton also came up with the battle plan for Johnston at Bentonville.

Most importantly, he was THE highest ranking Confederate cavalry officer, even outranking the poseur, Forrest.

He never gets his due.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Do you not think Forrest earned his accolades?

Sure, if you think being grossly insubordinate, worthless in any capacity but as a raider, and who ran up a gaudy record against the no-star team, then sure. But if a single one of those things matters, then no.

One of my first blog posts: http://civilwarcavalry.com/?p=23

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Need to be careful about historical fact. Although Hampton effectively turned back Sheridan's raid on the Virginia Central Railroad at Trevilian Station, history seems to slight Hampton while Sheridan's outspokenness and his defenders managed to paint the results of that battle as a clear Union victory.

I certainly don't.

 

[sjw83071]

I also have to say yes and no.

At the risk of sounding conceited knowledgeable people like us here appreciate Hampton; but I expect a lot of folks who could name Lee, Jackson, Longstreet, Stuart, Forrest, etc. wouldn't know him.

As others have noted, Hampton was in the position of a backup quarterback for most of the war. Being from South Carolina, it was fairly natural for him and his legion to report to the ANV. If circumstances had put him in an independent role or as senior cavalry officer in some other Confederate army, he probably would have made a name for himself comparable to Stuart or Forrest.

Very well said. I think you summed up what I had in mind.

 

[sjw83071]

He never gets his due.

@Eric Wittenberg, exactly how I feel.
I am greatly enjoying your book , The Battle of Monroe's Crossroads: and the Civil War's Final Campaign...in fact it is one of the reasons I created this post!

 

[sjw83071]

@Joshism Who were the other two?[/QUOTE]
According to Wikipedia-
"Of officers without previous military experience, he was one of three to achieve the rank of lieutenant general, the others being Nathan Bedford Forrest and Richard Taylor."

 

[chucksr]

I think Hampton is appreciated in CW circles, but mostly forgotten (especially outside of SC) by most people. Even George Thomas is better know to the average American.



Who were the other two?

Forrest and Richard Taylor. Oops, someone has answered--sorry.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

@Eric Wittenberg, exactly how I feel.
I am greatly enjoying your book , The Battle of Monroe's Crossroads: and the Civil War's Final Campaign...in fact it is one of the reasons I created this post!

Glad to hear it! Thanks for the kind words.

I'm am just about finished with its companion volume, which is on the February 11, 1865 Battle of Aiken, SC. That should go to publisher in the next 10 days or so.

 

[sjw83071]

I'm am just about finished with its companion volume, which is on the February 11, 1865 Battle of Aiken, SC. That should go to publisher in the next 10 days or so.

I look forward to it!!

 

[GELongstreet]

Of course I have only my own perception of what I can read or observe online as I´m an ocean away and did not grow up with the respective school books or culture around. But still I voted no for the following reasons and thoughts:

Yes, he surely suffered a lot as comparably old not-flamboyant untrained non-Virginian in the ANV cavalry under Stuart - but nonetheless he became the senior Brigadier and senior division commander under the same. His career could have been much worse under those circumstances and there were others who got more stones in their way (for example Munford).

Yes, back then he stood in the shadow of Stuart as Lee's best boy and wasn´t made the initial successor of the former when he died and the cavalry corps was split up instead - but eventually Lee changed his mind and put the not-closely-related guy with all those perceived weaknesses in charge because he finally realized that his first choice had been wrong and chances were better with him. Better late than never.

Yes, to break out of the cycle he had to wait until Stuart died. But then he became, as well-known by now, one of just 3 Lieutenant-Generals without prior military training or experience. Behind Taylor, before Forrest, the only one of those in the east and finally outranking Stuart (because one "George Washington always outranks everybody"-clause is one too many already). The Confederacy was already short of falling and while the promotion was an easy way to settle the Hampton-Wheeler situation it still was a case of appreciation by Beauregard, Lee, Davis and the Confederate Congress. As far as I know his own men didn´t want to shoot him either, so what higher appreciation could there be left?

Going to todays perception I´m talking about perception of his war-time career only because I simply don´t know how or in which way his substantial post-war career is seen; be it on its own or as part of the whole life. Leaving that to the resident cavalry or reconstruction experts ...

Yes, he always has the problem of the Stuart comparison but as I said before Stuart simply was in overall charge which means every accomplishment of cavalrymen under his command falls to him even if he has about nothing to do with it. Which means whatever Hampton did right somebody could say that Stuart did it as it was his command. On the other side one can say that whatever success Stuart had in many case this can be at least partially credited to Hampton as well.

Yes, Stuart is the one getting named first, or Forrest for that matter, but they are merely those that became icons and therefore visible to people beyond us narrow-minded ACW enthusiasts ... with the downside that this of course includes all the hero-worship nonsense and political instrumentalisation that threatens a realistic view and the distinction between fact and myth. To this point Hampton is not in this niche, maybe with the exception of the "casually hunted bears with a knife" stuff. Which means whatever appreciation is brought towards him is, IMHO, less of a cultural passing-down tradition or first-glimpse entry in a book quickly flying over the ACW but instead stems from taking a few more looks yourself, which is a good thing. Animating people to dig deeper into the matter and thus being hopelessly lost with the rest of us poor fools.

Which means no, in my opinion he both wasn´t and isn´t underappreciated. As far as wartime-service is concerned he simply is not a shining icon but instead a real person that gets better with every look (so quite the contrary to many icons).

 

[sjw83071]

Beefsteak Raid by Mort Kunstler

 

[sjw83071]

Close up of Hampton

 

[Hoseman]

I think Hampton was a great commander but served most of the war in the shadow of Stuart. He also had to overcome not being a West Pointer as well.

 

[John S. Carter]

Does anyone else feel like Wade Hampton is underappreciated as a CW General? He had no previous military experience but seemed to master the skills needed by a general. He was also personally brave and didn't mind being in the middle of a fight. Seems to be in Stuart's shadow in N Va and then in an impossible situation in the Carolinas Campaign. Plus, he almost got into a fist fight with Judson Kilpatrick at Bennett Place. The more I learn about him, the more I really like him.

View attachment 177550

Not really an issue.As with most unrecognized generals Hampton has long been in the shadows of other Confederate generals. Would JEB had been remembered if he had not severed under Lee? Its like we know the coach who wins but overlook the assistants who lead the parts of the team to that victory. Hampton served under Stuart) It's always the head coach that people remember while the assistants git the footnotes.Commanders also git the blame if the army loses or for the wrong staff personnel.But then the staff can make a commander appear greater than he is.Would Grant received the praise without the staff who could carry out his strategy?

 

[Motor7]

Sure, if you think being grossly insubordinate, worthless in any capacity but as a raider, and who ran up a gaudy record against the no-star team, then sure. But if a single one of those things matters, then no.

One of my first blog posts: http://civilwarcavalry.com/?p=23

Well that's a quite disdainful analogy and even not have studied Hampton I already disagree with you. The original question was not a direct comparison between Hampton and Forrest, so I am kinda vexed at the scorn of Forrest. The two men fought in completely different theaters under completely different circumstances. We will never know what the outcome would have been if they had traded places, but this is a forum so speculation carry's the day some times. No man is perfect, & I can say that I would have been proud to have served under either one with the flip of a coin.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Well that's a quite disdainful analogy and even not have studied Hampton I already disagree with you. The original question was not a direct comparison between Hampton and Forrest, so I am kinda vexed at the scorn of Forrest. The two men fought in completely different theaters under completely different circumstances. We will never know what the outcome would have been if they had traded places, but this is a forum so speculation carry's the day some times. No man is perfect, & I can say that I would have been proud to have served under either one with the flip of a coin.

That's your privilege. I don't expect everyone to agree with me--even though they should. Just kidding.

I'm known as a cavalry historian. I've spent nearly my entire adult life studying Civil War cavalry operations. Forrest is the great thorn in my foot. My thoughts on him are spelled out in the blog post. That's based on years of study. Most of all, I am thoroughly sick to death of the idolatry of him, particularly by Lost Causers and neo-Confederates. If I had a dollar for every time that I'm asked about him, I could probably retire. But it means that I have virtually nothing good to say about him. Again, that's well known of anyone who's been here for a while--and you have not--or anyone who has read my work.

Likewise, that I greatly admire Wade Hampton is well-known. I've published three books that feature him prominently. Aside from the factors stated in that blog post, he was a much better human being.

 

[James N.]

That's your privilege. I don't expect everyone to agree with me--even though they should. Just kidding.

I'm known as a cavalry historian. I've spent nearly my entire adult life studying Civil War cavalry operations. Forrest is the great thorn in my foot. My thoughts on him are spelled out in the blog post. That's based on years of study. Most of all, I am thoroughly sick to death of the idolatry of him, particularly by Lost Causers and neo-Confederates. If I had a dollar for every time that I'm asked about him, I could probably retire. But it means that I have virtually nothing good to say about him. Again, that's well known of anyone who's been here for a while--and you have not--or anyone who has read my work.

Likewise, that I greatly admire Wade Hampton is well-known. I've published three books that feature him prominently. Aside from the factors stated in that blog post, he was a much better human being.

Fair enough, coming from the author of Little Phil!

 

[James N.]

Beefsteak Raid by Mort Kunstler

View attachment 177743

Close up of Hampton

View attachment 177744

Not to forget Don Troiani's depiction of Hampton's Duel at Gettysburg:

(Sorry for the poor quality of the reproduction!)

 

[dlavin]

Hampton may have been a good general in combat but boy was he salty during the surrender in NC