Was sending Wade Hampton to Joe Johnston a mistake?

Kentucky Derby Cavalier.

First Sergeant
Joined
Oct 24, 2019
My last post was about Lee's Appomattox Campaign, If Wade Hampton and his Cavalry Corp are present does it make a difference? Wade cuts off Ord?
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Hampton and his South Carolina troops wanted to go home to protect their families and homes. They were not able to stop Sherman and I don’t see they could have made much of a difference if they stayed with General Lee. The men were starving, ammunition and supplies were very scarce. The Union army was much too large for them to have held out much longer with or without Hampton’s cavalry.
 
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Hampton and his South Carolina troops wanted to go home to protect their families and homes. They were not able to stop Sherman and I don’t see they could have made much of a difference if they stayed with General Lee. The men were starving, ammunition and supplies were very scarce. The Union army was much too large for them to have held out much longer with or without Hampton’s cavalry.
Really? I didn't know that, did they tell Lee they wanted to go to SC?
 
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Really? I didn't know that, did they tell Lee they wanted to go to SC?
This quote is from Eric Whittenberg’s “ The Battle of Monroe’s Crossroads “ pages 36-37. “ Frustrated by his inability to protect his home and family, Hampton watched helplessly from Virginia . Unwilling to sit idly by and watch his beloved state be put to the torch, Hampton applied for a transfer to South Carolina. He requested that his able and trusted subordinate, Maj.Gen.Matthew C. Butler, accompany him along with his veteran cavalry division. Nearly half of Butler’s command lacked horses and the transfer would enable them to find fresh mounts. “ I think Hampton will be of service in mounting his men and arousing the spirit and strength of the State and otherwise do good,” General Lee wrote in a letter to President Davis. “I will therefore send him.” Hampton later recalled, “ I was directed by [ Lee] to proceed to South Carolina to assist in mounting and putting Butler’s Division in the field ‘ with permission if a suitable a suitable command was given to me to operate it until recalled to Virginia.’” In January 18 letter to his sister, the cavalry commander explained, “ I am going to go out to see if I can do anything for my state, as Genl. Lee thinks that I can do good there.”
Eric Whittenberg has done a masterful job in his book “ The Battle of Monroe’s Crossroads.” I highly recommend reading it for its perspective on the Carolinas Campaign.
 
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Thank you for the shoutout about the book on Aiken. I will order it today. I really enjoy reading your books. You are very talented. I had several relatives that were in the 4th SC Cavalry. I have enjoyed reading about there experiences during the war. Hope Hull Newton was severely wounded at Haw’s Shop. John Richard Newton and Richard D. Newton died from wounds. I
 
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This quote is from Eric Whittenberg’s “ The Battle of Monroe’s Crossroads “ pages 36-37. “ Frustrated by his inability to protect his home and family, Hampton watched helplessly from Virginia . Unwilling to sit idly by and watch his beloved state be put to the torch, Hampton applied for a transfer to South Carolina. He requested that his able and trusted subordinate, Maj.Gen.Matthew C. Butler, accompany him along with his veteran cavalry division. Nearly half of Butler’s command lacked horses and the transfer would enable them to find fresh mounts. “ I think Hampton will be of service in mounting his men and arousing the spirit and strength of the State and otherwise do good,” General Lee wrote in a letter to President Davis. “I will therefore send him.” Hampton later recalled, “ I was directed by [ Lee] to proceed to South Carolina to assist in mounting and putting Butler’s Division in the field ‘ with permission if a suitable a suitable command was given to me to operate it until recalled to Virginia.’” In January 18 letter to his sister, the cavalry commander explained, “ I am going to go out to see if I can do anything for my state, as Genl. Lee thinks that I can do good there.”
Eric Whittenberg has done a masterful job in his book “ The Battle of Monroe’s Crossroads.” I highly recommend reading it for its perspective on the Carolinas Campaign.
Wow, thanks man!
 
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I have the Aiken book and can strongly recommend it - a well-researched and -told narrative about a fight that is little-known that will satisfy anyone interested in this arena of the war.
I am ordering the Aiken book today. I have also read the Bennett’s Place book. It is another one of Eric Whittenberg’s I would highly recommend!
 
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Thank you for the shoutout about the book on Aiken. I will order it today. I really enjoy reading your books. You are very talented. I had several relatives that were in the 4th SC Cavalry. I have enjoyed reading about there experiences during the war. Hope Hull Newton was severely wounded at Haw’s Shop. John Richard Newton and Richard D. Newton died from wounds. I

Thank you--I appreciate it a great deal. I hope you enjoy Aiken.

Later this year, I will bring out a book entitled Six Days of Awful Fighting: Cavalry on the Roads to Cold Harbor, which includes the most detailed narratives of the Battles of Haw's Shop and Matadequin Creek yet written. My copy editor--who makes me a better writer and proves beyond doubt the truth of the statement that a good editor can make a mediocre book a good book and a good book an excellent book--will finish her work tomorrow or Wednesday, and then it's ready to be laid out. I expect it to be released in August or so. It will include 69 images and 25 excellent maps. You will find lots on the 4th South Carolina Cavalry in that volume.
 
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I'm glad enjoyed Bennett Place. That's a story that I had wanted to tell for years. I like how it came together. I hope you enjoy Aiken!
I am sure I will enjoy it also. I would love to hear you speak . Hopefully touring battlefields and speaking engagements will soon be part of our lives soon. My wife are planning on returning to Gettysburg again soon . Richard Ragsdale was our guide two years ago. He specializes in the Peach Orchard. I had two relatives in the 8th SC who died from their wounds at the Peach Orchard. Richard is going to take us there , another relative was Augustus L. Coble of Coble Rock fame and others were in the 14Th and 26th NC. So we will spend time in Reynolds Woods. Richard will also take us to the southern part of the battlefield were the 14Th NC was in a battle with I believe Buford’s Cavalry on July 3, 1863. Captain Risden Tyler Bennett ,another relative was wounded in a sunken road. I have not discovered any book covering that part of the battlefield.
Thank you for taking time with me.
John
 
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Thank you--I appreciate it a great deal. I hope you enjoy Aiken.

Later this year, I will bring out a book entitled Six Days of Awful Fighting: Cavalry on the Roads to Cold Harbor, which includes the most detailed narratives of the Battles of Haw's Shop and Matadequin Creek yet written. My copy editor--who makes me a better writer and proves beyond doubt the truth of the statement that a good editor can make a mediocre book a good book and a good book an excellent book--will finish her work tomorrow or Wednesday, and then it's ready to be laid out. I expect it to be released in August or so. It will include 69 images and 25 excellent maps. You will find lots on the 4th South Carolina Cavalry in that volume.

I am looking forward to reading to all of your books. You turn complex actions into easily followed prose. It is a very unique talent. My two children are both attorneys. My son is an assistant prosecutor and my daughter is a real estate and estate planning attorney. My Son does primarily murder and sex crimes. They both write much better than I.
 
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I am looking forward to reading to all of your books. You turn complex actions into easily followed prose. It is a very unique talent. My two children are both attorneys. My son is an assistant prosecutor and my daughter is a real estate and estate planning attorney. My Son does primarily murder and sex crimes. They both write much better than I.

Thank you--I appreciate that very much. I work hard at it.
 
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