Hampton's Legion

[AUG]

Guidon of the Washington Artillery, Company A of the Hampton Legion artillery battalion, later known as Hart's Battery. From "Record of Hart's Battery, from Its Organization to the End of the War" in Stories of the Confederacy ed. by U. R. Brooks.

 

[Tennessee_Mountainman]

Great, informative thread as always. I've always found Hampton's head and facial hair combo to be of the most stylish of either side in the war.

 

[WJC]

Thanks for sharing this interesting information.

 

[major bill]

Some of the cavalry companies.

Any thoughts on the uniforms shown? A woodcut exists of the Edgefield Huss

 

[AUG]

Captain Langdon Cheves McCord, commanding the South Carolina Zouave Volunteers, Company H of the Hampton Legion Infantry.

Born on April 7, 1841 in Columbia, SC, Langdon was elected captain of the company in fall of 1861, which was largely organized from the state militia company, the Charleston Zouave Cadets. They were supposed to join the Hampton Legion by fall of 1861, but due to a measles outbreak in Columbia the company was withheld and didn't join the legion until July 1862.

Arriving at the front shortly after the Seven Days battles ended, they first 'saw the elephant' at Second Manassas. Advancing with the Texas Brigade in Longstreet's attack on Pope's flank on August 30, 1862, the legion took part in the destruction of the 5th New York Zouaves and fighting on Chinn Ridge. Lt. Col. Martin W. Gary writes in his report that, "Captain L. C. McCord was shot down at the head of his company, wounded in three places."

Capt. McCord lingered in a hospital in Richmond until he succumbed to his wounds on January 23, 1863. His remains were brought home to Columbia and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

He left behind a wife, Charlotte Reynolds McCord, who was pregnant with a daughter, Langdon Cheves McCord, born February 3, 1863.


Here's his page on Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9523903/langdon-cheves-mccord

 

[Brian Downey]

View attachment 190150
Captain Henry Julius Smith, Company D "Gist Rifles." He was mortally wounded at Antietam.

I'm very glad to see the Captain's face! I'd like to use it on my site. Where did this picture come from, please? It looks like it was printed in a book ...

 

[ColGriffinCSA]

View attachment 190125
Lt. Col. James B. Griffin, born October 10, 1825, was one of the wealthiest men in Edgefield District. He was first appointed major of the cavalry battalion of Hampton's Legion, but after Lt. Col. Benjamin J. Johnson of the infantry was killed at First Manassas, Griffin was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the infantry battalion. He was defeated by Martin W. Gary in the reelection of officers in June 1862 and so resigned, serving out the rest of the war in the defense of Charleston and elsewhere. Griffin lost everything after the war and later immigrated to Texas, where he worked as a brick manufacturer. He died in Fort Worth, Texas, June 25, 1881.

His letters can be read here: http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/archive/resources/documents/ch17_05.htm

This picture of Col Griffin is my 3rd great grandfather. We are in possession of the letters linked above. I have never seen a picture of my ancestor in uniform, but knew one was out there because he mentioned it one of the letters. I have looked online for years hoping somehow it would turn up. Sure enough about 6 months ago I found it here on this site! I couldn't believe my eyes. From this site I able to track the picture back to a magazine and then to the owner of the picture. With the help of my family we were able to buy the picture back. I was an unbelievable find.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

View attachment 220827

Cavalry Battalion:

Company A - Edgefield Hussars (Edgefield District)

Company B - Brooks Troop or Cavalry (Greenville District)

Company C - Beaufort District Troop (Beaufort District)

Company D - Congaree Troop or Mounted Riflemen (Richland District)

Commanded by Major Matthew C. Butler, the cavalry battalion of the legion missed First Manassas but saw action in the Peninsula Campaign the following year, albeit fighting separately from the infantry. It was organized into the 2nd South Carolina Cavalry in August 1862 after being consolidated with four companies of the 4th South Carolina Cavalry Battalion and two independent companies. Matthew C. Butler was elected colonel. The 2nd SC Cav served in Wade Hampton's cavalry brigade and was in thick of most major battles and cavalry operations in the Eastern Theater. It never formally surrendered and was disbanded at Chester Court House, June 1865. Wade Hampton's brother, Frank, served as lieutenant colonel in the regiment and was killed at Brandy Station, June 9, 1863.

Note that there's some false information circulated online that the cavalry portion joined the legion's infantry once it was mounted in 1864. This is NOT correct. The legion's cavalry continued to serve separately as the 2nd SC Cav throughout the war. The mounted infantry followed the ANV to Appomattox, while the 2nd SC Cav served in the Carolinas during the last days of the war.

Matthew C. Butler
View attachment 190118

It's a real shame that that Kunstler depiction of the charge at Trevilian Station has the terrain all wrong....

 

[AUG]

This picture of Col Griffin is my 3rd great grandfather. We are in possession of the letters linked above. I have never seen a picture of my ancestor in uniform, but knew one was out there because he mentioned it one of the letters. I have looked online for years hoping somehow it would turn up. Sure enough about 6 months ago I found it here on this site! I couldn't believe my eyes. From this site I able to track the picture back to a magazine and then to the owner of the picture. With the help of my family we were able to buy the picture back. I was an unbelievable find.

Glade to hear you were able to acquire the actual photo!


Btw, I talked with the above two members in PMs, but in case anyone else is wondering....

The photo of Col. James B. Griffin is from Military Images Magazine, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, Sep/Oct 2007, p. 20. From the Al Luckenbach collection.

And the photo of Capt. Henry Julius Smith is from Military Images Magazine, Vol. XXV, No. 4, Jan/Feb 2004. CDV taken by Richard Wearn & Wm P. Hix in Columbia, SC, spring 1861. In possession of Smith's descendants.

 

[Reporting History]

Yorkville Enquirer, Yorkville, SC, May 10, 1861

We find the subjoined communication in the Charleston Courier. The Regiment, or Legion, will consist of five field officers; Artillery, 120; Cavalry, 352; Infantry, or Voltigeurs, 618; total 1,095.

The pay will be as follows, per month: Colonel, $195; Lieutenant-Colonel, $170 Major, $150; Adjutant, $100; Sergeant-Major, $21; Quartermaster's Sergeant, $21; Captain of Artillery and Infantry, $130; of Cavalry, $140; First Lieutenants of Artillery and Infantry, $90; of Cavalry, $100; Second Lieutenants, $80 and $90; First Sergeants, $20; Corporals, $13; Privates, $11; Cavalry, $17.

Editors Courier: As various inquiries have been made in reference to the Legion which the President has honored me with a commission to raise, I beg you to allow me to give through your paper such information as may be necessary to enlist in this corps.

The object of those who are engaged in this matter is to raise an independent legion, to consist of six companies of Infantry, or Voltigeurs, four of Cavalry, and one of Flying Artillery. The Field Officers to be appointed by the President, and each company to elect its own officers, who will then receive commissions from the President.

As soon as the organization of this corps is complete, it will be received into the Provisional Army of the Confederate States for one year, unless its services should not be required for so long a time, in which case the President can disband it. The Legion is to serve wherever it may be ordered by the President, and is to be on precisely the same footing, except as to its peculiar organization, as the rest of the Provisional Army. The cavalry will furnish their own horses, and, as far as possible, their own arms and equipments. Each man must have a sabre and two of Colt's pistols. Should any horses be lost in the service they will be paid for.

The Infantry I wish armed with Enfield Rifles, and the Governor has kindly promised to furnish them as far us he is able to do so, and he will also provide the battery. As soon as the companies report themselves ready for duty, they will be ordered into camp, for the purpose of drilling together. It is very desireable to have this corps ready at an early day, as I have every reason to hope that it will at once be ordered into active service. I annex a tabular statement, giving the complete organization of the legion, and one showing the rate of pay. Any one desiring further information on this subject can apply to Lieut. Col. B. J. Johnson, Charleston, or to myself, at Columbia.

Wade Hampton.

 

[Reporting History]

Letter from a Member of Hampton's Legion

The Charleston Daily Courier, Charleston, SC, October 12, 1861

Hampton's Legion.—A friend has sent us a letter written by a member of the Beaufort District Troop, attached to HAMPTON'S Legion, from which we make the following extracts. The letter is dated Headquarters, Camp Fisher, October 5, 1861:

Our Legion is now encamped on the Potomac, about twenty miles from Fairfax C. H., and near the batteries on the river. In a few days we will have effected, I trust, a successful blockade of the river. Several steamers opened fire upon a battery manned by the Artillery of our Legion, a few days since [25 September 1861], which was returned and continued for some hours. One small tug boat was sunk, and two of the steamers injured, when they retired from the contest. We went with the General [Whiting] to the scene of action and witnessed the whole affair.

A heavy battery, which was secretly in the course of erection, and had five guns mounted, was discovered night before last [3 October 1861], and from the number of vessels hovering about in the river, it was supposed that an attempt would be made to land; the brigade were under arms the entire night, and every preparation made, but I suppose the enemy thinking "prudence the better part of valor," failed to make the attempt. I would not be surprised at any time, however, to hear the booming of cannon giving notice that the ball had opened.

The health of the Legion is now comparatively very good; the men all fare very well, and as a general thing seem to be satisfied with their officers, especially Major Butler, who is now in command of the Cavalry, and I think a very efficient officer. I hear of no complaint whatever among the members of my own company, but all seem anxious that some more should be made in order that they might be able to do their duty and return home to their families.

 

[Pollaco]

Just the fact that they were with the Texas Brigade for a while proves they were a "fighting bunch of men".

 

[TallTallMan]

View attachment 189998​

The Hampton Legion was raised and organized by wealthy South Carolina planter and politician Wade Hampton III in summer of 1861, initially consisting of a battalion of six companies of infantry, a battalion of four companies of cavalry, and a battery of artillery. Like most legions in the war, the different arms never actually fought together as intended and eventually went on to serve as individual units.

This thread will mainly focus on the infantry portion for the sake of clarity and since it retained the original name of "Hampton's Legion" throughout the war.


Infantry Battalion:

Company A - Washington Light Infantry Volunteers (Charleston District)

Company B - Watson Guards (Edgefield District)

Company C - Manning Guards (Clarendon District)

Company D - Gist Rifles (Anderson District)

Company E - Bozeman Guards (Greenville District)

Company F - Davis Guards (Anderson & Greenville Districts)

Company G - Claremont Rifles (Sumter District) Joined the legion after First Manassas.

Company H - South Carolina Zouave Volunteers (Orangeburg & Charleston Districts) Largely organized from the state militia company, the Charleston Zouave Cadets. Joined the legion in July 1862.

Company I - Originally companies B, D, and E of the 4th SC Inf. Btn. Assigned to Hampton's Legion on November 11, 1862.

Company K - Originally companies A and C of the 4th SC Inf. Btn. Assigned to Hampton's Legion on November 11, 1862.


Shortly after the capture of Fort Sumter in April 1861, Wade Hampton proposed his idea of raising a legion to Governor Pickens, financing part of it out of his own pocket if the state would also contribute. The governor immediately approved of his idea, and it was officially approved by the Confederate War Department on April 27.

The legion initially called for 600 infantrymen, 340 cavalrymen, and 120 artillerymen. Hampton began recruiting in Charleston, running ads in the local newspapers, and later in Columbia and other upcountry towns. He personally searched for good officer material by interviewing former members of U.S. Army, graduates of military academies such as West Point or the Citadel, as well as members of local militia organizations. Before long, over thirty companies offered themselves for enrollment in the legion; Hampton inspected and hand-picked the best. The Washington Light Infantry, one of Charleston's most prestigious local militias, was organized as Company A of the legion. Recruits filled the ranks so quickly that by May 1861 Hampton had more troops on hand than he was authorized to accept.

Hampton funded most of the legion's weaponry, ordering four Blakely rifles and 400 Enfield rifled muskets from England; the state would furnish the rest, however. The cavalry was expected to provide its own arms and mounts. The artillery could not furnish its own battery teams, so those were provided by the state.

It's widely believed that Hampton also funded the legion's uniforms, although each company actually provided their own uniforms initally. After those wore out over time Hampton did eventually furnish uniforms for the troops, writing his sister Mary Fisher Hampton and friends to sew new clothing in September 1861. Chaplain A. Toomer Porter also procured new uniforms from the South Carolina Quartermaster Department that August, which were issued out in October, consisting of frock coats and trousers made of gray jeans cloth and trimmed in yellow. As the war progressed the troops would be issued new uniforms by the state quartermaster or the Confederate quartermaster department.

The legion was organized and mustered into Confederate service at Camp Hampton (located on his estate outside Columbia) on June 12, 1861. Soon Hampton requested that the legion be attached to Beauregard's command, and before long his men were shipped off to Richmond on June 26.

The legion's infantry would get to the front in time to do more than just participate in the battle of First Manassas. They found themselves in the midst of the chaotic fighting at Henry House Hill, taking part in the capture of Ricketts' Battery. Hampton was wounded through the face in a charge on the guns, though not seriously. The legion lost 121 officers and men out of over 600 present; Lt. Col. Benjamin J. Johnson was among the killed. As John J. Hennessy says in his history of the battle, "No regiment on the battlefield rendered more important service than did Wade Hampton's legion." and "Likely no other regiment on the field received more acclaim afterward than did Hampton's, abetted greatly by Charleston's hyperactive press." The cavalry and artillery portions, however, did not arrive on the field in time to fight in the battle.

Hampton later took command of a brigade in late 1861, including his legion. They would see action throughout the Peninsula Campaign, including the battles of Eltham's Landing and Seven Pines. In the latter the legion would lose half its number (45 killed, 284 wounded) in disorganized attacks against the Federal right flank on the second day of the battle, and to no gain. Hampton was also wounded - shot through the foot - the bullet immediately being removed on the field by Surgeon E. S. Gaillard.

Initially turning down promotion, Hampton later accepted a commission as brigadier general in June 1862, departing from the legion's infantry and eventually transferring to cavalry command that July. The legion's one-year terms of service were coming to an end that summer and it would be reorganized with a reelection of officers. Though many men would reenlist, Hampton was not happy about some of the officers elected in the infantry battalion, such as Martin Witherspoon Gary, elected lieutenant colonel.

View attachment 189997
Martin Witherspoon Gary. An attorney from Edgefield, SC, he originally commanded Co. B "Watson Guards" of the legion.

Gary would prove to be a capable commander, although he was overly ambitious for self-advancement and electioneered his way into command, undermining his own friend, Lt. Col. James B. Griffin, whom Hampton preferred. From then on the infantry contingent would serve separately from Hampton, who took with him the cavalry battalion and one battery.

Always maintaining the original name of "Hampton's Legion," the infantry portion was assigned to Hood's Texas Brigade from June to November 1862, then transferred to Micah Jenkins' South Carolina Brigade. It was later mounted in 1864 and served as such throughout the remainder of the war.

While with Hood's Texans the legion saw some of its fiercest fighting. In the battle of Gaines' Mill, during the Seven Days battles, they made the charge across Boatswain's Creek; at Second Manassas they participated in the destruction of the New York Zouaves and the fighting on Chinn Ridge; and at Antietam the legion was engaged along the Hagerstown Pike on the southwestern edge of Miller's Cornfield. In the latter they went into battle with only 77 officers and men and lost 55 (3 officers and 3 men killed, 3 officers and 46 men wounded), or 71%. They weren't brigaded together for long, but during that time Hampton's Legion and Hood's Texans earned each other's respect and friendship through the trials of battle.

In November 1862 the legion was organized into a full-strength regiment with the addition of two companies from the disbanded 4th South Carolina Infantry Battalion and transferred to Micah Jenkins' brigade of fellow South Carolinians. In 1863 the brigade was left to guard Richmond during the Gettysburg Campaign, but they went West with Longstreet's Corps that year. They arrived too late to fight at Chickamauga, but participated in the Chattanooga and Knoxville Campaigns. With the rest of Jenkins' Brigade, Hampton's Legion was engaged in the night battle of Wauhatchie at Chattanooga - their only major battle during the two campaigns.

After returning back East, the regiment was separated from Jenkins' Brigade and mounted in March 1864. Commander Col. Martin W. Gary was promoted to brigadier general and placed in command of a brigade of cavalry (including the legion) in the Department of Richmond. Hampton's Legion was equipped and would fight as mounted infantry throughout the remainder of the war, armed with rifles and bayonets and still mostly fighting on foot. They would see action in the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign and Appomattox Campaign until the surrender of Lee's army. The legion mustered 238 officers and men at Appomattox.

Gen. Gary refused to surrender, however, and escaped with a handful of his men, joining President Davis in North Carolina after his flight from Richmond and escorting him and his party to Cokesbury, South Carolina, where Gary's mother lived. He then ended his service there.


Infantry Battalion Commanding Officers:

Col. Wade Hampton - Promoted brigadier general June 1862.

Col. Martin W. Gary - Promoted brigadier general 5/19/1864.

Col. Thomas M. Logan - Commanded the legion until transferred to another cavalry brigade and promoted to brigadier general 2/15/1865.

Lt. Col. Robert B. Arnold - Surrendered the legion at Appomattox.


Besides Wade Hampton, five officers who served in the legion also went on to become generals: Stephen D. Lee, Martin W. Gary, Matthew C. Butler, James Conner, and Thomas M. Logan.

My ancestor rode with Hampton when he replaced Stuart during the Overland.