Underappreciated......Wade Hampton

[sjw83071]

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.

 

[leftyhunter]

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.

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Based on the Wiki article on Hampton ,Hampton for being without a professional military background did quite well. Can't see any major flaws in his performance.
Leftyhunter

 

[Viper21]

Wasn't underappreciated by everybody that's for sure. My GG Grandfather thought enough of em, he named his son, Wade Hampton (surname). Who then named his son, Wade Hampton (surname)jr, who then named his son, who is my current living uncle, Wade Hampton (surname) III.

Seemed to be a popular theme in my family, naming sons after Confederate Generals. ... on both sides actually. My father is named: Robert Edward (surname). There was also a Stonewall Jackson (surname).

 

[jackt62]

Agreed. Wade Hampton turned out to be a superb cavalry commander filling in nicely for the role previously played by JEB Stuart.

 

[sjw83071]

Wasn't underappreciated by everybody that's for sure.

That's good stuff! It just seems that somehow he doesn't get a lot of recognition. Sounds like your family appreciated him!

 

[sjw83071]

Wade Hampton turned out to be a superb cavalry commander filling in nicely for the role previously played by JEB Stuart.

I agree. He doesn't seem to capture the cavalier spirit like Stuart but he was a solid commander and he was at his best when in a fight.

 

[johan_steele]

As CS Cav general officers go I would put Hampton as #3 behind Forrest & Stuart and well above Wheeler.

 

[Silverfox]

Another example of "Leadership" without formal training---Lead my relatives into combat especially at Trevilian Station where he defeated Sheridan's cavalry---Chosen by JEB Stuart as his second in command----Was in the famous beefsteak raid --2400 cattle plus 300 prisoners---hunted black bears in his youth using only a knife-- A real warrior.

 

[sjw83071]

A real warrior.

Definitely

 

[Tin cup]

Am tired of all the accolades Forrest gets, Hampton was a true Cavalry leader.

Kevin Dally

 

[sjw83071]

Am tired of all the accolades Forrest gets, Hampton was a true Cavalry leader.

I have always known Hampton to be a good leader, but the more I read about him the more I am thinking he gets no where near enough recognition. You said it well, "a true Cavalry leader." And totally fearless in battle.

 

[Motor7]

Am tired of all the accolades Forrest gets, Hampton was a true Cavalry leader.

Kevin Dally

Do you not think Forrest earned his accolades?

 

[1NCCAV]

Hampton is one of my favorites. He was a hunter and horseman of renown, both before and after the war. And in addition to being a great fighter and leader, he was also a great subordinate.

 

[sjw83071]

Hampton is one of my favorites.

Mine too! I just feel like I have more evidence of why the more I study him.

 

[Silverfox]

Do you not think Forrest earned his accolades?

I for one do not take anything away from Forrest---Just think Hampton did not get desired recognition---He was wounded many times in battle and lead from the front. He had about five thousand men at Trevilian Station and defeated twice that many to save the rail to Richmond.

 

[1NCCAV]

In a cavalry corps full of fence jumping Virginia aristocrats, Hampton did his riding to the hounds while bear hunting in the southern swamps and cane brakes of South Carolina and Mississippi and in the highlands of North Carolina where his family owned considerable property near what is now the resort town of Cashiers.

 

[Motor7]

I for one do not take anything away from Forrest---Just think Hampton did not get desired recognition---He was wounded many times in battle and lead from the front. He had about five thousand men at Trevilian Station and defeated twice that many to save the rail to Richmond.

It's just an honest question. I admit, I have not yet studied Hampton, but what I have read about Forrest would not lead me to a conclusion of anything less than impressive.

 

[dlofting]

I voted "No" as I think Hampton is only under appreciated by people who don't know his war record, which I feel is no one on this board.

 

[sjw83071]

I voted "No" as I think Hampton is only under appreciated by people who don't know his war record, which I feel is no one on this board.

I like your rationale!

 

[rpkennedy]

Hampton took over for Stuart, who was arguably the best cavalry commander that the war produced. He performed excellently but will always be compared to Stuart. In that sense, I think that it can be argued that Hampton doesn't get his due.

Ryan