Underappreciated......Wade Hampton

[sjw83071]

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

Yep and who can blame him

 

[Silverfox]

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

If I had been through all that he went through---I might have been a little salty myself. Besides he was not a West Pointer---It was not class reunion for him.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

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

I actually can't blame him for that. Sherman blamed the burning of Columbia on Hampton to stir up discontent, and Hampton had every right to be mortally offended by that. That, and let's remember that Hampton lost everything he had, had his brother and son killed in battle, and another son badly wounded. I suspect you'd be a little bitter too.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

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.

Eric, have you ever considered writing a book about Forrest, presumably in a similar vein to your legal brief / deconstruction of Sheridan?

 

[Bee]

Eric, have you ever considered writing a book about Forrest, presumably in a similar vein to your legal brief / deconstruction of Sheridan?

Oy vey! (I asked this question of Eric, so I know what's a-comin' )

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Eric, have you ever considered writing a book about Forrest, presumably in a similar vein to your legal brief / deconstruction of Sheridan?

I'd rather poke my eyes out with dull pencils, Josh. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

 

[sjw83071]

As I review all the great comments, I am thinking that Hampton is definitely overshadowed, in life by Stuart and in legacy by others who have more recognition. But I stand behind my assessment of him- solid commander, underrated, and a true warrior.

 

[gary]

Hampton is overshadowed by Stuart and Stuart's accomplishments (the two rides around the AoP). Still, I'd rather have a less egotistical commander who was concerned with performing the mission of the cavalry than any glory rides. Stuart with his wagon raid failed to provide the screening and intelligence/reconnaissance Lee needed during the Gettysburg campaign.

 

[Bruce Vail]

Hampton is overshadowed by Stuart and Stuart's accomplishments (the two rides around the AoP). Still, I'd rather have a less egotistical commander who was concerned with performing the mission of the cavalry than any glory rides. Stuart with his wagon raid failed to provide the screening and intelligence/reconnaissance Lee needed during the Gettysburg campaign.

The ride around the AoP during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign doesn't appear to have been a "glory ride." It was ordered by Gen. Lee and seemed to have been effective is disrupting enemy supplies and communications, in addition to providing valuable intelligence.

In fact, it may have been the very success of the 1862 effort that encouraged Lee/Stuart to attempt a repeat in 1863, when the results were not as good, to say the least.

 

[Bruce Vail]

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

I'm unfamiliar with the surrender story. Can you elaborate?

 

[sjw83071]

I'm unfamiliar with the surrender story. Can you elaborate?

https://emergingcivilwar.com/2017/02/16/wade-hampton-and-judson-kilpatrick/

Here's a good account

 

[Bruce Vail]

https://emergingcivilwar.com/2017/02/16/wade-hampton-and-judson-kilpatrick/

Here's a good account

Wow, what a great story!

It's new to me, obviously. The way it is presented in this piece is not so complimentary to Hanpton...

 

[sjw83071]

It's new to me, obviously. The way it is presented in this piece is not so complimentary to Hanpton...

Yeah it would have been better if he had gone ahead and stomped Kilpatrick. But such was not to be

 

[War Horse]

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

I honestly don't believe Hampton is under appreciated. He was a fierce opponent who did more than an ample job of filling Stuart's shoes. The man swong a broad sword for Gods sake

 

[O' Be Joyful]

I honestly don't believe Hampton is under appreciated. He was a fierce opponent who did more than an ample job of filling Stuart's shoes. The man swong a broad sword for Gods sake

OK, I'll give ya the broad sword. But, I'm still more than a wee bit skeptical that he was a wrasslin' bears "Davy Crockett style" and all. That one, I like to see some proof of. Thems some mean critters.

 

[War Horse]

OK, I'll give ya the broad sword. But, I'm still more than a wee bit skeptical that he was a wrasslin' bears "Davy Crockett style" and all. That one, I like to see some proof of. Thems some mean critters.

He was as big as most bears at any rate

 

[Silverfox]

I would not hunt black bears with only a knife--But I guess one could say that was basic training for Civil War.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

https://emergingcivilwar.com/2017/02/16/wade-hampton-and-judson-kilpatrick/

Here's a good account

Note who wrote that...

 

[War Horse]

Note who wrote that...

Was there ever any doubt

 

[sjw83071]

Note who wrote that...

I noticed that it was someone of distinction