Hampton's Legion
| Hampton's Legion | |
|---|---|
 Flag of South Carolina | |
| Active | Summer 1861–1865 |
| Country |  Confederate States of America |
| Allegiance | Confederate States |
| Branch |  Confederate Volunteer Army |
| Type | Multiple Component Legion |
| Engagements | American Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Wade Hampton |
Hampton's Legion was an
History
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A Civil War legion historically consisted of a single integrated command, with individual components including infantry, cavalry, and artillery. The concept of a multiple-branch unit was never practical for Civil War armies and, early in the war, the individual elements were often split up.
Organized by Wade Hampton in early 1861, Hampton's Legion initially boasted a large number of South Carolina's leading citizens, including future generals
With the reorganization of the
The various elements of the Legion fought in most of the major Eastern operations of 1862, including the
What was left of the Hampton Legion infantry surrendered with General
Organization of the Legion
Original composition
Six companies of infantry:
Co. A Washington Light Infantry Volunteers (Charleston)
Co. B Watson Guards (Edgefield)
Co. C Manning Guards (Sumter)
Co. D Gist Riflemen (Anderson)
Co. E Bozeman Guards (Greenville)
Co. F Davis Guards (Greenville)
Cavalry battalion:
Co. A Edgefield Hussars (Edgefield)
Co. B Brooks Troop (Greenville)
Co. C Beaufort District Troop (Beaufort)
Artillery:
Washington Artillery (Charleston)
Additional units
Infantry:
Co. G Claremont Rifles (Statesburg) 19 Aug 1861
Co. H (1st) German Volunteers (Charleston) 22 Aug 1861
Co. H (2nd) South Carolina Zouave Volunteers 29 Jul 1862
Co. I Capt. D.L. Hall's company 11 Nov 1862
Co. K Capt. John H. Bowen's company 11 Nov 1862
Cavalry:
Co. D Congaree Troop (Columbia) 5 Aug 1861
Artillery:
Co. B German Artillery (Co. H (1st)) 1 Nov 1861
Major engagements
- First Manassas – infantry and cavalry (artillery was not outfitted with guns in time)
- Peninsular Campaign– all elements
- Seven Days Battles – all elements
- Second Manassas– all elements
- Sharpsburg – infantry
- Tennessee Campaign– infantry
- Gettysburg – cavalry and artillery
- Wilderness – primarily infantry
- Siege of Petersburg – all elements at various times
- Battle of Appomattox Court House – infantry
- Battle of Bentonville – cavalry and artillery
See also
- List of South Carolina Confederate Civil War units
- List of American Civil War legions
- William Aiken Walker (1839-1921), American painter and member of Hampton's Legion
References
- The Hampton Legion (California; living history)
- The Hampton Legion (Germany; living history)
- The Hampton Legion (South Carolina; living history)
- Web Archive page: Hampton's Legion Artillery
Further reading
- Field, Ron, The Hampton Legion, Lower Swell, Gloucestershire, 1994, ISBN 1-874683-20-4.
- Field, Ron, The Hampton Legion, Part 2, Company Histories, Lower Swell, Gloucestershire, 1995, ISBN 1-874683-25-5.
- McArthur, Judith N. and Burton, Orville V., A Gentleman and an Officer: A Military and Social History of James B. Griffin's Civil War, Oxford University Press, USA, 1996, ISBN 978-0195093124.
- Priest, John Michael, Ed., Stephen Elliott Welch of the Hampton Legion, White Mane Publishing Co. Inc. Shippensburg, PA, 1994, ISBN 0-942597-66-4.
- Sifakis, Stewart (1995). Compendium of the Confederate Armies: South Carolina and Georgia. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2290-9.
- Sturkey, O. Lee, A History of the Hampton Legion Infantry, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, N.C., 2008, ISBN 978-1-56837-409-3.
- Wells, Edward L. Hampton and His Cavalry in 64, originally published in 1899, Charleston, S.C. republished in 1991 by Owens Publishing Co. Richmond, VA. ISBN 0-942631-03-X.
- William K. Bachman ordnance return and muster roll, W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama.
References
- ISBN 0-8160-2290-9. page 106-107