On the eve of the American Civil War; Wade Hampton; one of the wealthiest men in the South and indeed the United States; remained loyal to his native South Carolina as it seceded from the Union. Raising his namesake Hampton Legion of soldiers; he eventually became a lieutenant general of Confederate cavalry after the death of the legendary J. E. B. Stuart. Hampton’s highly capable; but largely unheralded; military leadership has long needed a modern treatment. After the war; Hampton returned to South Carolina; where chaos and violence reigned as Northern carpetbaggers; newly freed slaves; and disenfranchised white Southerners battled for political control of the devastated economy. As Reconstruction collapsed; Hampton was elected governor in the contested election of 1876 in which both the governorship of South Carolina and the American presidency hung in the balance. While aspects of Hampton’s rise to power remain controversial; under his leadership stability returned to state government and rampant corruption was brought under control. Hampton then served in the U.S. Senate from 1879 to 1891; eventually losing his seat to a henchman of notorious South Carolina governor "Pitchfork" Ben Tillman; whose blatantly segregationist grassroots politics would supplant Hampton’s genteel paternalism. In Wade Hampton; Walter Brian Cisco provides a comprehensively researched; highly readable; and long-overdue treatment of a man whose military and political careers had a significant impact upon not only South Carolina; but America. Focusing on all aspects of Hampton’s life; Cisco has written the definitive military-political overview of this fascinating man. Winner of the 2006 Douglas Southall Freeman Award.
#1802394 in Books White Mane Publishing Company 2001-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.34 x 1.22 x 6.40l; 1.71 #File Name: 1572492120352 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Second Only to GrantBy Ev_FlyfishThis was an excellent book about one of the most important but little-known figures in the American Civil War. It is mind-boggling to imagine the logistics required to supply an army in the 1860's with the needed many tons of supplies of clothing; food; horses and mules; forage; wagons; guns and ammo; etc. I learned an incredible amount by reading this book. I personally liked the short chapters; which allowed me to digest the book in bite-sized pieces. As another reviewer commented; I would have liked to see more about Meig's post-war activities.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This book gives a good overview of Meigs and the QM departmentBy Rick SaundersThis book gives a good overview of Meigs and the QM department. I would have liked more detail on how the QM department procured the uniforms; shoes etc. and less on the battles.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well-written book.By Book LoverMeigs is the most important Civil War general most people have never heard of. Covers birth to war years well. I would have liked more on his post-war work; which was also exceptionally important.
