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Gentleman and Soldier: A Biography of Wade Hampton III
"Gentleman and Soldier" is the first biography in more than 50 years of Wade Hampton III, a Confederate general whose remarkable life provides a unique sweeping insight into the entire history of the Civil War in the South. Hampton was a leading citizen of South Carolina before the War, the highest-ranking cavalry leader during the War, fought in a remarkable number of battles from Antietam to Gettysburg to Bentonville, and was South Carolina's Governor and U.S. Senator after the War.
At the time of his death in 1902, Hampton was hailed as a bridge between the Old South and the New. His life was also one of dramatic contradictions. He was the quintessential slave owner, but he questioned the ethical underpinnings of the "Peculiar Institution" and argued against reopening the African slave trade. He was a prewar spokesperson for national unity, but he became an avid secessionist. He condemned violence and abhorred dueling, but he personally killed more opponents in battle than any other general, Union or Confederate. He kept South Carolina from the effects of Reconstruction, but he then extended more political benefits to African-Americans than any other Democratic governor in the postwar South.
"Gentleman and Soldier" is the fascinating story of one of the Civil War's most remarkable and interesting generals.
At the time of his death in 1902, Hampton was hailed as a bridge between the Old South and the New. His life was also one of dramatic contradictions. He was the quintessential slave owner, but he questioned the ethical underpinnings of the "Peculiar Institution" and argued against reopening the African slave trade. He was a prewar spokesperson for national unity, but he became an avid secessionist. He condemned violence and abhorred dueling, but he personally killed more opponents in battle than any other general, Union or Confederate. He kept South Carolina from the effects of Reconstruction, but he then extended more political benefits to African-Americans than any other Democratic governor in the postwar South.
"Gentleman and Soldier" is the fascinating story of one of the Civil War's most remarkable and interesting generals.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 17, 2019
Edward G. Longacre has written many books dealing with subjects relating to the Civil War and has added greatly to the accumulated knowledge of that era. In this biography of General Wade Hampton, the author has again contributed to general Civil War knowledge but he has also accomplished much more. With this, the first full biography of Hampton since 1949, Longacre has rescued the name of this great soldier from anonymity and introduced him to a new generation of Civil War readers.
Longacre points out, early and often that Hampton's reputation has suffered the fate of many other highly successful Confederate leaders who weren't from Virginia. This bias against non-Virginians has been a major topic in some of Longacre's other books and the author may well be on a crusade to rectify this situation. It is a crusade that is long overdue in both academic and popular history.
Most of this book is concerned with Hampton's war career so his antebellum and post-war life is kind of skimmed over. Still, the subject's forward looking and enlightened views regarding race are relatively well covered, as is his political career. Still, his war service is the center of the book and it is handled very well. The reader will follow Hampton as he rises in rank and proves himself to be one of the best fighters in the Confederate Army. Longacre describes the General's tactics and campaigns thoroughly but without resorting to the tedious details many other authors use. Also covered is the discrimination suffered by Hampton and his non-Virginia command at the hands of J.E.B. Stuart and Robert E. Lee. The author takes great pains to point out Hampton's disgust with this discrimination and his later reconciliation with Lee after the Confederate commander finally began to recognize Hampton's vast abilities.
One escapade of Hampton's that I found very interesting was his raid on General Grant's beef herd during the siege of Petersburg. Hampton's scouts alerted him to the presence of the lightly guarded herd and according to Longacre, Hampton couldn't resist the temptation to steal all of those steaks on the hoof for the hungry Rebel Army. This raid was made famous in an old William Holden movie, but until I read this account I never knew it really happened. Anecdotes like this help Longacre bring his subject to life for the reader and as I read this story I could almost see the sly grin on Hampton's face.
Thanks to his excellent writing style and his in depth research, Longacre has turned out a fine book that deserves a place on every Civil War reading list. Readers from Virginia may be a little miffed at times but sometimes the truth hurts. Wade Hampton of South Carolina has long deserved a good biographical treatment and now, thanks to Edward Longacre, he has one.
Longacre points out, early and often that Hampton's reputation has suffered the fate of many other highly successful Confederate leaders who weren't from Virginia. This bias against non-Virginians has been a major topic in some of Longacre's other books and the author may well be on a crusade to rectify this situation. It is a crusade that is long overdue in both academic and popular history.
Most of this book is concerned with Hampton's war career so his antebellum and post-war life is kind of skimmed over. Still, the subject's forward looking and enlightened views regarding race are relatively well covered, as is his political career. Still, his war service is the center of the book and it is handled very well. The reader will follow Hampton as he rises in rank and proves himself to be one of the best fighters in the Confederate Army. Longacre describes the General's tactics and campaigns thoroughly but without resorting to the tedious details many other authors use. Also covered is the discrimination suffered by Hampton and his non-Virginia command at the hands of J.E.B. Stuart and Robert E. Lee. The author takes great pains to point out Hampton's disgust with this discrimination and his later reconciliation with Lee after the Confederate commander finally began to recognize Hampton's vast abilities.
One escapade of Hampton's that I found very interesting was his raid on General Grant's beef herd during the siege of Petersburg. Hampton's scouts alerted him to the presence of the lightly guarded herd and according to Longacre, Hampton couldn't resist the temptation to steal all of those steaks on the hoof for the hungry Rebel Army. This raid was made famous in an old William Holden movie, but until I read this account I never knew it really happened. Anecdotes like this help Longacre bring his subject to life for the reader and as I read this story I could almost see the sly grin on Hampton's face.
Thanks to his excellent writing style and his in depth research, Longacre has turned out a fine book that deserves a place on every Civil War reading list. Readers from Virginia may be a little miffed at times but sometimes the truth hurts. Wade Hampton of South Carolina has long deserved a good biographical treatment and now, thanks to Edward Longacre, he has one.
January 9, 2022
Interesting civil war history that does a decent job of describing a legend of the Confederate military without including the typical disdain for them and their slave owning ways. However, at times seems to breeze over some controversial topics that would have been interesting to delve into more but perhaps it is better history to state the known information and not inject opinions
November 28, 2016
This is one of Longacre's better books, with his usual fair analysis of events and personalities. His glee for cavalry actions is evident throughout. As for Hampton, the portrait that arises is of a dutiful man of great wealth, but without the arrogance of many of his fellow gentlemen. He was a superb and brave personal combatant. As a cavalry commander he was arguably the best in the Confederacy, or at least the most consistent. His greatest accomplishment was converting Stuart's band of scouts and raiders into true dragoons, capable of besting regular infantry when the need arose.
Longacre though does not fall in love with Hampton. He points out that he bungled the defense of Columbia, was occasionally given to quarrels (although no worse than most others), and that his political activities before and after the war were a mixed bag. This later point is why I took off a star: I wanted to know more about Hampton's tumultuous political career and his failure to create a lasting fusion government in South Carolina.
Longacre though does not fall in love with Hampton. He points out that he bungled the defense of Columbia, was occasionally given to quarrels (although no worse than most others), and that his political activities before and after the war were a mixed bag. This later point is why I took off a star: I wanted to know more about Hampton's tumultuous political career and his failure to create a lasting fusion government in South Carolina.
July 12, 2015
Edward Longacre published his biography of Civil War Lt General Hampton III, "Gentleman & Soldier" in 2009. It is an outstanding book, full of insight, surprises, and gripping story lines. Hampton personifies both pre and post bellum Southern gentry and economic values. His life helped me better understand why the South was unable to fully recover from war, technology change, and reconstruction.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews