Wade Hampton III

2129 Words5 Pages

When said, the name Wade Hampton III, brings to mind one of the most prolific Civil War heroes in history; Confederate history, that is. Known throughout not only South Carolina, but, the whole United State, Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton III, was in many ways what the South had always hoped to become. Unfortunately many historians overlook the latter part of Hampton’s life and focus mainly on his military accomplishments during the Civil War. When studying the life of Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton III, It is clear to see that because of his prolific military career, Hampton was made a heroine in the South, which in turn solidified his political career allowing him to take the South Carolina gubernatorial race of 1876 with much ease.

Before examining the war hero turned politician, an examination must be made into the life of the man that was Wade Hampton III. Born on March 28, 1818, in historic Charleston, South Carolina, Wade Hampton III was bred into the lap of luxury. Hampton was born to Dragoon and Revolutionary War Wade Hampton II, husband of Charleston native and richest women in the Charleston area, Ann Fitzsimmons Hampton. Hampton grew up in a home suited for a king. He never had a worry or a care about anything in the whole world. Wade Hampton through his childhood years before university received only the best of individualized instruction and spent most of his free time in an aristocratic manner. Hampton’s childhood was spent in lavish homes across both South and North Carolina, spending tremendous amounts of time at his family mountain estate, High Hampton.

Wade Hampton, even in childhood was noted with accomplishments of men thirty and forty years his senior. For instance while Hampton was an avid hunter, there have been cla...

... middle of paper ...

...e great Wade Hampton III, those words "God bless all my people, black and white." These words uttered by this great man lead most historians to believe that Hampton was in fact the voice of the people. Wade Hampton was and still remains a respected figure in South Carolina history. It is with the upmost confidence that the claim is made that due to his reputation as not only a fearless and victorious solider but, as a kind, respectable, intelligent man, Wade Hampton easily took the governorship of South Carolina. The gubernatorial election of South Carolina in 1876 was an election that captured the minds of the people, never before had the state seen such an energetic voting populace. Never before had one man, Wade Hampton III, been able to win the hearts, minds, and bodies of so many within the state. Wade Hampton in no uncertain terms was the voice of the people.

Open Document