Wade Hampton

Wade Hampton III (March 28, 1818 – April 11, 1902) was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterwards a politician from South Carolina, representing it as governor and U.S. Senator.

Early life and career

Hampton was born in Charleston, South Carolina, the eldest son of Wade Hampton II (1791–1858), known as "Colonel Wade Hampton", one of the wealthiest planters in the South, an officer of dragoons in the War of 1812, and an aide to General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. He was grandson of Wade Hampton (1754–1835), lieutenant colonel of cavalry in the American War of Independence, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and brigadier general in the War of 1812.

Related Topics:
Charleston, South Carolina - 1791 - 1858 - Dragoon - War of 1812 - Andrew Jackson - Battle of New Orleans - 1754 - 1835 - Lieutenant colonel - American War of Independence - U.S. House of Representatives - Brigadier general

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Hampton grew up as a privileged boy, receiving private instruction. He had an active outdoor life, riding horses and hunting. He was known for taking hunting trips alone into the woods, hunting bears with only a knife. Some accounts credit him with killing as many as 80 bears. In 1836 he graduated from South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina), and was trained for the law, although he never practiced. He devoted himself, instead, to the management of his great plantations in South Carolina and Mississippi, and took part in state politics. He was elected to the South Carolina General Assembly in 1852 and served as a Senator from 1858 to 1861. Hampton's father died in 1858 and the son inherited a vast fortune, the plantations, and one of the largest collections of slaves in the South.

Related Topics:
1836 - University of South Carolina - Plantation - Mississippi - 1852 - 1858 - 1861

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