You’re welcome.

The Butler bio is good, so long as you keep in mind that Mr. Martin usually makes no bones about showing his own biases. It’s clear that he views Butler as a hero. If you can go into it with that in mind, you will do just fine with it.

Eric

Thanks for the post on all the books on Hampton. Looks Like I’ll need to wait for Rod Andrew’s biography or Read parts of the other three recent books.

Regarding South Carolina Cavalry Biographies, I also have the recent Butler biography by Martin. Did you have any thoughts on it?

I also have Longacre’s new book on Joe Wheeler, looking forward to it.

Regards and Happy New Year
Don H.

There is a particular post-war story of Hampton – involving Mosby, naturally – that is very interesting. Mosby who was by that time a pariah in the South for having supported Grant against Greeley in 1872 (he delivered Virginia to Grant in that election) was approached by Hampton after his election as Governor of South Carolina.

Earlier in the year there had been race riots in the state and Hampton was concerned that Grant would send in federal troops to ‘restore order’. He then approached Mosby and asked him to speak to Grant and tell him that Hampton, once installed as Governor, would be able to handle the matter without federal intervention. Mosby was delighted to help for he hoped to show that Grant was willing to work with white Southerners and that the section would be better served working with the President and moderate Republicans NATIONALLY (not locally) than in remaining steadfast enemies.

In any event, Mosby approached Grant with Hampton’s request and Grant agreed to hold back unless the situation deteriorated into anarchy. Hampton was sworn in as Governor and true to his word, restored order. Unfortunately, the press learned of Hampton’s dealings with Mosby and publicly castigated for dealing with a scalawag traitor to the South. In the face of mounting criticism, Hampton chose the less honorable path of denouncing the man who had helped him and pretending that he had not known how hated Mosby was – a fact which was patently untrue. Mosby was deeply hurt and stated that Hampton had ‘used and abused’ him, asking for a favor and taking it and then turning on the man who had helped him in his hour of need.

I find it an interesting point regarding Hampton’s vaunted character. To save face in response to criticism, he did not have the strength of character to say that the situation had called for an action that, though he might have found unpalatable, was necessary and then at least give Mosby credit for keeping federal troops out of Columbia. Apparently, he found it easier to abuse the man to whom HE HAD TURNED FOR HELP after that man had done as he, Hampton, had asked. Not much ‘nobility’ there, I fear. But then, politicians of every stripe fear bad press – even back then.