Monuments Around the South Carolina Statehouse

Last week I wrote about a movement to erect a statue of Robert Smalls, a slave who commandeered the Confederate transport Planter in Charleston Harbor, on the grounds of the S.C. statehouse.  This is where the confrontation over  the Confederate Flag started.

Statues on the grounds include an African-American monument, Robert E. Lee tree memorial, Confederate Women memorial, Confederate soldier monument, Wade Hampton (Confederate general) and Dr. J. Marlon Sims.  I have written about Dr. Sims before and his questionable experiments on black women in gynecology so would not have a problem with his statue coming down.

The Statehouse also has bronze star markers where it was struck by Union artillery in 1865.

Again, I would like to see a statue for Robert Smalls there.

--Old Secesh

Mort Kunstler's June Calendar Page-- Part 2: The Charge At Trevilian Station

"Charge them, my brave boys, charge them," he ordered, and courageously led the attack.  Around him, the troops surged toward the enemy through a haze of smoke and dust.

Bolstering Hampton's veterans was a force of newly-arrived South Carolinians that included the Cadet Rangers --  Company F of the 6th South Carolina Cavalry -- which had been organized at The Citadel.

Typically, Hampton led with his saber -- then, in hand-to-hand combat, switched to his revolver.  Saddles were emptied on both sides and Hampton single-handedly took down three adversaries.

The battle shifted to other fields and continued the next day.  It was finally decided when a bold Confederate counterattack shattered the Federal line.  On June 13th, Sheridan and his troops retreated without destroying the railroad.  Hampton had driven back the enemy -- and had demonstrated his ability to assume J.E.B. Stuart's mantle of leadership.

Lee Had His New Cavalry Commander.  --Old Secesh

Mort Kunstler's June Calendar Page-- Part 1: Hampton at Trevilian Station

From the 2015 Civil War Calendar.

As usual, anything Mr. Kustler paints has amazing detail and accuracy.  This one shows a Wade Hampton, sword raised, leading a cavalry charge with some very young horsemen.

The text:

GENERAL HAMPTON & THE CADET RANGERS, JUNE 11, 1864

He was a big man who inherited a big task.  After General J.E.B. Stuart was killed in battle in 1864, command of General Robert E. Lee's cavalry corps was given to General Wade Hampton.  Almost immediately, Hampton engaged the enemy.

In early June of 1864, General Philip Sheridan led 6,000 Federal cavalrymen on an expedition to destroy a vital section of the Virginia Central Railroad.  On the morning of June 11th, Hampton and 5,000 Confederate cavalrymen intercepted Sheridan's force at Trevilian Station in Virginia.

A fierce battle erupted in dense woods, forcing the cavalrymen to fight on foot.  In the heat of the fight, however, Hampton seized the opportunity to mount a charge against the federals in a dusty clearing near the railroad.

More to Come.  --Old Secesh