MUSEUM QUALITY
AMERICANA
COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH
THE FINEST ORIGINAL SOLDIER'S LETTERS AND ARTIFACTS
The Famous Hampton Legion is Formed
Talk about an historic document! This is South Carolina Governor, F. W. Pickens giving Col. Wade Hampton command of “an Independent Corps. ready for service anywhere”. Wade Hampton of Columbia, South Carolina raised and with his own money largely equipped this famous fighting unit. Leading the Legion at Bull Run, Hampton was slightly wounded. He continued leading through the Peninsular Campaign, and was again wounded at Seven Pines. Later on he fought with Stuart and became a Maj. General. His Legion was made up of 6 infantry companies, 4 cavalry companies and a battery of artillery (using the revolutionary Blakely Field Guns).
This autographed document is signed twice “F. W. Pickens”. It is two pages, legal size, on State of South Carolina, Executive Department letterhead, Charleston, April 30th, 1861. The manuscript opens with a copy of a letter to Pickens from Leroy Pope Walker (Secretary of War), Montgomery, April 21, 1861, in which Walker states in part, “I have said to Colonel Wade Hampton that I would accept the Regiment with Legionary Formation which he proposes to raise… if it would be agreeable to your Excellency.” It continues with Pickens’ response on the same page, in part, “…it will not only be agreeable to me, but I will take great pride in it, as no one could with more propriety, be selected as commander of such a force than Colonel Hampton.” Pickens continues, “…whenever the Regiment is formed, I will be rejoiced to meet any requisition the Secretary of War may make…, F. W. Pickens.” Pickens then closes with a post script entirely in his hand, “P.S. It is understood the Cavalry is to furnish their own horses and equipment and as far as purpose this army – It is intended to be an independent corp. ready for service anywhere. F. W. Pickens”
Condition is fine with aged toning and nice dark ink. An extremely important document from the “early days” of the Confederacy (April of 1861 - doesn’t get much earlier)! This was one of the premier pieces from the auction of Governor Pickens papers. Originally, the Charleston Rare Book Company appraised it at over $30,000.
#CG37 – Price $8,495
This autographed document is signed twice “F. W. Pickens”. It is two pages, legal size, on State of South Carolina, Executive Department letterhead, Charleston, April 30th, 1861. The manuscript opens with a copy of a letter to Pickens from Leroy Pope Walker (Secretary of War), Montgomery, April 21, 1861, in which Walker states in part, “I have said to Colonel Wade Hampton that I would accept the Regiment with Legionary Formation which he proposes to raise… if it would be agreeable to your Excellency.” It continues with Pickens’ response on the same page, in part, “…it will not only be agreeable to me, but I will take great pride in it, as no one could with more propriety, be selected as commander of such a force than Colonel Hampton.” Pickens continues, “…whenever the Regiment is formed, I will be rejoiced to meet any requisition the Secretary of War may make…, F. W. Pickens.” Pickens then closes with a post script entirely in his hand, “P.S. It is understood the Cavalry is to furnish their own horses and equipment and as far as purpose this army – It is intended to be an independent corp. ready for service anywhere. F. W. Pickens”
Condition is fine with aged toning and nice dark ink. An extremely important document from the “early days” of the Confederacy (April of 1861 - doesn’t get much earlier)! This was one of the premier pieces from the auction of Governor Pickens papers. Originally, the Charleston Rare Book Company appraised it at over $30,000.
#CG37 – Price $8,495
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