Rod Andrew Jr. in his new book on Wade Hampton refers to him as the “Confederate warrior and southern redeemer”.  Hampton had an amazing life… singlehandedly raising an army, the Hampton Legion.  This ALS to his sister Mary Fisher is filled with the patriotic principals that he held so dear.  This letter shows the real “heart” of Hampton.  Since he is writing his sister, he only signs it “Your brother”.  There is however, absolutely no question that it is all in his hand.  In the letter he mentions his older brother “Kit” and his youngest brother “Frank”.  Mary Fisher, who Hampton addresses as “My Dear Fisher” was his youngest sister and according to Rod Andrew’s book on page 43, she was his “emotionally closest sister” who “had also been the most dependent on him”. 


Check out this wonderful content!

·         “Yesterday a dispatch of the 29^th came telling me that all were well & I have to thank God
for his great mercy in again sparing all of my dear household.” 

·         “Death has often been very near to us, but God has been merciful enough still to keep all
my dear ones safe & well.   I have very much to be grateful for & I hope to be able to share
my gratitude.” 

·         “I can scarcely realize that all of us who came into this war fifteen months ago are still safe
& well.  When I look back over the battlefields of that long time & remember the thousands

     who lie there now, my heart is deeply thankful for that mercy which has spared me & mine.  I
pray that we may still be spared, but if this is not to be.  I pray that I may be able to discharge
my duty faithfully, so as to merit the “well-done” not only from my country, but from my God.”

·         “My heart has grown sick of this war & I long for peace.  If it does not come this winter, there
 is no saying when we may look for it.  As long as the madness of the Yankees continues so
long will this fearful war.”

·         “We are all quiet along the unit & no news is afloat.  The Yankees will not attack us here & I
suppose we shall have to move off before very long.” 

·         “Frank has taken his position as Lt. Col.  Poor fellow. I feel very sorry for him.  He seems calm
& I have no doubt but that his duties here will serve to distract his mind from his sorrow.  Kit
has not yet come, but I suppose he is on the way.” 

The letter is 1 ½ pages, the last page being a half sheet.  It is written in nice dark ink.  An incredible look at the mind and emotions of this amazing Confederate General.  A value of $2,500!                                               

#S48 - Price $1,500, New Price $1,395!






        Transcription:
                                                                                                                    Martinsburg Oct. 5^th, 1862

My Dear Fisher,

               I wrote to you some time ago, but the mail is so irregular.  You may not
have rec’d my letter nor has one come from you in an age.  In our hurried trip
across the country, I tried to get news home by every opportunity so I hope you
all heard from me at least sometimes.  Yesterday a dispatch of the 29^th came

telling me that all were well & I have to thank God for his great mercy in again
sparing all of my dear household.  Death has often been very near to us, but God
has been merciful enough still to keep all my dear ones safe & well.   I have very
much to be grateful for & I hope to be able to share my gratitude.  I can scarcely
realize that all of us who came into this war fifteen months ago are still safe &
well.  When I look back over the battlefields of that long time & remember the
thousands who lie there now, my heart is deeply thankful for that mercy which
has spared me & mine.  I pray that we may still be spared, but if this is not to be. 
I pray that I may be able to discharge my duty faithfully, so as to merit the
“well-done” not only from my country, but from my God.  My heart has grown
sick of this war & I long for peace.  If it does not come this winter, there is no
saying when we may look for it.  As long as the madness of the Yankees continues
so long will this fearful war.  We are all quiet along the unit & no news is afloat. 
The Yankees will not attack us here & I suppose we shall have to move off before
very long.  Frank has taken his position as Lt. Col.  Poor fellow. I feel very sorry
for him.  He seems calm & I have no doubt but that his duties here will serve to
distract his mind from his sorrow.  Kit has not yet come, but I suppose he is on
the way.  I have been intending ever since I sent a little present to the other girls
to send yours to you, but have neglected to do so.  I now enclose it.  Kiss the
children for me & God bless you all,

                                                                       Your Brother