DOC Stephen Elliott Welch of the Hampton Legion (Civil War Heritage Series) by From Brand: White Mane Pub in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The letters of a soldier from South Carolina's Hampton LegionBy Joe Owen"Stephen Elliott Walsh of the Hampton Legion" by John Michael Priest (Burd Street Press; 1994; 101 pages) is the letters of Stephen Elliot Walsh to his family during the Civil War. Mr. Priest has done an outstanding job in editing the letters of the young soldier who enlisted in the Legion from South Carolina. Organized by Wade Hampton in early 1861; Hampton's Legion initially boasted a large number of South Carolina's leading citizens; including future generals J. Johnston Pettigrew; Stephen Dill Lee; Martin W. Gary; and Matthew C. Butler. Originally; the Legion comprised six companies of infantry; two of cavalry; and one of light artillery. The infantry and cavalry fought in the First Battle of Manassas. With the reorganization of the Army of Northern Virginia in mid-1862; Hampton's Legion was broken up and reassigned. The cavalry battalion was consolidated with the 4th South Carolina Cavalry Battalion and two independent companies on August 22; 1862; and became the 2nd South Carolina Cavalry. It remained directly under General Wade Hampton's control and served in his brigade and then division for the rest of the war. The artillery was converted to horse artillery and renamed Hart's Battery; after its commander; Capt. James F. Hart. Lt. Colonel Gary's infantry element; retaining the designation Hampton's Legion; was initially brigaded with Georgia troops in Stonewall Jackson's command; but was transferred in June to John Bell Hood's "Texas Brigade."After joining the Legion; Welch attained the rank of Second Sergeant and was in the infantry portion of the Legion. He would fight with the Legion in the battles that the Army of Northern Virginia fought in. However the Legion was not at the Battle of Gettysburg except in minor actions after the main battle. After being transferred to the western theater; the Legion returned to action in the fall of 1863 in Longstreet's Corps during the Battle of Chickamauga and the subsequent Chattanooga campaign. The Legion infantry later returned to Virginia and in March 1864; it was converted to mounted infantry and assigned to Garys Cavalry Brigade in the Department of Richmond. They served in that department; until January 1865 when the brigade was reassigned to Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry Division. It harassed Federal supply depots throughout northern Virginia; and fought in several actions during the lengthy Siege of Petersburg. What was left of the Hampton Legion infantry surrendered with General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House in early April 1865.Sergeant Welch wrote very well written letters to his family describing his experiences in battle with the Legion. He barely escaped a serious wound at the battle of Sharpsburg on September 17; 1862 and had to find his way back to the Legion after being unconscious for a long while after the battle. He describes eloquently the different countryside and scenery that he sees for the first time in Virginia; Georgia; Maryland; Tennessee; and the life long friendships he made with fellow soldiers of the Legion. His brother Willie would also enlist and fight close by his brother. Stephen (who preferred to be called Elliot) would write less often to his family as the war dragged on; however when he did write his letters were full of optimism for the Confederate cause and he would not give up hope until the end of the war. He would live many; many years after the Civil War and would be the last Confederate veteran in Charleston; South Carolina when he died on December 19; 1938 at the age of 95.Mike Priest; as I stated before has done an excellent job in editing Elliot Welch's letters. He added valuable information provided in footnotes about the men Elliot wrote about; history of the Legion at various points of time; map of the battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) and where the Legion was located during the battle.This is an important book due to the fact that there are few books published overall about the Legion either in overall history or from the soldiers in the Legion. Mike Priest has done a great job in providing much needed information about the history of Hampton's Legion (the infantry of the Legion) and it is an interesting read that is a must for any Civil War readers; scholars; students and historians interested in the Army of Northern Virginia; the Civil War in South Carolina; Virginia; Maryland; Georgia and Tennessee; Confederate Military History; and South Carolina History. A great and valuable history! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. STEPHEN WELCHBy Ernest I. RandowGreat story; well written. Perfect for civil war buffs. This man had great courage and conviction in his mission during the war.