Gentleman and Soldier: A Biography of Wade Hampton III Book

This is one of Longacre's better books, with his usual fair analysis of events and personalities. His glee for cavalry actions is evident throughout. As for Hampton, the portrait that arises is of a dutiful man of great wealth, but without the arrogance of many of his fellow gentlemen. He was a superb and brave personal combatant. As a cavalry commander he was arguably the best in the Confederacy, or at least the most consistent. His greatest accomplishment was converting Stuart's band of scouts and raiders into true dragoons, capable of besting regular infantry when the need arose.

Longacre though does not fall in love with Hampton. He points out that he bungled the defense of Columbia, was occasionally given to quarrels (although no worse than most others), and that his political activities before and after the war were a mixed bag. This later point is why I took off a star: I wanted to know more about Hampton's tumultuous political career and his failure to create a lasting fusion government in South Carolina.