Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 22.djvu/159

 Gta. U'i///, Hampton 9 * Cattle /{<><<(. 147

[From the Charleston, S. C-, Neu't and Courier, Oct. 10, 1894.]

A BRILLIANT COUP.

How Wade Hampton Captured Grant's Entire Beef Supply.

COLONEL CARDWELL'S THRILLING STORY.

The Greatest Cattle Raid of the War 2,486 Beeves Driven From Coggin's Point Into The Confederate Lines.

After that fateful day, May u, 1864, when the bullet of the enemy took from the cavalry corps its great commander, J. E. B. Stuart, at Yellow Tavern, that man who Longstreet said was the greatest cav- alryman America ever saw ; that man upon whom Jackson threw his mantle, like Elijah of old; that man upon whom General Lee de- pended for eyes and ears General Lee did not have to look for his successor ; no, he was close at hand, and had carved his name with his sabre high in the list of the world's great soldiers. It was Wade Hampton upon whom the mantle fell, and who was worthier? We have heard and do know of the achievements of this command and that command, from the pens of officers and privates, and I am glad it is so. I read everything of the kind I come across.

I have read of Stuart's great ride around McClellan's army on the Chickahominy, and it was a wonderful performance. I know it is considered by military men as an unique feat. I wish I were able to describe it. I recall the enthusiasm it created, and also remember the fate of the gallant Latane, the only casualty.

It is not of this that I would write. I was not with the boys then. It is of Hampton's great "cattle raid," in September, 1864, that I propose to write in my own plain way, just as I remember it, and just as I read of it, now that it is all over.

THE MISE EN SCENE.

In the early part of 1864 General Lee's army was facing Gen- ii Grant's at Petersburg, and his infantry lines extended from the Appomattox on the east to about Dinwiddie Courthouse )n the southwest. South of this the cavalry held the lines. I