He's a fascinating character. And as to his post-war career, it should be noted the politics and violence in SC in that post-war period was certainly not limited to one side.

Quote:

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Wade Hampton: Postwar Political Career and Later Years

After the Civil War Hampton found most of his plantations burned and his personal wealth greatly depleted. Despite this, he was initially a major figure in encouraging Southern reconciliation with the U.S. government. But with the introduction of Radical Reconstructionpolicies and Republican control of the South, Hampton's views shifted and he became a vocal critic of Reconstruction efforts. Along with fellow Confederate General Jubal Early, Hampton would later become a prominent figure in the "Lost Cause," a cultural movement that condemned Reconstruction and attempted to reconcile the Confederate loss in the Civil War.

Hampton returned to politics in 1876 when he ran against Daniel Henry Chamberlain for governor of South Carolina. The campaign was punctuated by acts of violence on both sides, and militant Hampton supporters known as "Red Shirts" were accused of suppressing the black vote in parts of the state. Amid widespread controversy, Hampton was declared the winner of the election in 1877 following a South Carolina Supreme Court decision.

Hampton won reelection two years later but resigned in 1879 after winning a seat in the U.S. Senate. He would serve in Washington until 1891, when he was ousted by democrats led by Benjamin R. Tillman. Hampton later served as the U.S. commissioner of railroads from 1893 to 1897 before retiring. He died in South Carolina in 1902 at the age of 84.

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In some respects, he was akin to LSR as an effective military leader, but post-war more of a conciliatory force, for South Carolinians post-war. More of an SC perspective:

Quote:

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The campaign of 1876 was bitter and a hard-fought, with both sides engaging in intimidation and frequent violence. Some Hampton supporters organized themselves into armed units and dressed in red shirts. The Red Shirts were particularly effective in intimidating Republican leaders and their supporters, especially black voters. While Hampton could not curb all the excesses committed by his supporters, he continued to urge moderation and actively courted black voters, winning significant support among African Americans in a close election. To demonstrate Democratic strength without the use of violence, Hampton led a march across the state, drawing large and enthusiastic crowds at each stop. The election results were hotly contested, resulting in the existence of two governors and two legislatures, with Republicans dependent on federal troops to enforce their position. Publicly Hampton continued to call for an end to the political violence and urged Daniel Chamberlain to resign the governor's chair. Behind the scenes Hampton negotiated with federal authorities for the removal federal troops. Finally, in April 1877, President Rutherford B. Hayes withdrew the soldiers and Hampton took office on April 11, effectively bringing Reconstruction in the state to an end. In the eyes of white South Carolinians, Hampton was more than a victorious political candidate. He was their savior.

Hampton's administration was characterized by honesty, fiscal conservatism, and attempts at cooperation across racial and party lines. As governor he supported black suffrage and appointed several African Americans and some Republicans to public office. Economically he advocated fiscal responsibility and urged the funding of the state's debts. Such actions created rifts within his own party, but Hampton's personal prestige overwhelmed all rivals. In 1878 Hampton was returned to the governor's chair without opposition and then elected by the state legislature to the U.S. Senate. Taking office in early 1879, Hampton served in the Senate until 1891. His senatorial policies were generally conservative and Democratic, although he sometimes voted with the opposition. He supported the gold standard and opposed his party by supporting the seating of Republican William Pitt Kellogg from Louisiana. In his last days in office he opposed the Force Bill sponsored by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, whereby the federal government could again intervene in state elections to protect the interests of black citizens.

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Over the years I have always admired your vast knowledge of history and am impressed about all the details, as well as depth, that you share. Some of the things you have posted about have led me dig in and learn many things I didn't know or have an idea about.

It is interesting what you are posting about Hampton, I had some knowledge of his activities after war, but nothing like you and BQ78. I found your comments on the other thread, and to a degree on this one, detracting of the original vein of the conversation. When looking at history with such a dialed in revisionist microscope I really thinks it muddies the water around the events and times "as they were".

No person can live in times other than the ones that they are in. When looking at Reconstruction, TWNA, and the Antebellum South (actually the US as a whole), I find it does no good to condemn the participants, as vile or erroneous by modern standards as they may be, for who they were and how they acted in their time periods. In particular someone like Hampton who was navigating slippery slope during a difficult and, to the the losers of the war, an unknown time. This does not mean that we should embrace nor accept those flawed ideals, but we can accept the origins.

It is simple to go back and judge historical figures for "nowadays" perceived errors or prejudices. We could write 3 Gutenberg bibles worth of criticisms of all kinds of revered folks. In looking at Hampton, and Reconstruction in the South in general, I do not believe there is a black and white litmus test to judge folks.

I will give you an example outta left field, Benito Juarez is a revered and adored Mexican president in Mexico. He is considered the first "indigenous" president of the country. All school kids are taught of his struggles and selfless contributions to Mexico and stalwart nationalism. What is failed to be often remembered is that under Juarez key, and very terminal, steps of disrupting and fragmenting the remaining indigenous cultures were put underway. There were abuses, massacres, and marginalization. The result was disenfranchisement that continues to this day. There were other actions that Juarez took as president that were not too good as well, but that is one that really had lasting effects and helped foster centuries of dysfunction in Mexico.

One of the reasons Juarez, and indigenous man himself, approved of these actions is that during his time his views were that in order to save Mexico and then bring the indigenous into a better status with a better future these actions had to be taken. It is clear today, and actually relatively soon after his actions, that he was wrong. But Juarez isn't remembered for that, nor is he truthfully criticized as he should be. Instead he is remembered as sage hero.