June 15, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
Again the honor and the fame of South Carolina is pledged upon the field of battle in the blood of some of her noblest sons. The soldierly spirit of BEE is gone – the grand Roman heroism of GREGG is but a page of history – the fiery soul of CUTHBERT shall blaze no more in the forefront of battle – and a thousand others of honored lineage, and much worth, have perished in her cause – and still the dark list of fate is unfilled; still the blood-stained roll of honor stretches out before our mournful gaze. BUTLER, whose name is a part of the history of South Carolina in her councils of state and upon the battle field, from the great struggle of 1776 to the scorching plains of Mexico and the deadly heights of Cherubusco – BUTLER is down and hors du combat for the war. HAMPTON, JONES and FARLEY have run their high career, and left their names as legacies to their State. Deep and steady is the drain upon the very vitals of the State, and dearly bought the crimson tide of honor which bathes her escutcheons. As individuals, we mourn their fall; as a people, we mourn our loss. But what can grief avail? Others can step into their places in the field, but who can recall the high spirits of these gallant gentlemen – who fill up the broad gaps left in our State?
Perhaps there was no man of his rank, in the Army of Virginia, who served the cause with more effect and more unconquerable zeal, from the first battle of Manassas to the hour of his death, than did Capt. FARLEY. As a scout, an independent fighter, a leader, his restless and ardent spirit knew no repose in the great contest. Alone, or at the head of his men, by day or by night, he ever hung like an Indian upon the track of the enemy, and smote him with his unerring rifle in every valley and from every hilltop, from the Potomac to the James River and back to the Rappahannock. Having run a thousand hair breadth , he has at last met his fate. Upon the same desperate field the gallant Capt. JONES has paid the debt of life. And HAMPTON, too, the brave and steadfast soldier, the high-toned, the generous, the courteous gentleman – FRANK HAMPTON is dead. Alas! how few the words, how grievous their import how great the host of saddened friends, who shall no more greet his genial presence, an shall miss his handsome form, his warm and honest heart. The younger son of the late Gen. WADE HAMPTON, and the nephew of Col. FRANK HAMPTON, distinguished in the war of 1812, he was the worthy scion of a manly stock. Raising a company of horse, called the Congaree Rangers, he early in the war entered into the service, and served in this State until ordered to Virginia and promoted to a Lieutenant Colonelcy, in which position he fell. It was the unassuming simplicity of the man, his direct, frank and generous nature, which so warmly attached to Col HAMPTON all who knew him. Perhaps no man of his age in the State has left behind him so few enemies, and so wide a circle of mourning friends. Requiescat in pace.