We find the subjoined communication in the Charleston Courier. The Regiment, or Legion, will consist of five field officers; Artillery, 120; Cavalry, 352; Infantry, or Voltigeurs, 618; total 1,095.
The pay will be as follows, per month: Colonel, $195; Lieutenant-Colonel, $170 Major, $150; Adjutant, $100; Sergeant-Major, $21; Quartermaster’s Sergeant, $21; Captain of Artillery and Infantry, $130; of Cavalry, $140; First Lieutenants of Artillery and Infantry, $90; of Cavalry, $100; Second Lieutenants, $80 and $90; First Sergeants, $20; Corporals, $13; Privates, $11; Cavalry, $17.
Editors Courier: As various inquiries have been made in reference to the Legion which the President has honored me with a commission to raise, I beg you to allow me to give through your paper such information as may be necessary to enlist in this corps.
The object of those who are engaged in this matter is to raise an independent legion, to consist of six companies of Infantry, or Voltigeurs, four of Cavalry, and one of Flying Artillery. The Field Officers to be appointed by the President, and each company to elect its own officers, who will then receive commissions from the President.
As soon as the organization of this corps is complete, it will be received into the Provisional Army of the Confederate States for one year, unless its services should not be required for so long a time, in which case the President can disband it. The Legion is to serve wherever it may be ordered by the President, and is to be on precisely the same footing, except as to its peculiar organization, as the rest of the Provisional Army. The cavalry will furnish their own horses, and, as far as possible, their own arms and equipments. Each man must have a sabre and two of Colt’s pistols. Should any horses be lost in the service they will be paid for.
The Infantry I wish armed with Enfield Rifles, and the Governor has kindly promised to furnish them as far us he is able to do so, and he will also provide the battery. As soon as the companies report themselves ready for duty, they will be ordered into camp, for the purpose of drilling together. It is very desireable to have this corps ready at an early day, as I have every reason to hope that it will at once be ordered into active service. I annex a tabular statement, giving the complete organization of the legion, and one showing the rate of pay. Any one desiring further information on this subject can apply to Lieut. Col. B. J. Johnson, Charleston, or to myself, at Columbia.
Wade Hampton.
Yorkville Enquirer, Yorkville, SC, May 10, 1861
That’s a great old newspaper clip. In South Carolina, many young men jumped into militias soon after secession, enthusiastic about defending their state. These early militias typically had short enlistment terms, often just three months. But after the battle of Fort Sumter, people began to realize the war might last longer. At that point, in May of 1861, my 2x-great uncle wrote to his poor mother, “I think I shall go to Virginia.” He considered the different units forming in SC, and decided to try for the Hampton Legion Cavalry, “There is a very pleasant company now forming and I will no doubt be able to go with them.” So interesting to see that he was required to bring his own horse and weapons, and was paid $17 per month.
Things moved pretty fast, and the Hampton Legion Cavalry reached Virginia in mid-July. He reassured his mother: “We are under the command of Army Officers who seem to be perfect gentlemen,” writing from Ashland, where the cavalry was stationed “for the purpose of being drilled in the sword exercise.” As for the weapons requirement, the plan changed just a bit: “Our arms were distributed in Richmond and each of us have one Cavalry Pistol and a Sabre. The generality of the Company have a private Pistol, so I think we are very well armed.”