CHARACTERS

Major General Wade Hampton

During the American Revolution, Hampton gained a reputation as a cavalry officer under Major General Sumter and was part of the class of old officers, past their prime, in the US Army in 1812.

In 1813, Hampton assumed command of The Northeastern Army stationed near Plattsburg, a post that came under the overall command of General Wilkinson, whom Hampton despised. He went so far as to ignore any orders unless they were conveyed to him directly by the Secretary of War.

Hampton's October 1813 expedition to capture Montreal proved a major fiasco when his 4,000 man army was out maneuvered by about 1,300 British troops at the Battle of Chateauguay. Hampton, unwilling to attack the British directly, marched his troops back to Plattsburg and resigned his commission.

His son, also Wade Hampton, fought along side Andrew Jackson at the battle of New Orleans.