'My men fell on every side of me....'

The Hampton Legion Infantry was organized on june 12, 1861, with six companies, including the Gist Riflemen under Captain HJ. Smith, which was organized as a volunteer militia company in 1860. While the unit was attired in green hunting-type coats in july 1861, the uniform shown here may reflect a different attire for officers. Family information relates that this same image of Smith, perhaps in Ambrotype format, remains, and that the coat is indeed green.

At the date of the following letter, the Hampton Legion was unattached, and was serving in the First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. In less than a year they would be hot in action at Sharpsburg, after which brigade commander Colonel William T. Wofford reported that, "This brigade went into the action numbering 854, and lost, in killed, wounded, and missing, 560 - over one-half." Smith, in action near the Dunker Church was mortally wounded, "shot through the heart, since dead."

The following letter details Smith's experience in the Battle of the First Manassas:

Head Quarters Hampton Legion Camp Griffin Sept 14 1861

My Dear Brother

Your very kind letter was duly received and would have been answered before this but for the want of time. I have been very busy for the past two weeks looking after the sick of my Company, preparing myself for Battalion Drill, and having the men paid off. The last gave me a great deal of trouble, as I had furnished them with a Uniform at Richmond at my own expense and had to deduct so much from every mans commutation money, in order to save myself. However I have got it all managed now, and for the future will keep clear of all such scrapes....

I called to see Mr. Duncan while I was in Richmond and gave him our letter of introduction. I feel under obligations to him for informing you of my safety so promptly. My preservation in the Battle was almost miraculous and I have endeavored to pay any debt of gratitude to God for it. My men fell on every side of men and yet I escaped without a single scrape. I have a very narrow escape from a cannon ball which struck the ground a few feet from me and barely passed over my head. One of my men was wounded while standing close by my side just after we had taken Bicket's Battery. /Lieutenanty Co/ /Benjamin JJ Johnson fell within ten feet from me and I ordered two of my men to assist in carrying off his body I was near Col /WadeJ Hampton when he was wounded preparing my company for the charge. So you see that I wa always at the post of danger and yet escaped unhurt. Nothing but the interposition of Providence saved my life. We are still at Bacon Race Church which is about 8 miles from. Manassas junction and 8 from Ocoquan Bay where the enemy are expected to make a landing. Our Cavalry are out on a reconnoitering expedition to day, and we expect to have an engagement in a few days. The troops who were out yesterday report three large vessels at anchor at Ocoquan Bay and march down upon us at this point. Gen. Whiting's Brigade has been ordered to come to our assistance and I will be here this afternoon which I think is pretty good evidence that there is something in the wind....

Special thanks for this letter to Captain Smith great-grandson Frank Fusco, his wife Pamela, and all the extended Smith family.

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