Hamelton, Charles A., a pro-slavery leader during the border troubles, was a native of Cass county, Ga., where his father, Dr. Thomas A. Hamelton, was a wealthy and influential citizen. The name is spelled "Hamilton" by some writers. When the Territory of Kansas was organized Milton McGee went to Georgia to recruit men to aid in making Kansas a slave state. At Cassville he made a fiery speech and Charles Hamelton and his brother were among the first to rally to McGee's standard. Dr. Hamelton contributed $1,000 to the cause. Charles A. Hamelton is best known as the perpetrator of the Marais des Cygnes massacre (q. v.) on May 19, 1858, concerning which the legislature adopted a resolution asking the governor to offer a reward Of $500 for Hamelton's apprehension, and to make a requisition upon the governor of any state in which he might he found. When Hamelton came to Kansas he was the owner of a plantation in Georgia, but was heavily in debt. At the close of the border troubles he returned to his native state, was stripped of everything by his creditors, took the benefit of the bankrupt act and went to Texas, where he engaged in horse raising. In 1861 he raised a regiment, of which he was commissioned colonel, and served with Gen. Robert E. Lee in the Confederate army in Virginia. After the war he went back to Georgia, where he died some years later.