University of Virginia - Corks and Curls Yearbook (Charlottesville, VA)

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V CORKS AND CLIBLS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR to send them with single-minded fervor to answer the call of war. It is estimated that 515 of the approximately 600 in attendance in 1861 joined the army before the close of the year. Twenty-seven per cent. of those who had matriculated between 1825 and 1865 saw active service. One has only to see the long list of names on the tablets on the Rotunda to realize that there were many men who dared: One-fifth of the University's sons in active service did not come back. Many of the faculty joined the students in the army, but those who were unlitted for service stayed with the University and performed a beneficial oliice by managing to keep the University in existence. For students, they had men who had been too seriously wounded in battle to return to their troops. In 1862, a military hospital was founded at the University over the protest of the faculty, who felt that other sites could be adopted just as easily and that the use of the grounds for that purpose would endanger the existence of the school. This was not, however, their only difficulty, for three years later, Federal troops took possession of Charlottesville. At the news of their proximity, the facultyis apprehen- sions for the safety of the University knew no bounds and with unconscious bravery, a group of the professors met the incoming troops and demanded protection for the University property. Apparently appeased by the earlier destruction of V. M. I., the Federal oHicers agreed, and set guards over the buildings. Little, if any, looting was done. After the close of the war, it was the faculty again who rose to the occasion and succeeded in keeping the University going. The professors borrowed money to advertise and to restore buildings, and exercised great energy in procuring students. Their success is shown by the fact that 220 matriculated at the start of the session. There began a period of renaissance in the University both in material and more abstract lines. The students were of a different type from those who attended previously. Older and more experienced as only a war can give experience, they exhibited a thirst for knowledge and a seriousness in behaviour which warmed their professor's hearts. The change of the South from agricultural lines to the more in- dustrial types of work, which necessarily followed the War, was reHected at the University by the establishment of a course in engineering and an increased emphasis on the sciences. A new chemistry laboratory was built, and in 1879 a geology building and an astronomical observatory were presented to the University. This same economic and institutional change brought about a number of modifi- cations in the scholastic structure and the system of degrees. The B. S. degree was established in 1868 and the B. Litt. followed in the next year. The Master of Arts degree remained the highest award of the University until 1880 when the Ph. D. ll9l

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COR? 8 AND C1135 OF NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR the opening of the University, shown themselves to be uncommonly fond of a good, refreshing riot. An attempt, possibly, to keep the students quieted down was made by some of the members of the faculty in 1842 when they formed a Temperance Society. There was, as might have been expected, considerable opposition from many of the students and, exhilaratingly enough, from members of the faculty as well. Some success was made, however, and a Temperance Hall was erected where the Corner now stands. It is probably safe to say it never received the patronage which the Corner receives to-day. At any rate, demon rum seems to have triumphed in 18 56, for at that time, the Tem- perance Society disappeared. Sports continued to be limited to gymnasium work and fencing and boxing until 1859, when a short-lived Cricket Club was organized. This development of an organized sport was probably due in some measure to the increased enrollment, which had passed the five hundred mark. Nevertheless, commentators were already be- moaning student lethargy and indiEerencc to all forms of extra-curricular endeavor, much as they have done ever since. Interest in diversions seems to have turned by 1845 from debating and crating to the more social phases of entertainment. The Jefferson Society took on the features of a social club and began to give dances. Another club made its appearance at that time and gave prizes each year to the homeliest, prettiest and vainest students. It was not long, however, before the frivolous spirit gave way to an intense interest in political affairs. Before Lincoln's election, the general opinion at the University seems to have favored maintenance of the Union at all costs, but immediately after his victory, a general swing to the secessionists was noted and two student com- panies were formed. In F ebruary of 1861, two students procured a Confederate flag and hoisted it over the Rotunda. Although they were forced to take it down, there was much excitement shown among the students. When President Lincoln called for volunteers to coerce the seceding states, the enthusiasm of the students rose to fever heat and they departed in droves to offer their services to the newly born Confederacy. The student companies were awarded a weeks leave of absence to go to Harper's Ferry with the Charlottesville troops, but the expedition proving uneventful, the students were disbanded on their return and sent home to act as oHicers for their respective states. It is neither easy nor stylish in these days of pacifism to understand the spirit which sent the young Virginia gentlemen into battle. They, however, were not confined and bound in with realistic novels, Laurence Stallings' photographs, or conscientious- objector philosophies. Duty and obligation combined with the prospect of adventure I131

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CORKS AND CLIFLS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR was authorized. The authorization of new degrees indicates that the faculty had at last realized that Jefferson's idea of a purely graduate school could never be fulfilled, mainly because of a lack of funds and a subsequent dependence on the legislature. In 187 5, however, entrance requirements and examinations became authorized, apparently in an attempt to keep the standards of the University from being lowered too greatly. The reiistablishment of student activities was not slow in starting and by 1867 we find the JeHerson and Washington Societies reviving the literary magazine. Sadly enough, the attitude of the students in those days was not very diHerent from that which is held to-day: The project could gain almost no subscribers and never became self-supporting. The first sport to become popular was baseball, which was played among the students as early as 1865. The sport was on a purely intramural basis until 1871, when one of the local clubs journeyed to Washington and Lee and won the first contest ever played between the two schools. Virginia continued winning until 1878, when they were defeated by an overwhelming score. This last, it is said, was the first game in which the Virginians had ever seen a curve ball, let alone tried to hit one. By 1891 a real Virginia team had been formed and was playing with no small degree of success against teams from all over the East. The Cavaliers enjoyed a national reputation for their victories for some years. In 1876, the Rives Boat Club was formed. This organization paid its expenses from its own pocket and from contributions by students and had considerable success in competition with other schools. Interest soon waned, however, and Virginia has had no crew since. Football was played among the students as early as 1870 but it was not until nineteen years later that we find a game played by a recognized Virginia team against another school. The game was with Johns Hopkins and the Virginia team won by the overwhelming score of 78-0. In 1894., the Virginians were playing teams from many other schools and ended the season with 414 points to their opponents 30. All athletics before 1881 were disorganized and without any oHicial sanction from the University. In that year, however, an athletic association was formed among the students which functioned, if poorly, until 1892, when the General Athletic Association was started. This organization claimed football, baseball, track, and tennis as its own and took new sports under its wing as they became popular. By 1901, athleticshad become so well recognized at the University that a field and grandstand were constructed and were named for Dr. William A. Lambeth, who had done much for the furtherance of college sports. It was about this same time that the G. A. A. first recognized the evils of professionalism and insisted that all I201