Augusta Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Fort Defiance, VA)

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BOOK CNE Administration ACADEMICS-FACULTY--STAFF

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C' ADMINISTRATION Academic Staff Administrative Staff CLASSES Seniors Undergraduates MILITARY U. S. Army Staff Cadet Staff Companies ACTIVITIES ATHLETICS SOCIAL-HUMOR Dances Honors Class History Report Sheet

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History of Augusta Military Academy In 1865, when the Civil-VVa1' torn Valley of Virginia had practically no education facilities at all, the Augusta Military Academy was founded by a young Confederate soldier named Charles S. Roller. His idea was to provide high school education for the soldiers whose edu- cation was interrupted by the great war. The young soldier, father of Col. C. S. Roller, jr., the present owner and principal, named the school Augusta Male Academy. It started as a day school but it became so popular that it was later made a boarding school and renamed Augusta Military Academy. THIS, however, was not the true beginning of Augusta. In 1742, the Reverend john Craig who was the first pastor of the historic Old Stone Church which adjoins the A. M. A. campus, started a small day school on the site of the present school. His students came from many miles around and walked or rode on horses Colonel Charles S. Roller, jr. to secure the knowledge that they so desperately needed. School ran on in this fashion until the Civil VVar when the men went to war and the academy was closed. During the war, the Northern General Seigel came through this part of the Valley with his troops and burned the school buildings to the ground. IN 1907, the founder of the present Augusta Military Academy, Prof. Charles S. Roller, retired on account of ill health and his two sons, Colonel Thomas J. Roller and Major Charles S. Roller, jr. assumed active control. Under their able management, the school grew to its present size and secured the nation-Wide acclaim that it has. A partnership that had existed for half a century was unfortunately term- inated on March 10, 1946, when Col T. DI. Roller died in Coral Gables, Florida. Major Roller then assumed control of the school. In 1946 also, Major Roller was promoted to Colonel in the Virginia State Guard.