Davidson College - Quips and Cranks Yearbook (Davidson, NC)

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y y V V V V V y V V V y V V Sr y y y y y y y y THE D. H. HILL THEME THIS is the second historical theme to be treated in the Quips and Cranks. Last year tlie life of Marshal Peter Stuart Ney was the subject, and this year the art theme is woven about General D. H. Hill. Through the art theme, the annual seeks to revive and perpetuate the memory of men who have played important roles in the upbuilding of Davidson College. D. H. Hill was graduated from the West Point Military Academy in 18i2. He served with distinction in the war with Mexico and rose to the rank of Major. General J. E. Johnston said, Some of the officers were in the habit of saying that D. H. Hill was the bravest man in the army in Mexico. Major Hill came to Davidson after being on the faculty of Washington College for six years. In 18.54 Davidson was a small but bravely struggling college, and in his five vears of active connection with the school. Hill played no small part in its growth. He served as Professor of Mathematics and also introduced a demerit system similar to that used in military schools. Although it did not meet with great favor among the students, it was efficient in preserving order and discipline. Major Hill wrote a valuable textbook in algebra during this period. He read the unmistakable signs of the coming conflict, and resigned from the facultv in 1859 to become commandant of the Charlotte Military Institute, David- son College lent him money for the buildings. In 1861 he went to Raleigh, where he was in charge of the state training camp for ten thousand volunteers. His excellent leadership won him the rank of general during the war. He particularly distinguished himself in the battles of Mechanicsville. Antietam and Chiekamauga. It is interesting to know that in the battle of Antietam he had three horses shot from under him. Cieneral Hill served as a trustee of Davidson from 1859 to 1875. He died in Charlotte on September 24, 1889, and is buried in the Davidson cemf- tery. Forgotten! No! we cannot all forget. Or, when xve do, farexcell to Honor ' s face. To Hope ' s siceet tendrance. Valor ' s tnipaid drht. And even nohlesf Grace, Which, nursed in Love, might lill hrnigtili bloom Above a nation ' s tomb! Forgotten! Tho ' a thousand ijears should pass, Methinks our air will throb with memory ' s thrills, A conscious grief weigh down the faltering grass, A pathos shroud the hills. Waves roll lamenting, autumn sunsets i earn For the old time ' s return! Paul Hamilton Havnk.