Hampden Sydney College - Kaleidoscope Yearbook (Hampden Sydney, VA)

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Flhr uihamphrn-Sihneg Bugs 1861-1865 N THE stirring times of '61-'65 old Hampden-Sidney had en- , rolled in its student body a fine type of men. They came from was homes of Christian education, refinement and culture. The insti- G9 tution of slavery had developed in the South the highest strain of 5.5 manhood and womanhood-statesinen, soldiers, preachers, lawyers, historians, doctors, and private citizens, the peers of any country we on earth during the same length of time. Q The great question of the right of a state to seeede from the Union was discussed freely on the campus and was the theme of many a fiery debate in the Union and Philanthropic Societies. In fact, it was aroused in 1859, U when the first. angry drops of the deluge of blood which was approaching felll upon the soil of Virginia -the John Brown raid at Harper's Ferry. On April 14, 1861, came Lincoln's proclamation without the authority of a shadow of law from Congress, declaring war against South Carolina and the Confederate government, and calling upon the states for 75,000 soldiers to invadethem. The discussions in the societies were conducted and ably defended by earnest advocates of both sides, union and secession. Many chivalrous young men hesi- tated as long as Virginia hesitated. It was urged, We must not take the initia- tive, strike the first blow to destroy the Union. On the other side it was urged, as Alex. H. Stephens has brought out so forcibly C War Between the States J, The laws of nations have always decided that the guilty party was not always the one who struck the first blow, but the party who made the ,first blow necessary to be struck. John Brown had spit in the face of the South, and it was necessary to defend the homes and honor of the State. All the governors of the Southern States, except Maryland, refused compliance to the proclamation. In Virginia, all remains of hesitation were instantly ex- tinguished. The convention which was in session in Richmond, Va., on the 17th of April, 18611, passed' an ordinance resuming the separate independence of the State, and the Governor immediately began to prepare for war. About this time Rev. J. M. P. Atkinson, President of Hampden-Sidney College, was heard to say, Ulf the general government should persist in the measures now threatened, there must be war. In that case the students should enlist in a body, and, if they wish it, I will lead them. This aroused the 27

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they were not Utne enough clressedf This company signalized itself in the battle of Guilford, in that famous charge made on the Queen's Guards. Lieutenant Holcomb uscd to relate the circumstances of that terrible charge upon the Queen's Guards, in which this troop bore a part. Leaping a ravine, the swords ot' the horsemen were upon the heads of the enemy, who were rejoicing in victory and safety, and before they suspected danger multitudes lay dead ..... When this company was formed tl1e students, already lessened i11 number by the calamities of war, pressed forward to the ranks. Peter Johnston, about six- teen years of age, son of the donor of the land on which the college stands, offered himself, and was rejected as under age and under size. He nevertheless procured a horse and oiiered himself to Lee, and was with some hesitation received. He served during that momentous campaign with great honor, tak- ing part in several actions, besides the decisive one of Guilford Court-House. He was in after life ajudge of eminence in his native state, and has left a pos- terity to rejoice in his patriotism. Some of that posterity were indeed H chips off tl1e old block.l' His son, General Joseph E. Johnston, needs no recommend- ation from my pen, his nephew, General Albert Sidney Johnston, killed alt Shiloh, is almost as well known, another so11 was United States Senator J. M. Johnston, father of Dr. George Ben Johnston, the eminent surgeon of Richmond, Va. Lieutenant Holcomb was at one time steward of the college, while Samuel Venable, as stated above, was ensign of the original student company. lt is also reported that when news of the depredations of the British forces on the Chesapeake reached Prince Edward, a short time previous to the arrival of Greene, he QPresident Smithj prepared for a campaign. The nature and results of these preparations are alike unknown. It is not known whether the students were enlisted. However, as this was a short time before the arrival of Greene, it is quite probable that his plans gave way before the pressing call from that general. '4 When Cornwallis invaded Virginia the services of the college were for a time suspended l' in order that the students might join with U all able to bear arms in Prince Edward and the surrounding counties in repelling the invader. Nothing is know of the conduct of the Hampden-Sidney boys in this final cam- paign, as they were absorbed into the body of the Virginia militia. After the capture of the invading army at York the boys resumed their studies, and very nearly allowed their patriotic efforts to be entirely forgotten. 26

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students like a fire in the night. Letters were written home and permission of parents secured to join the company here, which was readily granted when it was understood that Dr. Atkinson would command the company. J no. W. Jackson, of Fluvanna county, and Robt. G. Temple, of Chesterfield, Va., were the only students who were at all familiar with military tactics. These formed the students into a company and commenced drilling. The ranks were rapidly filled, being augmented hy students from Union Theological Seminary and recruits from the county of Prince Edward. The drill was the most popular and interesting of the college exercises. Hardee and other books on tactics now occupied the attention of the students. The company became very popular, and was soon the Hpetw of the Hill. The ladies became enthusiastic recruiting agents, and every fel1ow's sweetheart saw to it that his name was enrolled. We were invited to drill in the yards of the homes on the Hill, and the girls would gather to applaud, and furnish refreshments. The requisite number having been obtained, the company was duly organized and oiiicers elected: Rev. J. M. P. Atkinson, President of the College, captain, Jno. W. Jackson, first lieutenant, Robt. G. Temple, second lieutenant, Tazewell' M. McCorkle, third lieutenant, W. W. Page, orderly sergeant. The name chosen was H. S. Boysgv the uniform, jackets of Confederate gray with gray pants, and caps with straight brims and the letters H. S. BJ, in gilt on the band. The company was mustered into service early in May, 1861. Lieu- tenant McCorkle was sent to Richmond to provide arms. The rifle supplied us by the State was, as I remember, the rifle used by the cadets of the V. M. I. Dr. Atkinson had turned his attention from philosophy, and now became an ardent student of 'f tactics. No company ever had a braver or truer leader. He possessed the highest qualincations of a soldier but lacked the thorough military training. The delay in ordering the company to it the front began to make the boys restive, and frequent murmurs were heard, To prevent this the squad drill was varied to ftdouble-quick to Worsham and back, while every day the steady tramp of earnest, serious-minded young men--the very flower of our civilization-might be heard along H Via Sacral' ' The sweet moral atmosphere that had always pervaded the homes and hovered over the altars, and was an inspiration to all who entered the clmsic halls of Union or H Hampden-Sidney, seemed now charged with electricity of war. Grave Seminarians were leaving the reading of Turretin, Natural and Revealed Theology, and were ready to use the leaves of hymn books for U wadding if need be, to force bullets to the hearts of the enemy. It is amusing what limited knowledge of war and what it meant we possessed. The blacksmiths were called into requisition, and orders given for long knives 12x2 inches, very sharp, and each private furnished with one, with which he expected to carve the enemy. 28