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

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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

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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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Orders came at last for the company to report to '4 Camp Lee, Richmond, Va. This was a camp of instruction, one and one half miles from the western limits of the city. The joy was unbounded at the news. A meeting was held in the college chapel. Speeches were made by Dr. R. L. Dabney, Dr. Smith, Dr. Atkinson, and others. Many tears were shed that night i11 the homes on the Hill, many plighted vows to be consummated when this cruel war was over. The young soldiers in their new uniforms seemed conscious of the great re- sponsibility thrust so suddenly upon them, and each girl believed her lover a born hero. ' Valubies, watches, photographs, rings, that were brought from far- away homes in some instances, were now committed to the care of the fair ones, more than one boy telling his 4' best girl, 4' This watch was the gift ofa deceased father, and is sacred to his memory, this ring a precious heirloom in our family, and at my death descends to an only sister. To no one else on earth but you would I commit it, in case of my death send it to Mn-sl. U One girl boasted after the fond farewells were over and the boys gone, that she had a box full of watches, rings, etc. The company marched to Farmville, and awaited at the station the coming of the train. Prince Edward had gathered there her beauty and her chivalry. ' The Farmville Guards and Prince Edward Troop had already reported. Trains were passing loaded with troops from Virginia and other parts of the South, bands played Dixie, the H Marseillaisej' and other inspiring strains. While we waited the boys were busy leaving souvenirs, tokens, etc., and the girls were scratching names on canteens, tin cups and pewter spoons. As we heard the whistle of our train, the girls en masse gathered around Captain Atkinson and were showering kisses on him. A lieutenant looked on a while until his H best- girl approached, when he offered to relieve Captain Atkinson of this part of his arduous duties. H I can stand the tiring yet, lieutenant, if it becomes too heavy, I'll call for you. In a short time 'we boarded the train for Richmond. The Eleventh Virginia Regiment C Colonel Garlandj were aboard, and as we had many friends in the Home Guards from Lynchburg we had an enjoyable trip. We arrived in good shape, were quartered for a few days in a warehouse, and then went to Camp Lee. Here we were inducted into the mysteries of camp life rather rudely. Our tents were good, but the preparations for feeding horses, cooking, etc., sadly lacking. The corps of cadets from the Virginia Military Institute had arrived here under command ot' Major T. J. Jackson CStonewallQ and they were our instructors in military tactics. Our time was taken up in posting guard, policing camp, cooking, 4' dress parade, and regular drill. The company was attached to the Twentieth Virginia Regiment, Colonel John Pegram, of Richmond. The regiment was composed of Captain Bailey's company, Richmond, the 'f Hardy Blues, Hardy County, Va.g a Charlotte company, Captain Wzitkiiisg Captain 29