Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

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missed with General Orders which read in part: “They have, for twelve months, borne the hardships and privations of military life in the midst of an inhospitable wilderness, with a cheerfulness and alac- rity which has never been surpassed. Their conduct in the field has been excelled by no other corps . . While reviewing the Volunteers on their return. President James Madison referred to Petersburg as the “Cockade City of the Union” because of their fashionable cockade hats. This soubriquet which these volunteers won for Petersburg has been cherished to this day. The Cockade Hat has become a symbol of bravery and determination to keep our country truly “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” One of the city’s most noted memorials is a shaft over the grave of Captain McRae in Blandford Ceme- tery honoring those who fought so well in the War of 1812 . These soldiers are remembered because they did not falter in the face of danger. Their goal was to create a better world in which to live and they were willing to make necessary sacrifices to attain it. These determined fighters set out “strong in will, to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” But strong in will, To strive. To seek. To find. And not to yield Alfred, Lord Tennyson 3

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Upon entering the Petersburg area, one is aware of the significant role that history plays in this com- munity. The Court House, symbolic of the liberty and justice our nation enjoys, welcomes all visitors with its tolling bell. However, this freedom was not easily obtained. Sons of Petersburg aided in the defense of their country whenever a crisis endan- gering freedom arose. They died for their city and state, their country, their cause, and for us, their descendants. The military tradition of Petersburg was epi- tomized by the company of 103 men led by Captain Richard McRae in the War of 1812. After having drilled on Poplar Lawn, the Petersburg Volunteers left town from Centre Hill bearing a flag presented to them by the ladies of the city. In Richmond they received acclaim and left the capital with drums beating and colors flying. However, when they reached the front, they had to endure the hardships and suffering of a war. Serving under General Wil- liam Henry Harrison, they helped regain the North- west Territory. They won fame at the seige and were the heroes of the battle of Fort Meigs. After serving the time of their enlistment they were dis- 2

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1 iv jyS 1 Bravery, Patriotism In addressing the Petersburg Volunteers, General William Henry Harrison referred to our city as “the seed-bed of patriotism, the nursery of heroes.” He truly spoke not only of the Petersburg of his time but also of the actions of her sons during the longest military campaign ever waged against a city in the United States. On June 9, 1864 the first Union attack on Peters- burg was made and the long seige began. Ironically, the day dawned bright and beautiful, little foretelling the dark shadows that would fall over the homes of Petersburg. Although it was a relatively small battle, the result was of utmost importance, for if the Union had been able to take and hold the city, Richmond’s railroad connection with the South would have been cut. Frantically trying to preserve the ideals in which they so devoutly believed, the Second Class Militia, those either too old or too young to fight, heroically joined the struggle for a cause which had ceased to 4