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Page 21 text:
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In 1836 J. T. L. Preston, I ' sq., a citizen of Lexington, for thirt)--se en years an lionored Professor upon the active list, and aftenvards Emeritus Professor of Latin in the Virginia Mihtary Institute, conceived the idea of substituting for the company of soldiers who guarded the arsenal a company of cadets, who, in addition to the duties of an armed guard, should pursue a course of scientific and militaiy studies. This happ)- conception was consummated by the act of AssembK- of March, 1S39. In Ma -, 1S39, the first Board of Visitors met in Lexington. Of this Board Colonel Claude Crozct, a graduate of the Pol technic School of France, a soldier under Napoleon in the Russian compaign of 181 2, and subsequent!) ' a Professor in the L ' nited States Militaiy Academ - at West Point, and at the time a citizen of X ' irginia, was president. The first act of the new Board wa.s to recognize the eminent fitness of General Francis H. Smith, a distinguished graduate of ' est Point, and at that time Professor of Mathematics in Hampden Sidne - College, for the position of superintendent. L ' nder the wise guidance, in the prosecution of its special end.s, the school grew rapidl) ' in popular favor. The Legislature increased the annuity from time to time, and appropriated large amounts to provide new barracks and to equip the institution. In 1 86 1, the school was full to its capacity. An extension of the barracks was in process of construction to meet the demand of those seeking admission, the privileges of the school having been extended to citizens of other States. In April, 1861, at the call of the States, the corps of cadets, under the command of Major — aftenvards Lieutenant General — Stonewall Jackson marched from Lexington to Richmond. These cadets were employed in instructing and drilling the large number of volunteers assembled for organization and instruction in Camp Lee, near Richmond, (but were soon disorganized and scattered b) ' the advancement of cadets) to militaiy rank in the different grades of sei-vice. In 1S62, upon t ' .c demand of military authorities of the Confederate States for the reorganization c the Institute ;is a training school to supply skilled and educated officers for the armies, the Institute was reopened. During die war cadets were repeatedK ' called into active service in the ' all ' - if ' irginia and on the lines around Richmond. ()n the 13th of May, i S64, at New Market, the corps of Cadets, organized as ..ittalion of infantiy of four companies, and as a platoon of artillen-, sen ' ing two 3 -inch rifle guns, lost over fifty killed and wounded out of an aggregate of two hundred and fift -. On the i ith of June, 1864, the barracks, mess hall, ofificers ' quarters, the libraiy containing about 10, 000 volumes, and all the apparatus and instruments of the various departments of the school, were burned, b)- order of General Da ' id Hunter, commanding the United States Arm -, at that time operating in the Valley of Virginia. From providential causes, the quarters of the superintendent escaped destruction, and was the only building left standing upon the grounds. In October, 1 865, after the close of the war, the Institute was reopened. The buildings and equipments of the school were rapidl)- restored, and the Institute entered upon an era of unprecedented prosperit)-. Since then the course instruction has been enlarged and extended. Appliances of instruction have been provided in the departments of Chemistr -, Physics, Geologv-, Mineralogv-. Engineering, Drawing, Sun-eying, and Modern Languages. In all the vocations of life the men trained
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