Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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JACKSON MEMORIAL HALL

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A T MIDNIGHT on May 10, ISei, the long roll of the drums summoned every Cadet to arms, as the Corps of V. M. I. prepared for what was to be its greatest role in the War Between the States. In the months of the war preceding that ominous, yet glorious date, the Cadet Corps had done its part by training Southern recruits at Camp Lee. Then, early in 64 when Sigel and Banks began Northern operations in the Valley of Virginia, General Francis H. Smith, superintendent at that time, offered the services of the entire Corps of Cadets to General Robert E. Lee. The initial orders to General Smith were to hold himself and his command in readiness. Early in the morning on the 10th, the Cadets prepared for the long march to New Market, where they were to enter under the command of General Breckinridge. Before starting out, the Corps marched to the Lexington Cemetery, where General Stonewall Jackson had been buried; his prophetic words of the year before at Chancellorsville, The Virginia Military Institute will be heard from today, re- doubled their courage. After two days marching, the battalion reached Staunton and by the fourteenth of May were encamped near New Market. The early morning hours of the 15th brought continual rain and deep mud; nevertheless, the Corps began a forced march to Shirley ' s Hill, where it took its battle position in the center of the second line, between the 22d and 62d Virginia Regiments. An attack was launched notwithstanding heavy Federal artillery fire, and the center of the front line was soon disorganized. However, the Cadets plugged the gap and began moving down Shirley ' s Hill, across the ravine and up the opposite slope, con- stantly being ripped by artillery and small arms fire. In spite of heavy casualties the grey line swept onward, past the Burgeman house, and down into the orchard, where Colonel Shipp, the Commandant, fell wounded, leaving the command to Captain Henry A. Wise. As yet, the Cadets had not fired a shot, but at this point they rushed forward to take the place of Colonel Wharton ' s regiment, which had been decimated by Federal artillery fire. With fi. ed bayonets the Cadets charged into the mouths of the roaring cannon, overran Captain Von Kleiser ' s battery, captured the guns, and by reducing the withering enemy artillery fire, made certain the victory of the Con- federate troops that day. Pm-suit of Sigel was halted by General Breckinridge, who rode up to the Cadets, raised his hat, and shouted: Young gentlemen, I have you to thank for the result of today ' s operations. THE IMSTIT TE

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JACKSON STATUE