The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-21
Especial 10 The Times. Dispa.eh.l

HerOeg-StOneWnll JdchSoh . ''|''V'' 49,
Virginia Military Institute. All these
rnrn,. IA mind as start to write some
thing of this great institution at Lexlhs-
ton the bride OF Virginia and the prop
erty OF the entire South Indeed II is
more or less OF national institution is
thie military academy OF Virginia. LOT al
the present time there are nearly one
hundred officers OF the army OF The
United States who obtained their COM
missions though being graduates Of the
Institute 1t was Stonewall jackson VINO
first brought It before the yes OF the
world, but on many bloody field since
then these institute boys nave written
their names with those inscribed highest
on the roll Of fame. and their lives as
soldiers and as men have made the old
school American property.
Its walls bear the marks OF shot from
an invading army. but not more plainly
is its history inscribed there than IN the
annals OF Virginia and the states OF inc
South generally.
The Institute Is not an old school as the
ago OF schools Is counted. The sole sur
viving member OF the first graduating
class died but very few years ago. Its
walls have been battered by cannon but
they are not lloary with age.
But with tho exception OF the United
states Military Academy at West Point
1t has a history that Is more intimately
associated with the military history of
the country than that OF any other
school. It's history is unique In American
annals In that Its entire corps Of under.
graduates once took part In battle and
achieved n victory whose glory VIII last
so long az the history of the greatest
war OF modern times shall be recounted.
New Market! Though forty years have
passed since that day in May when those
boys. fighting under the blue and white
flag OF Virginia won dcathless fame for
their alma mater, the name still has
power to thrill and quicken the blood
In the veins OF the gallant men. who.
whether wearing the gray or tho blue
that day. marveled how bravely those
youths could die. And to every institute
man the memory OF New Market has
been a help to high purpose and noble life.
SIXTY YEARS OF AGE.
1t was In 1899 that the Virginia Mill
tary Institute was organized as a State
military and scientific school. West
Point was taken as the model for the
organization OF the institution. and has
been adhered TO to the present. Cen
eral Francis II. Smith was the father OF
the Institute. he WAS It's first superfn-
tendent, and II has never had but two.
Almost from the very first the instltu-
ton prospered. The students were In
large measure attracted by the military
features OF the school. but 1t was not
very long before the Institute began to
draw pupils from all over Virginia and
from other States. because OF the excel
lence OF the mental and moral training
received. When the Mexican war ended
1t had. rs 1t has to-day, reputation
second to that Of no military school in
tho country save West Point.
It was just at this time that Thomas
Jonathan Jackson. tired OF the army.
and looking about for an institution in
which his military training would make
him more to be desired as n teacher, APP
piled for n professorship at the Virginia
Military Institute and was elected. When
the war broke out General Jackson left
the school, OF course. but General Smith
redoubled his efforts to educate the
young men OF the State to the profess
sion OF war. Trained officers were In
as great demand as men to bear mus
kets. In 1861 large number OF Institute
men went to the front. and the list OF
alumni who distinguished themselves as
officers Of the Confederacy is long one.
Boys from all over the South. too young
to enter the army, came to Lexington
10 take the course at the Institute. and
thus be equipped for military service SO
coon as they We're old enough to bear
commission.
THE snWTH'S WAR SCHOOL
Every year during the war large NUM-
hers Of Of s5 men wsnt a he n Sey
to graduate in those, days, Just about
the time he would determine to settle
',at n ana Glorious Victory would come con e.
In the dellrum OF, patriotic Joy. and,
driven, on, by desire to participate In
being fought down in lower Virginia,
many youth had thrown up his commits
sion. and, bidding the Institute goodbye.
gray dawn and started to join Lee. Many
fell facing their country's enemies; there
their people eSpressons y Of eGuTe tH
for their patriotism and courage
Ina little more than month after the
Institute was burned by General Hunter.
the Federal commander, who came up
the Valley In an ATTEMPT to reach Lynch
destruction was complete All the houses
of the professors We're burned. but the
residence Of Gen Smith was spared, be.
been fatal t Was o. this raid that Gem Gem
shor iha ose from Ss nor
Of the 10 eY1n from om the bad
Ing SO much as q change of clothing
General Mccausland. graduate Of the
Institute. commanded tho four or five
regiments Tla enhs., opposing Hunters !, adyanGe.
small, but taking advantage of the rugged
character of the country, and aided by
The people fSa who
land hampered and delayed Hunters
movements in manner which must have
been most eXasperating to the Northern
commander,
The news of the advance of General
Hunter up the Shenandoah Valley great
ly excited the cadets. who hoped for ans
other chance to meet the enemy In bat
tie but Hunter came or. SO rapidly, and
McG,aui!sand,,s greatly inferior force was
was plain It. would require more rein-
forcements than the cadet battalion to
enable him to cope with his adversary.
THE CADETS WE'RE READY,
When 1t became known at the In
stitute that General McCauland, rdtlr-
Ing In front of the enemy, had reached
Midway. only twelve miles down the
Valley, Colonel shpp. the commandant.
disposed his men SO as to render the
most effective aid The battalion had
been under arms all night. A party of
sappers was sent down to the bridge
across the river. half q mile away, and
loaded 1t with bales of hay, saturated
with turpen1tine, so sS to have It ready
exchanged when General McCausland's
forces arrived at the bride, but the
little army got across In safety. and the
y . .