West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-06-08
VIRGIN|A'S MILITARY PRIDE.
The Son Of a Federal Soldier at The
Virginia Military Institute.

'NhNuShN w NhC private AonlSu-
crate soldier was the soiourn here
for several days of the Virginia
Military Institute Cadets. They
not only won the admiration OF all
by their soldierly bearing, but so.
cially made fine impression.
Many were quartered at the homes
of hospitable citizens, and they en-
joYed the distinction and pleasure
as only boys can who for months
have been closely cooped up at
school on mess hall fare.
Four cadets were quartered at an
elegant house on East Marshall
street, and they were charmed both
by their generous treatment and the
superb matronly beauty of their
gracious hostess. and talked to her
unreservedly of school life.
Among other things discussed
was the battle OF New Market, than
which no more inspiring or famous
conflict was ever waged during the
four years of war.
This battle, in which the Virginia
Military Cadets took such an inn
porant part, winning the admiration
of the two armies, was witnessed
with interest by Federal soldier
IN the ranks of the Pennsylvania
troops. He was witness to the de-
structive work on that day done by
the six guns of the Federal battery
that was firing on Breckinridge's
troops.
The Cadets and the Sixty-second
Virginia Regiment were ordered to
silence that battery fire by the cap
ture OF the battery.
A deep, rocky gulch divided them
from the guns. 1t was grown up
with cedars, thorns and briers and
filled with logs and stumps.
They charged across this difficult
obstruction with the Slxty-second
Regiment, but being more active
than the old veterans they got ahead
OF them, and with a double quick
they charged the guns which were
then turned upon the white -belted,
unwavering line of youth who es-
sayed so surprising feat.
Though greas gaps were quickly
closed NJ, and with the same con-
fdence as if on dress parade they
double-quicked with unbroken ranks
up the hill 10 the mouth of the guns,
overpowered the cannoneers and
captured the battery.
A wild yell went up when Cadet
mounted caisson and waved the
flag of Virginia in triumph over it.
The battery was taken, but at a
fearful loss. Neither the Cadets nor
the Sixty-second had suffered much
during the day until that terrible
charge. Then the ground was
strewn with the dead and wounded.
The Cadets lost eight killed and
forty-six wounded out Of the zz5
who formed the corps.
The Federal soldier saw the sup
erb charge of these boys, few of
whom were as much as sixteen years
OF age. He watched their brave
young faces as they detcrminedly
looked upward at the belching guns,
and saw with wonder a battery as.
saulled in perfect line Of battle.
Full Of admiration for an insutu-
ton which made such heroes out Of
mere children, he then said II he
ever had boy he should become a
Virginia Military Institute Cadet.
The fortunes Of war over. the
Federal soldier returned home to
domestic pursuits, and / n time
raised a family A son was born to
him and grew to youthful yigor.
The soldier remembered the scene
at New Market, and wishing his son
to be OF the same stuff exhibited on
that memorable day, he sent him
to the Virginia Military Institute,
and he marched as steadily and as
proudly in the unveiling parade on
May 50 last as any Southern boy.
lie was one Of the four mentioned
who we're quartered so happily on
Marshall street, and the Incident re-
lated was told by the Cadet in ans
wer TO the questions Of his hos.
pitable hostess.
The above from an old copy Of
the Richmond Times is republished
here by request, and gives an ac.
curate account Of one Of the most
heroic charges ever recorded in the
annals Of war.
q few years ago monument was
erected on the parade ground at
the Virginia Military Institute in
honor Of the boy soldiers who fell
in the battle. ltrepresea,s Virginia