The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-03
0 Million Boys on Battle Line i'm Civil War

tlonaI Institution TO the God OF War In
what Is becoming known In history as
the battle OF the boys"-the famous
battle of Now Market. where the
sohoolboy cadets of from thirteen to
seventeen years OF age from the vir-
Sinla Military Institute, Mt Lexington,
took the brunt OF the battle in their
famous charge on the roaring guns OF
the Federal artillery.
The student body of this famous
Southern military academy volunteered
to check tho advance of tho Federal
army in the Valley of Virginia. They
were mere lads-Hchoolboys-bu they
gave such spectacle of military
science and courage that tho whole
world now pays them homage.
On the crest Of hill stood a bat
terry OF six guns which was pouring
Its missiles in constant stream into
the Confederate ranks The youths
stood In perfect alignment. The order
TO charge came. and the boys moved
forward like veterans. From behind
echoed the martial strains of a band
AS they halted the front line dropped
to It's knees. Both front and rear rank
poured volley into the blue ranks.
Forward. double time" cried their
leader. Ehe troops dashed forward In
TO the maelstrom of shells and bull
lets. But they did not falter The
ranks closed up and charged again. Is
1t any wonder that General Breckia-
ridge. watching the boyH, his Dyes
shining wits pride, cried out: "Glori-
ous Grand!"
Backgrounds Was strewn with
Bodies OF Boys,
On, up the hill, rushed the lads. I'M
til thoy pierced the line. The artiI-
lerymen were in rout The guns were
theirs. and the day was saved But
the cost! The ground was strewn with
the lifeless bodies OF boys. A fifth OF
the corps had fallen in one OF the most
Inspiring military charges In history.
Captain Town. OF the Federal Sig
nal Corps. who was present at the
battle, says: "As a military spectacle
1t was most beautiful; and as n deed
of war 1t was most grand. I do not
believe that the history OF wars con-
tains record of deed more
chiValrous, moro heroic. more daring
Monument Erected In Honor OF Mar.
tyred Cadets.
To-day a monument stands in their
honor on the historic campus of their
alma mater, known as the West Point
few weeks ago gray-haIred survivors
OF the famous charge clasped hands
on this semi-centennial and bowed
their heads in reverent memory OF
| their dead comrades. 1t la In their
memory that an American poet dedicat-
ed these lines:
This was tho boys' first battle! They
burned to strike the foel
Their hearts are wild for glory. and
with shout they go,
Three hundred school-boy soldiers.
three hundred hero elves.
And some whose gleem!ng rifles are
taller than themselves!
But still the cannon Numbered: deaf tn
blazed into their eyes;
But still the gray battalion swept on
ward toward It's price;
On! through the flaming battle! up
ward until, at last,
In 'mong the blazing cannon, the
cleaning bayonets passed
In vain the swarming Mortimer fought
against the boys attack;
No foeman's arm could stop them
death could not hold them back.
The boys stood wildly shouting around
each captured gun,
And Siegals line was broken! the
battery wonl"
University Students wero Courngeo
Fighters,
Equal to the valor OF these boys
was that OF the famous Liberty Hall
Volunteers" which was composed of
the students OF historic old Washington
College. now Washington and Lee Uni
versity. which stands In the hills near
the military institute. This organiza-
ton OF boys volunteered for service
early in the war and gallantly served
throughout tho four years. Professor
White gathered the students about him,
and when the secession OF Virginia was
announced led his boys to war, naming
his company The Liberty Hall Volun-
teers.' name that had been borne
by Just such company Of students
that marched behind George Washing
ton In the Revolutionary War
At the battle OF Bethel, June 10,
1861. tn, artillery halted an advance
OF the Federals and drove them from
the field. After the battle a Federal
officer advanced under q flag of truce.
The artillery fire had amazed the
Northerners. and the officer was curl
GUS to know who they were.
What artillery was that that did
such splendid fring?" asked the officer.
Only a parcel of school boys with