The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-19

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1t was In the spring OF 1861. when
the war cloud was looming up on the
political horizon. The deep mutter-
ings Of the coming storm could be
heard in the distance, and the wiser
and moro prudent looked anXiously
into. tho future. In Lexington. Va.
political feeling ran very high.
strong Union sentiment prevailed In
the town, especially among the me-
chanics and tradesmen.
On the other hand. the students Of
Washington College and the cadets OF
The Virginia Military Institute were
almost unanimous I'm their sympathy
with the seceded States. The corps Of
the institution was a splendid body OF
young men. representing the chivairy
Of the Old Dominion and the best blood
from many Southern States There
congeniality between them and
the majority Of the Union party of the
town. some OF the latter of the more
plebeian order, az opportunity was
presented, would deride and jeer tho
cadets for their "rebcllious" principles.
OF course. there were bitter retorts,
and the feeling arose TO such "A pitch
that only spark was wanting for the
explosion
CADETS ARE RLAMED
FOR SPOILING POLE
lot OF CnlOnlStS IN inc town de-
cidcd to show loyalty TO the old flag
by unfurling ii from the top OF a
lofty pole, TO be raised IN front of
the courthouse. Late one evening this
pole was brought in. dressed, and left
lying In the street ready Tor the rails
ing on the morrow. That night some
wicked person, by boring holes, made
1T useless for the jubilee. never
heard who did the mischief. hut they
blamed the cadets and indignation
r-as =, tho boiling point Some OF
them swore vengeance against the
boys OF stripes and buttons.
On tho Saturday following. a small
party OF cadets, being uptown. were
assaulted In a store by much larger
number Of town tough. The cadets got
the worst OF The skirmish. and beat a
hnsty retreat 10 the barracks. where
they related tho treatment which had
been accorded them uptown. II wa.
the spark, and the pent-up fires burst
forth.
The long roll was beaten and The
cry was: Get your guns! Well storm
the town. Some of the professors.
hearing the confusion. appeared on the
scene, but they could no; restrain the
maddcned crowd Some. in their Inn
Detuosity. started At once for the town
with guns and ammunition in squad or
struggling. as each one got ready. Cen
eral McCausiand. then a professor.
mined 10 go. TO organize first and go
with some system. This advice re-
suited In hating the advance squads
at the old tavern at the foot of Main
Street. about half "A mile from the in
stitutc. In the wagon-yard they
awaited the arrival OF the others. who
soon poured in AS turbd stream.
About o'clock In the afternoon
on looking out of my room In the col
lege nearby. saw the CLEAN OF bay
onets Rushing down to the tavern
found the cadets In IL wild state OF
excitement. Major Gillian. the com
mandant, told them TO form their com
panies which they at once began to
do. IL was the work OF only few
minutes for those well-drilled soldiers
10 organize Their sole intention
seemed TO be to storm the town: they
held II as responsible for the wrong
which had been done them. Uptown.
all WAS excitement. as the report had
spread that the cadets We're coming on
u inssion OF vengeance. The Union
party was arming Itself TO give the
attacking party warm reception
knowing they had the advantage in
firing upon the unprotected lines from
doors and windows. Excitement ran
high, and many almost held their
breath in view Of what might soon
be. II was II critical point. both in the
history of the town and Of the insti-
tute.
Dom III the yard. AT the foot Of
he nil, everything was about ready
for the forward movement. The COM
panics had their officers, their car
fridge boxes were fun. and they were
All waiting for the order to march.
AZ this instant tan. military look :
Ing RAN came rushing up, and. as
cending thu stile. stood with arms
folded. and for n moment survey ed
the scene before him. 1t was Colonel
fTancis Smith, the superintendent.
who it seemed, had just heard OF the
trouble and had arrived at the crisis
of the affair.
The moral grandeur OF that scene
surpassed anything of the kind / have
ever witnessed. There hc stood calmly
looking down into the flashing eyes
and upon the glitterIng bayonets
ready to DC bathcd in the blood OF
Lexlngton's citizens. In those ranks
were young men whom he knew would
DC slain IN the streets If they went
forward. Stretching out his hand over
Inc battalion, the buzzing gradually
subsidized, and there was silence Then
said he: Young gentlemen, know
you nave received great wrong, and
you have my sympathy. But this is
not the way to right the matter. /
appeal to your reason and better ma
lures. Follow me. and | will see that
you get redress" Then stepping
down from the stile. he started to-
wards inc institute. There was n dead
silence for moment, but moral in
fuence had triumphed, and the crisis
was over. One and another began to
say, Lets so back" and OH a sud :
den, as If by magic, the companies
broke and all followed their esteemed
instructor.
II showed the splendid discipline OF
the school. and that only one born TO
rule. In one minute could transform a
whole corps OF cadets from almost
madmen back to order and obedience.
There is no record OF such a scene
and a moral triumph as this. On arr
irving at tho institute, Colonel Smith
took them into ono OF the halls. gave
them good advice, and showed Then,
their rashness and how near 1t had
LED 10 tragedy, written I'm their own
blood. Some OF the professors made
speeches, and the prospect or war was
touched upon. 1t was there that
Stonewali Jackson made the famous