Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-05-31
WHEN BRAVE BOYS WENT TO
BATTLE.

10 aid IN opposing an invading IoICe
overwhelming in numbers and Injured to
war And responding to the training and
discipline oil this school, in the capture
OF Won KIeiser's battery at New Market,
Virginia, the corps Of cadets enrolled
themseIvesamongthe heroes the world.
Captain Franklin E. Town, late Captain
OF the Signal Corps, United States Army,
in his official capacity All eyewitness OF
this incident, writing TO an old cadet OF
the Virginia Military Institute, says OF it ::
GAS military spectacle it was most
beautiful; as deed OF war it was most
grand. do OF believe the history OF
war contains record OF deed more chiv-
alrous, more daring, or more honorable
than the charge of those boys TO vic
tory OF which veterans might we'll be
proud"
With the tide OF battle beating almost
up 10 their Institute doors, as with one
heart this youthful corps had long chafed
at the restraints OF daily drill and dress
parade and fruitless maneuver, and yearn-
ed for the crash and roar OF genuine COM
bat Many with the consent Of parents
or guardians were reSigning, others open
ly courted dismissal, and some had even
stolen away in the night to take their
places with the army. Among those who
remained, the conviction was strong that
being well disciplined and equipped, du-
ty and patriotism alike required them TO
| Join their comrades in the field.
In March OF ga meeting OF the
corps passed resolutions Offering its ser
vices to Lee. His response was 10 the
effect thgt they were rendering valuable
assistance where they were, but if neceS-
sary he would call them into action.
THE FIRST TASTE OF WAR.
AT the very beginning OF the war, in
1861, the Institute had lent her magnifi-
cent corps Of cadets TO serve under Jack
son as drill-maSterS to the raw and uH-
disciplined volunteers gathered at Rich
mond. After three months Of arduouS
labor this corps was dlsbanded. and al
most every member OF it enlisted in the
army.
But the necessity becoming apparent
OF preparing efficient officers to take the
place OF those wounded or slain in battle
by order OF the Governor OF Virginia the
Institute was reopened in January, 1862,
Hence none of the boy soldiers engaged
at New Market had been in training for a
period much exceeding two years, while
the youthful members of the rat" class
had donned the uniform only few months
before the charge.
True, from time to time, select bodies
drawn from their ranks had responded TO
calls for service, and had been given
practical experience OF march and bivouac
in the field. Some of them had had their
baptism Of fire at Mcdowell, following
StonewaIl Jackson 10 Franklin in pursuit
OF the discounted generals Schenck and
MiIroy. And just one year before their
testing the corps OF cadets, eight COM
panies, under their commandant, Major
Scott Shipp, had been deputed as an es-
cort 10 receive and bury with military
honors the body OF their hero.
Borne on the shoulders OF eight OF their
number, Jackson was reverently laid in the
classroom, where in times of peace he
had honorably filled the chair OF Natural
and Experimental Philosophy at the In
stitute. His lips. though forever stilled,
perhaps never spoke so eloquently. And
mindful OF the message, when the call
came 10 60 TO the relief Of the Shenan-
doah Valley, the scene OF Jackson'S most
brilliant achievements, the lads were
ready 10 quit themselves like men.
The summons was coincldent with the
starving policy determined upon by Grant
in the Spring of "a as the quickest and
most effective way OF putting an end to
the war. The Federal forces, estimated
at from eight to ten thousand, under Cen
eral Franz Sigel, were SWarming up the
Shenandoah Valley, bent on campaign
OF devastation. Lee, with his already
decimated army facing Grant in the Will
derness, could spare no troops to oppose
the advance.
But the rich stores in the fertile valley
upon which he relied for the sustenance
OF his veterans must be protected Cen
era! John c. Breckenridge. superb and
gallant figure, whose presence alone was
sufficient TO arouse youthful enthusiasm,
was called from the defense OF the Salt
Works in southeastern Virginia, and in
structed TO assemble all available forces
at Staunton. The order went forth that
the cadets should join him there at the
earliest possible moment.
THE LONG ROLL.
May the tenth being the anniversary OF
the death OF Jackson, all academic duty
was suspended at the Institute that the
day might be fttingly observed. The
battalion marched 10 the cemetery and
with proper ceremonies unfurled over
the grave Confederate banner, the gift
OF an English admirer. Some OF the lads
never resumed their tasks. For at mid
night on the silence came the beating OF
drums. II was the long roll. The Ca
dets turned listlessly out of bed. Such
calls had not been infrequent.
"A little old fire." some OF them grum-
bled. "Or, maybe. another absentee
B'lieve Lees forgotten us. Don't reckon
he'll ever give US chance"
But as the companies were marched
together on the college campus curious
eYciteuent tool, pOsceccion ~ them