Francis H. Smith

“ War! Civil War! in all its intensest fury was begun. The Virginia Military Institute was now called upon to fulfill the mission for which it had been so earnestly preparing. The cadets were organized as drill masters for the infantry troops as they arrived at Camp Lee. A detachment was sent to Harper’s Ferry for a like purpose, and a detail was made to drill the batteries of artillery as they were organized by Gen. John B. Magruder at the Richmond College grounds. The duty imposed upon the cadets was severe, but it was necessary, and it was well and most effectively done ”

“ On the staff of Colonel Smith were Dr. E. L. Graham, Surgeon, and Capt J. T. Gibbs, Commissary.
After the execution of John Brown, the cadets were ordered to return home by way of Richmond, and whle in Richmond executed an artillery drill on the Capitol Square, under the command of Maj. T. J. Jackson. The cadets reached the Institute safely on the 10th of December, 1859.
The lawless invasion of John Brown admonished the people of the State of the duty of preparation for war, and a law was passed by the General Assembly in 1860 appropriating $500,000 for the armament of the State. ”

“ Some passed away even under the pressure of intense bodily agony, in sustained mental triumph, and many met death with the calm confidence of martyrs. Thank God that in these printed pages their precious example will speak to the youth of our country, that country for which they poured out their young lifeblood like water, and thus from their early graves will come back the voice of solemn and pathetic warning and appeal. ”

“ The discipline was strict. All cadets who were deficient in their studies, or neglectful of duty, were promptly discharged, and, if eighteen years of age, were ordered to report for duty in the Army; and under this rule, some seventy cadets were discharged, by reason of deficiency at one of the regular examinations. It was indeed the wish and purpose of the cadets to go into the Army, and their neglect in studies was due, in a great measure, to this cause.
Still, under the orders of the Governor, the cadets were kept at all times ready for active service in defense of the Institute. ”

“ Fully appreciating your patriotic feelings, and those of the young gentlemen you command,
I am, General, Your obedient servant, John C. Breckinridge.
Staunton, May 10, 1864.
Gen. F. H. Smith, Commandant of Cadets, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va. Sigel is — moving up the Valley — was at Strasburg last night. I can not tell yet whether this is his destination. I would be glad to have your assistance at once, with the cadets, and the section of artillery. Bring all the forage and rations you can. ”

“ Yesterday Colonel Williamson was reconnoitering this pass, but will soon be in the Valley.
I am much obliged to you for bringing the artillery. It is very desirable to arouse the people, and induce as many as possible to come forward and meet this special emergency, and with such arms as they may have.
It is very important to keep our movements concealed from the enemy, and to this end our people should say nothing about our army.
Ashby has a large cavalry force, which is mainly designed at present to cover my present march to Staunton. ”

“ But, greater still — God’s Holy Law and righteous Providence was vindicated, ‘Thou shalt not kill’ — ‘Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.’ And here the gray-haired man of violence meets his fate, after he has seen his two sons cut down before him, in the same career of violence into which he had introduced them. ”

“ General — Please march the cadets at once to Staunton, if you feel authorized to cooperate in an important movement which I will explain to you when we meet. As many of the cadets’ parents may have sent their sons to the Institute for the purpose of keeping them out of the field at present, I can provide for all such cases, and even for the entire corps, if necessary, by assigning to them the care of the provisions, and the baggage train; and thus let volunteers go into battle who would be otherwise kept out. ”

“ Under these orders, the battalion of cadets was sent to the support of Lieut.-Gen. T. J. Jackson at the Battle of McDowell, and was used in the pursuit of the enemy as far as Franklin. The battalion was again sent to Covington to support Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, while protecting our border counties against a raid of General Averill. Again, when General Breckinridge was severely pressed by the army of General Sigel, in the Valley of Virginia, the cadets joined him in Staunton in May, 1864, and contributed materially to the defeat of Sigel at the Battle of New Market, May 15, 1864. ”

“ General — Your letter of this date, stating the embarrassment in which you are placed in cooperating with me in defense of this portion of the Valley, and requesting to be informed in what way, and to what extent, I propose to use the corps of cadets, has been received. In reply I would state, that should you, notwithstanding the action of the Board of Visitors and of the Governor, feel at liberty to continue your cooperation, the corps of cadets will form a part of the reserve, and that its duties will perhaps be of an unusually active character, and may continue for five or seven days. ”

“ I am gratified to learn that a battalion of cadets 250 strong, with a section of artillery, will be ready to move on a moment’s notice. This force will be very effective in assisting to repel or capture destructive raiding parties. ”

“ Other companies were distributed over the field, amounting in all to about 800 men. The military force was about 1,500.
“The whole enclosure was lined by cavalry troop posted as sentinels, with their officers — one on a peerless black horse, and another on a remarkable looking white horse, continually dashing round the enclosure. Outside this enclosure were other companies acting as rangers and scouts. The jail was guarded by several companies of infantry, and pieces of artillery were put in position for its defense. ”

“ F. H. Smith, commissioners, and they were instructed to proceed without delay to the execution of the duty assigned to them. Colonel Cocke was chosen as chairman, and it was determined to visit at once the various arsenals of the United States. Upon the invitation of the commission, Governor Letcher accompanied them on this important tour. The commission visited Springfield, the West Point Foundry, and Harper’s Ferry. While at West Point, a kind invitation was extended to them, by my old Army friend, Capt. ”

“ The responsibility of calling out the force rests with him. It only remained for those under his orders to dispose the force in the best manner. That this was done is unquestionable, and, whatever credit is due for it, may fairly be claimed by those who accomplished it.”
The cadet command at the execution of John Brown consisted of sixty-four cadets serving as infantry, under command of Maj. Willam Gilham, assisted by Lieutenants John McCausland, Hays, Otey, and Scott Shipp; and two howitzers, under the command of Maj. ”