The Men of Randolph-Macon College and the Civil War

In 1861, talk of secession transformed into armed conflict. Many of the men educated at Randolph-Macon College in the preceding 29 years immediately responded to the calls of their state militias to serve, while others later enlisted or were conscripted into the Confederate or Union armies. Others served in public office, or were ultimately drawn into the conflict in the last days in reserve units in local defense. These are their stories.

Friday, September 16, 2011

James Clayton Reed, student 1859-1861

JAMES CLAYTON REED, son of a Methodist minister and older brother of Walter Reed of yellow fever and military hospital fame, attended R-MC from 1859-1861, dropping out to enlist in the Bedford Light Artillery. His memoir, Some of the Experiences of James C. Reed : As a Soldier in the Army of the Confederate States, is available in the College Archives. In it, Reed candidly recounts losing his hand in battle. While walking home for recuperation after leaving the military hospital, he heard a buzzing sound behind him. The sound was a swarm of flies pursuing his bleeding handless arm. Reed’s wound healed, and he returned to active duty with one hand. An excerpt from his memoir describing this incident was published in the August, 2000 issue of Civil War Times Illustrated ("On my way rejoicing,"vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 22+). He was present at his company's surrender at Appomattox.