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.

Monday, September 26, 2011

James Lee Gillespie, class of 1844 (A.B.) and 1861 (A.M.)

JAMES LEE GILLESPIE, awarded an A.B. in 1844 and an A.M. in 1861, served as surgeon with the rank of major in the 1^st West Virginia Infantry and the 14^th West Virginia Infantry. He remained in the Union Army until March, 1864, when he resigned for health reasons. At this time, he is the only R-MC alumnus known to have served in the Union Army.