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.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Robert Watkins Bailey, student 1858-1861

ROBERT WATKINS BAILEY died while serving as 2^nd Lieutenant in the 44^th Virginia Infantry, Company H. He had enlisted in June 1861 as a private and was promoted in May 1862. Bailey had survived a wound on May 3, 1863 at Chancellorsville only to die July 3, 1863 from a wound received on July 2, 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. A native of Amelia County, his remains were reburied in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery after the end of the war.

A chair that belonged to Bailey while he was a student at R-MC from 1858-1861 is held in the College Archives.