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, October 29, 2011

Joseph D. Arnold, Class of 1860

Joseph David Arnold, one of 3 sons of Methodist minister Hartwell Arnold to attend Randolph-Macon College (see Benjamin W. and Peterson H. Arnold), was a teacher when he joined his brother in enlisting in Company G of the 14th Virginia Infantry on May 9, 1861. Arnold was wounded at Malvern Hill, VA on June 1, 1862 and his right arm was amputated. He was discharged on April 23, 1864. He became a Methodist minister after the war and died in 1920 in Waynesville, NC. he is buried in Walnut Grove Union Church Cemetary in Bedford, County, VA.