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.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Robert M. Hite, student 1858-1861

Robert M. Hite was a student when he and his younger brother, William O. Hite, enlisted in Boydton, VA on May 14, 1861 as privates in Company A of the 3^rd Virginia Cavalry. He was promoted to sergeant in July 1863 and to 2^nd lieutenant in December 1864. He was apparently pretty lucky – he had two horses killed, one at Sharpsburg, MD (Antietam) on Sept. 17, 1862 and the other in Jan. 1865. There are no indications he was wounded and he did survive the war.