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.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Thomas Wiley Branch, class of 1859

He enlisted in the 12th VA Infantry, Co. C on April 19, 1861 as a corporal, and was promoted to 2nd lieutenant on May 20, 1862. He was taken prisoner on May 2, 1863 at Chancellorsville and imprisoned at Old Capitol Prison, Washington, D.C. on May 15, 1863. Branch was discharged January 15, 1864. After the war, he was a Life Insurance Agent in Asheville, NC.