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 5, 2011

William Gabriel Starr, class of 1859; R-MC President 1899-1902

Starr enlisted as chaplain in the 47th Alabama Infantry on March 18, 1863. He was promoted to Captain, and then discharged for disability in 1864 at Petersburg. He was a Methodist minister and educator, serving as President of Marengo Military Institute in Alabama at the beginning of the war. He was awarded an AM degree by R-MC in 1862, and became the 9th President of Randolph-Macon College, serving from 1899-1902. He is buried in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery.