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, March 21, 2012

William Samuel Francis, student 1850-1851

Francis enlisted as a private in Co. H of the 5th VA Cavalry on February 28, 1862. He was transferred on May 24, 1862 to "Confederate Defenders Captain Mason," Company G of the 61st VA Infantry, although he doesn't appear again in service records.

According to the R-MC Catalog of 1848, Francis attended the college's Preparatory Department located at Garysburg, NC, one of several preparatory schools in both Virginia and North Carolina affiliated with R-MC prior to the Civil War.

He was a farmer in Southampton, VA before and after the war. Francis died February 21, 1913 and is buried in Persons United Methodist Church Cemetery, Drewryville, Southampton County, VA.

1 comment:

Anonymous4/05/2012
He left Southampton Co, Va. later in the 1870's and was part owner of Francis and Brother in Norfolk,Va. He did not return to Southampton Co.,Va. until 1900.
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