“Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John” The Cadet Battery was cast in 1848 specifically for VMI. The four six-pounder cannon were manufactured to be 300 pounds lighter than their service counterparts to enable artillery training by the young VMI Cadets, and were painted red to further distinguish them from standard pieces. Artillery instruction at VMI prior to the War of Northern Aggression was taught by, among others, Major Thomas J. Jackson. Between 1851 and 1861, Jackson instructed over 400 cadets in artillery tactics; those cadets would become the officer corps for the artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia. The Cadet Battery saw action in during the War of Northern Aggression; they were on the field with Jackson at First Manassas where he was forever immortalized as Stonewall. The guns were used in battle by the Rockbridge Artillery, first commanded by Captain William Pendleton, who would later command the Artillery Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. Pendleton, an Episcopal Priest, is credited with naming the four six-pounders Matthew, Mark, Luke and John because they spoke a strong gospel. (Excerpt from VMI) “Manassas” By Catherine Warfield (1816–1877) (The Confederates under Beauregard defeated the Federals under McDowell on July 21, 1861.) THEY have met at last as storm clouds Meet in heaven, And the Northmen back and bleeding Have been driven; And their thunders have been stilled, And their leaders crushed or killed, And their ranks with terror thrilled, Rent and riven! Like the leaves of Vallambrosa They are lying; In the moonlight, in the midnight, Dead and dying; Like those leaves before the gale, Swept their legions, wild and pale; While the host that made them quail Stood, defying. When aloft in morning sunlight Flags were flaunted, And “swift vengeance on the rebel” Proudly vaunted: Little did they think that night Should close upon their shameful flight, And rebels, victors in the fight, Stand undaunted. But peace to those who perished In our passes! Light be the earth above them; Green the grasses! Long shall Northmen rue the day When they met our stern array, And shrunk from battle’s wild affray At Manassas.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 11:40:03 +0000
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