proceeding by rail to Richmond, in obedience to a call from the Secretary of War. Returning, the corps marched into Staunton on the 21 st, took the cars on the 22d, reached Richmond on the 23d, were stationed at Camp Lee until the 28th, were then ordered to report to Major-General Rancon, ordered by him to encamp on the intermediate line. On the 28th left Camp Lee, took up camp in Carter's farm, on intermediate line, midway between Brook and Meadow Bridge Roads, continued in this camp until June 6th. On the 6th received orders to return to Lexington, reached Lexington the 9th, Yankees approached on the 10th, drove us out on the nth, we fell back, taking the Lynchburg Road, marched to mouth of the North River, and went into camp. Next day (Sunday, the 11th) remained in camp until 1 P. M., scouts reported enemy advancing, fell back two miles and took a position at a strong pass in the mountains to await the enemy. No enemy came. We were then ordered to Lynchburg, went there, ordered to report to General Vaughan, ordered back to Lexington, reached Lexington on the 25th. Corps furloughed on June 27th.
I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Commandant.
Major-General F. H. Smith.
Superintendent."
But, it may be asked, indeed it has been asked, how came it that these boys, whose parents had placed them at this school for instruction and protection, were taken from it and placed in positions of danger and made to perform the duties of enlisted men in the field? By what authority were they placed in the military service of the Confederate States? The answer to these questions has been already indicated in the statement of the objects of the Federal commander and the dispositon of forces made to effect those objects. That entire region of country was then threatened by the two converging armies of the enemy. In a few weeks later that region was occupied and the Institute itself was burned to the ground. The following extracts from the official
