PMC Alma Mater

Becky Warda was kind enough to share these from her archive:

Here are various iterations of the Alma Mater thanks to Becky Warda.

1933-from The Sabre & Sash
Thy loyal sons, old P.M.C.
     We raise to the our song.
O Alma Mater, fair and free!
     O Mother, kind and strong!

When first we came -- each one a youth,
     With youthful dreams -- to thee,
Thou ledst us in the paths of truth,
     And light and loyalty.
To work, to strive, to fighter -- we vow
     These boons we knew not then;
We came to the as boys, and thou
     Didst mold us into me.
And so we now all praise they name
     And laud thy works and ways.
O may our lives help swell they fame
     Until the end of days!

1949 words & music by Rukard Hurd '78

Now let our voices raise
To Alma Maters praise,
Give a rousing three times three,
Dear old PMC
In the front ranks of life's story
Are thy sons, and to thy glory
All they have bravely fought
As thou has taught.
Chorus:
Hail to thee! Grand honors be,
Salute and peal artillery,
Proud are we,
Thy sons of thee,
Alma Mater PMC.

Adopted 1952-Words by H. Nearing Jr., Music by Charles A. Bartlett III

Beneath the dome of PMC
The men in gray march by
The banners of our loyalty
Held ever bright and high
When weary years have called us forth
On home or foreign sod;
The truth you taught shall hold us fast
To country and to God.

Alma Mater, Alma Mater,
ever shall there be,
One corner of our hearts we keep,
In loyal pledge to thee.

And also a Fight song from the 1920s sung to The Caisson Song ("Over hill, over dale...)

Through the line, around the end, and a line that never bends
As the Gray team goes plunging along
In and out, not a doubt as to what it's all about
As the Gray line goes plunging along.

Then it's Hi, Hi Hee, fight for PMC
Shout out your signals loud and strong
       FIGHT     FIGHT
Where 'ere you go, you will always know
That the Gray team is winning again. (Keep them winning)
That the Gray team is winning again. (FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT)

Through the dust through the fight
Formation left --- formation right
As the Gray team goes plunging along
To the front, never rear and we give a lusty cheer
For the Gray team is winning once more

(At finish of song---Yah Team!)

Good news

 "This book has been nominated for the 2010 Tom Watson Brown Book Award through The Society of Civil War Historians."

The VA Drives Me Nuts!

They want a Social Security number for David Vickers!! Who taught these folks history? 

His records are in Baltimore but they will not give me a phone number or e-mail address to contact them directly.

I have been trying since FEBRUARY to get them to send me his records. 

Man what a mess they are!

Things are Moving VERY slowly.

Well, here we are half way through the year and it is time to take stock.  My research is no where near as far along as last year.  The VA is dragging their feet on getting me his records.  I have talked to them twice now and am still waiting.   The Freemasons in New Jersey are about the same, it seems.  This project lacks primary sources related to Vickers other than State Department records and I really want to keep the focus upon the Civil War.


Time will tell, there are always surprises in historical research. 

Robinett Family Association Gathering 2010

What a wondeful time in Fulton, MO. They were very interested in learning more about Henry C. and his experiences in the war and his untimely death.

A Christopher Wrens design, St Mary Aldermanbury church in the City of London, is first mentioned in 1181 but was destroyed by the Great fire of London in 1666. Rebuilt in Portland stone by Sir Christopher Wren, it was again gutted by the Blitz in 1940, leaving only the walls. In 1966 these stones were transported to Fulton, Missouri, by the residents of that town, and rebuilt in the grounds of Westminster College, Missouri as a memorial to Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill had made his Sinews of Peace, "Iron Curtain" speech in the Westminster College Gymnasium in 1946.

Off to Fulton,MO!

I leave for the Robinett Family gathering in Fulton tomorrow morning.  I will be speaking to them about Henry on Saturday.

Pioneer Cemetery, Boise, Idaho

Sheila Coleman came through BIG time.  I am glad the tradition continues on.

Continuing a Memorial Day Tradition

Again this year I will have flowers placed on the graveside of David Vickers. He is buried in Pioneer Cemetery in Boise, Idaho. Shelia Coleman, of of City Cemeteries & Special Services will take some pictures for me. My guess is his flag has never had a flag on it for Memorial Day let alone his picture and flowers, as he is not in a military cemetery, so this will be a first. Pictures will follow next week.

More About VMI

Saturday, in the rain, we went on a ride to the New Market Battlefield, 'holy ground" for all VMI cadets and alumni for it was here that the "New Market" cadets from VMI made a name for themselves on 14 May, 1864.  Called upon by Confederate General John C Breckinridge, the VMI cadets (over half of whom were "rats" or first year cadets) marched 81 miles to join in the engagement.

A New Market Day ceremony is an annual observance held at VMI in front of the monument "Virginia Mourning Her Dead." The names of all of the cadets in the Corps of 1864 are inscribed on the monument, and six of the ten cadets who died are buried at this site. The ceremony features the roll call of the names of the cadets who lost their lives at New Market, a custom that began in 1887. The name of each cadet who died is called, and a representative from the same company in today's Corps answers, "Died on the Field of Honor, Sir." A 3 volley salute is executed by a cadet honor guard, followed by an echoing, solemn version of Taps played over the parade ground. To culminate this ceremony, the entire Corps passes "Virginia Mourning Her Dead" in review.

Annually, the newly matriculated Rat Mass travels to the battlefield and recreates the charge of the VMI Cadets across the "Field of Lost Shoes." Four days prior to that, a march team consisting of first classmen (seniors) representing all companies and cadet government organizations depart from the VMI and march the 81 miles.

The service of the Corps of Cadets during the 1864 Battle of New Market marks the only time in the nation's history when an entire student body fought as a unit in pitched battle. That service entitles VMI cadets to parade with fixed bayonets.

Quite a moving story.

While there, Colonel Gibson, who conducted the tour told me he remembered a New Market cadet that had a connection to PMC.  We went to the book store and consulted "Virginia Military Institute Cadets at New Market" and found Jonathan Edward Woodbridge. I quote:

Born Jan 16, 1844. When he was a second classmen he was cadet sergeant major, the highest ranking noncommissioned officer in the corps and in that capacity served in the battle of New Market. 

" 'At-ten-tion-n-n! Battalion forward! Guide Center-r-r' shouted Shipp (Lt. Col. Commandant of Cadets) and up the slope we started.  Fromt he left of the line, Sergeant-Major Woodbridge ran out and posted himself forty paces in advance of the colors, as directing guide, as if we had been upon drill-ground.  That boy would have remained there, had not Shipp ordered him back to his post; for this was no dress parade."

Woodbridge later wrote:

On Saturday night, April 1, 1865, the cadets were called from their barracks in Richmond (having been evacuated there) to go on the lines below the city, taking place of Lee's veterans who had been withdrawn to the south side of the river.  As adjutant of the corps, I took out the last order to evacuate the lines below Richmond.  After marching into the city Sunday night to our barracks, we were disbanded and told to take care of ourselves....I with several other cadets started at midnight to make our way to join Genl. Lee. I got up to the army at Appomattox late Saturday evening.  On Sunday morning I learned of the probability of surrender, so went to Lynchburg, thinking a stand might be made there. 

The autumn of 1865 (September) ( went to Chester, Penna., entering the shipbuilding yard of Reany Son & Archbold...covering a period of 20 years.  In a885 I entered the US Government service in a civil capacity.  For forty years I was employed as naval architect and mechanical engineer during which time I was engaged in the construction of many of the largest and finest vessels of the American Merchant Marine, as well as most of the great fighting ships of the United States navy.

On May 23, 1876 I married Louise, only daughter of John O. Deshong, a wealthy and influential citizen of Chester.  In April of 1905 I retired from active work and have devoted my time to my private affairs and travel."

The books ends his entry: :He is not living at 1401 Potter Street."

Check out the pictures.  PMC cadets will remember this house!
http://www.oldchesterpa.com/woodbridge_home.htm

Here are a couple photos of in John:
http://www.oldchesterpa.com/biographies/woodbridge_jonathan_edwards.htm

Small world!

Society For Military History @ VMI

Well, here I am at VMI for the next few days.  I must admit I have a strange feeling here thanks to my very close contact with the Citadel.  I made a point not to bring any Citadel wear as I think that would be rude.

The campus is well done, the parade ground VERY large and nicely kept.  At the moment it is in much better shape that the parade deck at the 'del.  Not sure why as each are used for the whole year for training. 

I had a wonderful chat with the VMI Sergeant Major, Neel.  He is an 82nd Airborne guy and have been here for the last 10 years.  Great guy, great example of what the Army is. 

The conference, for me,  kicked off today with an interesting sessions on Logistics from the last 1700s to the Civil War.  Nicely done.

Then a session in the George C. Marshall Library on the Army in the Pacific during WWII.  It started with an informative overview of Army education in the inter-war years.  Then Pete Mansoor (some of you may know of him) spoke about the 1st Cavalry in the Pacific.  It was one of the premier divisions there.

In the afternoon, I attended a session chaired by Rob Citino  called: "What is Victory?"  All the presenters are from USMA and they provided a comprehensive picture of the difficultly of defining victory in the current war.

I finished my session day with a wonderful discussion of the Southern way of War.  I especially enjoyed Susannah Ural's paper on The Texas Brigade and the Lost Cause.

I also went to the VMI museum and the Washington & Lee chapel where Lee and all teh distinguished members of his family are buried, including Traveller!

I will be posting pictures on Facebook when I get back.  As an aside, I HATE typing on a lap top so apologies for the shorten comments.

Tomorrow it is off to the New Market battlefield where cadets from VMI played fought and died and played a pivotal role.,