Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Speech by an unknown student, WLU Coll. 0455, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA

In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections' staff to verify the appropriate format.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This document was given to President Francis Gaines and transferred to B. P. McCrum by Gaines' secretary.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a hand written patriotic speech entitled 'On the Military Condition of College' given by an unknown Washington College (Va.) student in the college chapel in February 1861. The orator uses Washington College's three significant historical themes linking it to the American Revolution: the schools George Washington connection, its support by the Society of the Cincinnati, and the raising of the academy's military company, the "Liberty Hall Volunteers," against British officer Banastre Tarleton's threat to western Va. The orator's intent was to inspire patriotism and readiness in response to the 1860/61 political climate in the region, specifically the regional response to the election of President Abraham Lincoln and the subsequent secession of six Southern states.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• College Students
• Manuscripts
• Recruiting and enlistment
• Speeches, addresses, etc., American