VMI Cadet Question

[rbortega]

Does anybody of there being any record of a Virginia Military Institute cadet choosing to stay loyal to the Union during the Civil War?

 

[Bruce Vail]

How many VMI Alumni fought in the Civil War?
The latest research indicates that of the approximately 1,930 alumni who were living at the beginning of the Civil War, 1,827 served in some capacity (94.7%). Of those, 240 died (171 killed or mortally wounded in action, the rest from disease or other causes while in service). Approximately 19 fought for the Union - see this article Civil War Alumni in Union forces.

from https://www.vmi.edu/archives/manuscripts/new-market--vmi-in-the-civil-war/vmi-in-civil-war-faq/

 

[Nathan Stuart]

There were several VMI cadets who did not graduate, that served in either the Union Army or Navy.

VMI graduates who fought for the Union included:

. Charles Denby (Class of 1850), who served as L-C in the 42nd Indiana Infantry, then as Col. in the 80th. Indiana Infantry.

. John Fulkerson Tyler (Class of 1859), who served as a Major in the 14th Missouri Infantry (Union), then as a L-C and Col. in the First Regiment Infantry, Missouri State Militia.

. William Henry Gillespie (Class of 1862), who served as a 1st. Lt. in 8th West Virginia Infantry.

. John Taylor Hall (Class of 1863), who served as a Major in the 4th. West Virginia Infantry.



A detailed summary of these individuals (both graduates and non-graduates) can be found at the below link:

https://www.vmi.edu/media/content-assets/documents/archives/CWAlumni_Union.pdf