The VMI students next door also fielded a company. They were sent into action at New Market and acquitted themselves with great bravery.
Down the road at Hampden Sydney...at the outset of war the student body organized a company, with the president as captain. These men, officially mustered as Company G, 20th Virginia Regiment, “The Hampden-Sydney Boys,” saw action in the disaster of Rich Mountain 910 July 1861), were captured, and were paroled by General George B. McClellan on the condition that they return to their studies.