Tensions at Chapel Hill, NC. in the Spring of 1867, during Reconstruction. And William J. Martin of the 11th North Carolina. Four of the universitys five tutors in 1860 enlisted in the army; all died in action. Six of fourteen professors enlisted, and three of those lost their lives. William J. Martin was a fortunate survivor. Graduating from the University of Virginia, Martin came to Chapel Hill in 1857 and taught chemistry, mineralogy, and geology before assuming the duties of student drillmaster on the outbreak of war. Taking a leave of absence to serve as a Confederate officer, Martin was wounded in action and after the war taught briefly at the university before joining the faculty of Davidson College. But great tension swept across the University of North Carolina campus in the Spring of 1867, stirred by rumors of a student demonstration. Several underclassmen, some of whom were Confederate veterans and other Southern patriots, had decided to protest publicly the recent Reconstruction Acts passed by Congress and imposed on the State by the military government. Relations between the university and the military government were already strained by the defiant attitude of the collegians whom many considered to be reactionary and aristocratic. For their part, the small, tightly knit student body felt bitter over the military occupation of the state and the loss of their cherished Southern Rights. The creation of a Republican Party in North Carolina under William Woods Holden and the activities of the Union League thoroughly alarmed the young college men. The Old North State stood on the brink of political and social upheaval. Members of one group of students could not let these outrages to Southern honor continue unopposed, so they chose to defy the authorities by proclaiming their undying allegiance to the Confederate cause. As the students and faculty started for their classes on the spring morning, they were greeted by a large Confederate flag hanging unabashedly from the garret window of the South Building. The brazen protest quickly drew a crowd of sympathizers who began chanting and shouting loudly. Some of the faculty hurried over to quell the disturbance. The university president, D.L. Swain, asked the students to remove the flag before the military regime heard about the protest, but the students shouted him down. They ignored his plea not to draw down the wrath of the powers that be. Finally, Prof. William J. Martin approached the throng, determined to end the incident. The popular chemistry professor had sworn an oath of allegiance to the federal government at Appomattox, and he would not be any part of any demonstration that undermined his sacred oath. Martin ordered one of the underclassmen to remove the flag. Before the young man could make a move, the others threatened to demolish him if he tried. Professor Martin then stated, Ill take it down myself. The students quickly barred his way and told him they would not let him touch the flag. Martin stared down the defiant students and calmly explained, Young men, I fought four years for that flag, and I carry evidences of the fact on my person, in the scars of wounds scarcely healed. I think you might trust me to say whether any good purpose is served by this crazy demonstration...I say it must come down, and that at once. The moral force of Martins manner, military service, and personal suffering overwhelmed the Southern students. How could they defy someone who had served the cause with such courage and distinction? Sheepishly, they pulled down the flag, and calm returned to the campus, though feelings of animosity toward the federal military occupation remained. Sadly, the efforts of Martin and other faculty members, and the university president could not save the University of North Carolina. The next year governor, W.W. Holden, under a new constitution approved by the military governor, cleaned out the incumbent university trustees and denied funding for the campus. Martin would accept a position at Davidson College, D.H. Hills former school. Photo: Colonel William J. Martin - 11th North Carolina North Carolina Confederates
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 14:44:22 +0000
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