The Corps of cadets.
The corps of cadets of the Virginia Military Institute were soon in place under command of
Colonel William Gilham, commandant of the corps and professor of tactics.
The corps was detailed as instructors.
Colonel Gilham, who had been for a while commander of the post, was made colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment, and went to the field.
(I cannot call to mind any person who can probably furnish information at this late day more accurately, perhaps, than
Major T. G. Peyton, who was assigned to the Fifteenth Regiment of infantry.
Being in the Howitzers, I was first with my command at Richmond College, then at
Chimborazo, and moved with my battery as captain of the First Howitzers to
Manassas early in May.
Perhaps
Major Peyton can fill the space from where I leave off to December, 1861, when I took charge.)
During the fall months of 1861 a very large authority was issued for the formation of artillery companies in
Virginia, as well as in other States of the
Confederacy.
At the conclusion of the first year, for which many companies and regiments of
Virginia had entered the service, some which had served as infantry had authority to change to artillery.
In November, 1861, there were about twenty-five companies recruited for artillery then in different camps around
Richmond.
Each company reported to the department headquarters, known as
Henrico, which embraced
Richmond and several miles around the city.
General J. H. Winder, an old army officer, was in command, with
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headquarters in the
Valentine building, corner Broad and Ninth streets.
Hon. Legh R. Page was his assistant adjutant-general.
The late
General Charles Dimmock, ordnance officer for
Virginia, and commandant of the State Guard and the armory, gave
General Winder valuable aid in the commencement of the preparation of the various companies adverted to, but a regular station or camp and bringing all the companies into one station and under trained officers in charge was essential.
