THE "UNIVERSITY GREY"S AND THEIR SACRIFICE FOR THEIR BELOVED SOUTH
On the campus of the University of Mississippi young men are going through their daily routines, talking about sweethearts, families, studies, and their futures. The school was opened in 1848, in Oxford, Mississippi. On May 4th, 1861 after Mississippi seceded from the Union, most of the faculty and students joined the Confederacy, not knowing what laid before them. They were called the "University Grey's", because of the color of their uniforms and coming from Mississippi University. 135 out 139 students enlisted, Co A 11th Mississippi Infantry they became part of the Army of Northern Virginia and served in some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. When the Fall Semester started only four young men showed up for class and the university closed, but for the "University Grey's", it had only begun. A letter had to be written on behalf of the young men to the college for reception or rejection, but they said if they are sent home they will join other companies so they must be allowed to do some fighting, and they were allowed to stay enlisted. The "University Grey's, fought in some of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chickamauga, Seven Pines, and Gettysburg.
At Gettysburg the "University Grey's", were are part of Pickett's Charge. They attacked to the left of Brain Farm the 12th New Jersey were positioned behind a fence armed with smoothbore 1842 Springfield Rifles loaded with 6 and 9 pound buckshot. The "Grey's", penetrated further into union positions than any other unit. The 12th New Jersey held their fire until the 11th Mississippi was 50 yards away and unleashed hell ! The 11th Mississippi, the " University Grey's", vanished into the history of the Confederacy they had 100% casualties.
The young men from the campus of Mississippi State University, with their dreams and futures are only with us in spirit. The "University Grey's", should always be in our memory, held close to our hearts, for the sacrifice of their young lives for our beloved Confederacy.
by: Freda Mincey Burton copyright 2014
Second Part of the Story of the "Unversity Grey's", The Aftermath and Disagace
On the campus of Ole Miss, in Oxford Mississippi, are over 700 Confederate graves. Our soldier's, most which were from the Battle of Shiloh, which took place April 6th and 7th, 1862. On the campus also is Univrsity Circle, a Confederate Monument that resembles a castle containing the inscription, "To Our Confederate Dead, 1861-1865, and a Confederate Soldier looking off in the distance with his rifle at his side. This Statue is called by Ole Miss and the Oxford community as their "second place trophy". What a total disgrace and dishonor to our Confederate dead. Political Correctness has hit ! I would be ashamed and would work to correct this degradation of the Confederacy. What is so amazing Oxford was burnt by Union General A.J. "Whiskey" Smith, only very few buildings survived. Sherman wrote and said he saw General Smith's marks as he rode through Oxford. It is a hypocritical representation of the memory of the 700 dead, and to the "University Grey's", who gave all their lifes for their beloved school and town. Take the tarnish away Ole Miss, and hopefully you will be able to hold your heads up, and not hang them in shame, as you should. Ole Miss, once known as the Ole Miss Rebs, now they are the Bulldogs, their mascot was Colonel Reb, now it's a Black Bear, they once played "Dixie", but that is a thing of the pass, like my respect for them. They call it Heartland Progress ! What a joke !
by Freda Mincey Burton copyright 2014
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