Scott Shipp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Scott Shipp
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Scott Shipp pictured in The Bomb 1908, VMI yearbook
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| Nickname(s) | "Old Billy" |
| Born | August 2, 1839 Warrenton, Virginia |
| Died | December 4, 1917 (aged 78) Lexington, Virginia |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–65 |
| Rank |  lieutenant colonel |
| Commands held | Virginia Military Institute Cadet Battalion |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | President of Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College Superintendent of Virginia Military Institute |
Scott Shipp (born Charles Robert Scott Ship) was an important American military leader, teacher, and school administrator. He was born in Warrenton, Virginia, in 1839. Shipp is best known for being the second leader (called "superintendent") of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). He also briefly served as president of Virginia Tech. During the American Civil War, he bravely led the VMI students, known as Cadets, in the Battle of New Market.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Scott Shipp was born in 1839. His father was Captain John Ship, and his mother was Lucy Blackwell Scott. Scott went to several schools, including Mrs. Franklin's School and Warrenton High School.
When his father passed away in 1849, his mother moved the family to Boone County, Missouri. There, Scott attended Westminster College. From 1855 to 1856, he worked on the North Missouri Railroad. He helped engineers by measuring land for the tracks.
Joining VMI
In 1856, Shipp returned to Virginia. He was encouraged by a friend and his stepfather to join the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). He started at VMI on August 14, 1856.
Scott Shipp was a very good student. He graduated on July 4, 1859, as the 4th best student in his class of 29. He earned the rank of first lieutenant. In December 1859, he went with the VMI cadets to Charles Town, Virginia. They were there for the execution of John Brown, a famous abolitionist.
Family Life
Scott Shipp married Anne "Nannie" Alexander Morson in 1869. They had three children: Elizabeth Scott, Lucy Scott, and Arthur Morson Shipp. Around 1883, he changed the spelling of his last name from "Ship" to "Shipp."
Sadly, his wife Nannie passed away in 1884. Scott Shipp and his wife are buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia.
Shipp was also a close friend of George Washington Custis Lee. George was the son of the famous General Robert E. Lee. Both Shipp and Lee were professors at VMI.
A Career in Education
Scott Shipp worked at VMI for many years, from 1859 to 1889. In 1861, he took over from Stonewall Jackson as the Commandant of Cadets. This meant he was in charge of the students' military training and discipline. He taught many subjects, including Latin, Math, Military History, and Military Tactics.
Leading Virginia Tech
For a short time in 1880, Shipp was the president of Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College. He served from August 12 to August 25. He decided to leave because of disagreements about how the college should be run.
Superintendent of VMI
In 1890, Scott Shipp became the second Superintendent of VMI. This was a very important leadership role. He took over from Francis H. Smith and held the rank of brigadier general. He served as Superintendent from January 1, 1890, to June 30, 1907.
During his time as Superintendent, VMI grew a lot. The number of students increased by 60 percent. Many new buildings were constructed, and the school's debts were fully paid off.
Shipp also served on important boards for other military academies. He was on the Board of Visitors for the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1890. In 1894, he was the President of the Board of Visitors for the United States Naval Academy.
Shipp in the Civil War
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When Virginia left the United States, Scott Shipp and the VMI cadets were sent to Richmond for training. Shipp was sent to recruit soldiers for the army. He then became an assistant adjutant general, which is a staff officer, with the rank of captain.
In June 1861, he became a major in the 21st Virginia Infantry. He was with the cadets, serving under General William W. Loring, during Jackson's Romney Expedition in the winter of 1861.
Commandant of Cadets during War
On January 20, 1862, Shipp returned to VMI. He served as the Commandant of Cadets from 1862 to 1864. During this time, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
Shipp was well-liked and respected by his cadets. They called him "Old Billy" because of his serious but friendly personality and the small beard he wore.
Battle of New Market
Shipp led the VMI Cadet Battalion at the Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864. The cadets fought under the command of Major General John C. Breckinridge. They were fighting against Union forces led by Major General Franz Sigel.
As the cadets moved into the Bushong Orchard, Shipp was hit in the shoulder and face by an artillery shell. He was briefly knocked unconscious, and his cadets worried he was badly hurt. Shipp later wrote that the enemy fire was so intense that "it seemed impossible that any living creature could escape."
One cadet described Shipp as "a large man with close-trimmed black hair and beard, a solemn bearing and a deep voice." Even though Shipp was only 24 years old at the time, the cadet thought he looked much older.
After the Battle of New Market, Union General David Hunter took command. He later burned VMI. Shipp and the VMI Cadets were then sent to Lynchburg, Virginia, to help defend that city. After that, they went to Richmond, where they served in the defensive trenches around the capital until the Corps disbanded in 1865.
Later Years
Scott Shipp retired from VMI in 1907. He was given the special title of Superintendent Emeritus. He stayed in Lexington, Virginia, living with his daughter Lucy Scott Huger and her family. His other daughter, Elizabeth Scott Tucker, had passed away in a fire in 1901.
In his retirement, Shipp enjoyed spending time with his family. He also traveled to Europe. Scott Shipp passed away at his home in Lexington, Virginia, on December 4, 1917. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Images for kids
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Scott Shipp pictured in The Bomb 1908, VMI yearbook
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Brigadier General Scott Shipp, superintendent of Virginia Military Institute. From the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs division
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Shipp during the Civil War
