William Gilham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Henry Gilham
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|---|---|
| Born | January 13, 1818 Vincennes, Indiana |
| Died | November 16, 1872 (aged 54) Vermont |
| Buried |
Oak Grove Cemetery
Lexington, Virginia |
| Allegiance |  USA Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1840–1846 1861–1863 |
| Rank |  1st Lieutenant (USA) Colonel (CSA) |
| Battles/wars | Seminole War Mexican–American War American Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Cordelia Adelaide Hayden |
William Henry Gilham (born January 13, 1818 – died November 16, 1872) was an American soldier, teacher, and writer. He was also a chemist, someone who studies chemicals. Gilham taught at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). In 1860, he wrote a military training book that was still used for many years. He fought for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he became the president of a company called Southern Fertilizing Company in Richmond.
Contents
Early Life and Army Days
William Henry Gilham was born in Vincennes, Indiana on January 13, 1818. His family came from Virginia. He went to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated in 1840, ranking 5th in his class.
After West Point, Gilham became a lieutenant in the 3rd Artillery. This was part of the United States Army. He fought in the Seminole War in Florida. From 1841 to 1844, he taught at West Point. He was an Assistant Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy. In 1846, he also served in the Mexican–American War. In 1852, he earned a special degree from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Teaching at VMI
In 1846, Gilham became a professor at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). VMI was a new military college in Lexington, Virginia. Over the next five years, he helped create VMI's Chemistry and Agriculture departments. He also taught infantry tactics and was the Commandant of Cadets. This meant he was in charge of the students' military training.
To help with his workload, VMI hired another professor in 1851. This was Major Thomas Jonathon Jackson. He later became famous as "Stonewall" Jackson. Jackson was also a West Point graduate. He had also fought in the wars in Florida and Mexico.
Gilham's Research
As a professor, Gilham was very interested in geology. Geology is the study of Earth's physical structure and substances. In 1857, he published a report about the soil in Powhatan County, Virginia. He also asked the government to fund a collection of minerals and fossils. He wanted these for his classes.
John Brown's Raid
Majors Gilham and Jackson taught together at VMI for many years. In 1859, a militant abolitionist named John Brown led a raid. He attacked the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry. The Governor of Virginia, Henry A. Wise, asked Major Gilham for help.
Gilham led a group of VMI Cadets to Charles Town. They were there to provide extra military presence. John Brown was to be executed by hanging on December 2, 1859. Major Jackson was in charge of the artillery. He had two cannons and 21 cadets.
After the Harper's Ferry raid, Governor Wise asked Gilham to write a training book. This book was for volunteers and militia. It was finished in the fall of 1860. The book was called Manual of Instruction for the Volunteers and Militia of the United States. It was first published in Philadelphia.
Family Life
While living in Lexington, Major Gilham and his wife had seven children. Her name was Cordelia Adelaide Hayden Gilham (1826–1913). Three of their children were born after they moved to Virginia. Their daughter Emma Hayden Gilham (born 1855) married William Nelson Page. He was a civil engineer. He later helped start the Virginian Railway.
American Civil War Service
In 1861, the American Civil War began. The Confederate Army had many new soldiers. Gilham was promoted to the rank of colonel. He became the Commandant of Camp Lee in Richmond, Virginia. This camp was where thousands of Virginians were trained. Gilham's training manual was very helpful for these young soldiers.
Colonel Gilham briefly led a brigade in 1861 and 1862. A brigade is a large group of soldiers. But he soon returned to teaching at VMI. On May 15, 1864, the VMI cadets fought in the Battle of New Market. Gilham was there, but he did not lead the young troops in that battle.
Later, Union troops led by General David Hunter attacked Lexington. They burned buildings at VMI. After this, the VMI cadets were moved to Richmond. They stayed there for the rest of the War. Major Gilham's house on campus was rebuilt after the war.
After the War
After the Civil War, VMI did not have money to pay its teachers. So, Gilham went to work in Richmond. He worked for the Southern Fertilizer Company. This company was located in the old Confederate Libby Prison building. One of their products was "Gilham's Tobacco Fertilizer."
William Gilham died in Vermont on November 16, 1872. He was 54 years old. The cause of his death was not shared. He was buried in Lexington, Virginia's Oak Grove Cemetery.
