The Glengarry McDonalds of Virginia
Chapter 17 - Marshall McDonald

Marshall, being of a more delicate constitution than the other children, was allowed considerable liberty in the pursuit of his studies, and earl- developed a special fondness for chemistry and natural history.

From his early boyhood he was a victim of asthma, though he never allowed it to interfere with his favorite pursuits. Many nights when he couldn't sleep, on account of the suffering entailed by the painful malady, I have known him to spend the time stuffing and mounting birds, which he began, when very young, to collect for the old Smithsonian Institute, as well as innumerable specimens of various other animals. Snakes, fish and every peculiar thing that had life, possessed an infinite interest for him. And in the indulgence of these tastes his father provided him with every facility.

A large room on the third floor was at one time fitted up for his sole use and purposes, the walls being lined with shelves, filled with jars, cages and all sorts of contrivances for the prosecution of his favorite studies. If he found an especially rare specimen of any variety, before consigning it to its deadly bath in a jar of alcohol—preparatory to its journey to the Smithsonian—he would keep it alive for some time, for the purpose of studying its habits, etc. On one occasion he was observed to be. searching carefully throughout the house, behind pictures, in fact in every nook and cranny where the smallest object could find concealment, but would not tell for what he was looking, until the quest seemed hopeless, when he confessed that one of his rarest snakes had gotten loose, and being an especially venomous variety—and not yet having extracted its fangs—he was more than anxious to capture it again.

This announcement caused considerable excitement, as might well be imagined, until Wood (his brother) coming in at this critical moment, confessed that he had "killed the vile reptile."

He entered the third class at the Virginia Military Institute in 1856, his brother Woodrow entering the fourth class at the same time, and although he was a lively participant in many college escapades during the three terms he was there, his class standing was always good, and he finally graduated at the head of most of his studies. An interesting incident in connection with his graduation was, that he alternated with his best friend, Ned Cunningham, in his class standing, that is, in every instance where he was first, Ned was second, and vice versa.

He was a great favorite with "Old Specs," as the cadets invariable styled Colonel Smith, the Superintendent, and that fact might in some degree have accounted for his good luck in always getting his demerit canceled.

Being in citizens clothes, without a special p€ rmit, was one of the gravest offences against the military spirit of the Institution and any cadet caught in that guise, knew just what he had to expect. Marshall had quite an exciting experience in that connection one night. He decided, with two or three other choice spirits, to visit the town of Lexington, which was located tantalizingly near the V. M. I., and it being a night when no leaves of absence were granted, they took the precaution to wear the ordinary garb of a citizen, and made their visit very successfully, without being molested; but cadet McDonald had scarcely entered his room before the officer of the day tapped at his door and demanded admittance; evidently suspecting something. Marshall was non-plussed. He had had no time to remove the tell-tale garb, but quick as thought he jumped into bed just as he was, and had barely time to pull the bed clothes around him, before the officer came in, Iight in hand, and walking up to McDonald jerked the cover rudely aside and demanded to know what he was doing in citizen's clothes.

To which McDonald as quickly retorted, that he didn't know the rules of the Institution prescribed what garb a cadet should sleep in; and later when he was brought before the Court Martial, charged with being in citizen's clothes, he was acquitted on his entering that plea.

After graduating at the V. M. I., he attended the University of Virginia in the session of 1858 and '59 and announced his intention of trying to make the degree of Master of Arts in two years. 'Tis true he was well prepared, but with the very high standard then maintained, it was considered a most difficult accomplishment and only a few of the students had succeeded in doing it. A letter from Wood (who was there also) to his father, says:

"Marsh has made quite a reputation here as a man of talent. His ticket is such a large one, and he does so well too, that I don't wonder at it. He can study, or rather learn more, and in a shorter time than any other man I ever saw. I suppose he will certainly (but no man can be certain) graduate ccn his ticket."

It is more than likely that he would have succeeded in his ambitious desires the following year, but an epidemic of typhoid fever caused a suspension of the schools and the students returned to their homes, several months before the usual time for Commencement.

He remained at home, in Winchester, for a while, contemplating and partially engaging in the study of medicine, under his cousin, Dr. Hugh McGuire. It was while he was at home that the hanging of John Brown occurred in Charlestown and in company with many ether citizens he attended the execution. Next morning at breakfast he related, for the benefit of those who had not been there, some of the incidents connected with it.

He was a great tease, and for my especial benefit, he made the details as blood-curdling as possible and wound up by saying:

"And by the way, Flora, I brought you a little souvenir of the occasion," and with that laid a long, narrow package beside my plate.

Curiosity prompted me to open it at once—and behold a long wooden peg—which he explained was taken from the gallows. Disgusted, I at once tossed it into the fire, and my father reproved him for perpetrating so ghastly a joke, though he could not forebear a smile at my consternation.

In the Fall of 1860, he returned to the V. M. I. as assistant Professor to Professor T. J. Jackson (Stonewall) and later was on his staff at Harper's Ferry as Inspector General. He was afterwards transferred to the army at New Orleans; serving in the engineer branch, and later was with Pemberton as chief engineer at the siege of Vicksburg, with rank of Major. I have often heard him laugh about the fried rats and mule steaks which were a prominent feature of their bill of fare during the long seige of Grant's army.

In recognition of his services he was appointed Brig. General, but the commission did not reach him before the surrender. [In a Letter from Marshall written from Vickburg, Dec. 2nd. 1862, he says: "I have just received my commission as Captain of Artillery. I do not despair of being a Brigadier if the war lasts a year or two longer. Don't laugh!" The honor did corne to him, though it was later than he prophesied.] He was in active service throughout the war, except during the time of his parole, after the surrender of Vicksburg, when he returned to his duties at V. Al. I. His next service was with Kirby Smith in the southwest and he was with that branch of the army when the end came; so was stranded in the South for some time trying to earn the money to return home. A letter to his brother explains his circumstances and his ambitions while there:

Greenville, Washington Co., .Miss.
February 25th, 1866.

DEAR WILL:
I have this moment received your letter, having just returned from making a survey of a bridge. I am thoroughly disgusted and disheartened at the shameful irregularity of the mails. You have received but one letter from me. I can recall now, six that I have written to members of the family at Cool Spring. If I have not written frequently, I have at least written much oftener than I have received letters from you.

It is true that I had accepted the appointment of Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the V. M. I. and confidently expected to spend my Christmas with you on my way to Lexington, but when I had made all my arrangements and was prepared to start, I learned that the United States military authorities had broken up the school there, and I was averse to coming to Virginia without having some assured means of supporting myself when I got there, so I determined not to go, and resumed my school here, and am engaged to teach until the first of June. Then I have the prospect of lucrative employment, as an engineer.

You will have to be a stranger in a strange land, as I have been, to know the bitter anguish and regret with which I relinquished the hope and expectation I had of being with those I love once more. But this I am resolved on, never to take one step in the future, that is not well assured, never to exchange certain things for uncertain.

I am well aware that in Virginia, I could easily earn a comfortable subsistence by teaching a village school, but from this, as a life time occupation, I turn with utter loathing, and how could I ever expect to earn more than a bare support in this way? There was a time when a modest competence would have sufficed for my utmost wishes * * * * but my idols are overturned now and strange gods usurp their places. Two ruling passions hold now alternate sway, Ambition and Avarice, both hell-born and yet potent divinities, at whose shrine, mankind worship and offer up the purer, holier feelings of their nature as penitential sacrifices.

I would be rich; or distinguished for eminent attainments in Science and Art. I had thought that my appointment at Lexington would open the way to one, but that hope has faded. Now I would be rich, and here I see clearly the way and means, which I do not, see in Virginia. Here then I shall remain, unless I secure a position as Professor in came Institution of reputation.

You see I am growing hard and practical, the milk of human kindness is rapidly running away from me. The cow is going dry! :fly heart is an arid waste. But there is an oasis in the desert; memory is the perennial spring that keeps blooming and verdant the recollection of the loved ones at home; bright and beautiful flowers grow around its margin, fragrant with the perfume of fraternal love.

I often sit alone by my fire, in the gathering twilight, and out of the dim shadows, come the faces and forms of the loved ones, and gather around—the living and the dead—for it is a memory of long ago, when the circle was unbroken, ere war had come with desolating hand to rupture family ties, and rend loving hearts, and strike down the bravest and the best.

In fancy we are in old Winchester, at the dear ingleside, gathered on the lawn, in the still evening, under the light of the harvest moon, the air is redolent with the perfume of jasmine and honeysuckle, and vocal with the melody of a dozen concerted voices. Now our father sings some stirring, martial air of Scotland, and we kindle with patriotic love for the land of our forefathers. Now Flora carols some blithe and gladsome air, now she and Sue, with blended voices, sing some plaintive song, while a voice, now still in death lends its deep, and sonorous bass to swell the chorus.

When memories like these come over me, I would ignore the future, forget the present, and live but in the past, but necessity like a cruel schoolboy puts the live coal upon my back and the terrapin must open his shell, stretch his limbs and move on—on-on, with no instinct but to escape the present pain.

In my letters i have said but little about this country and its people. They are so different from those with whom you have always mingled, that some account of them may interest you. This district of country is a rich, alluvial section, formed by successive deposits of mud from the turbulent waters of the Mississippi. It is intersected in every direction by sloughs and bayous, which, in time of high water, help to carry off the overcharged waters of the Mississippi and which at all times abound in fish, and are frequented by innumerable flocks of water-fowl. The whole country was once covered with a luxurant growth of vegetation. Oak and hickory and elm grow' along the margin of the streams. Gloomy forests of cypress cast a deep shade over the extensive swamps, and with their drooping branches, sombre foliage and long, pendant wreaths of grey moss, form a scene as sad and funereal as could be painted.

* * * * At the termination of the session I will have enough to get an outfit of clothing and purchase some of the most necessary engineering instruments. I will have to do without a horse until I can earn enough by surveying to buy one.

I am glad to hear that there is a prospect of recovering some of our father's property. Whatever disposition of matters you may deem it best to make, I will assent to. Should there not be more than enough to support the girls and educate the younger children, I think it should be devoted to that. If there be sufficient for the purpose, it would be well to unite and buy a homestead farm, but as I said before, I am willing to unite with you in any disposition you may think best to make. Any papers you may require, I will sign. I wish you Would let me know the condition of his property, and what will probably be recovered for the heirs. Has it been confiscated, sold for taxes, or what?

I have a tract of 43 acres in the Hampshire coal field, for which Flora has the patent. Ask Ed to ascertain its condition, and the amount of taxes due on it, and Iet me know.

I might write a good deal more, but am tired and will write again within a week, and once a week in the future. You should write to me oftener, instead of complaining of my not writing. Flora and Ed are the only ones of you, who can claim to be correspondents at all. I know though you do not love me the less, for that. And You would write, I am sure, if you knew how much pleasure your letters bring.

My love to all. God bless you and keep you safe.
Your devoted brother,
M. MCDONALD.

He finally reached the goal he so earnestly longed for and was enabled to return to Virginia as Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology in the V. M. I., and while there in that capacity he established the first Museum that the Institution had ever possessed. Some idea of the state of society in Virginia at that time may be learned from the following letter to his sister (Mrs. Jno. B. Standard) :

Virginia Mil. Institute. Lexington, Va.,
Jan. 8th, 1869.

DEAR SUE:
I hope that when this reaches you you will be convalescent, and busily preparing for your visit to Lexington. They were all disappointed at your not returning with me, but hope to see you before long. There is some gayety here, conducted in a sober sort of way. We have a reading club, now and then, which is pretty generally attended.

We have plenty of snow here, but no sleighing. It is rather too fast a pastime for the staid denizens of this quaint, formal, isolated corner of creation. Miss Mary Lee was here to-day and spent the day. I was only at home for an hour, the examinations being still in progress and requiring my presence. I spent the hour very agreeably with her.

Miss ----, I am happy to say, soon takes her departure. She said when she came, that she intended to astonish the natives, and she has done it.

She was startled out of propriety, when a schoolgirl, by and she has never recovered it again. She dresses in an outlandish fashion, seeks the reputation of being "fast," talks slang, and altogether I will be glad when she is gone.

I wish for the honor and credit of our lower Valley, they would send some representatives, who can distinguish between the ease and grace and self-possession, which constitutes good breeding, and that utter abandon of manner, which marks the fast woman.

I have talked so much about the beauty and grace and polished ease of the girls of our lower Valley, that people will think I am gassing, after seeing such a speciman as Miss ----. I will have to persuade some one to come and show these Lexingtonians what a lower Valley girl really is. Do you think any of them will listen to my persuasions?

Have you seen Miss Al—since I left? She spoke of going to see you. If she would only come. How proud I would be to show her to these Lexingtonians. Time is up, good-bye.

Your brother,
MARSH.

While at the Institute, the management at one time, had considerable difficulty in the matter of the State appropriation, when Col. Cutshaw wrote Gen. Smith to send "McDonald" (down to explain the state of affairs to the Legislature, that people believed what he said. McDonald went, and secured the desired appropriation, though not until after a hard fight.

His talent for imparting knowledge was wonderful. On one occasion he volunteered to give extra instruction to one of the classes in mathematics whose standing was very low. He brought them to his own house and taught them at night, consequently they were splendidly prepared.

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