University Grays
Encyclopedia
The University Greys were Company A of the 11th Mississippi Infantry regiment
in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War
. Part of the Army of Northern Virginia
, the Greys served in many of the most famous and bloody battles of the war.
The rifle company joined the 11th Infantry at its inception on May 4, 1861 after Mississippi
seceded from the Union. Their name "University Greys" derived from the gray color of the men's uniforms and from the fact that almost all of the Greys were students at the University of Mississippi
. Nearly the entire student body (135 men) enlisted; only four students reported for classes in fall 1861, so that the university closed temporarily.
The most famous engagement of the University Greys was at Pickett's Charge
during the Battle of Gettysburg
, when the Confederates made a desperate frontal assault on the Union entrenchments atop Cemetery Ridge
. The Greys penetrated further into the Union position than any other unit, but at the terrible cost of sustaining 100% casualties—every soldier was either killed or wounded.
After Gettysburg, the depleted Greys were merged with Company G (the "Lamar Rifles"). The unit continued to fight until the last days of the war.
In his novel Absalom, Absalom!
, William Faulkner
placed two characters, Charles Bon and Henry Sutpen, in the University Greys.
The story of the University Grays is memorialized in an opera composed by Dr. Arthur Kreutz
who was Professor of Music at the University of Mississippi using text from the book of the same name by Zoe Lund Schiller. The opera was published by Ricordi of New York in 1961. A copy of the score resides in the library of the Northern Illinois University. The opera was given its first performance in 1961 at the University of Mississippi under the auspices of the Department of Music.
11th Mississippi Infantry - Company A - roster of the Greys and other companies in the regiment, including status as killed, wounded, etc.
History of the Ole Miss Engineering School - includes information about the Greys, though its figure for the total killed appears to disagree with the roster linked above
Why the University of Mississippi? - Ole Miss webpage on racial history of the university, including facts on the Greys
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Part of the Army of Northern Virginia
Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
, the Greys served in many of the most famous and bloody battles of the war.
The rifle company joined the 11th Infantry at its inception on May 4, 1861 after Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
seceded from the Union. Their name "University Greys" derived from the gray color of the men's uniforms and from the fact that almost all of the Greys were students at the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
. Nearly the entire student body (135 men) enlisted; only four students reported for classes in fall 1861, so that the university closed temporarily.
The most famous engagement of the University Greys was at Pickett's Charge
Pickett's Charge
Pickett's Charge was an infantry assault ordered by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee against Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's Union positions on Cemetery Ridge on July 3, 1863, the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. Its futility was predicted by the charge's commander,...
during the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
, when the Confederates made a desperate frontal assault on the Union entrenchments atop Cemetery Ridge
Cemetery Ridge
Cemetery Ridge is a geographic feature in Gettysburg National Military Park south of the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, that figured prominently in the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1 to July 3, 1863. It formed a primary defensive position for the Union Army during the battle, roughly the center of...
. The Greys penetrated further into the Union position than any other unit, but at the terrible cost of sustaining 100% casualties—every soldier was either killed or wounded.
After Gettysburg, the depleted Greys were merged with Company G (the "Lamar Rifles"). The unit continued to fight until the last days of the war.
In his novel Absalom, Absalom!
Absalom, Absalom!
Absalom, Absalom! is a Southern Gothic novel by the American author William Faulkner, first published in 1936. It is a story about three families of the American South, taking place before, during, and after the Civil War, with the focus of the story on the life of Thomas Sutpen.-Plot...
, William Faulkner
William Faulkner
William Cuthbert Faulkner was an American writer from Oxford, Mississippi. Faulkner worked in a variety of media; he wrote novels, short stories, a play, poetry, essays and screenplays during his career...
placed two characters, Charles Bon and Henry Sutpen, in the University Greys.
The story of the University Grays is memorialized in an opera composed by Dr. Arthur Kreutz
Arthur Kreutz
Arthur Kreutz was an American composer. He was famous for the Paul Bunyan Suite and the Dixie Concerto. He also composed the score to Martha Graham's 1942 ballet Land Be Bright.-Notes:...
who was Professor of Music at the University of Mississippi using text from the book of the same name by Zoe Lund Schiller. The opera was published by Ricordi of New York in 1961. A copy of the score resides in the library of the Northern Illinois University. The opera was given its first performance in 1961 at the University of Mississippi under the auspices of the Department of Music.
Sources
11th Mississippi Infantry: A Brief History by Steven Davis - covers the history of the regiment11th Mississippi Infantry - Company A - roster of the Greys and other companies in the regiment, including status as killed, wounded, etc.
History of the Ole Miss Engineering School - includes information about the Greys, though its figure for the total killed appears to disagree with the roster linked above
Why the University of Mississippi? - Ole Miss webpage on racial history of the university, including facts on the Greys