William Hugh McDowell, the "Ghost Cadet"

I read a Story called "Ghost Cadet" many years ago.... I think when I was in 5th grade.... I didn't remember much about it just that I really enjoyed it! The last time I had read it was in 6th grade. Now just today I read it again....now understanding what I didn't many years ago!

the story "Ghost Cadet" is about a boy named Benjy Stark who goes to visit his Grandmother, who he has never met, in Virginia. He finds himself making a new friend.... and it's NOT his grandmother! It is Cadet Private William Hugh McDowell (Hugh for short!). A 15 year old cadet in a confederate army! only one small problem with our cadet McDowell, he's a ghost! and he haunts the battle grounds of New Market looking for his grand fathers watch. If Hugh's spirit is ever to rest in peace, Benjy must help him find the watch and get it back to its rightful place in history. Benjy is scared. After all no one has ever depended on him for anything. Now Benjy's new best friend is betting all eternity that he will succeed.

I read the book and at the end was the authors note. It said that William Hugh McDowell was a REAL cadet the fought and died in the battle of New Market in the Civil War (The War Between The States)! and a family Watch really WAS lost and to this day its whereabouts are unknown. now I shall share some information on Cadet William Hugh McDowell...

-Born: December 31, 1846, at Beattie's Ford, Iredell County, North Carolina.

-Parents: Robert Irwin McDowell (b. 1813; was graduated from Hampden-Sydney College, VA in 1832) of Mt. Mourne, NC, and Rebecca Brevard.

-Grandparents: Hugh McDowell and Margaret Irwin, of Mecklenburg County, NC; Franklin Brevard and Margaret Conner, also of Mecklenburg County.

-William Hugh McDowell entered VMI on August 22, 1863, from Mt. Mourne, North Carolina, and was assigned to the fourth (freshman) class. He was killed on May 15, 1864, while serving as a cadet Private in Company B at the Battle of New Market. When ordered to New Market, he was contemplating accepting a position upon the staff of General James Conner, his kinsman.

-After temporary burial at New Market, McDowell's remains were brought to Lexington in May 1866, and are now buried beneath the New Market Battle Monument at VMI.

Descriptions of McDowell's death:

"In advancing from the ravine the Battalion was now and then protected by folds in the ground from the direct fire of the enemy. From the ravine to the close of the Bushong House is about half a mile. The cadets were exposed to direct fire the last half of this distance, losing three killed at this stage of their advance, the number including First Sergeant Cabell of D Co., and privates Stanard and McDowell of B. Co." (From The Military History of VMI by Jennings C. Wise, copyright 1915)

"A little removed from the spot where Cabell fell, and nearer to the position of the enemy, lay McDowell, it was a sight to wring one's heart. That little boy was lying there asleep, more fit, indeed, for the cradle than the grave. He was barely sixteen, I judge, and by no means robust for his age. He was a North Carolinian. He had torn open his jacket and shirt, and, even in death, lay clutching them back, exposing a fair breast with its red wound." (From An End of an Era by John S. Wise, copyright 1899)

I will always remember Cadet William Hugh McDowell, the "Ghost Cadet". May he rest in peace....

~~Scrappy Doo/Motocross Chick~~

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