Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Harvard Memorial Biographies

[238] His son, Daniel Wright, my grandfather, moved to Mississippi, and married Miss Martha Patrick, a celebrated beauty and most estimable lady. He was Judge of the Supreme Court of Mississippi. He left but one child, Miss Elvira Wright, who married my father in 1839. One of my ancestors, William Yates, was President of William and Mary's College. His son, William Yates, Jr., was a colonel of the Revolution.

These genealogical details have a peculiar interest in the case of one who was to take up arms against his own blood, as it were, and to fall in the second American revolution.

Gholson's schooling began in 1850, and was confined to private institutions. He fitted for college in three years, and entered Harvard in March, 1858, at the commencement of the second term of the Freshman year of his Class. ‘I cannot,’ he wrote, ‘exaggerate the importance of my college experience. Although my Sophomore and Junior years afford me cause for poignant regret, yet even their influence has been beneficial. I have never during my college course received any species of punishment from my superiors; and although I cannot say I deserve my fortune, I have had neither “private,” “public,” nor “parietal” admonition. I have been a member of the Oneida Boat-Club, the Institute of 1770, the Hasty-Pudding Club, and two secret societies. I am also a member of the College choir. . . . . Expect to study law, although there is a chance of my entering the army.’

That the latter career was uppermost in his mind is shown by the fact that, in the summer of 1861, he went to Washington to seek an entrance into West Point, but was prevented by the failure of Congress to pass a bill enlarging that academy. Deeming the measure postponed merely, he returned to his father's country residence at Avondale, three miles from Cincinnati. Here, caring little for society, he became a diligent student. In September he writes to a classmate that he is well and happy, enjoying his home and the delightful scenery about him. Thirsting for the languages, he takes lessons in French three times a week, and withal bends vigorously to the law. His belief in the ultimate triumph of the national cause is