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(madison icon)1902



When the Civil War broke out, the young men looked out from College Hall upon Camp Randall, the great drilling grounds for the new regiments, and they soon found their way into the ranks. Entire classes were in the field; the annual attendance was reduced to fifty; one year no commencement exercises were held. The great problem was not one of progress, but of keeping the breath of life in the institution. The most rigid economy was practiced. Yet, in spite ot their poverty, the regents in 1863 established a normal department, and seventy-six young women tripped into the University. They were graciously allowed to hear lectures, but the regular courses in languages, mathematics and philosophy were denied them. The wise conservatives, however, insisted that a Trojan horse was already within the gates. Chancellor Lathrop resigned in 1858. Henry Barnard succeeded him as president, but he also resigned after two years. Then Prof. Sterling, the father of the University, was acting president until the reorganization in 1867.

Young Men
UW class of 1861
Young Women