Chatham Hall in 1905 (photo courtesy of Chatham Hall)
I believe it was on a warm evening on a Wednesday night. Only certain cadets got town leave on Wednesday: Barrack's Commanders, Buglers, etc. I was one of these so was not present for the Great Raid itself.
Word spread among those not granted Town Leave that a raid on Chatham Hall was in the making. Coverals were the Uniform of the Day. About 50 to 100 cadets went to Chatham Hall through the woods led by Leon Story.
Now in those days the girls at Chatham Hall were almost kept as prisoners there. We almost never saw any sign of them. No cross school socializing was permitted.
When the cadets arrived, they entered the buildings and much screaming and excitement ensued. One cadet left his hat on a fire escape. Unfortunately, his name was in the hat. I believe that was James Tingler, who later in the escape phase of the raid was blinded by the headlights of Major Kinzer's '48 Chrysler and ran into a tree on the way down the hill. Broke his arm.
After chasing everyone off, Kinzer returned to the school and set up guards at all the entrances. Anyone in coveralls went on report. There was a wholesale reshuffle in the Officer Corps after this and many NCO's became clean sleeved again.
The Bull Ring in those days was in front of the main building and had a long line out there for quite a while.
Leon Rue
leonrue@adelphia.net
Band Company '49
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