CPT Richard A. Palmer, 1852     

21 July 1861 is an important date in Citadel history. On that day, while serving with confederate forces at 1st Manassas, Captain Richard Palmer became the 1st Citadel graduate killed on the battlefield. Many more Citadel alumni have created a "Long Gray Line" of KIA's (approx. 800) by joining him in having made the supreme sacrifice since that date so many years ago.