Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-08-06

GgO-Ny Distinguished Fello,g- Cadets
bob Lee, Sidney JOl.mstOn, LeOnidas Polk
Charles NasOn, Ben Briice, Joe Johnston.
X
Let me turn to more agreeable subject
let me recall some of those fine gentlemen
aud gallant soldiers whom Thayer'S superyi-
sion and WOrth's training seut forth from
West Point In turning back over a space
OF near forty years, the first who loom up in
the distant retrospect are Albert Sydney
Johnston and LeOnidas Polk then follow
Jefferson Davis, Robert i. Lee, Joseph E.
Johnston aud John B. Magruder.
The FIRST cadet ever heard give the word
Of command was Sidney Johnston, and the
impression his appearance made on me is as
clear and distinct now as it was then. His
stalwOrth form and well developed muscles
gave him an appearance OF great strength,
whilst his gentle manners aud benevolent
counteDance indicated man OF the tenderest
! affections. Hard to arouse to anger, he was
| ever ready to espOuse the cause OF the op-
pressed. His noble nature endeared him to
his fellow cadets and his associates in after
life. On one of the tairest pages of history
must be written the deeds Of this gallant SOL
dier and true patriot.
Leonidas Polk, tall and straight as an ar
row, was the orderly sergeant of my company.
ScrupulOusly strict in the discharge of his
duties, retiring in his manners, aud a devout
member. even then of the Episcopal church,
he invariably commanded the respect of all.
Jefferson Davis was distinguished in the
corps for his manly hearing, his hiSh-toncd
and lofty character. His figure was very SOL
der like and rather robust; his step springy.
resembling the tread OF an Indian brave" on
the ''war path"
Robert Il. Lee held the two Offices in the
corps usually filed by the best soldiers of the
sergeaut-majOr and adjutant. He dis
charged the duties of these Offices with zeal
and fidelity. His personal appearance sur
passed in manly beauty that of any cadet in
the corps. Though firm in his position and
perfectly erect, he had none Of the stiffness
so often assumed by men who affect to be
very strict in their ideas of what is military.
His limbs, beautiful and symmetrical, look ed
as though they had come from the turning
lathe; his step was as elastic as if he spurned
the ground upon which he trod. He was
noted among his class. mates as great stu
dent, and as having passed through the try
ing ordeal Of military school without sin
gle demerit mark, q generally got one hun
dred and fifty Year, During Bob Lees
stay at West Point, l am satisfied he never
swOre an oath, tasted drop Of ardent spirits,
nor used the ''weed" III any shape or form.
The same virtues of abstinence may be at
tributed to Charles Mason but 1 think
''Charley" occasionally let slip an oath; at
least he looked as if he did. Mason was in
lees class, and intellectually, had no superior
Mt the Point. How well can remember his
bright, piercing eye, cleaning and Swapping
with excitement as he stood ut the black
board, demonstrating some Intricate and beau
titul mathematical problem. Mason early
left the army, aud has since sought and
gained that distinction in civil life which his
high talents aud pure character entitled him
to. He was for long time Commissioner of
the Patent Office, chosen for his scientific at
tainments, and filed with ability for several
years place on the Supreme Bench of Iowa
Another prominent cadet in Lees class
was B. W. Brice. He was high up as a SOL
der, but low down as a student; very hand
some, full of wit and humOr, and always ready
for tun and frOlic. Everybody liked him,
and was glad to call Ben Brice his friend
lie was OF ''Our set, and, considering the
circumstances, it is wonderful he ever reached
the Office of Paymaster General. U. S. A..
which he now holds, and the duties of which
he discharges with mastery ability.
Joseph Z. Johnston had great deal of the
military spirit that pervaded the corps and
which was infused by Major Worth. He was
not remarkable for his studiOus habits. and
he belonged to fast set, of which myself
was an active member. Few of that set es-
capped arrest, confinement and court martial.
Joe Johnston was one of those genial spirits
that gave zest to a cadets life. Full of am
bitiOn and desire to excel, he was yet ever
ready to join scouting party to ButtermjIk
Falls, the residence of the immortal Benny
Havens. His appearance Was very military
and when under arms, no man looked more
the soldier. He was very expert in the man,
ual of arms, and carried his nusket so rar.
pendicular that it leaned little too much tc
the front. Though we recognized his talent.
then, we little dreamed that he had the mill.
tary genius he has since displayed as CON
/ mander.
Ny old friend and classmate, John B. Ma
J gruder, was perhaps the most elegant anG
! distiMgRe cadet at the academy in that day
and do not believe West Point has ever hst
his equal he was first-rate soldier. of fn,
appearance, and very strict when on duty 4
''Ofhcer of the day" never failing to repor
the slightest violation of regulations. ever
though the delinquent was his most intilaat,