Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-08-03
From the Southern Opinion.l
objections of Army Life
BY AN OLD DRAGON.


RecOlIections of Army Life.
BY AN OLD DRAGON.
CadetShip at WeSt Point near Forty
Years agO-Wy Distinguished Eel.
iOO. CadetS-BO6 Lee, Sidney John.
StOn, LeOnidaS Polk, Charles Mason,
Ben Brice, Joe Johnston.
:
In turning back over space of near
forty years, the first who loom up in the
distant retrospect are Albert Sidney John.
son and Leonidas Polk; then follow JEFF
feTson Davis, Robert K. Lee. Jopeph Z.
Johnston and John B. MagIuder.
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 sialwarl form and well
developed muscles gave him an appear
sDce of great strength, whilst bis gentle
manners and benevolent cOuntenance in
dicaed man Of The lGnderesI affections.
Hard 10 arouse TO anger, he was ever rea-
dy 10 espOuse the cause OF the oppressed.
His noble nature endeared him 10 his fel.
low.cadets and his associates in after life.
On one of the faitest pages Of history
must be written the deeds Of this gallant
soldier and true patriot.
Leonldas Polk, tall and straight as an
arrow, was the orderly sergeant of my
company. ScrupuIOusly strict in the dis
charge OF It's duties, retiring in his man
ners, and a devoui member even then Of
the Episcopal church, he invariably com
manded The respect Of all.
Jefferson Davis was distinguished in
the corps for his manly bearing, ;he high
toned and lohy character. His figure
was very soldler.lke and rather robust;
his step springy, resembling the tread Of
an Indian brave" on the "war path.
Robert L. Lee held the Two offices in
the corps usually filled by the best sol
dieTs of The class-sergeanl.majO and al.
jutan'. He discharged The duties Of these
offices with zeal and fidelity. His per-
sonal appearance surpassed 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,
looked as though they had come from the
turning lalhe; his step was elastic as il he
spurned the ground upon which be trod.
He was noted among his classmates as
great student, and as having passed
through the trying ordeal Of military
school without a single dement, mark. Il
generally got one hundred and fifty
year, During Bob Lees stay at West
Point, am satisfied he never swoTe an
oath, tasted drop of ardent spirits, nor
used the "weed" in any shape or form.
The same virtues of abstinence may be
attributed TO Charles Mason; bot think
Charley" occasionally lei slip an oath;
at least be looked as if he did. Mason
was in Lees class, and Intellectually, had
no superior at the Point. How well |
remember his bright, piercing eye, CLEAN
ing and "snapplng' with excitement as
he stood at the black board dem nslratng
some intricate and beautiful mathematical
problem. Mason early left the army, and
has since sought and gained that dislinc-
ton in civil life which his high talents
and pure character entitled him to. lie
was for long time Commissioner OF the
Patent Office, chosen for lis scientific at
lainments, and filled with ability for sew
eral years place on the Supteme Bench
Of Iowa.
Another prominent cadet in Lees class
wos B. W. Brice. He was high up as
soldier, but low down as a student; very
handsome, full Of wit and humor, and al
ways ready for fun and froIlc. Every.
body liked him, and was glad 10 call Ben
Brice his friend. lie was OF "our set,"
and, considering the circumstances, it is
wonderful he ever reached The office Of
Psymaster General. U. S. A., which he
row holds, and The dulles Of which he
discharges with mastery ability.
Joseph E. Johnston had great deal OF
the military spirit that pervaded The corps
and which was infused by Major Worth.
lie was not remarkable for his s;udlous
habits, and he belonged tc fast SET, and
myself was an active member. Few of
that set escaped arrest. confinement and
court martial. Joe Johnston was one OF
those genial spirits that gave zest 10 ca.
det's life. Full Of ambition and desire
TO excel, he was yet ever ready 10 join
scouting party 10 Butlermilk 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
manner Of arms, and carried his musket
so perpendicular that it leaned little 100
much TO the front. Though we recog.
nized his talents then. we little dreanpt
that he had The military genius he has
sinre disnlayed as q commander,