Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-11-19
For the Spectator.
GLIMPSES AT THE PAST.
BY CHIPS.
CHAPTER Ill.

"REMINISCENCES OF WEST POINT CONTINUED.
The last year of my Imprisonment was draw
ing to a close and L was compelled to make Sc
we're preparations for the coming examination.
Study-study day and night A committee OF
learned citizens had been invited by the War
Department to attend the June examination
All eyes were on the graduating class, the mem
berS of which were to receive commissions ac-
cording to the rank they attained The five
distinguished were to be attached to the Engi-
neer or Ordnance corps, the next In order to the
Artillery, Infantry and Marine Corps. There
were, at that time no Cavalry, Light Artillery
or Rifles attached to the army, which was limi-
ted to 5000 men-a powerful bulWark for our
vast territory!
The day of agony came The various Sec
tions of the first class were called up in order,
and underwent a severe ordeal, some of the dis
tinguished visitors having prepared themselves
with questions which they nor anybody else could
answer. These questions generally pertalned
to chemistry, botany, mlneralogy and such
sciences as were taught In common schools.
passed triumphantly through architectural and
Typographical drawing, bees-lettres, natural
and moral philosophy, french and field tactics !;
but fell wofully short in those branches of
science requiring extraordinary concentration OF
mind and severe calculation.
known until orders were received from Wash
ington-perhaps month after the event took
place. | was anxious to obtain furough to
visit my family and friends in New York.
therefore called on the Superintendent the day
after the trial, to know whether L could obtain
leave of absence, and also learn the position
[ was to take in the army, whether In the ar
tiery or infantry, for [ felt pretty confident
that would not come off with the honors. -
The Colonel (probably remembering the revolt
assured me with bland smile and peculiar
smack of the lips, that l had passed very
creditable examination, and would be commits
stoned in the infantry-also that l might visit
my friends and await orders from the Adjutant
of the post My heart beat ightly-the pros
pect of again seeing my mother whom tender
ly loved, and certain dark-eyed one for whom
[ had formed different kind Of attachment, SO
buoyed me up that ordered my uniform forth
with-sword, epaulettes, &C., and started for
New York.
The stripping was now developing into man
hood the downy moustache adorned my up
per lip, and the sleek imperial my chin; while
my measured step and erect bearing indicated
my calling My mother with pride gazed upon
the young Lieutenant, and proclaimed him her
first born and best. My father also showed me
round as rdr0 aUis-something that had come
me continually in requisition for promenades
and shopping excursions; while my brothers,
who were each put to some useful trade, rather
envied the stand the long absentee had taken
| In the affections Of the other members of the
family.
A month passed joyously away. Balls, par
ties and concerts filled up the intervals between
the hours that were devoted to loye-for was
in it chin deep. Being somewhat Of prof
cient in music, which had ardently studied,
both as an art and science under the enthu-
siastic Willis, then leader of the West Point
band, | became associated with professors and
amateurs Of eminent standing, and figured
| largely at the many fashionable soirees that
were all the rage at that period A subscrip
tion concert was to be given for the benefit OF
the widow and family of popular teacher
whose death had left them destitute. L was
called upon to assist the affair was to be strict
| ly select and its management in the hands OF
gentlemen of high standing in society.
With natural fondness for music, added te
| desire to do humane act, readily consented
to perform flute solo in public, not thinking
| of the consequences that might result from it
| My name was, OF course, inserted IN the pro
gramme and the announcement read thus
''Concerto, flute, Lieut.. U. S. A.
| who has kindly volunteered his services. /"
| The concert was given before highly appre
| ciative and select audience, and the Concerto,
rendered with due effect, elected hearty round
of applause The fute in those days, was al
extremely popular instrument, but, it has seel
its best time.
One of the Programmes found its way tt
West Point, and, of course, to the hands o
COL Thayer Whether sent mahclously o
merely as an ill-timed compliment to the futist
is not known but, few days only elapsed at
ter the concert, when an order was recelvet
from the Adjutant of the Post, stating that ia
Diet --- should return to duty, he having
been found deficient in trigonometry, chemlstI.
and the application of algebra to geometry, ant
therefore it was imperative that he should re
view the last year course, ere receiving hl
commission!
This letter came like thunderbolt upon tn
pride and expectations of the graduate. [ fel
that [ had been deceived by those in power
that [ had anticipated a title that did not be
long to ME, and that l was disgraced. Burn
ing with rage, took the up-river boat and 500
arrived at West Point. My object was to Sc
the Superintendent, and lay my complaint be
fore him. He received me with cold and dig
nifed inclination of the head, pointing to a sea-
which declined taking.
How am [ to understand this, sir
asked, biting my lips with anger, and shown
the order of the Adjutant.
: Understand it, sir, as it is worded, al
swered the Colonel, smacking his lips IN b
| nsual wav