The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-08-24
f.Ths Roys ut west Point.

~ DAo6ooh ~ WTltlng u
series of interesting sketches for a
Richmond paper, giving reminis-
cences of cadet life at the West Point
Military Academy. The following
are extracts:
The first cadet I ever heard ,oive
the word of command was Sidney
Johnston, aud the impression his
appearance made on me is as clear
and distinct now as it was then. His
stalwart form and well-deyeloped
muscles gave an appearance of great
strength. while his gentle man
ners and benevolent countenance in.
dlcated man of the tenderest affec-
tlons. Hard to arouse to anger. he
was ever ready to espouse the cause
OF the oppressed. His noble nature
endeared him to his fellow.cadets
and his associates in after life. On
one OF the fairest pages of history
must be written the deeds of this
gallant soldier md true patriot.
Leonldas Polk, tall and straight as
on arrow, was the orderly sergeant of
my company. Scrupulously strict in
the discharge of his duties, retiring
In his manners, and devout mem.
Der. even then, of the Episcopal
Church, he invariably commanded
the respect of us all.
Robert E. Lee held the two Offices
IN the corps usually filed by the
best soldiers of the class sergeant
major and adjutant. He discharged
the duties of these offices with zeal
and fidelity. His personal appear
ance surpassed in manly beauty TINT
OF any other cadet in the corps.
Though firm in his position, and per-
fectly erect, he had none of the stiff
ness so often assumed by men who
affect to be very strict in their ideas
OF what is military. His limbs, beau
tiful and symmetrical, looked as
though they had come from 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 a great student, and as
having passed through the trying
ordeal of n military school without a
single demerit mark. II generally
got 100 year.( During Bob Lees
stay at West Point, I am satisfied
that he never swore an oath, tasted q
drop of ardent spirits, nor used "the
weed" in any shape or form. The
same virtues of abstinence may be
attributed to Charles Mason; but I
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 at the
Point. How we'll I can recollect his
bright, piercing eye, cleaning and
"snapping" with excitement as he
stood at the blackboard, demon
strating some intricate and beautiful
mathematical problem. Mason early
left the army, and has since sought
and gained that distinction in civil
life which his talents and pure cha
racter entitled him to. He was for a
long time Commissioner of the Pa
tent Office, chosen for his scientific
attainments, and filled with ability
for several years place on the su
preme bench of Iowa.
Joseph E. Johnston had q great
deal of the military spirit that per-
yaded the corps. and which was in
fused by Major Worth. He was not
remarkable for his studious habits,
and belonged to q fast set, of which 1
myself was an active member. Few
of that set escaped arrest, confine-
ment and court martial. Joe John
ston was one of those genial spirits
that gave Zest to cadets life. Full
of ambition and desire to excel, he
was yet ready to join scouting party
to Buttermilk Falls. the residence Of
the immortal Benney Havens. His
appearance was very military, aud
when under arms, no man looked
more the soldier. He was very ex-
pert In the manual of arms, and car
rled his musket so perpendicular that
1T leaned little too much to the front.
Though we recognized his talents
then, we little dreamed he had the
military genius he has since dis
played as commander.
My old friend and class mate, John
Is. Magruder, was perhaps the most
elegant and diStingue cadet at the
Academy, in that day, and do not
believe West Point has ever had his
equal. He was first-rate soldier, of
like appearance, and very strict when
on duty as "officer of the day."
never failing to report the slightest
violation of regulations, even though
the delinquent was the most intimate