Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-11-05
For the Spectator.
GLLMPSEs AT TEE PAST.
BY CHIPS.
CH T.
"REMINISCENCES OF WEST POINT.

"REMINISCENCES OF WEST POINT.
The outfit completed, with all the little luxu-
ries and comforts a loving mother could think
OF, started on my new career, q well grown
lad OF eighteen years, feeling, Of course, as any
youth would, that there was an important mis-
sion for me TO fulfill The Alexanders, Wash
ingtons and Napoleons passed before me in
shadowy review, and, in my own estimation, at
least, / was already the ''hero OF many wars, :"
and 3 full blown Commander in-chief.
The examination was passed with credit, not
wlthstandng my repugnance for surds and vul-
gar fractions. [ took my place in the ''pleb' =
and Universities-and, hatter myself, dispu-
ted inch by inch the field of Science with
brighter, but not more energetic boys than my
self. | grapped with the most abstruse prob
lens Of mathematics and, though uncongenial
to my nature, | made fair show on the black
beard when called upon to demonstrate prop
osition to the satisfaction CT the learned Pro-
fessor Ny first drills in the School Of the
soldier" were rather annoying to tempera-
ment so impetuous as mine-I thought [ was
skilled in tactics before | left home, (haviDg
held the post Of fourth corporal in boys com
pany) and saw no need Of my being pat back to
the squad drill. The fourth corporal Of ju-
veniie corps ought to know something of com
SQUAD" was anything but promotion. Besides,
| had an utter abhouence for the word squad !;
it had peculiarly offensive sound-a kissing
and gutteral tone that implied scorn and con-
tempt. My biunders on the field, in the bal
ance step, right aud left, obiique &C., soon left
me behind my companions, and | was the only
one left for the drill master, cadet of the sec
ond class.
Squad, attention. uttered the sergeant
with laundering tone and a swagger OF au-
thority, one fine morning, as | stood solitary
and alone going through The obilque movements
and facingS.
drew myself up erect, and placed my arms
firmly by my sides all the while biting my lips,
and giving portentoQs signs of the storm that
was raging in my bosom
Squad Right face - commanded the ser
geant. Right lace 1t was-bat the twitching
and spastnod:c motion Of the fingers indicated
nervous irritation.
Squad Front = again thundered the pom
pous tutor Of tactics.
This motion was effected with difficulty, for
the right foot appeared 10 have some design
upon the sergeant's hinderquarters.
Squad Stand at ease, was the next com
mand. Look here, sir-Mister Sergeant" J"
exclaimed |, almost bursting with rage
''Silence in the ranks!' roared the instruc
tUf L VIII HOb Dc SiIGlit3 dUSWCT3u Win
some show Of determination; and, would
have you know that have name that [ am
not ashamed of. If you call NE squad again,
III make you feel uneasy in your boots.
Consider yourself reported for unsolderlike
conduct, and disrespect ior your superior off
Ger, was the dignlfied reply Of the Sergeant,
who ordered me to my quarters and submitted
a long report of my bad conduct to the officer
of the day. The result was that [ was repre-
manded for NAL conduct before the whole bat
talon, and took good care ever afterwards to
eschew the word squad.
A College is little world of itself, composed
of elements as Heterogeneous as the Frenchman' S
punch, which was little sour, little sweet, a
little strong and little weak The Academy
at West Point, established by Government and
sustained by the public Treasury, nurtured and
reared within its walls youths from every sec
ton Of the United States Every state was
represented, and the characteristics of the peo-
pie of the North, South East and West were
there exhibited in the youths who were ap-
pointed to supply our army With accomplished
and skillful officers The Hotspurs of the South
stood uis-c-vjs with the calculating and more
temperate sons of the North and the political
and sectional feelings of the parents were sure
to be reflected from the sons The Yankees,
for instance, were taunted by the Southerners
with wooden nut-megs" and s'ready made
pumpkin seed, while the hardy sons Of New
England threw back the reproach with s'nigger-
drivers and swamp plantations" The youths