The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-06
RECOLLECTI0NS or CADET LIE,
Rebel Generals Boys at West Point
An Indian saorv.


Mlntary Academy. The following are ex.
SIDNEY JOHNSON.
The hrst cadet ever heard give the word of
command was Sidney Johnson, and the impress
s sion ms appearance made on me Is as distinct
noW az IT was then HIS stalwart form and
well developed muscles gave him an appearance
OF great strength, while his gentle manners and
benevolent countenance indicated a man of the
tendefest affections. Hard to arouse to anger
ne was ever ready to espouse the cause of the
oppressed. His noble nature endeared him to
MS iellow-cadets and his associates in after lite.
Un one oil the fairest pages OF history must be
written the deeds of this gallant soldier and true
patriot.
LEoNIDAs POLK.
Leonidas Polk, tall and straight as an arrow,
was the orderly sergeant of my company.
scrupulously strict in the discharge OF his
duues, retiring In his manners, and devout
member even then Of the Episcopal Church, he
invariably commanded the respect OF us all.
ROBERT Z. LEE.
Robert E. Lee held the two offices in the corps
usually filled by the best soldiers of the class
Sergeant Major and Adjutant. He discharged
the duties of these offices with zeal and fdelity
His personal appearance surpassed in manly
beauty that OF any other 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 sym
meucal, looked as though they had come from
a turnlngathe; his step was as elastic as if he
spurned the ground upon which he trod. He
was noted among his classmates as a great stu
dent, and as having passed through the
trying ordeal of military school with
out a single demerit mark. Il gene
rally got one hundred and fifty a year.)
During Bob Lees stay at West Point, /
am satisfied he never swore an oath tasted a
drop of ardent spirits nor used ''the weed" in
any shape or form. The same virtues of absti-
nence may be attributed to Charles Mason; but
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 well l can recollect his
bright piercing eye, cleaning and Swapping"
with excitement as he stood at the blackboard,
demonstrating 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 character entitled him to. He was for
long time Commissioner of the Patent Office,
chosen for his scientific attainments, and filed
with ability for several years a place on the
Supreme Bench of Iowa.
B.w. BRICE.
Another prominent cadet IN Lees class was
B. w. Brice. He was high up as a soldier, but
low down as student; very handsome, full of
wit and humoT, and always ready for fun and
frolic. Everybody liked him, and was glad to
call Ben Brice his friend, He was OF ''our set"
and considering the circumstances, it is wonder
ful he ever reached the office of Paymaster-
General Omitted States Army which he now
holds, aud the duties OF which he discharges
with masterly ability.
JOE JOHNSTON.
Joseph E. 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
belonged to a fast set, of which 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 to
cadets life. Full OF ambition and desire to
excel, he was yet ever ready to join scouting
party to Buttermilk Falls, the residence of the
immortal Benny Havens. His appearance was
very military, and when under arms no man
leSSed more the soldier, He was very expert in
the manual OF arms, and carried his musket SO
perpendicular that it leaned little too much TO
the 'front.' Though we recognized his talents
then, we little dreamed he had the military
genius he has since displayed as commander.
JOHN D. MAGRUDER.
Nv old friend and class mate, Joh n B. Magru
der, was perhaps the most elegant and d1stlngu
cadet at the Academy in that day, and do 10
believe West Point has ever had his equal. HI
was frst-rate soldier, of fine appearance, AM
very strict when on duty as ''ofhcer OF the day,
never failing to report the slightest violation
regulations, even though the delinquent wa
his most intimate friend and roommate. Thi
trait in his character have reason to know
from personal experience. John was for tn
corps the "arblter of things elegant, the glas
OF fashion,"
A STORY ABOUT wINDER
At the Military Academy everything was In
varably done in exactly the same way, and tn
Opposed to anything like innovation upon e,
tablished forms and customs. For example
the commander OF the evening parade took
distant from the centre of the line. He the
folded his arms across his chest, and RENAME
motionless as a statue until the adjutant II
formed him that the parade was formed. II
then, with greater deliberation, dropped n
arms and with his right hand graceful
waved the adjutant to his place. As soon q
the adiutant passed hlm he drew his sWorc
passed 1t diagopally across his breast, an
clutched it near the point with his left hand. tn
battalion was then carried through the manua
brought to an ''order arms" and the adlutaI
received an intimation that he could pubhs
the orders and dismiss the parade. NOW, u
slightest deviation from the established mann'
of performing all these details would ha'
brought down upon the head OF the oneh1 no
the wrath of the whole corps. llieutenant Jof
n Winder (afterward Brieadier General Winde
OF the Confederate States army, whose tralnn
had been under totally different system, I
turned to the Point, after an absence OF ten
twelve years as assistant Instructor OF tacn(
The first evening he took command oil U
parade he lounged out TO his position al
assumed an easy attitude resting himself on O.
leg his arms dropped by his side. Instantly
murmur began to run through the lines
Lieutenant thereupon braced himself up a.
shouted "Attentionl" This for moment pI
duced quiet and enabled the adjutant
proceed with the ceremonies; 0ut the II
ment Winder drew his sword, and placed t
blade against the hollow of his shoulder inste
of across his breast, and spread his teet asunu
instead of having his heels together on the SAL
line, the corps broke out into yells and laughi'
and such was the uproar that nothing
worthy Lieutenant could do TO restore ORD
was of any avail. In vain he shouted III
fle-cOsers don't do their duty I'll arrest the
by G-d.n This only increased the commotlc