The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1869-02-24
IEnr tho Foro1d I
lFor the Herald i ..--.~
Visit Of jefferson Davis to the Military School
-----'~-- of st. Cyr, Paris.

Va 0t. Sy1,
MEssRs: EDITORS I'm making briet
translation from a French paper in regard
to- the visit of Mr. Davis to the School above
named. allow me first to say that the School
of St. Cyr, as the Polytechnic School, is un>
der the command Of the Minister of War.
The first Military School established in
France, by Lewis XV., in 1871. was located
in spacious, Monumental Building, erected
at the extremity of the Champ de Mars. ~
Abolished in 1898, the Military School was
soon succeeded by that of the 'Soas of
March" encamped in the field of Sablons,
which. however, lasted but short time, In
1902, Napoleon the 1st, re>established the
Military School,; this he established in the
left wing Of the White Horse Yard, in the
Palace of Fontainebleau. In 1903, he re>
moved it to the old Royal House of St. Cyr,
erected by Lewis XIV, and it is there that
the Military School stands to-day.
Every Frenchman from 18 to 81 years of
age, who passes the examination held every
year by the Minister of War, is admitted to
the School. When admitted, he contracts a
military engagement of seven years. At the
end of three years, the scholars are brought
before board of examiners, and if accepted
are sent TO different regiments as second
Lieutenants, but if rejected, are sent to other
regiments as privates. (2)
1t is to this nursery the glory and the hope
of France. that Jefferson Davis paid visit
on the Goth of January last. He was escort,
ed by two officers of the old army of the
South, and by Mr.. Slidell, who was the Re
preventative of the Confederate States DUR
ing the War Of Secession. The French Gen.
eral De Goudrecourt. Director of the Militia
ry School, received the distinguished visitors
with the most marked courtesy, and the
regiment of school boys being at the time
under arms, one of their number was placed
In command, and the old Minister Of the
United States the old Director of West
Point, and the gentleman at last, who was
for more than four years the soul of one of
the greatest struggles recorded in history,
exhibited an admiration which he did not
try TO conceal while Witnessing the admira>
BILE drilling of these youths, who are the
personifcation of the Military qualities of
all Frenchmen
When at rest, Mr.. Davis spoke English
with number of the younge men. He then
visited the stndy rooms. the amphitheatres.
the collection rooms, and the marble tables
on which are engraved, in letters of gold,
the names Of all the scholars who have been
raised to the rank of generals. Thus ended
the visit of Mr.. Davis, who left the School
perfectly satisfied with the proficiency ex-
hibited. and with the sympathetic welcome
Of tie School boys of St. Cyr.
Q.) This spacious building retains bnt
one remembrance of what it was before 1889
and that is small roop occupied by the
grt at Napoleon, when he was a scholar of
that Institution. -.
t2) To the pride of that School might
say. that among the hest and bravest gener>
MS of France, an immense number come
from the scholars of St. Cyr.
NJ. E. T.