The New York herald., 1871-09-17
A GREAT MAN GONE.
Death Of Professor Mahan, of
West Point.
10 Jumps from the Steamboat Mary Powell and
IL Drowned-The Search for the Body-Con-
sternation on Board the vessel-Briliancy
and Eccentricity, Gloom and Despon-
dency-A Glorious Record Of
Great Mind-The Story Of
the Professors Life

Point, which melancholy event occurred yesterday,
under circumstances as painful as they were
startling will be deplored throughout the land To
those acquainted with the brilliant qualities Of the
deceased-w1th his magnificent powers as an In
structor in engineering, MS grasp and compre hem
siveness as master Of that subject, his versatile
talent as hnguist, his force and clear
ness as an author on field fortlhcatlons
and his noble characteristics as o man,
the announcement OF his demise VIII come with
heartfelt sorrow. He 1t was who taught the
greatest military Of the civil war, and to his
careful prepara tiOn OF those earnest students may
In great degrec, be attributed the splendid tactics
which they displayed. Among the many Of his
pupils at West Point-afterwards renowned
generals-were Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, McClel.
Ian, JEFF Davis, Lee, StOnewa Jackson, Thomas,
Gilmore ana others OF note. Not alone at the tary
Academy will the loss OF the great Professor be Sc
verely felt but all over the country where the genius
OF the learned is appreciated. 1t is not however,
the fact of his death that will cause surprise,
though 1t will occasion regret, since Professor
Aahan had almost completed that term of existence
allotted to man. being almost seventy years. Rather
ts 1t the
TERRIBLE AND UNEXPECTED MANNER
IN which he quilted Ghis world. At quarter past
eight O'Clock yesterday the lamented gentleman left
West Point IN the sidewhee steamer Mary Powell
40I LiS Clty, AoI tHc purpose OI consulting MS
physician. Half an hour after the steamer
mad lett her wharf Professor Mahan jumped
overheard from the forward part Of the vessel was
struck by the wheel aid disappeared forever.
This In BRIEF Is the story or his DEATH great and
disting uished man thus hurried into eternity
yet leaving behind name untarnisned, and repu-
tati0n that Will ever be spoken of with admiration
and respect so long the military records OF the
country are preserved. And now let US proceed 10
consider the causes which led to act apparently so
RASH AND SENS ELEss,
nnce there may be those who, ignorant OF the
surroundings would thoughtlessy withhold that
feeling of charity and that appreciation OF the cir
cumstances which, indeed, must fully be be-.
slowed. Professor Mahan, as already mentioned,
was an aged man. occasionally exhibiting marked
degree of eccentriciy, ana although his society was
ever cOurted by the learned, he nevertheless
evlnced retiring and reicent disposition. This
feeling was particularly noticeable within
the last few months. 1t was evident TO
those who knew him best. not that his mental
powers were decayng, for he was ever resolute un-
ninching and ccar-headed in all points appertain-
ing to his duties as professor but that his hitherto
precise and determined character was marked by
an amount OF despondency that gave rise to various
borne in mind that, having achieved 80 many pril.
liant riuinphs as tutor he was loath 10 surrender
IN Office he had so brilliantly filed Nor was 1t The
desire OF
THE BOARD OF VISITORS
70 retire him because OF his advanced age but
rather on account OF his mertOrious services to the
institution OF which he was resplendent ornament
The fact is tha-there is no use In denying ttPro.
lessor Mahan was very DID, anu, recognizing the
fact that his career had shed such lustre on the
military genius OF the country, the Board, while most
thoroughly approaching his grand scientific efforts
deemed 1t advisable tnat he should be retired. Let
It be distinctly understood that this action of the
Board OF Visitors was not at all suggested by the
idea that Professor Mlhan, because OF his age, was
failing in powers as an instructor; the contrary
the OBJECT If the Information furnished be correct,
was simply To place the learned gentleman In an
easy and comfortable position, 80 that his declining
years might be passed in
PEACE AND RETIREMENT,
away from the cares ana occasional turmois Incl.
dent to the lie Of professor at the Academy. But
the spirit of this sterling and world-renowned man
would brook no such compromise, and with cnarac.
terstic determination he pursued the uneven
tenor OF his illustrious way Human nature mas va
rlOus phases. The sensibties OF men can readily
be aroused by means both strange and singular:
for we find that instead OF regarding the pro.
posed action OF the Board OF Visitors
IN the light it was doubtless Intended
by this sensible recognition OF Ills talents Certain
It Is that the older some men become the more de.
termlned IS their opposition to the that they are
becoming The more Incapable. Yet this was not the
case win Professor Malan, 10r he ruled with un-
ninching energy to the last: but unfortunately ne
misunderstood the intention of the Board OF Visit
ors. Relieving, however wrOngluy, that he was
being thrown overheard 50 10 speak, because of hs
age, Professor Mahan stood forth with e1ervescent
vlgor, and although offered the
PAY OF A BROADER GENERAL
on the retired list he decned to resign his profess
had accomplished so mEcn, was not thwarted, his
hum0r was gratified, and he continued to sit
IN the professors chair at the Academy until
hun IRON Office fortvermore. or late Mr.. Mahan
has observed very gloomy department, and, while
,s@perament at most times very grave, has
Say nothing Of lls impatient and someImes sulen
character Totally nsconsiruing the kindly inien-
ton OF the Board Professor Matan created In his |
imagination an ln1mica fOrtihcatlOn and resOlv wing
TO raze It, ngurativey speaking. boldly advanced TO
The suggestion OF his retirement coupled with the
possible Inconsistencies OF his advanced years, |
TINS anything IS strange Take tSe Bench NOR fo5 G
instance In The Old Country, and you will find the
HOARY-HEADED DIGNTTARIEs
gtfn clnging to the ermine through tnlck and thin
II Is their hearts delight TO sit and adjudlcate and
pompousy announce their opinions upon cases dur.
Ing the hearing Of which tney have nodded and |
d0zed and finally sunk into profound sleep, partially
aroused now and then by the snrlll and persistent
resign because of age, and you innict |
the severest blow upon their judicial |
briskness. Professor Mahan, as previously
remarked, was very taciturn, and, OF late, was so
extremely rigid in his exactiOns as 10 almost
amount TO sternness-sO thaS the students, at all
times deeply grateful for the superior knowledge
impaired to them, began to perceive the Influences
that operated so powerfully on Their Professor.
Within a month or two the Professor displayed
symptoms OF rapidly declining health. lie
frequently visited physicians In New York;
and 1t was on one OF those trips that
he came TO his end. In appearance Professor
Aahan was below the mediu SIZE, with sharp
features, stopped shoulders, yev nevertheless COM
pact in form and with eyes sparkling with In
telllgence. However eccentric in apparel, his
sparkling eyes bespoke intelligence, and although
. stranger could not well define him. there was
something about his unOstentat0us carriage that +
awakened feelings OF Cur, osity and esteem. Within
q week or 30 1t was n0tlc ed tnat
DECIDED CHANGE
had come over him. That his health was giving |
way apparent to all, for not many days since II
was apprehended that his career In TINS world was !
not OF long duration Believing that a consultation
with his medical adviser was absolutely necessary, |
prnf oanp laff Waot m ha harv DoxvoI |