Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-26
How Engineers may Commit HarI-
Kari

The late Mr.. Cluss, In his lucid testimony be
fore the Committee Of Investigation, gave it as
bis opinion "that the Board Of Public Works
have 80 far murdered the reputation OF able Ell.
gineers as much as Blue Beard did his wives
Mr.. Cluss has demonstrated by his own collapse
that this great slaughter Of engineering reputa-
ton should not be laid upon the Board, but is
rather suicide than murder. And again, Mr..
Engineer Wright Rives, who seems to have
much the same political and personal snimu-
against the District Government as hts country
neiRhbor, counsel Merrick, can hardly charge
upon the Board his act OF hsri-kari In writing
the following letter to JEFF Davis asking for q
place on his staf and expressing his willingness
to spill the last drop OF his blood in the rebel
cause:
WEST POINT, Dec. 18th, 1862
DEAR SIR received your letter OF the 9th
last week, and would have returned my sincere
thanks Immediately, but want Of time pre- vent
ed me from 30 doing until the present moment.
Words are Inadequate to express my thanks for
your kind offers; and I know Of no way to sx-
press them but by devotion to your cause in fu-
ture, and l feel confident in saying that my
actions and unwearied exertions will prove to
the most fastidious that am not ungrateful, but
RENE mber until death the kindness of nv
interest. As said in my letter to you that
your advice would more or less influence my
actions in future. 1 shall you bid me, re-
main here and finish my course OF graduation,
If i can do SO, but L am afraid that in a few
weeks this academy will cease To exist. know
that II would be foolish for me to resign now
could do nothing for my cause, and if by
chance these states were to remain united,
could never get a position in the army. We
have no money here, and since the rupture will
take place before We can get the benefit of the
Treasury notes we must fall thought several
days ago that might remain until spring. but
now L believe that will be compelled to leave
before the middle of January at the farthest;
perhaps next week. / shall remain "a long
as the course Of instruction is carried on
or until the whole south leaves and
commences government Of its own, and
resign. l heard several days ago that you
intended to leave Washington the frst Of next
month, and not return; and If such is the case
Tond te 70 say rev words I nov y, while
forms confederacy Of its own, and IL you wis
any one to help the cause; you can count on me
my blood for my country's cause, and that no
matter az what time she may call on me shall be
ready, and will immediately come and embrace
ber q sns my
her interests than am. Since You have been
% kind as to give me tho service most
acceptable, l would prefer position on your
but you will be commander in-chief, and
IL you think I am qualified to act in that
capacity, would like TO have 1t. / heard that
port to be printed. You know that It is q very
valuable document, and one that should be in
the hards OF every officer; such being the case,
ard II you have any copy to spare, would be
under many obligations for one. Many men,
oers or my class say that they intend to resign
the first of next month (seutherners). Since
commenced this letter have been eaking to
several cadets; they, without me limiting oFthe
subject, say that they do not believe the acade-
my can last through next month. No officer or
professor can get their pay, they have all APP
piled TO the paymaster who says he has no
money. have taken up your time too much
now, but will add that no matter at what time
the South shall demand my services or how
perilous the service may be, I shall be ready to
defend her until death. Let me know Whenever
you wish me to come, and believe me, when I
say that place my future hopes and prospects
In your hands. Yours, truly,
wRIeHr RrvEs.
IEndorsed-Csdct Rives Of West Point. Al.
piicaficn for military position to President
Dayie.l