The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-04
DID THE GIRLS STAND FIREp

REPLY TO THE vAssAR COLLEGE STUDENT
WHO SAID THAT SHE WASN'T AFRAID"
NEW YORK, June 8, 1875
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The question whether the young ladies' of
Yassar College, who had the courage, II not
temerity, 10 attack and capture West Point
week since, stood fire away in the sham
battle, threatens-now that the Masonic celebra-
ton Is over-to excite large share OF the public
attention. Possibly 1t may provoke as much con-
troversy hereafter as was caused by the historical
questions now lamous:-''Why did not Groucny
reach the field OF Waterloo before three O'Clock OF
the afternoon OF June is ~ ~ as the execution
of the Due d'Engnien justifable 20 or that last
and most important OF all queries, "Who killed
Cock Robin ~ or ''Who struck Bill Patterson,
Esq. ~ or "Who Is responsible Tor the Harlem
fats ~
But permit spectator OF the scene 10 speak.
In the communication signed "A STUDENT 1t is
said that the young ladies who were charged upon
~ the shouting battalion did not run away.
me young lady ''student"-t IS presumably q
young lady student. for IL would certainly take
young lady 10 De so nconsequentlal and Illogical in
her siatement-says Ton the contrary, there
was not young lady but stood her ground
bravely, not even uttering a sound, so great was
the astonisnment OF all at the unexpected cnarge.o
that this cump of young ladies did not expect
the charge and were SO astonlshed dor aston
unable 10 move. ! have seen veterans run away
IN sham battle where musketry was In pr ogress,
owing 10 molnentary lorgeLlulneSS o. the real
nature OF the firing, and on the other hand have
witnessed RIOT where the troops were firing ball,
anu yet the people on the walk would not believe
II until the rattle on WINDOW shutters, ut the
third discharge told then oil their terrible mis-
take. l saw some OF the ladies run positively and
seek shelter, while few who had nc business 10
be in such place stood still, absolutely
white and paralyzed with lear. And uno was
the brave young lady who acknowledges that she
was there and astontsned ~, and yet heard an
oflcer say tnat ne hoped "that the men would
stand IRE as well 2'f And who was the fortunate,
fearless and fascinating officer VINO uttered these
memorable words 7 Or does he only exist In the
pictured dreams OF some fair graduate who wears
spectacles, as many OF the lady visit ors did who
visited West Polntf Yet do not blame TINS lair
young student for defending the reputation OF the
Nassar College visitors, as have understood that
neither the faculty u or the cadets OF the Military
Academy had invited their lady visitors 10 call on
them; but OF course, the gentlemen are too gal
liant 10 notice such an omission or etiquette. As
one cadet said to the writer, "fhe strong minded
have come down on US again, the same as last
year, but, by Jove, there IS one girl among them,
and she Is so exqnslte that feel as the poet did
when ne looked on his ideal and wrote -
All could such a being find,
And were her tate TO mine but Joined
BY Hymrn's slken tie;
To her myself. my all I'D give,
For her alone delighted live,
For her consent to die.
ONE OF BENNY HAvENsi BOYS.