Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1880-02-12
ADVANCE AND RETREAT.

The military autobiography Of Lieut.
Gen. J. B. Hood OF the Confederate
service is soon 10 be published at New
Orleans, under the editorial supervision
OF General Beauregard. The book will
take its place among the authoritative
annals. Of the war. 9 class embracing
such books ~ Sherman's memoirs
and Joseph Johnston's Narrative"
Gen. Hoods book, upon which be la
bored Cor Eve years prior to bis death,
will be entitled Advance and Re-
treat" and is TO be Published for the
benefit Of the "TIood Orphan Memorial
Fund" The following brief aud ne
cessarily imperfect synopsis OF The book
is made up from advance sheets.
AT the age OF II, young Hood re-
ceived IN appointment as cadet at West
Point through a maternal uncle. then .
member OF Congress. Hoods father
was e physician and desired that his son
should study his profession, but the mar
tial instincts inherited from revolution
sry ancestors impelled him TO q sol
dier's career. He entered the military
academy in ls49 and he graduated IN
the class Of Sheridan. Mcpherson and
Schofeld in 1853. when he was ap-
pointed hreyet second lieutenant 10 the
Fourth infantry, stationed in California.
The quariermaster Of the regiment was
none other than Captain Ulysses s.
Grant.
The cost of living in California was
excessive, and Hood and has brother
officers were compelled TO replenish
their larder by hunting and fishing He
also joined with Lieut.. George Crook
(now q iull-6edged brigadier general
and famous a. an Indian 6ghter) in
raising wheat. The crop was album
dant, and netted Hood $1,000 IN gold.
In 1855 Hood was made q fun second
lieutenant ia the Second cavalry, new
" organized regiment. The colonel
was Albert Sidney Johnston. The lien
tenant-coloael Robert Z. Lee, and the
majors George n. Thomas and w. 4
Hardee (ihe tactician. At JefersDn
Barracks, Missouri, the rendezvous OF
the nea regiment, Lieut.. Hood met, for
the lirst time, in hls bank, VIM. T. Sher-
man, who possessed the same piercing
eye and nervous. impulsive iempera-
ment az az present. Little indeed, -
writes Gen. Hood. "didI aniieipale at
that period The great theatre ofIife upon
which I was destined = soon to be
thrown as an humble actor with him and
others Just mentionedY end who hare
since becume 80 distinguished and pro-
minent as Americas soldiers"
Subsequently,, while on duty at Camp
Cooper, Texas, Lieut.. Hood became in-
innate with his commanding officer.
Lieus.-Col. Robert +. Lee. One dag.
while out riding in quest Of q suitable
location for . permanent military past.
Lee said TO young Hood: Never mar
ry unless sou can do 90 into family
which Uill enable your children 20 feel
proud of both sides Of the house Ga
this Hood comments: "Hs perhaps
thought might form an attachment Cor
some Of the country lasses, and there
fore impaired to me bis correct and. at
the same time. aristocratic views In re-
gard to this very important step in
life."
Il was while 20 Texas that Lieut..
Heed had an encounter with fOrmi-
dsble band Of Indian warriors. and bare
~ escaped fate Ike that which befell.
in later years, the gallant Custer. For
his gsllantry on that occasion Hood re-
ceived the ollicsal commendaiion Of his
fnaior-geneFaI.
Hood became Confederate on ac-
connt OF hiss Kentucky birth. In No
vember. 1860. he was granted leave
Of absence fcr SIX months, but was soon
ordered to report for duty as chief Of
ihe cavalry at West point. He went,
however. Immediately 90 Washington.
and applied 70 Be FelIeved from the or
der and to be allowed to avail himself
Of the leave Of absence already granted.
Il wss Col. 9. Cooper, sdiuiant-gene-
raj: 10 whom Hood msds application.
81 shall ever remember says Hood,
sslhe ssionishment offhls old and most
worthy soldier u my unwillsngness to
20 10 West Point. He turned quietIy