Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-11-12
"sToNEwALL" AND THE CADETS.
A "'Plebe" Relates His Experience At
West Point--End Of a Practical Joke.

A 'Plebe' Relates His Experience at
West Point--End OF Practical Joke.
My Introduction TO "Stonewall'' Jack
son, when was q cadet and fourth class
man, is as follows: In September Maj.
jackson returned from his summer leave
of absence, was at his post preparing
the second class for its course in applied
mechanics. | was, in cadet parlance,
"a plebe," had been in school about a
month, and had heard from the old cadets
wonderful stories of Maj. jackson S strict
ness in adhering to discipline. One day
about 10 a. m, as l was going to my
quarters from the class room, l was hailed
by an officer, as supposed, and called
into a room on the second stoop Of the
barracks. There / found several cadets,
dressed in blue coats, with swords and
sashes. The one who hailed me said
rather sharply to a secretary, who was
seated by table and busily writing,
MAKE out that requisition and send it by
this plebG to the quartermaSter, and you
fellow, take it to that office" pointing to
a room. Get the officer there to sign it,
and then go mp town and bring what it
calls for. Be quick about it, l must have
it here before dinner roll call"
touched my cap, as had been taught
when l spoke or was spoken to by an Off
Ger, and walked briskly to the door Of
the room that had been designated. |
knocked, cadet opened the door, and
asked what wanted. / Informed him
that had paper for the officer in there.
He took in the situation, and allowed me
To enter. walked up to the officer, who
of q
book before him. Before he had time TO
raise his eyes, had dotted my cap and
was presenting my requisition in as polite
a manner as | could assume. He took
The paper, gave it a hasty glance, and
without changing cOuntenance, pointed to
a bench near him and ordered me to wait
until he dismissed the class. The cadets
who were not ut the blackboards gave
me significant looks, and with difficulty
concealed their merriment.
| was wofully uncomfortable, but kept
my seat until the recitation was con-
Cluded and class dismissed. The officer
or instructor then addressed me with a
kind, pleasant smile on his face, "DO you
know what this paper contains" had
risen from the seat / occupied and stood
before him, cap in hand; in reply TO his
question, told him how it came into M
possession, and what was ordered to do
with it. That l did not know one half
the officers, and as the gentleman who
gave me the order wore blue coat, sash,
and sword, l supposed he had authority.
He said he did not censure me at all, that
the cadets were in the habit of quizzing
the newcomers, and some one was playing
a joke on me. The order brought was
a bogus reQuisitiou for high heeled socks
picked crowbars, and a box Of SpeX'
best cigars l had not dared to open the
order, and when advised of its absurd
nature my embarrassment was painful.
He observed this, and TO relieve me asked
how long / had been mt the institute,
from what part Of the state hailed, etc.
His manner before the class was stern,
he sat erect with his coat buttoned to the
chin, but now he was kind and pleasant,
and shall never forget my first encOun-
ter with Stonewall JacksOn.-Thomas NJ.
Boyd in Southern BivOuac.