The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-18
Stands Next to West Point.


The following official report will be
read with pleasure by every friend Of
the Citadel and should be source of
gratifcation and pride to every citizen
OF South Carolina. Its circulation as
one Of the official documents of the
United States war department. cannot
fail to benefit the institution which 1t
concerns. and to aid in maintaing toe
military reputation of the Palmetto
State
CHARLESTON, June 4, 1894.
To the Inspector General United
States Army, Washington, D. c.
Sir: I have the honor to submit to you
the following report Of an inspection Of
the military department of the South
Carolina Military Academy made the
4th Of June. 1894, under the instruc-
of the Secretary of War:
This institution was last inspected BY
Major J. P. Sanger, inspector general,
May %, 1898 For description Of its
appointment, scope and objects attention
is invited to the accompanying cata-
logue and to the annual report of the
military professor, which has been been
examined and found correct in state
ment and useful for reference.
At the inspection there were one
hundred and thirty students present and
Eve absent. None we're absent without
authority. all the students we're IN
Uniform. The condition of the arms
was perfect with respect to care and
cleanliness. The condition OF the
announcements, guns and carriages,
vas excellent. The condition of the
equipment and implements was good.
Condition of the signal property:
Only 2-foot flags, eight 10 number,
coed two heliograpbs, Grugan, very
old and worn out
Upserviceable property Two hello
graphs.
The appearance and military bearing
of the students were superb, by far
superior to any military school | have
inspected.
The military professor is suitable for
this detail, and the general condition OF
the military department. in all its ap-
pointments warrants its continuance.
The military professor reported that
problems in minor tactics were practi-
cable With the students. and they have
had practice in the solution Of twenty
different problems in the broken country
adjacent to the city.
REMARKS.
The South Carolina Military Aca-
DENY Is q military school in the best
sense Of the term, the expenses Of which
are mainly borne by the State. The
military department is modelled after
West Point and closely follows the
national institution in all its details,
especially With respect to discipline and
infantry instruction.
The cadet corps Is organized INTO
battalion Of three companies, fully
Offered. They were exercised io
review and inspection. in battalion form.
and drilled in the various exercises in
company and battalion drill. in close
and extended order, the bayonent exer-
else aud signaling with the flag and
heliograph.
The discipline, military instruction.
bearing and general appearance Of
cadets; the general care aud condition
of arms and equipments and the entire
military aspect of the military depart
ment of this Academy admits of NO
comparison to any of the colleges with
which I have had experience. 1t is SO
superior in all its methods, scope. ap-
poiutments, and its distinctive military
features that it must be classed alone.
and can ouly be compared to our
Natiooal Military Academy. Their
limited means does not permit the
extended military curriculum that
obtains at the West Point Academy,
especially respecting advanced theory
and practice in ordnance and gunuery
and practical instruction in cavalry
drill; but in discipline. methods and
the practical and theoretical part of an
infantry officers education they follow
closely the West Point methods and are
but little inferior in accomplished work.
In the set up, military bearing, cohesion
and drill of all kinds in the infantry
tactics this battalion equals any organ
izatiou in the army. and is but little
short of that superb excellence gene~elly
believed to be possessed by the national
cadets.
Though Lieut. jenkins has entire
control Of the discipline and instruction
of the corps. and with his facilities
should acommplish commendable re-
suits. be is. think, entitled to greater
commendatiop than is due even good