The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-06-30
The S. G. NJ. a.


Tho commencement exercises Of the
South Carolina Military Academy began
last Saturday by a competitive Company
drill, which took place Oh the Public
Square at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. The
Cadets are divided into three Companies
"A, B and G. The drilling was highly
creditable, and the contest close. Com
pany B, Captain Coward, carried off the
honors. On Sunday morning at II
o'clock the commencement sermon was
preached in the First Baptist Church by
the Rev. j.. A. Clifton, D. D., of Able
vile. His subject was, ~ am that bread
of life" taken from John G:4S. The ex-
position was clear, forcible and scholarly
and was listened to with intense interest.
Monday, June 2Sth, 5o'clock p. M, was
appointed for the competitive individual
drill for the sTeague (Star Of the West)
medal" but a heavy shower was falling
at 5 O'Clock and it was postponed until
81 O'Clock a. ~, yesterday morning when
the drill took place at the Court House
contest. The drilling was excellent, but
from the beginning the ranks began to
thin down. Considerable interest was
manifested by the large crowd Of specta-
tors. Their interest increased as the con.
testants became fewer, and when Cadets
J. B. Sally and S. O. CAVITY stood the only
two contestants, it was found necessary
to force the spectators to fall back. For
some time these most e1cellently drilled
Cadets went through the manual like
pieces of machinery. They were drilled
again and again by numbers, without
numbers and about face; but there was
no error. It began to be whispered that
it was only o question of physical endur-
ance. In al u~nguarded moment, how
ever, in passing from the manual by
numbers to about face and back again to
the manual, Cadet CAVITY lost the point
that about face drops the numbers and
this point lost him the honor of wearing
the historic league medal, Cadet j. B.
Sally, 3rd corporal in Company B, is the
winner. making the fifth Cadet to wear
the medal since it was presented to the
College. J.. B. Sally is from Aiken Coun-
ty.
In order that our readers may fully ap-
preciats the honor attending the wearing
of this medal its history is given as fol-
lows:
LII tOOU, "uou pIdIo 1SiSulSa uu OcCco-
sion was the burning questions of this
State and which eliminated in Deem ber
in the memorable Convention which
dissolved the Union between South Caro-
lima and other States, and was followed
by active preparations for war, which was
imminent, the Citadel Cadets, full of en-
thusiasm and burning with the desire to
change dress parade into active service,
were permitted to take charge of the hat
terry on Morris Island, in Charleston har-
Dor. Major Anderson, OF the United
States Army, was there in command OF
Fort Sumter, on S%ullivan's Island, with 8
small garrison Of about 100 men. While
many courtesies were shown him By the
people Of Charleston, his position was
daily growing critical. President Buch-
anan, approaching this fact, made an eff
fort to send him mon and supplies. On
January 9, 1861, the merchant steamer,
Star of the West, entered Charleston har-
Dor on this mission. The Citadel Cadets
on Morris Island suspected her mission,
sent several we'll directed shots crashing
into her side, compelling her to put back
to sea. These were really the first guns
of the ,war, but it was not until April,
1861, that hostilities began in earnest.
In later years, DR.. 3. Fl. Teague, OF All
ken, S. c., secured a piece of oak from
the steamer Star of the West which, being
ments the beautiful league Medal.
This medal was presented to the Citadel
by Or. league in 1893, and On the last
week OF the annual encampment a prize
drill is held and the medal presented to
the best drilled man, who has the honor
'of wearing it until defeated in the manu-
al by somo other student. 1t has been
won by the following students: A. E. Le-
care, 1898; A. Levy, 1894; j. d. Dial,
1895, J. NJ. Josey, 1896.
At 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon the
Cadets gave q skirmish drill ia the large
stubble field near the residence of w. G..
Watson, and blank cartridges were free
Iy used. Many witnessed the skirmish,
and he commands, the maneuvering and
the rapid firing made the scene realistic
and exciting. Several old "vets" re-
marked that the skirmish sounded
'smighty familiar" This drill was not on
the program Of exercises aud was an I'M
expected treat.
At I o'clock the review and inspection
OF the battalion by the Board OF Visitors
took place on the City Square. The rain
which fell between 8 and 4 o'clock had
tempered the heat down considerably,
put the streets in excellent condition and
made the afternoon comparatively pleas
ant. The sidewalks were lined with la
dies, children, men and boys. The mem
bers OF the Visiting Board present were
Genera! johnson Hsgood, Gen. John
Gary Watts, General Edward Anderson,
Colonel J. J. Lucas, P. Fl. Gadsden and
81. H. Crum. The Hon. J. II. Hudson,
by invitation, acted with the Board. The
Cadets were in fine trim and as they pass
ed in review their appearance vas highly
creditabie and the impression they made
most satisfactory. Immediately follow
ing the inspection, Lieut.. Mcdonald, of
the United States Army, the military in
%structor, in q few choice remarks bid
adieu to the graduating officers. Corpo-
raj j. NJ. Sally was then brought to the
front and presented, by Col. j. j. Lucas,
with the league (Star of the Vest medal,
which will distinguish him, for u year,
at least, as the best drilled Cadet OF the
South Carolina Military Academy.
During the many dress parades and
drills ofthe Citadel Cadets since they have
been in Anderson, and the many dances
which have taken place almost daily and
nightly, the Fourth Brigade Band has
rendered prompt, efficient and pleasing
service. Without this delightful music,
Caup Calhoun could not have been SO
attractive, parades would have been dull
and stiff, aud dancing-well, there can be
no dancing without music. The men,
bers at the band are thorough gentlemen
as we'll as competent musicians, and An.
6erson Is much pleased with them and
the elegant music they have furnished.
The commencement exercises proper
are in progress in the Opera House as we
on RI nress. Hon. T. III Hudson arrived
here Yesterday to deliver the annual adj
dress. We do not know what subject he
has selected, but we do know that he is
learned, eloquent, earnest and sincere.
These qualifications are a sufficient guar
antee that his address will bc instructive,
entertaining and full of wholesome ad-
vice To the Young gentlemen who will to-