The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-26

800 or 20 90 sounding down the corri-
uois OF time for years 10 come. And yet
ie was an humble individual who sold beer
anu CAKES and other refreshments, TO the
caoetS at West Point Military Academy
LOT years and years. but ALWAYS under
the pan His resort was finally moved
10 forbidden ground - vet there were in
every class some cadets who at any Deril
"oIiu pay their frequent visits to Benny.
An. what scenes of jollity and fun were
.ile a enacted, and What relief from the
stlfct alselpHne of the academy Then
there was the added attraction of Rennv,s
cilar lhlhs daughters, to whom o. Brien re-
ters m MS song as the lovely flower that
blooms at Benny Havens." Alasl how
many bright and gifted cadets preferred to
graduate at Benny's beer shop rather than
at the academy. Perhaps the brightest
ahu most gifted of these was Edgar Allen
roe, Who could not resist the attractions
at Bennys resort, and so fell by the wav-
side ~ Wv "''
Although this man Ravens had been
eJected from the government reservation
TOT selling contraband liquor to the cadets
ana Tor years continued the practice al
hlghland Falls, he never lost the warm
place ne held In the hearts of the cadets
VINO We're his patrons while at the acade-
my ANA not only has his name been en-
banned IN the army's world-famous song
Oh Benny Havens. Oh! but it also finds a
prominent place in the elegant souvenir
volume West Point Tic TAGS pub-
nsneo IN 1873. Ravens died at Highland
ais on May %, 1877, almost 80 years old ::
ana one page of tic TAGS is devoted to an
II Memoriam" of Col. Albert e. Church
LII an honored professor al the acad-
envy, ana a Requiem to Benny Havens
| standing side by side. to the utter DISCUSS
ot tne more staid and exemplary graduates
OF the institution. And yet both tributes
were penned by the same hand and here
are the first two verses of the 'KSauiem. -
originally contributed to the ARMY and
navy Journal by "B, - whoever he NAV be:
O'Briens harp was sweetly strung
AND gave us joy long, long ago,
| Whlle We, with Union voices sung
Inc worth of Benny Havens, oh!
Ihat harp now hangs on willow branch,
| ana he of whom it sang lies low;
No more our steps will seek his rancho
10 grasp the hand of "Havens, ohr
| Perhaps I cannot better close this rarnb-
ling sketch than by giving my own verses
| on TINS subject the inspiration of a very
| pleasant afternoon spent with Gen. e.
| Porter Alexander, during which we had
| good deal to say about cold times" at
Bennys rancho" long, long years ago;
ana yet he is one of the Older graduates
| VINO can LAY his hand upon his sword
nit and swear he had meyer been to Ben
| ny's:"
Here's to the memory of all who in past
| years did go,
By quiet night or open day, with rapid
| step or slow,
| To where good cheer and sparkling wine
and jovial talk could flow,
| Beneath the roof and genial smile of Ben.
| ny Havens, oh!
Oh! Benny Ravens, Oh! Oh! Benny Ha-
| vens, oh!
We drink to our old comrades and Benny
Ravens, OH
| All! few are they who live to drink with
| US this toast, 1 know,
| For gallantry how many fell that with Tvs
| met the foe;
While others died In peaceful homes, faI
from wars pomp and show
| As did, at four score years and ten, oul
Benny Ravens, Oh!
oh! Benny Ravens. oh! oh! Benny Ha.
| vens, oh!
A long life and worldwide fame had
| Benny Ravens, oh!
To one and all again we drink, who lingel
| here below,
Not knowing as we tip each glass, Who'll
be the next to go;
But De ne old OF De ne young, OF nlgh ram
or of low,
| Well neer forget that once he met al
Benny Ravens, oh!
Oh! Benny Ravens, oh! Oh! Benny Ha
| Vens, OH
Let mem'ries of the past enshrine oul
Benny Ravens, oh!
And now with heads uncovered, and bow.
ed silently and low,
Let us drink to brave O'Brien who al
early death did know;
| For twas from off his sprightly pen the
| verses first did flow,
| That's well in numbers with the years
| for Benny Ravens, oh!
\ Oh! Benny Ravens, oh! Oh! Benny Ha-
1 Vens, oh,
| Long shall OBrien's name be linked with
Benny Havens, oh!
Sidney Herbert.