The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-06
". West Point "reminiscences.

Some West Point "reminiscences.
M who we're cadets at West
,.,,rs nv time and became most
...,rr The civil war were George
" ScsIlnn Of PENNSYLVANIA + J. Jack, Jack
AsstnswalD of Virginia. and George
~ virginia. of the class OF
3. Burnside of Indiana and A.
\" !, virginia, Of the class OF ls4'.
Hn M, vas as courteous, kind and
ss gentleman as ever met;
s's4 ne graduated second IN a class Of
1Ats members. he was naturally by
fspp,s We, member. He was strict
~ sDn when on duty, knew no
ypiina, and showed no psrtiality In
~ru.M rsmnaigns be displayed mastery
sh lly ~ and although he failed in his
sss. .,.,a campaign, 1t was well known
ltl'lssua .nthorlties at Washington and
~ vs. s,,mor forced him to make the
sM sasow he believed he had made
~ ~. 'rreparations for the important and
ss.alt TASK contemplated. Ihough de-
pa No exhibited consummate general
4 withdrawing his forces without
.a.,ruotion. ! always believed him
\ r r able general in the Northern
,..s,on was an enigma Those who
Mn best while cadet never sus-
VA his being military genius. He
srorksd cccentricities. He entered
!. point with but limited education,
i ,Aough he started below the middle
M.I class. he kept climbing up slowly
! ssrsly, and graduated in the first Sec
Though never apparently morosc,
x,x exceedingly reserved and but sell
Il ever. formed intimate associations,
.,rslv taking his walks alone, with
: amid strides, with head lowered. as
Immersed in deep thought He was
s,ourbly conscientious in discharge Of
~. "a one ever attempted to haze him
,sts advantage OF him when on duty.
vns unr-ilitary in manner. and prob
II, for this reason was never made a
". officer. though perfect in deport-
M thought he was about the most
sr,IpE rider ever saw on horseback.
IS las, time saw Jackson was at
INA IN 1850. He was rapidly striding
MI the beach early in the morning,
ming heavy walking stick above his
Nd, changing It frequently from one
ia 10 the other. I was told he then
Efsyed his heart was affected and
ssught that kind Of exercise would be
asfcis Pickett proved to be an
her military surprise. He was untidy
.rsss, an incident student and rather
sllsss In habits. but kind hearted,
.sefpus, whole-souled fellow, fond of
biting Benny Heavens (who furnished
iieis with contrabaud articles), and
rs once or twice on the point of being
tnlssed on account OF his large number
dsmerits He was habitually late at
sitgle. hut II he happened to be on time,
b vas likely reported for buttoning his
athts ii ranks or for coat collar un-
'sened Cadets were required to keep
PtL hair closely trimmed, but Pickett
iisrally let his grow until reported once
twice for long hair. In fact he
sasd to enjoy getting dement's, so long
She kept short of dismissal, and to
how he could make his class stand
Without being found deficient, finally
sauailng foot OF \ class OF fiftS-ninC
Einters,
" vas popular with the cadet corps
i1the officers at the point was strict
Fr1inpartial in discharge of duty. mill
u 70 his bearing, always neat in dress
alpot considered of marked ability as
Atsnt
slnslde was great favorite with
sfeIs Of all the classes, was so good
aufd 'hai others sometimes took ad-
a1se q it, causing him to be reported
Fslect Of duty when on guard OF
~ Of the day He had n splendid
sfue and was probably the finest
'AF cadet in the corps. Like Hooker
VI TOO rash and impulsive to be safe
'lFas'5d with the command of a great
though he displayed considerable
sfisnlp In Withdrawing his force,
iae Potomac. after being repulset
a fine thing for commander tt
Just when he Is whipped. Burn,
f,,seovered this crisis at Tredericks.
Mcclellan In his battle before Rich
~ Out Lee failed to do so at Gettys
'esna II cost him dearly.