Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-03-01
The General Laughed

at Shiloh, some military critics hold
saved General Grant from defeat, vas
known in the old army ~ the mar
who can't laugh General Buell. was
not grave merely; he was grim. His
heart was kind enough, and down
inside he doubtless had the power oil
joke appreciation, but It rarely show
ed itself on the surface. 1t was lef,
Tor two yearling cadets at the Unit
ed States military academy to make
General Buell. break a record. Taps
sounded over the veterans grave ten
Years or more ago, but II one good
hearty laugh Is conducive OF longc-
witty II is probable that General Bnells
record : breaking laughter prolonged
his life several years.
II was hot on the plateau above the
awters Of the Hudson. hotter than the
cheek Of a field piece that has been
In action-so hot that the leaves on
the elm trees shriveled and the feet
OF the pacing sentries burned from,
contract with the only paved path on
the government reservation.
The plebes had reported and were
qtartered IN two divisions OF bar.
racks. the upper classmen having
been turned ont 10 share quarters
with their comrades In the other al
visions. a measure of safety for the
plehes. If n Of discomfort for their
elders.
The June examinations were on.
The board Of visitors. OF which Cen
eral Buell. was a member. had pail
rs ~perfunctorv visits to mess hall.
TO academic building and 10 barracks,
n was ready to so away to write
sagely concerning the needs Of the
cadets.
IT was ten o'clock In the morning.
Two cadets, n OF whom is now a
captain Of artillery and the other OF
whom is not many feet distant from,
the pen with which this story l.
written, had been thrown by fate a i
by the arrival Of the plebes into the
same room Of the fifth division ~
barracks. The thermometer in the
shade Of the guard house registered
80 degrees. In the room in which
the two cadets were quartered doubt
less II stood 10 degrees higher.
There had been one morning in.
spection Of quarters by an army Of.
ficer, and the two warnings, gasping
for breath in a oom into which the
sun beat with no regard for cadet
feelings, had every reason to be
lieve that there would be no further
inspections that morning. They ha /
stood the ordeal OF the examining
board at 3 o'clock and, with no stud.
In hand. they thought they were
until the first call for dinner.
BY the law Of the academy everv
In quarters was 10 be IN full
uniform until IL O'Clock. He
not allowed to smoke. his bed.
ding was to be neatly piled al the
head Of his bunk. In other words,
he cadet room and the cadets per
son were to be properly ordered an |
properly arrayed for inspection.
ITS hot said the future artillery
'omrade.
ITS hotter than that" said his
'omrade.
Let's strip" said the one.
Done said the other.
And forthwith they stripped. Then
he mattresses were pulled from the
'unks and thrown under the window
through which occasionally came MI
OF breeze, grateful though heat
aden.
I'D like TO smoke" said the IA.
ire artilleryman as he threw himself
n n Of the mattresses.
I'm going 10 smoke" said his com.
,de.
And ins'anter pipes we're lighted.
nd the room began filling with fra.
rant blue fog.
There was a clink Of a sword heard
the hallway. Its sound brought
'r~sternatiou. An inspection was on
Asore the two yearlings had time to
Ink there was a rap. and the door
IL thrown omen and i'm came pot