New-York tribune., 1907-11-02

now the Spirit Of the guns and OF the dreaming
parapets now of the flag shaking out its colors
at the masthead. now Of the hills and the river
and the forest
1t is interesting to notice that both Schah and
Mahan were deeply impressed By a duty that
ielI to the lot of each, that of making the watch
AT west Point the sentinel on his round wit
nesses all the solemn pageantry of the night:
the silent river. the passing craft. 'the moon
light lying the steps of the chanel the
clock in the tower striking the deep hours
Captain Mahan has memories equally stirring
though different enough in character of the
night watches at sea.
, Once you were awake, what a mighty stimulus
mere was IN the sal; roaring wind and the pelting
me fle oGGb; me answering cry OF the topmen aloft
How eager and absorbing the gaze through the
darkness from deck, TO see how they We're getting
lay with the wind out of it, really slack for hand
hng, though stiIl bellying and lifting as the ship
The high stress of feeling that prevailed in
each institution before the outbreak of the war
is strikingly recorded. In 1859 Mahan was
graduated from Annapolis and at once en-
barked as midshipman the Congress for a
two years cruise in the South Atlantic. The
political situation aboard-as also at the school
was characterized by unanirnity of sentiment
among the SOutherners and the utter lack Of
it among the men from the North The South
erners knew what they wanted; the issue was
perfectly simple and clear; conviction and
pride reinforced each other; whereas the North
erners, more reserved and calculating by nat
ure. split over problems Of ways and means.
disagreeing to the nature Of the main
issue. The news of the fall of Sumter and the
orders home which reached the Congress stimuli
taneously at Montevideo, had a profound eff
feet. Every voice but was hushed. and
that voice said 'Fightr" Just IN the nation
at large. in this miniature embodiment of It,.
the North was at last aroused apd united.
After the return Of the Congress. Mahan
Joined the Pocahontas. a steam corvette. which
kept in blockade service off Charleston
until the summer of 1862. Six months more at
the Naval Academy. at this time transferred to
Newport; a European practice cruise, few
months IN the Texan blockade. another trans
fer TO the South Atlantic seacoast, and Lieu
tenant Mahan saw the hosting of the American
flag over Sumter. The remainder of the volume
describes cruises in the Far East. and gives
an interesting account of the authors transit
ton from naval to academic and literary life.
AS for General Schaffs story he ends II with
the departure Of the graduated cadets for the
war. What he emphasizes most is the passion
ate sincerity that actuated the whole corps,
Northerners and Southerners alike-Southern-
ers who remained loyal to the Union at the Bit
terest personal sacrifice. and. equally, South
erners, like Fitzhugh Lee, who resigned and
entered the Confederate army. West Point
friendship could endure even this harshest of
tests. and in the end it had a great part 20
play in the bringing back TO peace. He says:
West Point has rendered many a service: she
the gates 10 Grants undrcamed or ablItieS.
with beating heart she was with Thomas as ne
stood at ChCkamaug.t that mighty September day;
she was at Warrens side on Round Top; she was
with little George 4. Mcclellan when he rallied the
Army Of the Potomac after the Second Bun Kun.
an these great services BUT her creates
service was in Inspiring and revealing the Ideals
Of the soldier and the gentleman and IN knitting
frendshius which. when called on by the world S
love OF gentIeuess Responded at Appomattox 10y
bringing back enduring peace leaving our country
history unshadowed by revenge and unhaunteu oy
victims Of political gibpets-