The sun., 1909-06-11
WEST POINTERS LAST DRILL
"NETER AGAIN" DAY AT THE
MILITARY ACADEMY.
Roll Call Of the Dead Read at the Alumni
Meetins--Oldest Livins Graduate 10
samuel French. 'A3--Horace Porter
Made Presideut-The Farewell Hop.


Made President-The Farewell Hop.
WEST POINT June l0.--This wss the
day ot sentiment and Renaissance at the
United States Military Academy. To the
graduating class IL was positively the
last never again day; that means that
the last drill. which is the last Of the regu-
lar routine exercises in which they en-
gage was held. For two weeks they have
teen having never again. days in this
and that study and exercises This after
noon when they marched out at o clock
for the graduation parade, armed only
with side arms, on the wet parade grounds
and in the thick mist they had their last
never gain" appearance as class in drill.
Gulps were in their throats as the throng
on the side lines, spplaudoi them. and
many Of their sisters and sweetbearts
we're in tears. to say nothing Of tho fond
parents who were quito sure that their
boy. you understand, was really tho best
set up and smartest looking chap in the
class.
OF course the bog felt choked up bit,
but not blessed one would admit such a
thing So they choked and choked and
eulped and gulped, and when they
could really find their voices declared
that a good-by drill was really nothing
hut pleasant diversion, mere nothing
Who dared to say that any cadet was
affected by itl Rank nonsense, as one
Of them put it, and then he hurried to get
glass Of water to clear away that pecu-
liar hoarseness which he had acquired
during that last drill. Strange that
drill never affected him that way before.
1t was also day Of sentiment and
peculiarly one OF "reminiscences to the old
grads, who came back in larger numbers
than they have in more than dozen years.
They held their alumni meeting this after
noon In the old chapel, which will be torn
down probably Ivy next years commence
ment. To some this last meeting in the
historic old place appealed deeply. These
alumni meetings are always sentimental.
Col. Scott, superintendent Of West Point,
presided and Lieut.. Charles Braden,
retired was secretary. Chaplain Travers
opened tho exercises with prayer, after
which one Of the most solemn things that
men OF arms engage in and one OF the most
beautiful tributes that they pay at West
stood as the secretary read the list OF the
dead for the last year,
There were thirty-seven names on the
roll, thirty-one from the army. active
and retired, and six from civil life, 1t
was the largest death list, Secretary
Braden said, that he could remember.
The Oldest grad who passed away was
Gen. NJ. D. l.. Simpson Of the class Of
A. There were many graybea rds among
ns AZ w.s .s' Gss edes
Webb, IS. Among the Others in attend
ance were Gen. John W. Barlow. '6l
Gen. Horace Porter, 80; W. r, Liyermore,
IN. John Pittnan, 81; Capt, Henry
h'etoalf, 'es; Loyal Farragut, SO. and a
lot of other 80 men. among them being
Major Bergland. Col. Tillman. Charles
Braden, Gen. Charles Morton and H. P.
Perrin.
-! 'fhsrs 1, vas also present Prot; e. Z. Wood.
\ Anderson, III; Col. Bonus, n; Capt.
II G. Clark. u; Col. A. 8. Cummins, '77s;
Col. E. P. Fuller, 70; Gen. r. A. Smith.
'73; Gen. Albert l.. Mills, former super
irtendent OF the academy; Col. Alexander
>, Bacon, 20; Lieut.-Col. f. S. Greble.
81, and these officers whose classes were
w Dl.
S. NJ. Foot, Col. j. I, Knight Gen. Irving
Hale, Col. Mark Hersey. Col Henry wv,
CANT. Capt, F. c. Jewell and Col. l.. o.
Parker, besides lot OF younger officers
referred To by their more aged superiors
as small fry 1t was announced that
the oldest living graduate OF West Point is
Samuel G. French of the class OF '43.
treasurer of the graduates association
read his report. showing that something
like $4,000 was in the treasury. Col.
Iarned of the post then told Of the memo
rial window which it is planned to
put in the fine new chapel. that is nearly
half erected. as the most towering
and beautiful building Of the new West
rel windows in the country and will cost
about sl0,O The association has only
800 in hand for it, but will send out
another appeal for funds on July |.
A letter was read from the widow of
Gen. Lawton complaining that the name
Of her father. Con. Robert Anderson ;,
Of Fort Sumter fame, was not printed
among the list OF alumni, and she com
mented on the fact that he was ono OF
Tho five who formed the association
Gen. Webb told how the five men met
in his offioo in tho University Of New York
In 1870 and started the association. He
Is the sole survivor. The association
'OtSl 10 bpfodu tHo IllHuUob Il TSCOTu
Of Gen. Anderson's share in forming it.
Cen. Horace Porter was then elected
president and was escorted to the chair
amid great applause by Gems. Webb and
Barlow. the oldest graduates present.
Gen. Porter recalled that to-day was the
tenth anniyertary OF the death Of the
q the beautiful Memorial Hall on the
campus, one Of the few graduates OF the
academy who ever had SUFFICIENT money
TO leave a substantial gift to his alma
mater. He also said the year was the
hundredth anniversary Of the birth Of
Edgar Allan Poo, another graduate.
Gen. PortSr spoke at length OF Cullum's
career and paid an eloquent tribute TO
bis character and memory. He told
Of his work as an author. mentioning
especially his biography OF the graduates
OF the academy.
The crowning act Of his career" said
Gen. Porter. was his donation OF the
magnificent temple that serves as home
and shrine for all graduates Of the
academy. We can coin no words OF
sufficient gratitude to George w. Cullum.
7. l.. Hills. who Was in the class OF oo.
then read letter he wrote to his mother
in April, 1855. describing the Joy with
which the cadets received the news Of
Lees surrender. He also read an order
which Cen Cullum issued as superin-
'endent Of West Point on that day about
tie significance OF the event. The order
Ccsed with the remission OF all punish
nents he had imposed upon the cadet
'orps
Secretary Braden then told OF visit
Gen Iullum made TO West Point In the