The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-17

uate with fifty six members; but before
many months-nay, we may say, weeks
had elapsed (reckoning from the first
month OF 1881 twenty-five Of this number
had responded 20 the cell from home;
Word came to the Academy that COM
missions IN the Confederate army await
ed all boys from the South. The writer's
roommate and classmate, a cadet from
the same State louisiana as the then
superintendent. Beauregard.' visited the
major for counsel and advice This man,
whom fate had decreed to receive the
sword OF Anderson. and the surrender
OF Sumter. a man destined to become a
prominent leader in the Confederate
cause. hestitated 10 advise the young
men from the South further than 10 sug-
gest that so long as he himself remained
in the Regular Army OF the United
States he thought they should all do so.
Time for Parting Words.
For many years it was a custom at the
Military Academy when cadets severed
relations with the institution after fail
ure at an elimination, or resigned for
proper cause for the first captain of the
corps, the cadet in charge OF the battal-
ion during meal hour in the mess hall,
TO grant to the departing cadets permits
sion to bring the battalion 70 attention
for parting words,
At this special hour in our country's
history Of which we write the practice
had a deeper significance than ever be-
fore: we may thus instance one Of the
many similar cases, that Of the first ser.
geant OF "a Company, prospective frst
captain OF the Corps OF Cadets His
voice rang out clear and strong: Bat
talon, attention. Good-by, boys! God
bless you aIr' His citizens attire
warned US that he was about to leave
the post, and upon permission being
granted, the members Of his class bore
him upon their shoulders TO the old south
dock. where the final parting scene from
this man. our favorite classmate. was
one never TO be forgotten. This was the
first instance OF a Southern boy leaving
for home-in this case. far away in
southern Alabama. to cast IN his lot with
his State and against the Union.
His classmates retraced their steps
from wharf to plain. each one grimiy
bordering on what remained m store for
him.
The June class Of 1851 had many vicis-
STUDIES during its term at the Academy.
Entering, as II did, upon five years
course, inaugurated in 1854, the Secre-
tary OF War, In October, 1858, directed
a change back to the four years term.
In April. 1853. the same authority again
changed the course 10 five years. This,
as those VIII understand who are famil-
lar with the system at the Military
Academy. produced great confusion, con-
slant reversals of decisions. and total
disregard of the recommendations of the
Academic Board.
Graduated Two Months Early.
Again. upon the outbreak Of the Re-
beilion, the then first class. which had
been at the Academy four years and
ten months, was graduated about two
months before the expected time. This
caused another change IN the course OF
studies. the junior class a second time
returning from 2 five to a four year limit,
and graduating on the date originally
prescribed for the class which had been
It's immediate senior at the Academy.
Thus It was that the course OF engineer
ing (eivil and military, law, and the
science OF ordnance and gunnery was for
us restricted TO exceedingly narrow
limits.
At that time there was decided and
well-founded opinion that the course OF
English study should be enlarged SO as
TO admit OF the Introduction of such sub
jects as defamation, composition. mill
tary Law, moral science. history Of phi
| losophy, rhetoric, and that last, though
not least, there should be included a
course of logic.
The writer met Gen Samuel Breck. OF
the Adjutant Generals Department, q
short time ago. and learned from him
that nothing had ever given him more
satisfaction than the instruction Of the
two graduating classes of 1851 In the be-
| aforementioned subjects. profitable alike
10 himself and 10 the cadets. A singu-
lar feature IN the course Of logic. and
one worthy Of remark, was the manner
In which the class appeared to undergo
sort of bouleversement. men high UP
in the first section in all other ethical
Appointed superintendent, January g. 1861, By