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

JULY IL, 1910.
in May. ana the few border States men
and Southerners at heart remaining IN
the cadet battalion were as yet not
brought squarely 10 the test. since It
seemed as II matters might be recon-
ciled within a year, OF that the issue
would at least not be brought home to
US. / say us because, as one of the
FIVE of thirty-fve Southern boys Of my
class, just entering upon its fifth year
texperimentaD term. determined 10 Pc
tition the Secretary OF War for immediate
graduation. that It might take the field
At this juncture let me quote from
Ropes. of Massachusetts, an Impartial
historian, and among the first of mill
tary writer's, who enunciated q principle
upon which many cadets took action.
do not quote him literally. but in effect.
Should a Virginisn find himself In ac-
cord with the action taken by the au-
thorities 81 the state eve will say OF
South Carolina. a State let us assume.
already tout OF the Union" he could
not enlist with the forces Of that seeded
State. his Own State being as yet in the
Union. without deservedly being elassed
a traitor. But If. on the other hand his
own State had severed her bond with the
Union. and he. with others, had been an
earnest Unionist. with efforts against
secession unavailing. then honor and du-
ty should compel him 10 cast In his lot
with his own State. This was the South
ern mans tenet, this was his religion.
Upon this tenet we OF the border States
remaining in the Union rested our case.
It is not generally known. but it is new
ertheless true that four-ffths OF all the
graduates Of the Military Academy In the
early eos arrayed themselves on the side
OF the Union, and one-flfth on that OF
the confederaey. The war has altered
many things. and the oath OF once. as
now administered 10 the young cadet, has
in il the ring OF "the Union. right or
wrong"
Ready for the Front.
The reverberation OF the gun fired
against Sumter had scarce died away
when the order cane from the head
t,larters of the army to graduate the
first class az the United States Military
Academy This was one OF the three
classes that completed the five years
experimental course. Following this the
next succeeding class (our class was
graduated in June. and the course Of
study at the Academy once again re-
stored 10 four years. In this manner
some seventy-hve young men became in
tmately associated with the field officers
OF the three months organizations in and
around Washington City. and at no time
in our eountry's history was this infor-
service rendered by the young West
Pointers more fully appreciated by men
who had gone out 10 serve their coun-
try In her dire extremity. SO much, in
deed. were these newly fedged officers
respected, that. though they only wore
the insignia OF second lieutenant. they
were generally recognized and saluted by
the sentries with the field officers pres
ent, a courtesy which made marked i'm
preston upon the newly fiedged officers
and one long to be remembered.
At Gen Blenkers brigade headquarters
they were ever welcome. nor were they
unmindful OF the fact that there was a
large and most accommodating arbor,
with a wine cellar attached. that none Of
US will ever forget
Nothing can better illustrate the gen.
erai excitement and distrust prevailing
! throughout the country than the fact
/ that when the May class from West
/ Point was passing through the city OF
/ Philadelphia, they were al arrested at
the Camden ferry dock and carried be-
fore a civil magistrate.
Going 10 Washington.
/ II appeared that when purchasing
/ side arms and revoivers IN New York
/ City (the usual custom Of the young
1 GRADUATED. it was rumored that these
young gentlemen were on their way
/ South 10 join the Confederate Army
| kilograms were sent TO the authorities
/ in the city Of Philadelphia 20 head them
/ of, but when the error was discovered
the modification of the good people OF
/ that city was so great that the night
/ train for Washington was detained at the
depot. and a sumptuous supper prepared
/ for the young officers at one OF the prin-
| cpal hotels. The advent OF our class on
June a. ISsl-the se-ealled second class
/ Of that year-was attended with no
/ further incident than that OF receiving
our commissions Immediately upon arri-
val and being presented collectively to
/ the President by Gen. Winfield Scott.
Having shortly after this been selec-
/ ted as an aid 10 Gen. j. F. X. Mansfield.
who commanded the defenses OF Wash
| ingtop, a Gordon OF fifty or more garri-
soned earthworks. witnessed the grand
review OF McDoWelrs army. some 10000
strong. as 1t passed the Presidents stand
on Pennsylvania avenue. in front Of the
White House-a most inspiring sight,
though one which was calculated 10 carry
with 1t valuable Information to the op-
posing force which lay in wait for the
coming Of our army.