The Washington herald., 1910-07-10
WEST POINT IN THE EARLY SIXTIES--A RETROSPECT

his own notions. These conditions may
be more fully appreciated when we say
that Sherman and Sheridan and all the
other Jolly boys" put up at the ma
jor's quarters whenever they visited the
post.
AS the story goes, an old army officer,
one OF the early temperance advocates.
called upon the major az a time when he
was absent from home. The old lady
housekeeper. lowering her voice. said:
Walk In. colonel: the major told me TO
tell any one who might call that he
would find what he wants on the uppef
shelf or the closet at the end OF the hail.
II was the custom in past years. when
any good fellow OF class was "hived,"
hiVed drunk; that is, found m condition
such as 20 warrant hts being brought 70
trial before court-martlal, for the class
to sign pledge 10 abstain from the use
of intoxicating liquors during the remain
der OF their term at the Academy. in or
der to save the unfortunate from dismiss
sal. Our class, at that time being ION
pledge" knew full well where To go on
Saturday afternoons. the afternoon the
cadets had permission TO visit on the
post. TheFmaJor invariably inquired OF
those who sat around his board. May
| help the members Of the second class to
peaches peaches amply supplied with
iiouor preseryative)2' and as the second
class could not drink. why not eat, and
eat as all total abstinence people do, eat
Unexpectedly; whip the devil around
the stumpf
Officers at that Time.
Our commandant at the time was John
T. Reynolds, with the local rank OF lieu
tentant-colonel and the other officers OF
the Department Of Tactics were: Alex
ender Med. Cook, Heutenantss Second
Infantry; Charles W Field, lieutenant
Second Cavalry; Robert Williams, lieu
tenant, First Dragons: Fiszhugh Lee.
ieutena2t, Second Cavalry, and Charles
Griffin. lieutenant Second Artillery. the
latter officer transferring with the West
Point Battery 10 Washington City early
in the year 1851.
Griffin had earned no sobrisuet at the
hands OF the cadets and the same may
be said Of our commandment, Reynolds:
but McCook was frequently called "A
Med" Field, Charley" Williams,
Bully" and Fitzhugh Lee. "Fitz"
Gen. Reynolds was killed July /,
1853, aged forty-two Being in command
OF the engaged forces at the opening OF
the battle of Gettysburg, and while urg-
ing his men with animating words, he
was struck with a rife-shot that caused
almost instant death. a grievous loss TO
the Army OF the Potomac, one Of whose
most distinguished and best beloved off,
GERS he was; one. whom, by the steady
growth OF the highest military qualities.
the general voice OF the army had marked
out for the largest fame"
Capt. Reynolds had been brevetted cap
tain and major for gallant and meritor-
ious conduct az the battles OF Monterey
and Buena Vista. The remaining tactical
officers. when serving on the plains, had
engaged in many Indian contests and
had done good service. though not re-
Quilted by breyets. The law distinctly
requires that bTevets shall not be be-
slowed except in time OF war; and the
contests in which our little army was en-
gagged on the frontier for so many long
years. the most hazardous OF all warfare,
were. as determined BY Revised Statutes.
not 20 be so classed. Those who fell in
conflicts with the Indians we're men who
passed quietly from their classes at the
Academy 10 the Western wilds, re-
turning-if ever again-to their alma
mater for final interment In the West
Point Cemetery The battle monument
which now rears its shaft near Trophy
Point bears not even on its panels the
names OF those who, as officers and sol
diers Of the regular army, were killed in
battle during the civil war.
Depart for Active Service.
II was hard enough for those who were
left ar the Military Academy in the win
ter and spring OF 1851 20 part with their
comrades from the South But suddenly,
in the same month in which the first
class was graduated. Reynolds. Griffin.
McCook, Williams. Field, and Lee. all
the TAGS" departed from the Academy
for active service. Field and Lee be-
came distinguished leaders in the Con-
federate States service Williams, al
though Virginlan by birth and affilia-
ton, remained loyal TO the Union and
commanded the First Massachusetts,
Cavalry, with the same energy and zeal
that he had displayed at the Military
Academy as instructor OF cavalry tactics.
Later re became Adintant General United
States Army.
OF Alexander Med. McCook, Major
General, United States Army, retired, so
much Is known that it needs but to be
said that he is much more youthful and
spry than many ''old fellows" his jun
Tors by many years. who are now verg-
ing upon retirement.
OF Fltzhugh Lee also, words are I'M
necessary. He has Tough for and
against US, and all Is now forgiven and
forgotten that could In any wise detract
from the luster of the star which he
wears with so much honor IN the strap
upon his shoulder. He commanded the
company of cadets of which the writer
was a member; and 'Fitz's" parting
words, as, with tears in his eyes and a
Although no sculpture. marble should riss to