The farmer and mechanic., 1915-03-02


Ii was about this period that Pet |
usieW began TO take deeper inter |
est in public affairs and to endetavor
to divine TO what point the diverging |
tendencies Of North and South We're |
apont 10 carry US. Gradually his |
Coubts resolved themselves with the
conviction that a disru ption was in
eVltaDle and that that disruption
would with equal certainty result in
civil war He regarded war as an
| event distinctly foreshadowed and the
conviction once established in his
own mind he immediately sought q
| prepare himself for participation in
| the struggle He devoted his leisure
| hours to mastering the science Of war
| SO far as that could be ACCOMPLISHED
| by closest study. His great abilities as
a mathematician and the distinction
ne had achieved in that department
OF the exact sciences rendered the ac-
quISltlon Of all that pertained to en-
sineerlng and artillery a pleasant la
bour and to the other branches Of
military study he devoted himself
with that eagerness which character
ized all his pursuits. His knowledge
Of the French and German languages
opened tc him the best treatises of
these countries in the several branch
es OF military science. He soon ac-
quired a proficiency which won for
him the esteem Of professional SOL
dlers. With these he mingled fire.
uuently, gratlhed at the opportunity
it afforded Of discussing military
questions and at one time the social
discussions at his room turned almost
entirely upon military matters
Eager to see something OF war on
, q grand scale, to see reduced to prac-
, tice the theories of the books and to
, see how fields were lost and won, he
j embarked for Europe to obtain, if
. possible. q place on the French staff
in the Franco-Italian war then wag-
ing. Letters Of the strongest charac-
} ter and from the most influential per
= sonages in the country were easily
, procured for him and with advant-
ages rarely possessed by any Amer
E lean he left this country to seek the
f position he coveted. He succeeded ir
lDrocuring an appointment not on the
= French. but on the Sandman staff
: and left Paris to report, but on the
e road was met by the news Of tn.
e peace of Villa Franco. This closed hi
J, military career for this period. Avail
t ing himself of the opportunity. which
: his stay in Europe permitted. he pur
s sued his military studies at Paris un
n der the best teachers that could b,
: procured, and towards the close o
e the year, returned to Charleston
t bringing with him undiminished hi
s ardour for military pursuits and hi
e conviction that the time was ap
e preaching when a proficiency in then
: would be most appropriate and vaiu
It able.
s. He had been much struck while i,
g France by the drill efficiency of tn
n French Zouaves, and on his return t
It Charleston elected captain of the riff
q company he endeavored to fashion
lr upon the model which he so mucl
l. admired. He drilled it carefully an
:, 3, constantly in the gymnastic step O
a that celebrated corps. His drills wer
u as a matter Of convenience principal
on moonlight nights, and as the regu
le lar. rapid tramp of the troops NOV
- ing at the double quick was hear
- crowds gathered upon the battery t
- witness the new performance. II
~ also taught it to perform all the eve
: buttons as skirmishers. and b
"a this energy and knowledge an
= strict discipline soon made his CON
80 mand one Of the crack companies
ct the city. and in many respects til
A.. model for all others. His success wit
1e his company led to his election q
Of colonel Of the first rife regiment til
T. most complete organization of volur
Of teer troops in the State. Enterin
he iupon the duties Of his new office wit
ep the same zeal which had characteri
to ed his performance of them in tt
e. subordinate capacity Of company con
Il mander he soon made his regiment
to model for ali volunteer organization
g Nor was this ali. He made himse
n, beloved by his entire command. The
lis respect for his abilities, their cont
IS dence in his judgment, courage ar
or GOODNESS rendered them prompt
lts obedient to every order. They believe
OF in him and loved him. and he cou
'n, rely upon their following him whe
lai ever he led. Well for the State "
on it that at a period when she was
on soon to need military skill and Sc
sn vice, one at least of her sons h;
~, ~. studiously qualified himself for
a. struggle and had prepared others
he 40 eoope'o o'.oA W ia
nd " @ 10y
on t1oopo S@AeAuAAS AHoAi OSIeu' !"