Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-11-27
G DUATES Of
ST. CYR SUSTAIN
HEAVY WAR Loss
West Point of France Fur
nisheS Many Gallant Soldiers
TO Army and Toll Of Death
Taken Is Severe,

first year of the var Nearly 2,Ooo OF
its graduates were killed including
PSI Of the Z. 600 cadets of the classes
OF 1919 and 1915. Thry-one Of these
Young officers were decorated with
the cross of the Legion of Honor
nearly goo OF them were cited in or
ders of the day and more thah Guy
were wounded. Altogether more
saint Cyr men persisted ON the bat
tleficlds If Morhauge. Charlcroi, the
Marine. the Aisne aud in the Nosges
than were killed m the battles OF
Austerlitz. Eylau jena, Wagrain'
Moskya. Monmirdl and Waterloo.
Nearly as many died on the iield OF
honor from August /, 1919, TO Au-
gust !. 1918. as had previously lalien
from the date of the birth Of tne
academy in 1902
on Jul, 90 1919. the officer come
manding saint Cyf notified the cadeW
OF the class Of 1915 that the eusto-
mary fete called the 'Triomphc' tho'
takes place each year incidental 10
the ceremony of the promotion OF the
Junior class ana IT'S christening Woulo
not be held Each class az saint C}i
al the time of it's promotion receives
"A distinctive name, "a sort OF nom
de-gucrrc." which its members carry
throughout their career; 1t is confer
red upon the juniors by the gradual
ing class The suppression Oh the
fpte was "a momentous revelation 10
the Young officers-the first official
a. hu1
the impression that war was hmm.
nent. The rejoicing was by olliclal
orders to be replaced by military non
ors that gave to the occasion an I'M
wontcd solcmnity and a sort OF grave
enthusiasm Drawn up in the spa
cious court Of Louis XIV. the Mont
miraus"-the class Of lsl4-paid the
honors to their juniors. only gen
cral officers, captain and heu-
tenant OF the guard were the prlVl-
eyed spectators b. an Impressive
scene that win be recorded in ms
tory. A few sober words of present
alton pronounced by the major OF the
"Montmlrails" and the new class en-
tered upon its military career under
the significant name Of the 'CroiN du
Drapeau" (thc cross of the tlag)
Notable Poem Written
Jean Allard Meeus, The poet of the
class, recited patriotic poem ms
only contribution to literature but
one that will make his name endur-
ing When he had finished reading
his inspiring lines a voice cried OUT
from among the exalted thousand
young patriots
swear. an OF as that when we go
into action il viii be in fun uniform
with white gloves and plume ilyne
In our shakos
A thousand voices blended in one
reply;
I'VE swear it.'
Some war correspondents nave
thought to have discovered some
d'Artagnans among the French sol
diers at the front with the cadets
of saint Cyr the spirit OF Cyrano de
Bcrgorac and the cadets of Gascosne
may surely be said TO live again
The soldier poet, Jean Allara
Meeus. kept the oath that he had
taken lie went into action in iuli
uniform the most conspicuous TARGET
Of all. leading his section 10 the ass
sault. and was one of The FIRST 10
fall ON August %. az Charleroi Sec
ond Lieutenant dc Fayolle, Of the class
OF the "Croix du Drapeau," received
his BAPTISM Of fire Under "a furious
Smelling by the German artillery ms
men hesitatcd. Lieutenant dc Fay
ollie turned to encourage them nut
perceived chat though he had kept nus
VOW to 40 into the fight with his
white gloves, he had FORGOTTEN his red
and white plume immediately
drawing it out Of his knapsack he
stuck IT into his shake and the sec
ton. electrified by his example rush
ed forward. ,,
you are going to set yourself Kill
ed. lieutenant" cried a corporal,
Dies Death Of Hero.
Forward, forward" was the young
soldiers reply as he bounded forward
mt the head of his men. a few min
utes later he lay inanimate on the
/ Charleroi battlefield with bullet
hole in his forehead directly under
Meath the red and white plume
/ Lieutenant de Castclnau was q
member of the "Montmirail class.
/ He. with his section, held the enemy
/ In check half day and at the very
4 moment when he had succeeded ~
throwing them back received his
death wound.
lie had noble end, was the
comment made by his father, Gener-
al Curieres de Castelnau, on being in
formed OF his death
Second Lieutenant IAnQuetot aSed
+ ~. cited i'm the orders of the army
4 for his presence of mind In taking
! command Of his company under Tire
after the commandaut had been
/ wounded and for the courage, cool
ness and energy he showed, was
+ "Croix du Drapeau' man.
Second Lieutenant Watcher, another
"Croix du Drapeau man with his
f. section held a bridge head an entire
day In order to facilitate a difficult
retreat. He got every man away
safely at night and i'm good order a
most crcditable achievement when Il
is considered how much easier it IS
maintain men in attack than in re-
treat
A young Saint Cyrian. wounded
once and returned 10 the front took
command of company OF territorials
an old enough to he his father MY
dear old daddies." he calls them, and
every one Of them swears hy him and