The sun., 1918-08-16
GENERAL EDWARDS, PUPIL.
He Gave Promise Early Of His Ca.
pacity rs n Soldier.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Str: GEN.
eral Edwards, was a pupil of mine in
Brooks School. Cleveland. Ohio. in 1876
rs. ! had the military drill as fea-
ture. and young Edwards was rapidly
promoted through the various ranks
to Major and Commandant Of the
School Battalion"
Among $500 boys, whom have
trained in the military drill, young Ed
wards was unexcelled in proficiency. He
soon developed an intense desire to go
to West Point. but the only opportu-
nifty which presented itself was to enter
competitive examination for admis-
sion in 1878. Only eight months time
remained in which to complete the prep
arstion. and at the request OF his father
] took him as a private pupil two hours
each afternoon, in addition to his school
work.
The examinations for admission to
West Point are elementary in character.
but are the most thorough and COM
rrehensive offered by any institution of
learning. 1t Ia practically impossible to
obtain specimens OF examination papers
given in previous years for the reason
that the authorities do not permit them
to be taken out OF the examination
room. Thus one has no guide and a
teacher misses one most important aid
in fitting a pupil which he has in the
case of preparation for colleges and
universities. but young Edwards was
full of ambition and performed his work
most thoroughly
I had heard that very frequently the
incoming student was asked 10 bound
the county In which he was born. /
therefore frequently had Edwards draw
a map of Ohio and put in the bounda-
ries Of the counties. He was born in
Miami county On the night Of the
closing exercises of bis class in Brooks
School, which included company and
battalion drill before an audience of
some 5000 people, when the dress pa
rade was over I said to the audience:
Ladies and gentlemen, never make
n prophecy. but the exception proves
the rule, and | am going to make a
prophecy tonight. The commandant OF
our battalion. Major Clarence r. Ed
wards, is the best tactician that l have
ever seen among boys or men, and
prophesy that, II he lives. he will one
day command the armies OF the United
States"
At the reception we gave to General
Leonard Wood. two or three years ago,
at University Club, Chicago, related
this incident to the General and he with
only three or four ahead Of Clarence.
so that your prophecy will very likely
be fulfilled"
When young Edwards presented him
self at the examination fer West Point
he was not surprised but delighted to
see upon the examination paper in geog-
raphy this question, Bound the county
in which you were born" Hc wrote in
repl,
~ can not only bound the county IN
which I was born, hut | can bound
every county In the State OF Ohio"
He proceeded to draw complete and
accurate map of the State. outlining all
the counties. The examiners apparently
considered this Il remarkable feat; at
any rate. they gave him 100 per cent |
in geography, which. with his high !
marks in all other subjects, secured his |
appointment over the other for;y-fve |
applicants,
General Edwards's military record. |
during all the intervening years has |
brought him the highest reputation. In |
every post to which he may be assigned |
he will prove himself worthy of the |
highest confidence which the Govern
ment may repose in him. In personal
character and physical bearing he is
every inch a soldier
JOHN STUART WHITE.
LAKE PLACID, August IA,