Year: 1867

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RECOLLECTIONs OF CADET LIFE.


Gan Old Dragon is writing series of inter
esting sketches for Richmond paper, giving rem.
iniscences of Cadet life at the West Point Military
Academy The following are extracts:


SIDNEY JOHNSON.


The first cadet T ever heard give the word Of
command was Sidney johnson, and the impression
his appearance made on me is as clear and distinct
now as it was then. His stalwart form and well.
developed muscles gave him an appearance ofTeat
strength, while his gentle manners and benevolent
countenance indicated man Of the tenderest affec
tions. Hard to arouse to anger, he was ever ready
to espouse the cause of the oppressed His noble
nature endeared him to his fellow cadets and his
associates in after life On one of the farest pages
of history must be written the deeds of this gallant
soldier and true patriot.


| LEONIDAS POLK.


Leonidas Polk, tall and straight as arrow, was
the orderly sergeant of my company. Scrupulous


" strict in the discharge of his duties, retiring in
his manners and devout member, even then, Of
the Episcopal Church, he invariably commanded
the respect of us all.


ROBERT E. LEE


Robert E. Lee held the two offices in the corps
usually filled by the best soldiers of the class-ser
geant-major and adjutant. He discharged the du.
ties of these Offices with zeal and fidelity. His per-
sonal appearance surpassed in manly beauty that
of any other cadet in the corps. Though firm in
his position and perfectly erect he had none of the
stiffness so often assumed by men who affect to be
very strict in their ideas of what is military. His
limbs, beautiful and symmetrical, looked as though
they had come from turning lathe; his step was
as elastic as if he spurned the ground upon which
he trod. He was noted among his classmates Us
great student, and as having passed through the
trying ordeal of military school without single
demerit mark. Il generally got onehundred and
fifty year, During Bob Lees stay at West
Point, I am satisfied he never swore an oath, tas-
ted drop of ardent spirits nor used ''the weed
in any shape or form.
JOE JOHNSON.


Joseph E. johnson had great deal Of the mill
tary spirit that pervaded the corps and which was
infused by Major Worth. He was not remarkable
for his studious habits and belonged to fast set,
of which I myself was IN active member. Few Of
that yet escaped arrest confinement and court mar
tial Joe johnson was one Of those genial spirits
that gave zest to cadets life. Full of ambition
and desire to excel, he was ever ready to join a
scouting party to Buttermik Falls, the residence
Of the immortal Benny Havens. His appearance
was very military, and when under arms no man
looked more the soldier. He was very expert in
the manual of arms, and carried his musket so per-
pendicular that it leaned little too much to the
front Though we recognized bis talents then, we
little dreamed he had the military genius he has
since displayed as commander.


JOHN B. MAGRUDER.


Ny old friend and classmate, John B. Magruder,
was perhaps the most elegant and distingue cadet
at the Academy in that day, and do not believe
Wesr Point has ever had his equal He was first
rate soldier of fine appearance, and very strict
when on duty as 'ofcer of the day." never failing
to report the slightest violations ofregulations even
though the delinquent was his most intimate friend
and roommate This trait in his character have
reason to know from personal experience. John
was for the corpsthe arbiter of things elegant the
glass of fashion,"


RUNNING DOWN AN INDIAN.


There was one other cadet at the Point with me
whom must not omit to mention as remarkable
man. I refer to Lucius B. Northrup, late Com
lnissary- General of the Confederate States When
I recollect him at the Academy, he was handsome
young man, with an olive complexion, long black
hair very erect and walked looking straight before
him, neither to the right nor the left deigning
glance He would fight on the drop of a pin. His
career in the army afterwards was cut short by an
untoward accident He was sent by his command
ding officer, somewhere out in Arkansas or in the
Indian territory, to arrest notorious desperado.-
The general belief was that the man would resist
and kill any officer attempting to arrest him, and
Northrup having to ascend ladder into loft to
get at the desperate, carried his pistol cooked
Unfortunately it went off prematurely, and shot
Northrup in the leg, permanently disabling him.
Northrup was always very fond of horses, and gen.
orally rode splendid animals In General Dodge s
famous expedition, many years ago, on the Plains
and out into country that was then an unknown
land, and broken upon as sort Of terra a,cogn'ta
Northrup was an officer in the expedition. Dodge's
obie,t was to negotiate with the Indians and conc-
late with them But as he advanced into the coun-
try the Indians all fled at his approach The army
would see them in the distance, on the tops OF hills
watching their progress; but Mr. Redskin would
disappear as the ''pale faces came up. All hopes
at negotiation seemed fruitess you could not get
paaver with them, nothing could induce them to
come into our camp. Finally Northrup told Gen
eral Dodge he would bring an Indian in. He rode
magnificent blooded mare of great speed and en-
durance. The next morning before day, Northrup
started out in advance of the column and made
long detou. At the usual hour the column march
ed. As they advanced they saw an Indian on his
fleet little pony, with his lance, watching their pro-
gress from the top of distant hill. Suddenly Mr..
Redskin darted like an arrow from a bow down the
side of the h his little pony at full speed, running
across the front of the column, and presently
Northrup appeared after Mr.. Indian with sharp
stick, and riding as hard as he could go. He had
got in the rear of the Indian, and was going to
catch him by running him down. The chase was
very exciting, for we could see the whole Of it
Finally the blooded mare of Northrup brought Mr..
Indians pony to stand. Of course Redskin was
frightened out of his wits at being thus run down
and overtaken, and expected immediate death and
scalping. Lieutenant Northrup brought his prize
safely into camp, where General Dodge, instead Of
killing, roasting and eating him, as he expected,
gave him plenty to eat and drink, made him pres
ents, and then, after explaining what he wanted
with the Indians let him 60. After that incident
IL -uo, -. bovino with