Chapter II: Preface

I believe it to be well established that the mental habits are fully as strong as the physical habits of man. That is, thought moves in grooves day after day and day after day as walks in life do. The habit of retrospectant thought fastened itself upon me several years ago, and the habit confined itself largely and almost irresistibly to my life at West Point. My reflections became almost realisms; I was to all intents and purposes oblivious of the intervening years; oblivious of accumulated griefs and sorrows, of successes and of contemporaneous ambitions—I was indeed a boy again, and at West Point, living over and over and over again all the scenes leading up to and creating my life at the Nation’s Military School.

In one of these moods, it occurred to me, entirely for my own gratification, and possibly to dispossess myself of the habit of thinking upon the subject, to write a little sketch of those days. I became interested in the work, and the pages grew in number as memory served me with inspiration for my narrative, until I had at last completed what might be called a volume of reminiscences.

As an amusement for him, I read chapter after chapter, as it was written, to a favorite nephew, and when the manuscript was written and in a temporary binding, I loaned it to this young relative, who, in turn, with my consent, loaned it to friends of his, and it was read by these youngsters and passed from hand to hand. I could not help but realize the interest that was taken by these young readers in what I had so carelessly and indifferently written, but at the same time, I should never have undertaken the publication of my notes if my nephew had not attended a military school and bombarded me with appeals to send him the old manuscript, so that his comrades might read about life at West Point.

The old manuscript wouldn’t do, so I edited what I had written, re-wrote some of the pages, added a few lines here and there, and finally concluded to publish it without the least expectation that it will interest very many persons, or bring me any material reward.

I have tried to write it naturally and without any attempt at literary excellence, and beg most respectfully to offer it to the public as a grateful tribute of my happiest years.

For valuable data I am indebted to Colonel Charles W. Larned, Lieutenant Colonel F. W. Sibley, Commandant of Cadets, Captains W. E. Wilder, F. W. Coe and O. J. Charles, Adjutants, Lieut. M. B. Stewart, Tactical Officer, Dr. E. S. Holden, Librarian, and Mr. William Ward, in charge of Cadet Records from 1851 to 1911, all of the Military Academy, and to Lieutenant Charles Braden, editor of Cullum’s Biographical Register of West Point Graduates.

INDEX.

Chapter. Page.

I. The Appointment 13

II. The Preparation 21

III. The Candidate 27

IV. The Plebe in Camp 65

V. The Plebe in Barracks 87

VI. The Yearling 125

VII. The Furloughman 153

VIII. The Graduate 179

IX. The United States Military Academy 259

X. The Appendix 287

ILLUSTRATIONS.

The Author Frontispiece

Might Be a Cadet 15

Topographical Sketch of West Point 25

Setting-up Exercises 41

Hop Invitation—Camp McPherson 63

Hop Invitation—I. O. C. B. 81

Cadet Warrant 111

Hop Invitation—Camp Geo. H. Thomas 123

Hop Invitation—Camp Belknap 151

Graduating Hop Invitation—Class of 1872 163

Cadet Captain’s Chevron 175

Bell Button for Civilian Coats 176

Badge 176

Hop Invitation—Camp Thayer 177

Inaugural Ball Invitation 198-9

Graduating Hop Invitation—Class of 1873 203

Bird’s Eye View of West Point as It May Be in 1912 209

Diploma 211

Bird’s Eye View of West Point in 1902 213

West Point in 1848 215

West Point in 1825 217

Guard Mount in Camp 219

Color Line 219

Seal of the United States Military Academy 221

Cadet Hospital 221

Superintendent’s Quarters 221

Battery Knox 223

Sea Coast Battery 223

Siege Battery 223

The Academic Building 225

Mess Hall 227

Dining Room 227

South Cadet Barracks 227

Cavalry Drill 229

Battalion Marching from Camp to Barracks 229

Cadet Tent 231

Group of First Classmen 233

Group of Furloughmen 233

The Old Cadet Chapel 233

Cadet Room 233

Professors’ Row 235

Flirtation Walk 235

Kosciuszco’s Garden 235

The Old Riding Hall 237

Battle Monument 237

Ponton Bridge 237

Cadet Camp—World’s Fair, 1893 239

Officers’ Quarters Above Old North Gate in 1910 241

Officers’ Quarters Below Old South Gate in 1910 241

Bachelor Officers’ Quarters in 1910 241

The New Cadet Chapel in 1910 243

The North Cadet Barracks in 1910 243

The Old Washington Headquarters 245

Officers’ Mess in 1910 245

Cullum Memorial Hall 245

Coat of Arms of the United States Military Academy 247

Library 247

Siege Battery Drill in 1910 249

Artillery and Cavalry Group in 1910 249

The New Gymnasium in 1910 249

Proposed Staff Quarters 251

Headquarters Building 251

Inspection in Camp 253

Light Artillery Drill 253

Sedgwick’s Monument 255

Professors’ Row 255

Cadet Monument 255

Looking East from the New Chapel in 1910 257

Perspective View from River on the East 257

Interior of New Riding Hall 315

CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT