STIRRING HISTORY OF POINT RECALLED

The course of West Point history has been admirably recounted in the following story written for the Crimson by Cadet P. H. Lash II of The Pointer staff.

"Then may her strong walls ever stand For country, Honor, and the Right,

And may her sons shed glorious fame And win--or losing win--the fight"

West Point, the locality, was well known as a site of extreme importance long before West Point, the Military Academy replaced with its buildings of instruction the forts and bastions of defense. The name West Point was first brought before the public eye when, in 1776, the realization came both to the Colonists and to the British Chief Staff that a strategical control of the Hudson was a necessity. Should loyal New England sons hold this tiny plateau, the Colonies would not be out in two; should Britain force this key point, she might easily reduce the two parts of the infant Republic. West Point was fortified by New York farmers, garrisoned, and held until the end of the Revolution.

West Point in the Revolution

Some names have come down to us from the history of these eventful and stirring times, names baptized in the blood of Liberty. The famous General Putnam built a set of bastions there in 1777. Molly Pitcher took a shot with her husband's cannon at advancing British regulars. Thaddeus Kosciusko organized and perfected the fortification in 1778. A great iron chain was forged and stretched across the river on log floats. Mad Anthony Wayne defended its position. Baron Steuben drilled our troops; Washington lived there.

In 1780 General Arnold took command of West Point at his own request. The story of his treachery is too well known to be repeated. An interesting sequel however tells of Confrere Andre's storage in a dungeon of the Fort these after his capture.

In 1783 Washington suggested that Congress authorized the establishment of an Engineer's School at West Point. For various reasons, the actual establishment did not take place until 1802. That is the birthday of the Military Academy.

Officers Recruited for Service

The Military Academy first proved its value in the war of 1812. At the time less than one hundred cadets had graduated, sixty-five of whom were still in active service. Although most of these graduates served in subordinate positions throughout the war, their services won commendation, and many were brevetted for gallantry in action. In 1817 Major Sylvanus Thayer, a graduate of Dartmouth and West Point and a veteran of 1812, was appointed Superintendant of the Academy. He was especially qualified to take charge of West Point; his system, many parts of which are evident at the present time, for sixteen years had the greatest influences on cadet life.

In 1846 when the Mexican War broke out, about thirteen hundred men had graduated from the Academy, many of whom rendered conspicuous services to their country. Lee, Bragg, Sherman, Hooker, Grant, and McCellan are but a few of the West Point names distinguish-in the war. Winnfield Scott, who captured Mexico City, wrote in 1860 this famous statement, which every Plebe knows by heart: "I give it as fixed opinion, that but for our graduated cadets, the war between the United States and Mexico might, and probably would have lasted some four or five years, with, in its first half, more defeats than victories falling to our share; whereas, in less than two campaigns, we conquered a great country and a peace without the loss of a single battle or skirmish."

The Civil War caused an upheaval at West Point. Divergent views and opinions from all parts of our country were expressed and strongly supported by members of the Corps. The intense feeling aroused by John Brown's raid resulted in a number of serious fights, and, although the authorities did not relax the customary discipline, cadets agitated by State feeling cared little for punishment or demerits received,. Seceding Southern States took with them their sons who, once loyal Unionists were soon to tear at the throats of their Northern Classmates. The names of Grant, Jackson, Stuart, and Lee will live long in the annals of war and of fame. But the "Lost Cause" was indeed lost and after 1865 life at West Point returned somewhat to normal.

Then came the Spanish American War in 1898. Classes were graduated early; that of 1898 two months ahead of schedule; 1899 nearly four months early. The war was short but vigorous, and the ultimate results shed more glory on the name of West Point. Elihu Root, then Secretary of War, in 1899 reported upon the Military Academy:--"I believe that the great services it has rendered the country were never more conspicuous than it has been during the past two years. The faithful and efficient services of its graduates since the declaration of war with Spain have more than repaid the cost of the institution since its foundation."

The World War disrupted the Military Academy more seriously than any previous event in its history. The frenzied preparation that followed our entry swept aside all precedent. The Class of 1917 graduated two months ahead of time, 1918 graduated in August 1917, and 1919, 1920, and 1921 received their commissions in 1918. An unparalleled crisis in the history of West Point was experienced at this time. On November 2, 1918 the fourth Class, which had been at the Academy less than five months, was all that remained of the Corps.

The Armistice ended the pressing need for officers, and West Point reverted to normalcy. About three thousand graduates served in this war demonstrating marked ability in the performance of duty. Pershing and March were of the Class of 1886, and 1888; of the forty-one division, corps, and army commanders in the A. E. F., thirty seven were West Pointers.

The historical background of West Point is rich in colorful details, which of necessity, must be omitted from a brief record. We have but outlined the Revolutionary period, Civil War Days, and the stirring times during the World War. West Point, then, is even now a child, a child whose strength is built from the youth of the country, a child whose diet is mil--the milk of War. Has it not been said, "To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace":? West Point is, and always will be, the backbone of the nation's defense. Strengthened by past experiences the Academy continues to fulfill its purpose, confident that when the next great test comes, loyal sons will add fresh laurels to West Point's glorious past.The Old Grey Towers on the Hudson