Texas A and M University - Aggieland Yearbook (College Station, TX)

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 905 THE LONG HORN 5 necessarily been few and far between, on account of bis constant connection with the army. He is now writing a history of the campaign of Santiago tie Cuba. The high opinion of Captain Sargent that prevails in army circles will be indicated by the following extracts from a large number of reviews of his works: From Army and Nary Gazette, London: A volume that is well worthy to lx? ranked with Lord Wolsclcy’s 44 Decline and Fall of Napoleon ” is 44 Na|X)leon Bonaparte’s hirst Campaign.” We do not know where to find a finer or better picture of the Italian campaign than in Colonel Sargent’s volume. From The Times, London: A passage in the preface seems to indicate that he regards his work as merely a strategical study of interest to the military student only, but it is a great deal more than this, for no one, whether he lx? cilivian or soldier, can. after the perusal of this small volume, fail to realize vividly the stupendous genius of Napoleon Bonaparte, as manifested even in the earliest years of service in the field. We suggest to Lieutenant Sargent that he should follow up this successful initial work by a series of monographs on the subsequent campaigns, showing as clearly as he has done in this instance how in successive campaigns the personal, mental, and physical powers of the strategist affected and influenced both the conception and the execution of the strategy adopted. The late General Lawton, in a letter to Captain Sargent, said: I will admit that I feared somewhat that your brilliant success in the first instance might give you over-confidence, and that your second effort might fall below the high standard you had established for yourself ; but I am proud to say you have lost nothing in the strength of your argument, or ease and grace of style. Your standing is now firmly established, and I trust you will continue your work, and that you will sooner or later consider and analyze more recent events in military history. As an instructor and a disciplinarian Captain Sargent has been eminently successful. The story of his service at the A. and M. College can not be told better than by quoting the words of President Houston in his biennial report to the Board of Directors: 44 No department of the College Ins shown greater improvement over the preceding year than the Military

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4 THE LONG HORN VOL. Ill battle of San Mateo, in which his warm personal friend, Major-General Henry V. Lawton. I’nited States Volunteers, was killed. For a year he was Judge Advocate of the Department of Southern Luzon. In July, 1901, he returned t » the L'nited States, joined his regiment, the Second Cavalry, at Matanzas. Cuba, in September of the same year. From April, 1902, he served with his regiment at Port Ethan Allen. Vermont, until August 1st. 1903, at which time he was appointed Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, to take effect September 21st. 1903. Captain Sargent was commended by Major-General F. S. Otis, United States Army, commanding the United States forces in the Philippines, for “ the skill and bravery he displayed in the difficult San Mateo affair, and for this action was recommended for a brevet in the regular army. For his services in Cuba he was also recommended for the brevet of Colonel in the regular armv. and highly commended by the Military Governor as follows: Headquarters Military Governor, Island of Cuba. Havana, Notrmber 1901. “ Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, Washington. “ Sue I have the honor to recommend Captain H. H. Sargent. Second Cavalry, late Colonel P'ifth U. S. Volunteer Infantry, for the brevet of Colonel, in recognition of able and meritorious services and soldierly conduct at Santiago and Guantanamo. Cuba, during the period from August. i8 ;8. to May, 1899. During a great portion of this time yellow fever was epidemic at Santiago, and this officer's services were rendered under most trying circumstances. In addition to most efficient performance of his military duties, he performed various civil duties with marked ability and good judgment. Very respectfully. (Signed) “Leonard Wood, “ Brigadier-Central, Commanding.” Captain Sargent is the author of “ Xapoleon Bonaparte’s P'irst Campaign. and The Campaign of Marengo. A thinker and a soldier by nature and education, and gifted with the | ower of expressing himself in a lucid and simple, yet scholarly manner, his books have earned for him a wide reputation as a military strategist, in spite of the fact that his works have

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6 THE LONG HORN VOL. Ill Department. It would Ik impossible to give too much credit to the Commandant of Cadets, Captain II. H. Sargent, Second United States Cavalry, for the results he has secured. When he took charge of his duties the attitude of the corps was far from satisfactory, and the discipline was lax. It was only a very short time before he made a very strong impression upon the student body and completely succeeded in revolutionizing their attitude and in establishing satisfactory discipline. IJy his justice, sound judgment, tact, proficiency as a military officer and teacher, and fine qualities as a man, he succeeded in winning not only the admiration, hut the affection of the students. The result of his work was seen in the improvement throughout the entire institution. Practically speaking, the discipline of the institution was absolutely Satisfactory. There were only a few cases that came to the attention of the Faculty or gave any serious concern. In the main the young men of the corps conducted themselves in a manly and gentlemanly manner.”