The Citadel - Sphinx Yearbook (Charleston, SC)

Page 12 text:

DOlUn THROUGH THE YEHRS Introduction The year 1942 has been recorded in the annals of time as a year in which the world was witness to some of the most tragic events that have marred our modern civilized eflForts. The highlight of this particular year was the war, and all our efforts were directed toward the successful conclusion of that war. Events which had seemed to be of major importance were forced into the background; so all out was our effort. We were fighting for the survival of our democracy, our democratic institutions, and the belief that God had created man to be free in body and spirit rather than a slave to a demagogue. There were many indications that America was to be a potent power in the United Nations ' drive for victory, these indications taking the form of the many brave deeds of American soldiers, and the astronomical figures reached in the battle on the assembly lines. At first, there had been some doubt as to the possible performance of Ameri- can troops in battle; but time revealed that the Ameri- can soldier was equal to, or better than, any other in the world. Just as America was proud of the per- formances of her soldiers in the first year of war, so Citadel men everywhere had reason to be proud of their Alma Mater, for there were many reports on hand in which the valorous deeds of Citadel men were recounted. Because of the war, the plans for the proposed Centennial celebration had to be drastically curtailed, and this Centennial Edition of THE SPHINX will be the only tangible evidence that there had been plans for a magnificent celebration of The Citadel ' s one hundredth anniversary. Thus, the preparation of a Centennial history was pursued with unusual vigor. The chapter being written now cannot be concluded, of course, until the war is ended, for Citadel men are daily taking their places in this war of elimination, their roles not yet enacted. But all of the previous chapters in the glorious history of this century-old institution can attest to the valuable contributions that Citadel men have made to America ' s progressive efforts. Chapter I Chapter I in the story of The Citadel reveals the act of creation, the motive behind the act, and the immediate effects of the act. On December 20, 1 842, The Citadel. 1849. 18]

Page 11 text:

fly lil[ ARE EVER ininDFUL OF... The Service of Citadel Men to our nation. In time of peace and in time of war Citadel graduates have responded to the call for service, and in every case they have been prepared to meet the exigencies of the situation. And what greater tribute could be paid an institution than to say that her graduates served with honor and distinction when the nation was in need! The record of gradu- ates is long and impressive. In the 1860 ' s the roll call found them in arms defending the right that they considered to be the solution to an unfortunate situation; and those who returned to their homes after the hostilities ceased took an active and forceful part in the reconstruction of their nation. But this was only the beginning of the record. Down through the years the pages tell of glorious service. In all of the minor conflicts of the nation there were Citadel Men to serve, and in the first great world conflict in which our country was involved, they added to the record. Belleau-Wood, the Argonne, the Marne were the fields of service. And now when the world is chaos again, the field has broadened and instead of a region in France or England, Citadel Men are serving all over the world everywhere in every theater. And just as this conflict is requiring greater eflFort in men and materiel, so The Citadel is prepared to serve. Already her graduates have fought, and they have received the plaudits of those with whom they fought. Of necessity, the conflict will end, and when that glorious day is at hand, those Citadel Men who are now in arms will return to their beloved country to do their part in the reconstruction of the world. Oh, noble men in far off lands Your courage is never failing.

Page 13 text:

the legislature of the State of South Carolina enacted a law that established the Citadel Academy in Charles- ton, South Carolina, and the Arsenal Academy in Columbia, South Carolina, as institutions that would give to cadets who studied there an education that was at once practical and scientific, and would fit them for any station in life. A Board of Visitors was immediately appointed by Governor James H. Ham- mond, and this board met on February 24, 1843, to select the staff of the Citadel. On March 20, 1843, the Citadel Academy and her sister institution at Columbia, the Arsenal Academy, formally began their sessions. In such manner was the ground broken, and the foundation laid for what was to become in another chapter The Military College of South Carolina. The first class to graduate from the Citadel Academy received diplomas on November 20, 1846. The first honor graduate, and hence, the Citadel ' s proto-graduate, was Charles Courtenay Tew, who served his Alma Mater loyally and with distinction until his brilliant career was ended on the battle- field at Sharpsburg. Cha pter II Chapter II deals with the two decades before the War Between the States. Events of great importance were happening on Marion Square. These were the formative years when custom and tradition were being established with every new activity undertaken by the youthful Academy. Captain Richard Colcock having been elected Superintendent of the Citadel Academy on May 20, 1844, to succeed Captain W. F. Graham who had died while in office, was the guiding hand in these years that marked the end of the beginning. On the last day of November, 1849, the Corps was furloughed because of an epidemic of yellow fever which plagued the city of Charleston, the furlough order being revoked as soon as the epidemic subsided. In November of 1852, the Citadel Alumni, recog- nizing the benefits to be realized from an active Alumni organization, formed the Association of Graduates, and the alumni associations of few col- leges have played as important a part in the institu- tional history as has the Citadel association. The first president of this organization was Charles Courtenay Tew, and the first meetings of the Associa- tion were distinguished occasions. The Citadel, about 1857. At the close of 1852, Major F. W. Capers was named as the next superintendent, being the third in a period of ten years. There were unusual indi- cations of the strict discipline to be found in the rules and regulations of the Academy, and the high disciplinary standards find confirmation in the fact that the Board of Visitors, in its report to the General Assembly on December 3, 1853, reported that there would be no graduation that year as during the sum- mer of 1852 the Second Class had been dishonorably dismissed as a unit. In the spring of 1854 the cadets undertook a practice march throu gh the counties of the upper part of the state, and the Corps was warmly received by the up-state citizens, the reputation of the college having preceded it. In the meantime, the Citadel had worked in close collaboration with the Washington Light Infantry, a local military organ- ization which had gained considerable prominence, and on February 22, 1857, the famous Washington Light Infantry Flag was presented by Captain L. M. Hatch to the Citadel in recognition of the military qualities of the institution. In 1859 Major Capers tendered his resignation after long and faithful service, and Major P. F. Stevens was elected by the Board of Visitors to succeed him. By 1860 the Citadel Academy had become an inte- gral part of Charleston and South Carolina. The graduates of this institution were proving the fact that the Citadel was a school designed to prepare [9]