Louisiana State University - Gumbo Yearbook (Baton Rouge, LA)

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GENERAL WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN

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. . . where the principles of truth and honor may be established, and a noble sense of personal and patriotic and religious duty inculcated; in fine, to fit the citizen to perform justly, skillfully, and magnanimously all the offices both private and public of peace and war. From the Charter of the University

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CENTURY OF ACHIEVEMENT The time-- 1860; the event the planting of a seed of knowledge in the fertile soil of central Louisiana a seed which is destined to blossom into a mighty oak, casting its shadow over the entire state. One hundred years ago die Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy, die insti- tution which today is one of the greatest centers of learning in die Soudi, began its classes in a small 3 -story building in the pinewoods of Rapides Parish widi a total enrollment of 73 boys. Its founding was audiorized by die State Constitution of 1845, and made possible in 1855 when the legislature appropriated the funds for die purchase of 438 acres of land and buildings. But it was not a reality until late in 1859, due to poor construction and yellow fever. The first classes began on Janu- ary 5, 1860. The character of die Seminary was fixed as a literary and scientific institution under a military system of government on a program and plan similar to diat of die Virginia Military Institute. Five professors guided die course of die institution in its early years. Heading die faculty as superintendent and professor of engineering was William Tecumseh Sherman. Francis W. Smidi was commandant of cadets and professor of chemistry. David French Boyd taught ancient languages and English; Andiony Y alias a native of Hungary tutored die cadets in madiematics and natural philosophy; and E. Berte St. Ange, a Frenchman, taught modern languages. When enrolling, die cadets had to promise not to marry while a student, nor to make debts or re- ceive spending money from home. This would seem radier drastic to present-day college students, as would an average day of die college student of 1860. The cadets rose at daybreak, cleaned dieir rooms, studied until breakfast at 7 A.M. Classes began an hour later and lasted until 4 P.M., when they drilled for an hour. Supper was at sundown, and diey studied again until 10 P.M. The only recreation available was in die form of literary exercises, fishing expeditions or such games as chess and backgammon. The second session began on November 1. 1860 with a total enrollment of 115. It was during diis The few free hours left to the cadets after classes were spent in their rooms studying by coal- oil lamps.