Rome Free Academy - De O Wain Sta Yearbook (Rome, NY)

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THE SENIOR ANNUAL. 17 D. A. R. Prize Oration. This oration was written by Roy Lewis Bielby, ’02, first prize, a ten dollar gold piece, in the an- nual competition of High School stu- dents held by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Battle of Monmouth. There is no alternative. Clinton must fight. The American troops, vigilant and received aud wary, surround him on all sides. To escape is impossible, and he betakes himself to a strongly fortified position near Monmouth Court House. June 28, 1778, is the Christian Sab- bath. The sky is cloudless over the plains of Monmouth when the morning dawns and the sun comes up with all the fervor of the summer solstice. It is the sultriest day of the year; not a zephyr moves the leaves; nature smiles in her beautiful garments of flowers and foliage; and the birds carol with delight in the fulness of loveand harmony. Manalone is the discordant note in the universal melody. He alone disturbs the chaste worship of the hour, which ascends au- dibly from the groves, the streams, the meadows and the woodlands. On‘this calm Sabbath morning twenty thousand men gird on the implements of hellish war to maim and destroy—to sully the green grass and fragrant flowers with human blood. The hot forenoon is nearly worn away before a decisive movement is made. At eleven o’clock General Clinton, fearing that the Americans are about to capture his baggage, vigorously attacks the forces of Wayne and Lee. Lee immedi- atelyorders a general retreat. The re- treat turns into a panic, and the Repub- licans flee precipitately over the broken country. The heat isintense and many soldiers fall prostrate and are trampled to death by the mad rush of their fel- Still on, rushes the silent, struggling mass of humanity. Not a sound is heard, but an occasional musket shot and the shouts of the pursuing This disgraceful flight must be lows. on, enemy. stopped or the American army is dis- honored forever. O, that Washington were only here! But look! over yonder hill comes a rider upon a foaming black steed. Galloping to the head of the retreat he orders a halt. Spurring on his horse, he rushes into the midst of confusion and soon rallies a part of the troops. He orders Oswald, who commands the American artillery, to place his batteries on a nearby hill and open fire upon the pursuing British: The order is instantly obeyed, and there pours down the hill- side such a murderous storm of grape shot and cannon balls that the enemy is driven back. Washington seems every- where present. There, as the battle smoke rolls away, he is seen rushing into the very midst of the iron storm; away yonder, urging his men on to victory. His voice fills the fugitives with a new hope, a new courage. It is a voice of faith to the despairing soldiers. The whole patriot army, which half an hour before had been on the verge of destruc- tion, panic stricken, without order, is now drawn up in battle array with a bold and well arranged front. Placing Lee in command of the organ- ized front, Washington quickly brings the main army into martial order. Lord Stirling is directed to command the left and General Greene secures an advan- tageous position on Stirling’s right. Suddenly the British batteries open | fire. Our cannon make answer to theirs. The battle has begun. Down the hill- side charge a party of rebels upon Lee’s right. It is forcedtogiveway. Out of the woods rush a party of British and

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16 THE SENIOR ANNUAL. the Faculty of the High School. The first reception was held at the home of Miss Mary Abbott on the evening of June 27, 1900. of the late Philopolemic Society, whose It was given in honor untimely death, alas! deeply grieved its sister society, and caused the most profound sorrow to exist therein. On January 2, 1901, a mid-winter re- ception was given, and on June 26, I9g01, the second annual reception was held in Clarke Hall. The decorations were in lavendar and white, Memorial the colors of the Society. The recep- tion this year is to be given Wednesday evening, June 25, in Clarke Memorial Hall. The games and dancing and an enjoyable evening y will be spent in time is expected by all. As, a to this article the “Philos,” wish merely to their motto: “Ad,verum et pulchrum tende- conclusion add mus,’ and their’ heartiest ‘congrat ala- tions to the ‘class of 1902. Appropriate Books for R. H. S. People. These: books may be found at the Jervis Library and are especially recom- mended to the following students: His Majesty, Myself, - Love and Quiet Life, | Mabelle White Black Beauty, - - Miss Conners Mahabharta of Krishua Dwaipayana Vyasa, . - Not Like Other Girls, John T. Jones Shankenbery Alice Oatman The Boy Tramps, Meyers Finlayson The Man Who Laughs, Fillmore Wentworth Wise and Otherwise, Knapp and Merritt From Jes(t)to Earnest, - Trix Neiss Two Offenders, - Richards Bros. Gallery of Celebrated Women, Misses Owens, Fowler and Hayden The Amateur ‘Poacher, -- Will Scripture Wee Willie Winkle, - Wm. Donahue Idle Thoughts of An Idle Fellow, Perry Armstrong Little Miss Muffet, - Lillian Garlick Wild Animals.I Have Known, Faculty A Flock of Girls, “ Golden Butterfly, - Innocence Abroad, - Class of 1902 S. Burney Demis Utley The Heavenly Twins, Misses Melchinger What Can(t) She Do, - Miss Gifford Bitter Sweet, - Bertha Widmann Hard Cash, - - She Stoops to Conquer, Elizabeth Searles Leslie Marcy Odd Number, ‘ Beatrice Burton Love Me Little, Love Me Long, Natalie Jones Greatest Thing in the World, James Ethridge Ginx’s Baby, - John Fitzsimmons The Story of Sa(ha)ra, - © Miss Beers Red as a Rose is She, Cora Pitcher Small Boy in Big Boots, Tom Connell Royal Rogues, Baker, Neiss, Taylor, Trenham Boy Problem, - Franklin Ethridge Confessions of a Young Man, Ed. Atkinson A Remedy for Love, - L. Pillmore King and Queen of Hearts, C. Rich ards and Miss S Helen’s Babies, - Class of 1905 Sky Pilot, - - - Norma West The Princess of Hearts; Louise Thomas The Power Behind The Throne, Grace Powers Miss Thalman advises her classes to sing “Just Because She Made Those Goo Goo Eyes” before retiring. We never thought it of you, Miss Thalman. Miss Minnie Sparks. was former! | called Spinning Marks.

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18 attack the Americans in open field. The contest becomes fierce and destructive. The American artillery is pouring a murderous fire upon the enemy when there into the field the British cavalry followed by a body of infantry. S imultaneously they charge the Repub- licans and break theirranks. Lee brings off his troops in admirable order, while Washington engages the enemy with fresh forces. Theaction now becomes gen- The British attack the Americans again and again but are repeatedly driven back. Wayne, who is pouring a de- structive fire from an eminence in a near- by orchard, stands between them and victory. Colonel Monckton, perceiving this, resolves to drive him from his posi- tion. Forming his troops into a solid column, and with all the regularity of a to the rushes eral. corps on parade, he advances charge. In silence Wayne’s troops await him. Not a rifle cracks. The men are watching and waiting and On, Only a few rods remain between them and the Americans. Suddenly, seven hundred muskets crack viciously; seven hundred bullets whistle angrily. A great cloud of smoke goes up. A great sheet of flame flashes, and lo! scarcely a British officer is standing. Among the fallen is the brave Monck- ton. Over his dead body, maddened by the sight of his blood, the British fight with the energy of despair. But human endurance can not stand the iron storm that is poured into their faces. They are forced to give way, and night merci- fully ends the contest. About twelve o’clock there is a slight stir in the British camp and the enemy steals away under the cover of darkness. Was it possible for. the Americans to have won a decisive victory at the battle of Monmouth? No. Why? Because sullen obeying orders. on they come! THr SENIOR ANNUAL. of Clinton? Because of Monckton? Be- cause of those brave men who fought over his body? No. tecause of Lee, | who let ambition master patriotism, jeal- ousy conquer principle, and who almost led the American army into everlasting disgrace. D. A. R. Prize Essay. This essay was written by Miss Nellie Sweeney, 03, and received first prize, a ten dollar gold piece, in the annual com- petition of High School students held by the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion. Nathan Hale. In the first sad days of the Revolu- tionary war, when the news of the bat- tle at Lexington was being carried from village to village, an excitement was as these little towns had In New Lon- dou, a picturesque New England village, created such never before experienced. men with pale, anxious faces gathered in the town hall to discuss the news and to decide upon a course of action. Sev- eral grave, elderly men had spoken when the young schoolmaster stepped to the platform and delivered a stirring appeal. He was a commanding figure, over six feet in height, with a perfectly propor- His ‘face, which was of unusual beauty, was all aglow, and. as he ended with the words, ‘‘Let us march immediately and never lay down our arms until we have our independence,’’ he looked like a young god come to in- spire the weary, depressed men with fresh hope and cuurage. This eloquent speaker is Nathan Hale, whose young life is destined to have an untimely end. Nathan Hale was born on the sixth of June, 1755, in the town of Coventry, Connecticut. A pale, sickly boy, his parents never expected to see him reach tioned form