United States Military Academy West Point - Howitzer Yearbook (West Point, NY)

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BENJAMIN L. E. BONNEVILLE Class of 1815 — Exploring Early in his life. French-horn Bonneville seized upon llie vision of exploring the uncharted regions heyond the Greal Divide: through his persistence he was eventually given a leave of ahsence to accomplish thai singular dream. In 1!!. ' 2. with one hundred and fift men. he began an exploration that was to isolate him from civilization for four long years. During his four car sta in the West he explored and mapped much of the Rocky Mountains in tho Southwest of our country. He was the first man to map the headwaters of the Green River area in present clay Utah. Also, he was the first to lead a Westbound wagon train through South Pass, which Fremont discovered ten years afterward. Bonneville later served with distinction and honor in the Seminole and Mexican Wars. In 1861 he was retired with the brevet rank of Brigadier General in recognition of his Ions and faithful service. Exploring out West. L

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SYLVANUS THAYER Class of 1808 — Education Perhaps few other founders of great institutions enjoy more recognition from their students than Colonel Thayer . . . Shortly after graduation Colonel Thayer spent five years in Europe making a detailed stud of the military institutions of the Creat Powers. In France he gave careful consideration In the organization, curriculum and methods of instruction of L ' Ecole Polytechnique. by which he was very much im- pressed. Upon his return to the United States he was ap- pointed Superintendent of the Military Academy by President Monroe. This appointment provided him with the opportun- il to apply his own modifications to a school that was suffering from Congressional apathy and official incom- petence. Colonel Thayer began his reconstruction of the Academy with a number of changes designed to develop seriousness of purpose. The new orientation he gave the Academy produced more capable leaders who were willing and trained to lead our country through the most critical periods of its history. The innovations Colonel Thayer so firmly instilled in the Academy remain basically unchanged today; for he believed in strict discipline, broad culture and professional knowl- edge. He is justly called ' ' The Father of the Military Academy. Cadets in the past and today.

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GEORGE WHISTLER Class of 11519 — Engineering George Whistler, father of the artist, found the oppor- tunity to apply his abilit) when the War Department sum- moned him to help the B Railroad expand its rail system through difficult country between the Potomac and the Ohio. To solve effectively the many problems he en- countered, he developed a system of horizontal contour lines which enabled him to survey and map the region. His system has now been universally adopted in mapping. Whistler also developed several fine locomotives, and supervised the ((instruction of the first passenger railroad system in this country. When his fame spread to foreign shores. Czar Nicholas of Russia invited him to build a railroad between St. Peters- burg and Moscow. He went to Russia with full hopes and great ideas, and even the numerous obstacles placed in his path by incompetent officials were insufficient to thwart his diligence. Whistlers last effort was given to Russia. where he ended a brilliant career. 12