University of Idaho - Gem of the Mountains Yearbook (Moscow, ID)

Page 18 text:

Tuomas Eart Caturo, First Lieutenant U. S. A., Professor of Military Science and Tactics, and Commandant of Cadets. Francis Davip Ferret, B. S. (Agr.); (Utah Agricultural College), Director of Sub-Stations in Southern Idaho, Encar Nosie Durree, J. D. (cum laude); (Uni- versity of Chicago), Associate Professor of Law. Justin Sarsrietp De Lury, B. A. (University of Toronto), Assistant Professor of Geology and Mineralogy. CLARENCE Ciype Tutt, M. A. (Harvard Univer- sity), Assistant Professor of the English Lan- guage. Gusrus Lupwic Larson, B. S. (E. E.); (Univer- sity of Idaho), Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Mrs. Jennre L. K. Haner, M. A., Assistant Pro- fessor of Domestic. Economy, and Instructor in Drawing. Cuartes Henry Wixper, J. D. (University of Chi- cago), Assistant Professor of Law, and Secretary of the College of Law. Davip Bernarp STEINMAN, A. M. (E. E.), (Co- lumbia University), Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering. Crartes Wiitcox Van Der Veer, Director of the Gymnasium, University of Idaho. 9

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The Old Guard HE restoration of the bronze tablet, commemorating the Uni- versity’s student soldiers, na- turally rouses new interest in the military traditions of our school, which were for several years a dominant factor in stu- dent life. Our first military instructor, q Lieutenant Edward R. Chris- man, had finished his four years’ detail in February, 1808, and in order to remain with the University until the close of the school year, he had secured a leave of absence from his command, as the regulations did not permit of a longer detail. His winning personal qualities and ardent devotion to his work had made his department very popular. Immedi- ately after the blowing up of the Maine in Havana Harbor all officers on leave were summoned to rejoin their commands at once, and Lieutenant Chrisman left Moscow on April 18. His departure was the occasion of a demonstration un- paralleled up to the present time in the history of the Uni- versity, which may properly be considered the opening chap- ter of our military annals. At the train were gathered the faculty, student body, cadets and others, the local G. A. R. post, and the whole population of the community, partly drawn up in regular bodies, partly in such promiscuous lines as could be formed impromptu. To us all it seemed that this gallant and dear friend was our personal and collective offering to the cause of our nation. So deep was the emotion that the lines stood in silence for a long time, while the lieutenant passed II slowly along with a farewell grasp of the hand for each. Not an eye but filled with tears and not a voice but choked with feeling when the moment for the good-bye came. Many others could have made the confession that President Gault made to his wife when he returned to his house:—“I had a nice little speech made up, but when I came to take his hand it was all I could do to say, ‘Goodbye, Lieutenant.’” Beyond doubt this event had a strone influence in heighten- ing the outburst of military enthusiasm which swept through the school in the following two weeks, while the nation was making rapid preparation for war. In the call for volunteers Idaho had been asked to furnish one battalion of four companies, but the enthusiasm all over the state was so great that the President was induced to increase the quota to two battalions, which would be large enough to form a separate command. At first it was believed that the University would furnish one entire company out of the eight, but there are various influences that hinder student soldiers from entering active military life. Several boys failed in the physical examination, mostly because they were too small. Still others could not secure their parents’ consent, necessary because they were under age. So the number shrank until it was found expedient to combine with Company D, the militia company of the neighboring town of Genesee. This consolidated company, including about fifty cadets of the University, left Moscow for Boise on May 4, 1808. Again the whole town was at the depot, where the cere- monies were more elaborate than on April 18, though hardly so personal, as it was impossible for all the boys to say good-