Minutes of the Board of Visitors of The Citadel, 1899

Minutes of the Board of Visitors of The Citadel, 1899

Official minutes of the governing body of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina.

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Charleston (S. C.)

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Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Visitors
S.C.M.A. Held at Orangeburg S.C. June 29th 1899.

The Board met at the Edisto Inn there being present the following members:
Col. C. S. Gadsden, Chairman
Col. J. P. Thomas
Gen. Edward Anderson
Bishop Ellison Capers
Col. J. J. Lucas
Adjutant General J. W. Floyd
Supt. of Education J. J. McMahan
Col. Robert Aldrich
Mr. Cole L. Blase
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confined.
In re R. E. Sims vs Cadet Miller
The action of the executive committee in permitting Cadet Miller to retain his Cadetship was confirmed.
After considerable discussion as to awarding of beneficiary cadetships the following resolution was passed
Resolved: That a committee of three (3) be appointed by the chairman of this Board to consult with the Governor and ask for the meeting of the State Board of Education and that this committee confer with the said Board in regard to the awarding of the beneficiary cadetships at the Citadel, the Chairman of this Board to be chairman of the committee provided that the State Superintendent of Education and the Chairman of this Board do not agree in the interpretation of the law as to beneficiary cadetships.
The Chairman appointed the following committee

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Col. Thomas
Gen. Floyd
Col. Aldrich
Change of Annual Meeting
The meeting of the Legislature having been changed from November until January, on motion the annual meeting of this Board was changed to the second Tuesday in December. A motion was made that the two acts of General Assembly relating to the Academy be entered in the minutes.
Reports of Col. Coward and other officers
To the Chairman Board of Visitors S.C. Mil. Academy.
Dear Sir: - I have the honor to submit the following report of the Academic work and conditions for the year now closing:
The total enrollment from Oct 1st 1898 has been 68 Beneficiary and 43 Pay Cadets, a total of 111.
The casualties have been as follows
Permitted to retire 7
Dismissed 1
Now on the roll 103
Under suspension (Cadets Croft and Whitfield) 2
On furlough on Surgeons recommendation 8
Present in camp 93
The standard of discipline of the Corps, I am happy to report is better than it has ever been during the previous years of my administration. The esprit du corps has been uniformily [sic] excellent and there has been but a single instance of that false sense of duty and honor that led to the disgraceful catastrophe of April 1898

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The large number of demerits recorded against many of the cadets is not so much an evidence of their unusual lack of conformity to discipline as it is of the more conscientious discharge of duty on the part of the Cadet Officers. The practical instruction of the Corps in all military exercises has been thorough and the results obtained, not withstanding the fact that one half of the Corps began as recruits in October, show no falling off from the high degree of excellence reached under the instruction of that accomplished officer Lieut. Jenkins U.S.A. while on duty as Commandant of Cadets. This condition is due to the intelligent and indefatigable efforts of the tactical officer Lieut. J. W. Cantey whose entire service I have found most satisfactory. As there seems to be no probability of obtaining a detail from the active list of the U.S. Army under existing conditions, I recommend that Lieut. Cantey be engaged for another year with an increase of his salary. His time has been fully occupied and his work in the English Department was specially needed on account of the large size of the fourth class. It is hoped that this exigency will arise again next year.
Until April 1st the health of the corps was unusually good. After that date a number of cases of measles and mumps occurred which seriously interfered with both studies and military duties. Four cases of the latter have been furloughed from our present camp. In consequence of these occurring cases and the somewhat reduced physical condition of the large number of convalescents from both diseases

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I have deemed it imprudent to put the Cadets to the severe tests of long marches and the exposures of bivouack [sic]. We have made two marches of from six to seven miles each returning to camp before night. Our camp was made on an elevated partly shaded ground, placed at our services by the City Council together with arrangements for an abundant supply of artesian water for drinking and bathing purposes. We are especially indebted to Major Clarence J. Owens, President of the Orangeburg Collegiate Institute, for the use of his barracks from Saturday afternoon until Monday morning, which the cold rain storm prevailing on the day of our arrival rendered necessary. The citizens of Orangeburg generally have been most generous in the way of hospitalities and courtesies to Officers and Cadets.
The general condition of the Building is fairly satisfactory. Serious damage to the water pipes caused by the severe cold of the past winter necessitated much repair work. Beyond making these repairs and color washing the entire property the other items of general repair have been postponed until the vacation period when they can be more conveniently done. The West Wing has been re-covered with tin, well painted and apparently all leaks are stopped, greatly to the comfort of the occupants. Some interior work remains to be done as soon as the vacation begins, and consequently the contractors have not yet been paid. The entire sum of $600 appropriated for the purpose will be needed to cover the expenses of repairs to roof parapet and ceilings.

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I am glad to report a very important addition to our property by the gift of seventy-five (75) tents by the Charleston Re-union Committee. But for this opportune generosity we could have had no encampment this year because the State had no tents to lend us. The tents given to the Academy are old and needed much patching, boiling, etc., but will serve at least another encampment.
Reports of Professors
Report of Superintendent
In addition to my usual work with the 1st class, in Moral and Political Science, I have taught that class the subjects heretofore taught them by the Commandant of Cadets: - namely:
Security and Information, Field Fortifications, Military Roads, Bridges, Castramentation, Military Courts etc: - In all of which as well as in the branches of Moral and Political Science the work of the class was excellent.
Report of Major Cummings
Col. Asbury Coward, Supt. S.C. Mil Academy Charleston S.C.
Sir: - I have the honor of submitting the following report of the years work in the department of English Literature and History. I have met the members of the Second and Third Classes and the members of the 1st Section of the Fourth Class in daily recitations. These Cadets have satisfactorily accomplished the work laid down for them in the curriculum. I have to report an appreciable increase in the general reading of the Cadets.
Lieut. J. W. Cantey, my assistant in the department has submitted his report for the Second and Third Sections of the Fourth Class.

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Very Respectfully
(Signed) St James Cummings
Major and Professor of English Literature and History
Report of Major Thomas
Col. Asbury Coward Superintendent
Sir: - I have the honor to make the following report for the department of Mathematics and Engineering. The fourth class was instructed in Algebra by Capt. Bond and Capt. Coleman. The other classes were under my instruction. The Third Class had the usual course in Plane and Spherical Trigonometry, Plane and Solid Geometry, and Surveying. Practical use was made of the Transit, Level, Compass and Plane Table. A survey of Marion Square was made and each member of the class calculating the area from the field notes.
The Second Class were engaged upon Analytic Geometry and the Calculus - Special attention was paid to the application of the calculus to Physics and Engineering. The First Class studied Analytic Mechanics, Hydromechanics, Strength of Materials, and Stresses in Structures. This constituted the course of Civil Engineering. To all the classes explanatory lectures were almost daily given and some of the History of Mathematics incidentally presented. No changes in text books were made this session. The grading was made upon monthly written examinations, but in Geometry daily marks were also given. Respectfully Submitted
(Signed) Robt. G. Thomas
Prof. Mathematics and Engineering

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Report of Major Mazyck
To Col. Asbury Coward, Superintendent
Sir: - I beg leave to report that the classes under my instruction have completed thoroughly and with very few exceptions satisfactorily their respective courses of study. The Fourth Class has shown signs of steady improvement promise well. Very Respectfully
(Signed) P. P. Mazyck
Maj. & Prof. Mod. Langs.
Report of Capt. Bond
Col. Asbury Coward, Supt.
Dear Sir: - I have the honor to report as follows concerning the work of my department in the past year. The First Class took a course in perspective beginning in October and lasting until January. Then for the rest of the year they had one hour daily in Office Routine and Book keeping. The work done was altogether satisfactorily. The Second Class throughout the year was engaged two and a half hours a week in elementary machine drawing making about six complete drawings besides tracings and blue prints. The work generally was very good.
The Third Class began drawing in October completing the usual course in orthographic projections by May 1st from which time they were engaged in plotting Surveying notes and making profiles. This class also came to me two and a half hours a week and did satisfactory work. Two sections of the Fourth Class recited to me daily in Mathematics, completing “Wells Higher Algebra”. [sic] I respectfully recommend to the Board of Visitors -- beginning in October 1900 -- an examination in Algebra as far as quadratics be required of applicants for admission to the Fourth Class. Respectfully signed O. J. Bond
Asst. Professor Math & Prof. Drawing

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Report of Capt. Coleman
To Col. Asbury Coward, Supt.
Sir: - I have the honor to make the following report of the classes under my instruction. One section of the Fourth Class recited to me in Algebra during the entire year. Their work was in the main satisfactory. The three sections of the Fourth Class spent three months in the study of Physiology and Hygiene, the work in this subject was distinctly good. In preparatory Physics Lieut. Parker took charge of one section in January and another in April. The work of the sections under my tuition covered those topics preliminary to a course in Chemistry. In January the Second Class began the study of advanced Physics, while this class has done fairly well there is constantly felt the need of better facilities for class demonstration and especially of a course of physical laboratory practice in no other way can the student devise full benefit from the study of natural science and I therefore beg you to urge this matter upon the attention of our Board of Visitors. The First Class completed the usual course in Astronomy. They have shown great interest in the subject and their work was distinctly above the average. Very Respectfully
(signed) Jas. T. Coleman
Capt & Prof. Physics
Report of Lieut Parker
To Col. Asbury Coward, Superintendent
Sir: - I have the honor to submit the following report of the work done by the classes under my instruction during the past academic year.

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The First Class completed satisfactorily the usual course in Chemistry and Geology. The course in Geology was made as practical as possible. During the term a field excursion was taken to the Isle of Palms and formal reports of the work were required. Such trips are valuable stimulates to the observation and I recommend that several be taken during the year. The Second Class completed the course in Qualitative Analysis. The course included the analysis of salts and mixtures of salts, in most cases the detection of both acids and bases was required. The Third Class completed the course in General Inorganic Chemistry. The usual college course in Organic Chemistry has been dropped from the curriculum, and I recommend that half of the time given to Inorganic Chemistry be devoted to this branch of the science. I also had charge of two sections of the Fourth Class in Physics for Captain Coleman. The work in this department was very satisfactory. Very Respectfully, Your obedient servant
Signed Francis L. Parker Jr.
Asst. Prof In Charge of Chemistry
Reports of Lt. Cantey
To Major St James Cummings, Prof. English
Sir: - I have the honor to submit the following report of work done in English department under my instruction. The Second and Third Sections of the Fourth Class have completed satisfactorily the text prescribed in the curriculum in addition to extra work including composition. Very Respectfully
Signed Your Obedient Servant J. W. Cantey
Asst. Prof English and Tactical Officer

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To Colonel Asbury Coward Supt.
Sir: - I have the honor to submit the following report of work done in the Military Department. The class room work of the Second Class, comprising U.S. Drill Regulations, U.S. Manual of Guard Duty, and Signaling, with flag and heliograph, has been satisfactorily completed; the required rate of speed in both sending and receiving signals having been attained. The usual Tried Exercises in the Solution of Problems in Minor Tactics were executed by the Battalion during the Spring months, in wooded and broken country with accuracy and clarity. Owing to the recent prevalence of epidemics of measles and mumps in the Corps, the annual march has been substituted for by two marches of six or seven miles each. I beg leave to express gratification at the demeanor of the Corps and especially during encampment Signed Very Respectfully Your obedient servant
J. W. Cantey
Lt. & Tactical Officer in charge of Military Department
Report of Francis L. Parker Post Surgeon
To Col. Coward Supt.
Sir: - I have the honor to make the following Report of the Medical Department for the session commencing October 1st 1898 to June 17th 1899 when the Corps went to Orangeburg on encampment, an additional report will be made if sickness of consequence occurs on encampment.
Oct./98 there were 22 cases on sick report some of these recurring in the same month and some in hospital mostly recruits in the 4th class. Among these were three (3) cases of mumps. I had these isolated and fortunately

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stopped the usual epidemic.
Nov. 98. There were nine (9) cases all trivial excepting three (3) cases of Rheumatism not contracted in barracks, the cadets having had this disease before.
Dec. 98. There were seventeen (17) cases, none serious, “Grippe” being the predominant disease mostly among recruits not acclimated.
January, February, and March/99. Twenty-one (21) cases, mostly “Grippe” and catarrhal cases none serious.
April./99 about 1st German measles appeared, two cases, these were isolated and fortunately did not become epidemic in April.
May./99. There were sixteen (16) cases of a severe form of measles, some of them followed by sore eyes and some by diarrhea.
June.99. About the 1st Cases of mumps which had been suppressed since October appeared again in a severe form. There were some fourteen (14) cases and a few more cases of measles.
Very few furloughs have been granted this session. With the exception of measles and mumps common in the city and all over the State the health of the Corps has been remarkably good comparing favorably with that of any institution of like character
signed Respectfully
Francis L. Parker M.D. Surgeon
Col. Cowards Report (continued)
I submit herewith the recommendations of the Academic Board based upon the records of the years work, and also the approximate estimate of Financial Status
Recommendations of Academic Board
Meeting Faculty held at Camp Jameson Orangeburg S.C.
Resolved: that the following recommendations be submitted to the Board of Visitors

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1st That following named Cadets. S. O. Cantey
F. M. Ellerbe, J. R. Crouch, A. Bramlett,
J. B. Salley E. R. Price, J. T. Townsend
W. F. Farmer, S. C. Morris, having made highly satisfactory averages for the four years be given their diploma’s.
2nd That Cadet Smith J. 4th class found deficient in Mathematics, Physics and on general average, and grossly deficient in Conduct be dismissed.
3rd That the following pay cadets,
Boatwright: - deficient in Math, Physics, French and general average,
Burke: - deficient in Math, Physics, English and general average:
[Illegible]: - deficient in Math, Physics and general average be not advanced with their classes, and that Cadet Kilgore, Beneficiary Cadet, deficient on general average be dismissed.
4th That the other members of the classes having met the requirements be advanced with the exception of Cadets Rogers and DuRant, absent home on account of sickness, who are required to stand an examination before advancing.
Resolved, that the Academic Board recommend to the Board of Visitors that, beginning in October, 1900, applicants for admission to the Fourth Class be required to stand an examination on algebra as far as quadratics.
This is in order to bring our requirements up to those of the other institutions of like grade, and to save valuable time in our Mathematical course.
Financial Report (approximate)
(lacking)

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Very Respectfully
Asbury Coward
Supt.

Proceedings of B. of V. (continued)
On motion the Board took a recess from 230 until 400 P.M.
The following recommendations of the Academic Board were adopted. The nine Cadets in the First Class were given their diplomas. Cadet J. N. Smith 4th class was dismissed, Cadets Boatwright, Burke, and [Illegible] be not advanced. Cadet Kilgore be dismissed, Cadets Rogers and DuRant be advanced upon passing satisfactory examinations on 1st October, all other cadets be advanced and hereafter that algebra to Quadratics be required for entrance to the Fourth Class.
At 600P.M. a recess was taken for the Board to inspect the Corps of Cadets, but a rain storm, however, coming up postponed the inspection until 900 AM next morning. The Board re-assembled at 800 P.M. at the Inn. Lieut. Cantey was re-elected Commandant of Cadets for the next year salary $6000 per month without board. On motion the Chairman was requested to incorporate in his report to the Legislature a request for $100000 for the Physical laboratory. Col. Lucas read the resolutions on the death of Governor Ellerbe which was adopted by a standing vote
Resolutions: -
In as much as it has pleased Almighty God in his wise providence to remove from his earthly labors, W. H. Ellerbe, Governor of South Carolina, and ex-officio a member of the Board of Visitors of the South Carolina Military Academy: and whereas he was an earnest advocate and supporter of higher education by the State therefore be it Resolved: -
That in his death this Board has sustained

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a distinct loss, which is greatly deplored. Resolved: - That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to his family by the Secretary with the assurance of our sympathy in their great bereavement.

The following cadets who had been suspended by the Superintendent were dismissed Geo. Croft of Aiken S.C. and Cadet Whitfield of Brunswick Ga. The amount of $20000 was appropriated for advertising purposes particularly in connection with canvassing for new cadets.
A Resolution was adopted authorizing the Executive Committee to act on the applications of Beneficiaries for permission to appear before examining County Boards. The Board then adjourned

Edward Anderson
Per (J.W.C.)

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[See original document for newspaper clipping.]

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The Board of Visitors of the South Carolina Military Academy met at the Citadel December 12, 1899 at 12 M., there being present
Col. C S Gadsden, Chairman Gov. M. B. McSwinney
Col. J P Thomas Supt of Ed’n. J. J. McMahon
Gen. Edw. Anderson Adj. Gen. J. W. Floyd
Col. J J Lucas Col. Robt. Aldrich
Bishop Ellison Capers Mr. Cole L. Blease

The Board inspected the Corps of Cadets.
The Corps then passed in review.
The Quarters of the Cadets & the Chapel, Mess. Hall, Kitchen and etc., were then inspected.

The Board then reassembled

Col. J. P. Thomas
Gen. J. W. Floyd
Col. Aldrich
were appointed a Committee to represent the Board at the Annual Meeting of the State Board of Education in reference to the awarding of Beneficiary Scholarships.

Commandant of Cadets
On motion the matter of again securing an Officer of the United States Army as Commandant of Cadets, was left in the hands of the Chairman.

Cadet Eugene McClanohan, having deserted, was on motion expelled from the Academy.

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For report of Superintendent see page -

Col. Thomas offered the following resolutions:

First: That a Committee on the Academic and Medical Departments of the Academy be appointed, to whom shall be referred all matters in the Superintendent’s Report, bearing upon those Departments, & who shall further report upon the status of the said Departments and the Officers and Professors thereof.

Second: - That another Committee shall be appointed, to whom shall be referred all matters in the Quartermaster and Bursar’s Departments and who shall further report upon the status of the said Department and the Officer thereof.

Third: - That another Committee be appointed to whom shall be referred all matters in the Superintendent’s Report, relating to the furniture of the Academy, and the equipment of the Departments.

The Chairman appointed the following Committees:
Bishop Capers
Mr. McMahon
Gen. Anderson} Academic & Medical Departments

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Col. Aldrich
Col. Lucas
Mr. Blease} Quartermaster & Bursars Departments

Gov. McSwiney
Gen. Floyd
Col. Thomas} Furniture & Equipment of the Academy

The following resolution was adopted: -

Resolved: - That the Superintendent be directed to inform the Guardian of Cadet Barnes that the Board is willing for the Cadet to re-enter the Academy in October next.

Application of Lieut. Parker for leave to take post-graduate work of one year be granted and that the duty of filling the vacancy be left with the Chairman of the Board.

Leave on motion was granted to the Corps of Cadets, from 2 P.M. Dec. 22d. to midnight on Dec. 26th.

Leave for one week was granted the Base Ball team during the coming year – time and men left to the Superintendent.

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The Board convened on Dec. 13th at 12 N. at the same place. All were present except Bishop Capers.

Report of Committee on Academic and Medical Departments was read.

Your Committee recommend first that it is advisable that the degree of B.S. be conferred by this Academy, and that, therefore, the Chairman of the Board take the necessary steps to have the Legislature pass an Act empowering this Board to confer degrees upon its graduates.
In view of the extent and importance of the matters referred to your Committee, which include an examination into the status of the Academic & Medical Departments, your committee ask that more time be given them to make inquiries necessary to formulate this report.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellison Capers
J. J. McMahon
Edward Anderson} Committee

Report adopted & Committee given further time.

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Report of Committee on Quartermasters and Finance Departments

The following resolutions were passed and adopted.

First: That the report of the Committee on Quartermaster and Finance be adopted, and be incorporated by the Chairman in his report to the Legislature.

Second: - That the Legislature be asked to appropriate $2000 toward reducing the deficiency.

Third: - That a Committee of three be appointed to enquire into the efficiency of the financial and business arrangements of the Academy and to make recommendations to this Board at the next meeting.

Col. Aldrich
Col. Thomas
Mr. McMahon} Committee

The matter of Light & Laundry was referred to the Executive Committee.

The Committee to whom was referred the recommendations of the Superintendent in regard to the better equipment of the Departments of the Academy and the matter of general repairs beg

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leave to approve the same as follows and to advise their adoption by the Board.

Physical Laboratory $1500.00
Furniture for Chapel and Section rooms 750.00
Library 250.00
General Repairs 750.00
$3250.00
Respectfully submitted

M. B. McSwiney
J. W. Floyd
J. P. Thomas} Committee

Col. Thomas called attention to the untidy condition of the outlying premises, especially in the rear of the Chapel, and moved that the Superintendent be directed to have same attended to.

Amendment to Article 98 proposed by Col. J. J. Lucas.

Moved that the proposed amendment be referred to a Committee of three. The Chairman appointed the following:
Col. Lucas
Col. Thomas
Gen. Floyd

Artillery practice at the fortifications of Charleston Harbor left to the Chairman

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The Encampment for the coming year was done away with.

The Board then adjourned.

Edward Anderson
Secretary

An Act to fix the number and regulate the terms of office of the Board of Visitors of the South Carolina Military Academy -
– approved the 2d day of March 1899 –

Board organized February 20th 1900 as follows –
Maj Lucas and Blythe for 6 years –
Maj Gadsden and Lewis for 4 years
Bishop Capers for 2 years resigned 1902 and
Hon. O. Sheppard elected for 6 years to 1908.
re-elected.
Maj Gadsden and Lewis in 1904 for 6 years to 1910
Maj Lucas and Blythe in 1906 for 6 years to 1912