Wickliffe，BatonRouge，Louisiana，askingtheanswertobesenttomeatLancaster，Ohio，whereIproposedtoleavemyfamily。But，beforeleavingthisbranchofthesubject，ImustexplainalittlematterofwhichIhaveseenanaccountinprint，complimentaryorotherwiseofthefirmofSherman，Ewing&McCook，moreespeciallyoftheseniorpartner。
Oneday，asIsatinouroffice，anIrishmancameinandsaidhehadacaseandwantedalawyer。Iaskedhimtositdownandgivemethepointsofhiscase，alltheothermembersofthefirmbeingout。OurclientstatedthathehadrentedalotofanIrishlandlordforfivedollarsamonth;thathehaderectedthereonasmallframeshanty，whichwasoccupiedbyhisfamily;thathehad，paidhisrentregularlyuptoarecentperiod，buttohishousehehadappendedashedwhichextendedoverapartofanadjoiningvacantlotbelongingtothesamelandlord，forwhichhewaschargedtwoandahalfdollarsamonth，whichherefusedtopay。Theconsequencewas，thathislandlordhadfarafewmonthsdeclinedevenhisfivedollarsmonthlyrentuntilthearrearsamountedtoaboutseventeendollars，forwhichhewassued。Itoldhimwewouldundertakehiscase，ofwhichItooknotes，andafeeoffivedollarsinadvance，andindueorderIplacedthenotesinthehandsofMcCook，andthoughtnomoreofit。
Amonthorsoafter，ourclientrushedintotheofficeandsaidhiscasehadbeencalledatJudgeGardner’s（Ithink），andhewantedhislawyerrightaway。IsenthimuptotheCircuitCourt，JudgePettit’s，forMcCook，buthesoonreturned，sayinghecouldnotfindMcCook，andaccordinglyIhurriedwithhimuptoJudgeGardner’soffice，intendingtoaskacontinuance，butIfoundourantagonistthere，withhislawyerandwitnesses，andJudgeGardnerwouldnotgrantacontinuance，soofnecessityIhadtoact，hopingthatateveryminuteMcCookwouldcome。Butthetrialproceededregularlytoitsend;wewerebeaten，andjudgmentwasenteredagainstourclientfortheamountclaimed，andcosts。AssoonasthematterwasexplainedtoMcCook，hesaid\"execution\"couldnotbetakenfortendays，and，asourclientwaspoor，andhadnothingonwhichthelandlordcouldlevybuthishouse，McCookadvisedhimtogethisneighborstogether，topickupthehouse，andcarryitontoanothervacantlot，belongingtoanon—resident，sothateventhehousecouldnotbetakeninexecution。Thusthegraspinglandlord，thoughsuccessfulinhisjudgment，failedintheexecution，andourclientwasabundantlysatisfied。
InduetimeIclosedupmybusinessatLeavenworth，andwenttoLancaster，Ohio，where，inJuly，1859，IreceivednoticefromGovernorWickliffethatIhadbeenelectedsuperintendentoftheproposedcollege，andinvitingmetocomedowntoLouisianaasearlyaspossible，becausetheywereanxioustoputthecollegeintooperationbythe1stofJanuaryfollowing。ForthishonorablepositionIwasindebtedtoMajorD。C。BuellandGeneralG。MasonGraham，towhomIhavemadefullanddueacknowledgment。Duringthecivilwar，itwasreportedandchargedthatIowedmypositiontothepersonalfriendshipofGeneralsBraggandBeauregard，andthat，intakinguparmsagainsttheSouth，Ihadbeenguiltyofabreachofhospitalityandfriendship。IwasnotindebtedtoGeneralBragg，becausehehimselftoldmethathewasnotevenawarethatIwasanapplicant，andhadfavoredtheselectionofMajorJenkins，anotherWestPointgraduate。GeneralBeauregardhadnothingwhatevertodowiththematter。
CHAPTERVII。
LOUISIANA
1859—1861。
Intheautumnof1859，havingmadearrangementsformyfamilytoremaininLancaster，Iproceeded，viaColumbus，Cincinnati，andLouisville，toBatonRouge，Louisiana，whereIreportedfordutytoGovernorWickliffe，who，byvirtueofhisoffice，wasthepresidentoftheBoardofSupervisorsofthenewinstitutionoverwhichIwascalledtopreside。HeexplainedtometheactoftheLegislatureunderwhichtheinstitutionwasfounded;toldmethatthebuildingwassituatednearAlexandria，intheparishofRapides，andwassubstantiallyfinished;thatthefuturemanagementwouldrestwithaBoardofSupervisors，mostlycitizensofRapidesParish，wherealsoresidedtheGovernor—elect，T。O。Moore，whowouldsoonsucceedhiminhisofficeasGovernorandpresidentexofficio;andadvisedmetogoatoncetoAlexandria，andputmyselfincommunicationwithMooreandthesupervisors。AccordinglyItookaboatatBatonRouge，forthemouthofRedRiver。
Theriverbeinglow，anditsnavigationprecarious，Itheretooktheregularmail—coach，asthemorecertainconveyance，andcontinuedontowardAlexandria。Ifound，asafellow—passengerinthecoach，JudgeHenryBoyce，oftheUnitedStatesDistrictCourt，withwhomIhadmadeacquaintanceyearsbefore，atSt。Louis，and，aswenearedAlexandria，heproposedthatweshouldstopatGovernorMoore’sandspendthenight。Moore’shouseandplantationwereonBayouRobert，abouteightmilesfromAlexandria。Wefoundhimathome，withhiswifeandamarrieddaughter，andspentthenightthere。HesentusforwardtoAlexandriathenextmorning，inhisowncarriage。OnarrivingatAlexandria，Iputupataninn，orboarding—house，andalmostimmediatelythereafterwentabouttenmilesfartherupBayouRapides，totheplantationandhouseofGeneralG。MasonGraham，towhomIlookedastheprincipalmanwithwhomIhadtodeal。Hewasahigh—tonedgentleman，andhiswholeheartwasintheenterprise。Heatonceputmeatease。Weactedtogethermostcordiallyfromthattimeforth，anditwasathishousethatallthedetailsoftheseminarywerearranged。Wefirstvisitedthecollege—buildingtogether。Itwaslocatedonanoldcountryplaceoffourhundredacresofpineland，withnumeroussprings，andthebuildingwasverylargeandhandsome。A
carpenter，namedJames，residedthere，andhadthegeneralchargeoftheproperty;but，astherewasnotatable，chair，black—board，oranythingonhand，necessaryforabeginning，Iconcludedtoquartermyselfinoneoftheroomsoftheseminary，andboardwithanoldblackwomanwhocookedforJames，sothatImightpersonallypushforwardthenecessarypreparations。Therewasanoldrail—fenceabouttheplace，andalargepileofboardsinfront。I
immediatelyengagedfourcarpenters，andsetthematworktomakeoutoftheseboardsmess—tables，benches，black—boards，etc。I
alsoopenedacorrespondencewiththeprofessors—elect，andwithallpartiesofinfluenceintheState，whowereinterestedinourwork:AtthemeetingoftheBoardofSupervisors，heldatAlexandria，August2，1859，fiveprofessorshadbeenelected:1。
W。T。Sherman，Superintendent，andProfessorofEngineering，etc。;
2。AnthonyVallas，ProfessorofMathematics，Philosophy，etc。;3。
FrancisW。Smith，ProfessorofChemistry，etc。;4。DavidF。Boyd，ProfessorofLanguages，EnglishandAncient;5。E。BertiSt。Ange，ProfessorofFrenchandModernLanguages。
TheseconstitutedtheAcademicBoard，whilethegeneralsupervisionremainedintheBoardofSupervisors，composedoftheGovernoroftheState，theSuperintendentofPublicEducation，andtwelvemembers，nominatedbytheGovernor，andconfirmedbytheSenate。
Theinstitutionwasboundtoeducatesixteenbeneficiarystudents，freeofanychargefortuition。Thesehadonlytopayfortheirclothingandbooks，whileallothershadtopaytheirentireexpenses，includingtuition。
EarlyinNovember，Profs。Smith，Yallas，St。Ange，andI，metacommitteeoftheBoardofSupervisors，composedofT。C。Manning，G。MasonGraham，andW。W。Whittington，atGeneralGraham’shouse，andresolvedtoopentheinstitutiontopupilsonthe1stdayofJanuary，1860。Weadoptedaseriesofbylawsforthegovernmentoftheinstitution，whichwasstyledthe\"LouisianaSeminaryofLearningandMilitaryAcademy。\"Thistitlegrewoutoftheoriginalgrant，bytheCongressoftheUnitedStates，ofacertaintownshipofpublicland，tobesoldbytheState，anddedicatedtotheuseofa\"seminaryoflearning。\"IdonotsupposethatCongressdesignedtherebytofixthenameortitle;butthesubjecthadsolongbeendebatedinLouisianathatthename，thoughawkward，hadbecomefamiliar。Weappendedtoit\"MilitaryAcademy，\"asexplanatoryofitsgeneraldesign。
Onthe17thofNovember，1859，theGovernoroftheState，Wickliffe，issuedofficiallyageneralcircular，preparedbyus，givingpublicnoticethatthe\"SeminaryofLearning\"wouldopenonthe1stdayofJanuary，1860;containingadescriptionofthelocality，andthegeneralregulationsfortheproposedinstitution;
andauthorizingpartiestoapplyforfurtherinformationtothe\"Superintendent，\"atAlexandria，Louisiana。
TheLegislaturehadappropriatedforthesixteenbeneficiariesattherateoftwohundredandeighty—threedollarsperannum，towhichweaddedsixtydollarsastuitionforpaycadets;and，thoughthepricewaslow，weundertooktomanageforthefirstyearonthatbasis。
Promptlytotheday，weopened，withaboutsixtycadetspresent。
MajorSmithwasthecommandantofcadets，andIthesuperintendent。
IhadbeentoNewOrleans，whereIhadboughtasupplyofmattresses，books，andeverythingrequisite，andwestartedverymuchonthebasisofWestPointandoftheVirginiaMilitaryInstitute，butwithoutuniformsormuskets;yetwithroll—calls，sections，andrecitations，wekeptasnearthestandardofWestPointaspossible。Ikeptallthemoneyaccounts，andgavegeneraldirectionstothesteward，professors，andcadets。Theotherprofessorshadtheirregularclassesandrecitations。Wealllivedinroomsinthecollegebuilding，exceptVallas，whohadafamily，andrentedahousenearby。ACreolegentleman，B。Jarrean，Esq。，hadbeenelectedsteward，andhealsohadhisfamilyinahousenotfaroff。Theotherprofessorshadamessinaroomadjoiningthemess—hall。Afewmorecadetsjoinedinthecourseofthewinter，sothatwehadinall，duringthefirstterm，seventy—threecadets，ofwhomfifty—ninepassedtheexaminationonthe30thofJuly，1860。DuringourfirsttermmanydefectsintheoriginalactoftheLegislatureweredemonstrated，and，bytheadviceoftheBoardofSupervisors，IwentdowntoBatonRougeduringthesessionoftheLegislature，toadvocateandurgethepassageofanewbill，puttingtheinstitutiononabetterfooting。ThomasO。MoorswasthenGovernor，BraggwasamemberoftheBoardofPublicWorks，andRichardTaylorwasaSenator。Igotwellacquaintedwithallofthese，andwithsomeoftheleadingmenoftheState，andwasalwaystreatedwiththegreatestcourtesyandkindness。InconjunctionwiththepropercommitteeoftheLegislature，wepreparedanewbill，whichwaspassedandapprovedonthe7thofMarch，1860，bywhichweweretohaveabeneficiarycadetforeachparish，inallfifty—six，andfifteenthousanddollarsannuallyfortheirmaintenance;alsotwentythousanddollarsforthegeneraluseofthecollege。Duringthatsessionwegotanappropriationoffifteenthousanddollarsforbuildingtwoprofessors’houses，forthepurchaseofphilosophicalandchemicalapparatus，andforthebeginningofacollegelibrary。TheseminarywasmadeaStateArsenal，underthetitleofStateCentralArsenal，andIwasallowedfivehundreddollarsayearasitssuperintendent。ThesematterstookmeseveraltimestoBatonRougethatwinter，andI
recallaneventofsomeinterest，whichmosthavehappenedinFebruary。Atthattimemybrother，JohnSherman，wasacandidate，inthenationalHouseofRepresentatives，forSpeaker，againstBocock，ofVirginia。IntheSouthhewasregardedasan\"abolitionist，\"themosthorribleofallmonsters;andmanypeopleofLonusanalookedatmewithsuspicion，asthebrotheroftheabolitionist，JohnSherman，anddoubtedtheproprietyofhavingmeattheheadofanimportantStateinstitution。BythistimeIwasprettywellacquaintedwithmanyoftheirprominentmen，wasgenerallyesteemedbyallinauthority，andbythepeopleofRapidesParishespecially，whosawthatIwasdevotedtomyparticularbusiness，andthatIgavenoheedtothepoliticalexcitementoftheday。ButthemembersoftheStateSenateandHousedidnotknowmesowell，anditwasnaturalthattheyshouldbesuspicionsofaNorthernman，andthebrotherofhimwhowasthe\"abolition\"candidateforSpeakeroftheHouse。
Oneevening，atalargedinner—partyatGovernorMoore’s，atwhichwerepresentseveralmembersoftheLouisianaLegislature，Taylor，Bragg，andtheAttorney—GeneralHyams，aftertheladieshadleftthetable，InoticedatGovernorMoore’sendquitealivelydiscussiongoingon，inwhichmynamewasfrequentlyused;atlengththeGovernorcalledtome，saying:\"ColonelSherman，youcanreadilyunderstandthat，withyourbrothertheabolitionistcandidateforSpeaker，someofourpeoplewonderthatyoushouldbehereattheheadofanimportantStateinstitution。Now，youareatmytable，andIassureyouofmyconfidence。Won’tyouspeakyourmindfreelyonthisquestionofslavery，thatsoagitatestheland？Youareundermyroof，and，whateveryousay，youhavemyprotection。\"
Ianswered:\"GovernorMoors，youmistakeincallingmybrother，JohnSherman，anabolitionist。Wehavebeenseparatedsincechildhood——Iinthearmy，andhepursuinghisprofessionoflawinNorthernOhio;anditispossiblewemaydifferingeneralsentiment，butIdenythatheisconsideredathomeanabolitionist;and，althoughheprefersthefreeinstitutionsunderwhichhelivestothoseofslaverywhichprevailhere，hewouldnotofhimselftakefromyoubylaworforceanypropertywhatever，evenslaves。\"
ThensaidMoore:\"GiveusyourownviewsofslaveryasyouseeithereandthroughouttheSouth。\"
Iansweredineffectthat\"thepeopleofLouisianawerehardlyresponsibleforslavery，astheyhadinheritedit;thatIfoundtwodistinctconditionsofslavery，domesticandfieldhands。Thedomesticslaves，employedbythefamilies，wereprobablybettertreatedthananyslavesonearth;buttheconditionofthefield—handswasdifferent，dependingmoreonthetemperanddispositionoftheirmastersandoverseersthanwerethoseemployedaboutthehouse;\"andIwentontosaythat，\"wereIacitizenofLouisiana，andamemberoftheLegislature，IwoulddeemitwisetobringthelegalconditionoftheslavesmorenearthestatusofhumanbeingsunderallChristianandcivilizedgovernments。Inthefirstplace，Iarguedthat，insalesofslavesmadebytheState，I
wouldforbidtheseparationoffamilies，lettingthefather，mother，andchildren，besoldtogethertooneperson，insteadofeachtothehighestbidder。And，again，Iwouldadvisetherepealofthestatutewhichenactedaseverepenaltyforeventheownertoteachhisslavetoreadandwrite，becausethatactuallyqualifiedpropertyandtookawayapartofitsvalue;illustratingtheassertionbythecaseofHenrySampson，whohadbeentheslaveofColonelChambers，ofRapidesParish，whohadgonetoCaliforniaastheservantofanofficerofthearmy，andwhowasafterwardemployedbymeinthebankatSanFrancisco。Atfirsthecouldnotwriteorread，andIcouldonlyaffordtopayhimonehundreddollarsamonth;buthewastaughttoreadandwritebyReilley，ourbank—teller，whenhisservicesbecameworthtwohundredandfiftydollarsamonth，whichenabledhimtobuyhisownfreedomandthatofhisbrotherandhisfamily。\"
WhatIsaidwaslistenedtobyallwiththemostprofoundattention;and，whenIwasthrough，someone（IthinkitwasMr。
Hyams）struckthetablewithhisfist，makingtheglassesjingle，andsaid，\"ByGod，heisright！\"andatoncehetookupthedebate，whichwenton，foranhourormore，onbothsideswithabilityandfairness。Ofcourse，Iwasgladtobethusrelieved，becauseatthetimeallmeninLouisianaweredreadfullyexcitedonquestionsaffectingtheirslaves，whoconstitutedthebulkoftheirwealth，andwithoutwhomtheyhonestlybelievedthatsugar，cotton，andrice，couldnotpossiblybecultivated。
Onthe30thand31stofJuly，1860，wehadanexaminationattheseminary，windingupwithaball，andasmuchpublicityaspossibletoattractgeneralnotice;andimmediatelythereafterweallscattered——thecadetstotheirhomes，andtheprofessorswherevertheypleased——alltomeetagainonthe1stdayofthenextNovember。MajorSmithandIagreedtomeetinNewYorkonacertaindayinAugust，topurchasebooks，models，etc。IwentdirectlytomyfamilyinLancaster，andafterafewdaysproceededtoWashington，toendeavortoprocurefromtheGeneralGovernmentthenecessarymusketsandequipmentsforourcadetsbythebeginningofthenextterm。IwasinWashingtononthe17thdayofAugust，andhuntedupmyfriendMajorBuell，oftheAdjutant—
General’sDepartment，whowasondutywiththeSecretaryofWar，Floyd。IhadwithmealetterofGovernorMoore’s，authorizingmetoactinhisname。MajorBuelltookmeintoFloyd’sroomattheWarDepartment，towhomIexplainedmybusiness，andIwasagreeablysurprisedtomeetwithsucheasysuccess。AlthoughtheStateofLouisianahadalreadydrawnherfullquotaofarms，Floydpromptlypromisedtoordermyrequisitiontobefilled，andI
procuredthenecessaryblanksattheOrdnance—Office，filledthemwithtwohundredcadetmuskets，andallequipmentscomplete，andwasassuredthatallthesearticleswouldbeshippedtoLouisianainseasonforourusethatfall。Theseassuranceswerefaithfullycarriedout。
IthenwentontoNewYork，theremetMajorSmithaccordingtoappointment，andtogetherweselectedandpurchasedagoodsupplyofuniforms，clothing，andtextbooks，aswellasafairnumberofbooksofhistoryandfiction，tocommencealibrary。
Whenthisbusinesswascompleted，IreturnedtoLancaster，andremainedwithmyfamilytillthetimeapproachedformetoreturntoLouisiana。IagainleftmyfamilyatLancaster，untilassuredofthecompletionofthetwobuildingsdesignedforthemarriedprofessorsforwhichIhadcontractedthatspringwithMr。Mills，ofAlexandria，andwhichwerewellunderprogresswhenIleftinAugust。OneofthesewasdesignedformeandtheotherforVallas。
Mr。Ewingpresentedmewithahorse，whichItookdowntheriverwithme，andenrouteIorderedfromGrimsley&Co。afullequipmentofsaddle，bridle，etc。，thesamethatIusedinthewar，andwhichIlostwithmyhorse，shotundermeatShiloh。
ReachingAlexandriaearlyinOctober，Ipushedforwardtheconstructionofthetwobuildings，somefences，gates，andallotherwork，withtheobjectofamoreperfectstartattheopeningoftheregulartermNovember1，1860。
AboutthistimeDr。PowhatanClarkwaselectedAssistantProfessorofChemistry，etc。，andactedassecretaryoftheBoardofSupervisors，butnootherchangesweremadeinoursmallcircleofprofessors。
Novembercame，andwithitnearlyifnotquiteallourfirstsetofcadets，andothers，tothenumberofaboutonehundredandthirty。
Wedividedthemintotwocompanies，issuedarmsandclothing，andbeganaregularsystemofdrillsandinstruction，aswellastheregularrecitations。Ihadmovedintomynewhouse，butprudentlyhadnotsentformyfamily，nominallyonthegroundofwaitinguntiltheseasonwasfurtheradvanced，butreallybecauseofthestormthatwasloweringheavyonthepoliticalhorizon。ThepresidentialelectionwastooccurinNovember，andthenominationshadalreadybeenmadeinstormydebatesbytheusualconventions。
LincolnandHamlin（totheSouthutterlyunknown）werethenomineesoftheRepublicanparty，andforthefirsttimeboththesecandidateswerefromNorthernStates。TheDemocraticpartydivided——onesetnominatingaticketatCharleston，andtheotheratBaltimore。BreckenridgeandLanewerethenomineesoftheSouthernorDemocraticparty;andBellandEverett，akindofcompromise，mostlyinfavorinLouisiana。Politicalexcitementwasatitsveryheight，anditwasconstantlyassertedthatMr。
Lincoln’selectionwouldimperiltheUnion。Ipurposelykeptalooffrompolitics，wouldtakenopart，andrememberthatonthedayoftheelectioninNovemberIwasnotifiedthatitwouldbeadvisableformetovoteforBellandEverett，butIopenlysaidIwouldnot，andIdidnot。TheelectionofMr。Lincolnfelluponusalllikeaclapofthunder。PeoplesawandfeltthattheSouthhadthreatenedsolongthat，ifshequietlysubmitted，thequestionofslaveryintheTerritorieswasatanendforever。ImingledfreelywiththemembersoftheBoardofSupervisors，andwiththepeopleofRapidesParishgenerally，keepingalooffromallcliquesandparties，andI
certainlyhopedthatthethreatenedstormwouldblowover，ashadsooftenoccurredbefore，aftersimilarthreats。Atourseminarytheorderofexerciseswentalongwiththeregularityoftheseasons。Onceaweek，Ihadtheoldercadetstopractisereading，reciting，andelocution，andnoticedthattheirselectionswerefromCalhoun，Yancey，andotherSouthernspeakers，alltreatingofthedefenseoftheirslavesandtheirhomeinstitutionsastheveryhighestdutyofthepatriot。Amongboysthiswastobeexpected;
andamongthemembersofourboard，thoughmostofthemdeclaimedagainstpoliticiansgenerally，andespeciallyabolitionists，aspests，yettherewasagrowingfeelingthatdangerwasinthewind。
IrecallthevisitofayounggentlemanwhohadbeensentfromJackson，bytheGovernorofMississippi，toconferwithGovernorMoore，thenonhisplantationatBayouRobert，andwhohadcomeovertoseeourcollege。Hespoketomeopenlyofsecessionasafixedfact，andthatitsdetailswereonlyleftopenfordiscussion。Ialsorecallthevisitofsomemanwhowassaidtobeahighofficerintheorderof\"KnightsoftheGoldenCircle，\"oftheexistenceofwhichorderIwasevenignorant，untilexplainedtomebyMajorSmithandDr。Clark。ButinNovember，1860，nomaneverapproachedmeoffensively，toascertainmyviews，ormyproposedcourseofactionincaseofsecession，andnomaninoroutofauthorityevertriedtoinducemetotakepartinstepsdesignedtoleadtowarddisunion。Ithinkmygeneralopinionswerewellknownandunderstood，viz。，that\"secessionwastreason，waswar;\"andthatinnoeventwouldtheNorthandWestpermittheMississippiRivertopassoutoftheircontrol。ButsomemenattheSouthactuallysupposedatthetimethattheNorthwesternStates，incaseofadisruptionoftheGeneralGovernment，wouldbedrawninself—interesttoanalliancewiththeSouth。WhatInowwriteIdonotofferasanythinglikeahistoryoftheimportanteventsofthattime，butratherasmymemoryofthem，theeffecttheyhadonmepersonally，andtowhatextenttheyinfluencedmypersonalconduct。
SouthCarolinasecededDecember20，1860，andMississippisoonafter。EmissariescametoLouisianatoinfluencetheGovernor，Legislature，andpeople，anditwasthecommonassertionthat，ifalltheCottonStateswouldfollowtheleadofSouthCarolina，itwoulddiminishthechancesofcivilwar，becauseaboldanddeterminedfrontwoulddetertheGeneralGovernmentfromanymeasuresofcoercion。Aboutthistimealso，viz。，earlyinDecember，wereceivedMr。Buchanan’sannualmessagetoCongress，inwhichhepubliclyannouncedthattheGeneralGovernmenthadnoconstitutionalpowerto\"coerceaState。\"Iconfessthisstaggeredme，andIfearedthatthepropheciesandassertionsofAlisonandotherEuropeancommentatorsonourformofgovernmentwereright，andthatourConstitutionwasamereropeofsand，thatwouldbreakwiththefirstpressure。
TheLegislatureofLouisianametonthe10thofDecember，andpassedanactcallingaconventionofdelegatesfromthepeople，tomeetatBatonRouge，onthe8thofJanuary，totakeintoconsiderationthestateoftheUnion;and，althoughitwasuniversallyadmittedthatalargemajorityofthevotersoftheStatewereopposedtosecession，disunion，andallthestepsoftheSouthCarolinians，yetwesawthattheywerepowerless，andthatthepoliticianswouldsweepthemalongrapidlytotheend，prearrangedbytheirleadersinWashington。Beforetheordinanceofsecessionwaspassed，ortheconventionhadassembled，onthefaithofatelegraphicdispatchsentbythetwoSenators，BenjaminandSlidell，fromtheirseatsintheUnitedStatesSenateatWashington，GovernorMooreorderedtheseizureofalltheUnitedStatesfortsatthemouthoftheMississippiandLakePontchartrain，andoftheUnitedStatesarsenalatBatonRouge。
Thefortshadnogarrisons，butthearsenalwasheldbyasmallcompanyofartillery，commandedbyMajorHaskins，amostworthyandexcellentofficer，whohadlostanarminMexico。IrememberwellthatIwasstronglyandbitterlyimpressedbytheseizureofthearsenal，whichoccurredonJanuary10，1861。
WhenIwentfirsttoBatonRouge，in1859，enroutetoAlexandria，IfoundCaptainRickett’scompanyofartillerystationedinthearsenal，butsoonaftertherewassomewhatofaclamorontheTexasfrontieraboutBrownsville，whichinducedtheWarDepartmenttoorderRickett’scompanytothatfrontier。IrememberthatGovernorMooreremonstratedwiththeSecretaryofWarbecausesomuchdangerousproperty，composedofmuskets，powder，etc。，hadbeenleftbytheUnitedStatesunguarded，inaparishwheretheslavepopulationwasasfiveorsixtooneofwhites;anditwasonhisofficialdemandthattheUnitedStatesGovernmentorderedHaskinsscompanytoreplaceRickett’s。Thiscompanydidnotnumberfortymen。InthenightofJanuary9th，aboutfivehundredNewOrleansmilitia，undercommandofaColonelWheat，wentupfromNewOrleansbyboat，landed，surroundedthearsenal，anddemandeditssurrender。Haskinswasofcourseunpreparedforsuchastep，yetheatfirstresolvedtodefendthepostashebestcouldwithhissmallforce。ButBragg，whowasanoldarmyacquaintanceofhis，hadaparleywithhim，exhibitedtohimthevastlysuperiorforceofhisassailants，embracingtwofield—batteries，andofferedtoprocureforhimhonorableterms，tomarchoutwithdrumsandcolors，andtotakeunmolestedpassageinaboatuptoSt。Louis;
alleging，further，thattheoldUnionwasatanend，andthatajustsettlementwouldbemadebetweenthetwonewfragmentsforallthepropertystoredinthearsenal。OfcourseitwasHaskins’sdutytohavedefendedhisposttothedeath;butuptothattimethenationalauthoritiesinWashingtonhadshownsuchpusillanimity，thattheofficersofthearmyknewnotwhattodo。
Theresult，anyhow，wasthatHaskinssurrenderedhispost，andatonceembarkedforSt。Louis。Thearmsandmunitionsstoredinthearsenalwerescattered——sometoMississippi，sometoNewOrleans，sometoShreveport;andtome，attheCentralArsenal，wereconsignedtwothousandmuskets，threehundredJagerrifles，andalargeamountofcartridgesandammunition。Theinvoicesweresignedbytheformerordnance—sergeant，Olodowski，asacaptainofordnance，andIthinkhecontinuedsuchonGeneralBragg’sstaffthroughthewholeofthesubsequentcivilwar。Thesearms，etc。，cameuptomeatAlexandria，withordersfromGovernorMooretoreceiptforandaccountforthem。ThusIwasmadethereceiverofstolengoods，andthesegoodsthepropertyoftheUnitedStates。
Thisgratedhardonmyfeelingsasanex—army—officer，andoncountingthearmsInoticedthatthqywerepackedintheoldfamiliarboxes，withthe\"U。S。\"simplyscratchedoff。GeneralG。
MasonGrahamhadresignedasthechairmanoftheExecutiveCommittee，andDr。S。A。Smith，ofAlexandria，thenamemberoftheStateSenate，hadsucceededhimaschairman，andactedasheadoftheBoardofSupervisors。AtthetimeIwasinmostintimatecorrespondencewithalloftheseparties，andourlettersmusthavebeenfullofpolitics，butIhaveonlyretainedcopiesofafewoftheletters，whichIwillembodyinthisconnection，astheywillshow，betterthanbyanythingIcannowrecall，thefeelingsofpartiesatthatcriticalperiod。TheseizureofthearsenalatBatonRougeoccurredJanuary10，1861，andthesecessionordinancewasnotpasseduntilaboutthe25thor26thofthesamemonth。Atallevents，aftertheseizureofthearsenal，andbeforethepassageoftheordinanceofsecession，viz。，onthe18thofJanuary，Iwroteasfollows:
LouisianaStateSeminaryofLearningandMilitaryAcademyJanuary18，1861
GovernorTHOMASO。MOORE，Baton，Rouge，Louisiana。
Sir:AsIoccupyaquasi—militarypositionunderthelawsoftheState，IdeemitpropertoacquaintyouthatIacceptedsuchpositionwhenLouisianawasaStateintheUnion，andwhenthemottoofthisseminarywasinsertedinmarbleoverthemaindoor:
\"BytheliberalityoftheGeneralGovernmentoftheUnitedStates。
TheUnion——estoperpetua。\"
Recenteventsforeshadowagreatchange，anditbecomesallmentochoose。IfLouisianawithdrawfromtheFederalUnion，IprefertomaintainmyallegiancetotheConstitutionaslongasafragmentofitsurvives;andmylongerstayherewouldbewrongineverysenseoftheword。
Inthatevent，IbegyouwillsendorappointsomeauthorizedagenttotakechargeofthearmsandmunitionsofwarbelongingtotheState，oradvisemewhatdispositiontomakeofthem。
Andfurthermore，aspresidentoftheBoardofSupervisors，Ibegyoutotakeimmediatestepstorelievemeassuperintendent，themomenttheStatedeterminestosecede，foronnoearthlyaccountwillIdoanyactorthinkanythoughthostiletoorindefianceoftheoldGovernmentoftheUnitedStates。
Withgreatrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Superintendent。
[PRIVATE。]
January18，1861。
ToGovernorMoore:
MyDearSir:Itakeitforgrantedthatyouhavebeenexpectingforsomedaystheaccompanyingpaperfromme（theaboveofficialletter）。IhaverepeatedlyandagainmadeknowntoGeneralGrahamandDr。Smiththat，intheeventofaseveranceoftherelationshithertoexistingbetweentheConfederatedStatesofthisUnion，I
wouldbeforcedtochoosetheoldUnion。ItisbarelypossiblealltheStatesmaysecede，SouthandNorth，thatnewcombinationsmayresult，butthisprocesswillbeoneoftimeanduncertainty，andI
cannotwithmyopinionsawaitthesubsequentdevelopment。
Ihaveneverbeenapolitician，andthereforeundervaluetheexcitedfeelingsandopinionsofpresentrulers，butIdothink，ifthispeoplecannotexecuteaformofgovernmentlikethepresent，thataworseonewillresult。
Iwillkeepthecadetsasquietaspossible。Theyarenervous，butIthinktheinterestoftheStaterequiresthemhere，guardingthisproperty，andacquiringaknowledgewhichwillbeusefultoyourStateinafter—times。
WhenIleave，whichInowregardascertain，thepresentprofessorscanmanagewellenough，toaffordyouleisuretimetofindasuitablesuccessortome。YoumightorderMajorSmithtoreceiptforthearms，andtoexercisemilitarycommand，whiletheacademicexercisescouldgoonundertheboard。Intime，somegentlemanwillturnup，betterqualifiedthanIam，tocarryontheseminarytoitsultimatepointofsuccess。Ientertainthekindestfeelingstowardall，andwouldleavetheStatewithmuchregret;onlyingreateventswemustchoose，onewayortheother。
Truly，yourfriend，W。T。SHERMAN
January19，1881——Saturday。
Dr。S。A。Smith，PresidentBoardofSupervisors，BatonRouge，Louisiana。
DearSir:Ihavejustfinishedmyquarterlyreportstotheparentsofallthecadetshere，orwhohavebeenhere。Allmybooksofaccountarewrittenuptodate。Allbillsforthehouses，fences，etc。，aresettled，andnothingnowremainsbutthedailytontineofrecitationsanddrills。IhavewrittenofficiallyandunofficiallytoGovernorMoore，thatwithmyopinionsoftheclaimedrightofaccession，oftheseizureofpublicforts，arsenals，etc。，andtheignominiouscaptureofaUnitedStatesgarrison，stationedinyourmidst，asaguardtothearsenalandfortheprotectionofyourownpeople，itwouldbehighlyimproperformelongertoremain。Nogreatinconveniencecanresulttotheseminary。Iwillbethechiefloser。Icamedowntwomonthsbeforemypaycommenced。I
madesacrificesinKansastoenablemethustoobeythecallofGovernorWickliffe，andyouknowthatlastwinterIdeclinedamostadvantageousofferofemploymentabroad;andthusfarIhavereceivednothingassuperintendentofthearsenal，thoughIwenttoWashingtonandNewYork（atmyownexpense）onthefaithofthefivehundreddollarssalarypromised。
Theseareallsmallmattersincomparisonwiththoseinvolvedinthepresentstateofthecountry，whichwillcausesacrificesbymillions，insteadofbyhundreds。ThemoreIthinkofit，themoreIthinkIshouldbeaway，thesoonerthebetter;andthereforeI
hopeyouwilljoinwithGovernorMoorsinauthorizingmetoturnovertoMajorSmiththemilitarycommandhere，andtotheacademicboardthecontrolofthedailyexercisesandrecitations。