C ORNELL AT W AR AND P EACE

StudentsdrillinginfrontoftheKappaAlphaHouse,1910s(Source:RareandManuscriptsCollection,CornellUniversity)

ZacharyNewkirk12
May15,2012 AMST2001 InstructorCoreyEarle07

C H A PT ER O NE C ONCEIVE DIN W AR
Inthefallof1861,ayoungprofessorofhistoryattheUniversityofMichigansawa pairofhisstudentsofftowar.Theycouldresisttheirpatrioticconvictionsnolonger,the professorreminisced,andtheyhadcometosaygoodbyetome.Theywentintothewar; theyfoughtbravelythroughthethickestofit;and thoughonewasbadlywounded,bothlivedto return,andaretodayhonoredcitizens.Other studentswereneverabletocomebacktotheir studiesandcaringprofessor.Mydearfriendand studentFrederickArnefellatthewetand muddyBattleofShilohin1862.AlbertNye, scholarly,eloquent,noblehearted,withevery gifttoensuresuccessincivillife,wasalsoamong thehundredsofthousandsofAmericanstoperish inthefratricidalCivilWar.1 Seeinghisstudentsofftowarwasmerely

onepartofAndrewDicksonWhitesCivilWar experience.Alreadyrejectedbythearmyyou willbeaburdenuponthegovernmentinthefirst hospitalyoureach;youhavenottheconstitution

AndrewDicksonWhitein1865,theyearCornell Universitywasfounded(Source:Rareand ManuscriptsCollection,CornellUniversity)

tobeofuseincarryingamusket2Whiteinsteadturnedtowardraisingtroopsand equipmentfortheUnioncauseandbyinspiringpatriotismfortheyoungmenunderhis tutelage.Moredirectly,Whitesupportedmilitarydrillattheuniversity.Althoughhefaced

challengesinfindingasuitablemilitaryinstructorfortheMichiganundergraduates,White eventuallysecuredaWestPointgraduatetodrillhisstudents. TheCivilWarsimpactonhisstudentsdeeplyinfluencedWhite,convertinghiminto

astaunchproponentofmilitarydrillatAmericancollegesanduniversities.Hisconversion cameevendespitehisgeneraldispleasureagainsteducationaldiscipline,forhebelieved militarylevelingandacommonuniformwouldservetobreakdownthebulwarksof caste.3Moreimmediately,wasthepracticalnecessityofmilitaryinstruction.Ihadseen largenumbersofmybeststudentsgoforthinsufficientlytrained,andinsomecasesledto destructionbyincompetentofficers,Whitewroteinhisautobiography.Military instruction,then,wouldformthebasisofaclassofeducatedcitizensoldiersthatwould provetobeleadersintimesofcalamity,possiblyofcatastrophe.ToWhite,havingcollege educatedmenbecomemilitaryleaderswasforthebenefitofthenation.Otherwise,the poweroftheswordwouldbelefttoignorantandbrutalleaders,whileeducatedyoung menshallslinkawayfromthesceneofduty,cowerincornersandleavetheconductof militaryaffairstomenintellectuallyandmorallytheirinferiors.4Thismindsetshapedthe earlyhistoryofCornell,particularlyduringWhitespresidentialadministration. ThispaperexaminesthemilitaryhistoryofCornellfromitsfoundingin1865to

1917whentheUnitedStatesenteredtheGreatWar.Whatcomprisedmilitarydrillforthe students?WhoweretheindividualsparadingontheArtsQuad,barkingordersandactually believingindrillprocess?Whatimpactdidnationalandinternationaleventshaveon Cornellsstudent,faculty,staffandalumni?Foritsfirstcentury,militaryinstructionwas compulsoryforatleastfreshmen,alegacyleftfromtheMorrillLandGrantActof1862. CornellstudentscalledCadetslearneddrill,militarytacticsandthescienceofwar.For theearliestyears,CornellresembledWestPointmorethanacontemporaryinstitutionof higherlearning.Althougharelativelyyounguniversity,Cornellpossessesastrongmilitary traditionandhistory.Inthispaper,IfirstlookatthelegacyoftheCivilWaratCornell,then 2

thefirstthirtyyearsaftertheuniversitysopeningin1868,theSpanishAmericanWar,the periodbetweentheSpanishAmericanWarandWorldWarOne,andfinallytheGreatWars impactontheuniversitybeforetheAmericanentry. AsAndrewDicksonWhitesupportedmilitarydrillinAnnArbor,hisfuturecolleague

andpartner,EzraCornell,viewedthegrowingconflictwithanequalmixofuneaseand patriotism.Cornell,aQuaker,wasgenerallyopposedtoviolence.Inalettertohisson, Alonzo,in1846,Cornellwrote,Iamsothurorly[sic]disgustedwiththewholeofthis miserableMexicanWarthatIhavenopatienceeventoconsiderthegoodqualitiesofsome ofourbestandbravestmen.5Nevertheless,CornellremainedastrongRepublicanand supportedAbrahamLincolnin1860.InFebruary1861,Cornelldescribedtohiswifeabout seeingthepresidentelectinNewYorkCity.Icouldnothearawordthatheuttered,but theconvulsivejerksofhishead,andbobing[sic]ofhisbodyindicatedanearnestnessof speech,andcalledforththewildestshoutsofapplausefromthesolidmassofadmirers below,Cornellwrote.6Earlier,inJanuary1861,hewrotetoafriend,Thegreatquestionof thedayis,haveweaNationalGovernment?Ihavealwaysthoughtwehad,Ithinkwehave still.7ThefiringofFortSumterinAprilclearlyputanendtothatquestion.Proponentsof unionintheCornellfamilyspannedtheMasonDixonLine.AcousinlivinginNorth CarolinawrotetoEzrainApril,1861thatthedisunionist[s]haveorareabouttoplunge ourgoodoldstateintothisunholywaragainstourwishes&betterjudgment.8Aswar becamearealityEzraandhiswifeMaryAnnplungedintothewareffort. CornellheadedacommitteeofIthacansmadetoorganizesuppliesandmoneyfor theUnionswareffort.InJuly1861heandthreecompanionstraveledtoWashingtonDC withmedicalsupplies.ThementraveledwiththeNewYork32ndRegimentofvolunteers, justintimetoseethatdivisionofourarmymakesitsstrickenretreatduringtheBattleof BullRun.9CornellandhiscompanionsgotlostandjoinedwiththedefeatedUnionforce, spendingthenightatasecessionfarmershouse.Theyleftearlyoverfearsthatthefarmer 3

wouldbetraythemandleft$2forthenight.Cornellwrotethatoneofhiscompanions,after walkingbacktoWashington,hasseenenoughofwar.10Cornellwasalsofinancially supportiveofvariouswarefforts.InApril1863hecontributed$73forthesupportof familiesofacoloredregimentfrom AlbanyCounty.Hewasalsoallowed tovisitthefrontlinesin1864asa statesenatortorenderassistance tothewounded.11 Cornellscorrespondence

withhisyoungerbrotherDaniel,a soldierintheUnionArmy,revealed howclosethewaraffectedthe

APrintoftheBattleofBullRun,July21,1861(Source:Libraryof Congress)

Ithacan.Danielslettersdescribe camplife(wecandepend

uponmouldy[sic]bread,mustybaconbodyliceandcursesfromdrunkenofficers12), prideinhisstatusasasoldier,and,inAugust1863,adetailedaccountofaseverewound throughthemouthhereceivedduringtheSiegeofVicksburg.EzraCornellsCivilWar experiencetookatragicturnin1864whenhisnephew,W.IrvingWood,diedinVirginia. HewasburiedatRobertE.LeesformerplantationatArlington,oneofthefirstveteransto beburiedinthenowfamouscemetery.13 WhileEzraCornellandAndrewDicksonWhitewerearguablythemostimportant

pairofindividualsinshapingCornellUniversity,JustinS.Morrillalsodeservessignificant recognition.AcongressmanandlatersenatorfromVermont,Morrillwasinstrumentalin creatingtheuniversity.HisLandGrantActof1862andvarioussuccessoractshelped createdozensofcollegesanduniversitiesacrossthecountry.Amongtheinitialacts numerousstipulationswasaclauserequiringmilitaryinstruction.TheActcalledforthe 4

endowment,support,andmaintenanceofatleastonecollegewheretheleadingobjectshall be,withoutexcludingotherscientificandclassicalstudiesandincludingmilitarytactics,to teachsuchbranchesoflearningasarerelatedtoagricultureandthemechanicarts.14 TheLandGrantActof1862wasnotthefirstlegislationregardingfederalfunding

forhighereducationthatMorrillproposed.In1859,Congresspassedaverysimilarbillbut PresidentJamesBuchananvetoedit,citingthatultimatelythegrantingofpublicland shouldbelefttothestates.The1859billhadnomentionofmilitaryinstruction.The circumstancesin1862weredifferent.TheUnionwasreelingfromseveraldefeatsaccrued inthepreviousyearincludingtheBattlesofBullRun,WilsonsCreek,Winchester,Gaines MillandthedisappointingPeninsulaCampaignsfailuretotakeRichmond.Theclausein Morrillslegislation,then,waswhathistorianRichardAbramscallsananafterthought stipulation,areactiontothenecessitiesoftheUnionatthetime.15Indeed,inaspeech beforeCongressMorrillalludedtothatmilitarydrillourcountrynowsogreatly appreciatesinhisadvocacyforthebill.16Inanotherspeech,thecongressmanadmitted thatifthelegislationhadbeenintroducedaquartercenturybefore,themilitarydrill requirementwouldhavebeenlessdeplorableinthenorthernstates.AstheCivilWar showed,however,therewasanecessityforcedupontheattentionoftheloyalstatesby thehistoryofthepastyear,referencingthesuccessofConfederatearmies,ledlargelyby graduatesofmilitaryacademiesintheSouthsuchastheVirginiaMilitaryInstituteorThe Citadel.Hedeclared:
Ifeveragainourlegionsaresummonedtothefield,letusshowthatwearenotwholly unprepared.Thesecollegesfoundedinevery[loyal]statewilltosomeextentguard againstthesheerignoranceofallmilitaryartwhichshroudedthecountry,and especiallytheNorth,atthetimewhenthetoxinofwarsoundedatFortSumter.17

CongressmusthaveagreedwithMorrill.TheLandGrantActpassedtheSenateon

June10,186232to7vote.AmongtheoppositionwasSenatorJamesLaneofKansas,who statedasanoldlineDemocrat,Ihavealwaysbeenopposedtothedistributionofthe

publiclandsamongtheStates.18Aweeklater,theHouseofRepresentativespassedthebill 90to25.19PresidentLincolnsignedthelegislationintolawonJuly2,1862,thedayafter theUnionvictoryatMalvernHill. SuchwasthecontextfromwhichCornellUniversityoriginated.Evenbeforeits

officialbirthin1865,eventswereinmotiontoshapetheuniversityforitsfirstcentury. Aprilof1865wasamonthoftragedyanddeath.WiththesurrenderofRobertE.Leeat AppomattoxonApril9th,thedreamofanindependentSouthernnationdied.Withthe assassinationofAbrahamLincolnonApril14,theUnitedStateslostasteadfastpresident, emancipatorandleader.AndonApril27,thedayCornellUniversitywasofficiallyfounded, thesteamboatSultanaexplodedandsankintheMississippiRiver,killing1,700passengers. Yetfromamongthedefeatsandtragediesofthemonthcamethebeginningofaninstitution ofhigherlearningthateversinceits1868openinghasproducedwriters,poets,artists, scholars,researchers,athletesandevensoldiers.FromtheloomingshadowoftheCivil War,Cornellmarchedforwardtomeetthetwentiethcenturywithoptimismandgrace.Yet avestigeofthewaranditsproductsremained:militaryinstruction.

C HA PT ER T WO T HE F IRS T T HREE D E CADES

MILITARYINSTRUCTIONINTHEFIRSTYEARS
TheCornellUniversityexpectseveryCadettobeagentlemanunderallcircumstances.TheCornell Era,December5,1868.

ThecharterofCornellUniversitydirectlymandatedmilitaryinstruction.Inlanguage

reminiscentoftheLandGrantAct,sectionfourofthedocumentstatesthepurposeofthe universityistototeachsuchbranchesoflearningasarerelatedtoagricultureandthe mechanicalarts,includingmilitarytactics;inordertopromotetheliberalandpractical educationoftheindustrialclassesintheseveralpursuitsandprofessionsinlife20From 1869to1902,allfreshmenandsophomoreswererequiredtotakemilitaryinstruction. Upperclassmencouldcontinuethecoursesaselectives.From1902to1916,the requirementwaslimitedtofreshmenbecauseofspacelimitations.21WiththenewDrill Hallscompletionin1917,therequirementwasagainforfreshmenandsophomores, althoughbythentheUnitedStateshadenteredtheGreatWarandthemilitarynatureof thecampuswasuniversal. Admittedly,Cornellwasnotfoundedasamilitaryschool.Butinanerarecently

shapedbythewidereachofaterribleCivilWar,thesoldierandformersoldierwasever presentinAmericanlife.TheCornellEra,theuniversitysfirstnewspaperthatcameout everyweek,observed,[T]hisgreatUniversitywasnotfoundedforthepurposeof educatingsoldiers,butifitcanimbuecitizenswithallthatisgoodinsoldiers,andfitthem tobesoldiersintimeofneed,whoshallsaythatitsresultswillnotbecommensuratewith itshighpurposes,anditsinfluencesasbeneficentastheeffortstoextendthemarcself sacrificeandearnest?22

ForthefirstcoupleyearsafterCornellsofficialopeninginOctober1868,the militarynatureofthecampusmusthavebeenstrikingtoacasualobserver.TheRegisterof 18681869informedstudentsthattheCornelluniformwhichcanbereadilyand reasonablyprocuredinIthacamustalwaysbewornoncampus.23Interestingly,the administrationjustifiedthisrequirementbystatingthat wearingthecadetuniformthussav[es]theexpenses incidenttovarietyofcostumeandchangesoffashion, insuringpersonalneatnessandplacingalluponacommon footingofrepublicanequality.24TheRegisterof1870 1871notifiedstudentsthatthecompleteuniform requirementhadbeensuspendeduntilfurthernoticebut sternlywarned,Allundergraduatesarerequired,atevery appearanceontheUniversitypremisesorinanypublic spaceintheUniversitytown,towearthedistinctive Universitycap25 Theoriginalcadetuniformincludedadarkgray coatwithninebuttonsinthefront,darkgraypants,adark
Acadet,probablyLouisLivingston Seaman72,posinginfulluniform. (Source:HistoryoftheClassof1872)

bluekepiwithC.U.C.monograminwiththeCsingoldandtheUinsilver,anoptional vest,fatiguesack,cloak,shoulderstraps,chevrons,acrimsonsashforstudentofficersand sergeantsaswellasswordbelts,cartridgeboxbeltsandwaistbelts.26MorrisBishopinhis seminalAHistoryofCornellwriteshowstudentofficersdisplayedtheirtasteformilitary elegancebywearingtheircloaks,linedinred,withonecornertossedromanticallyover theshoulder.27Thepricetagforsuchauniformcouldsetastudentback.Amongthe papersofMillardConklin72isanadvertisementfromDevlin&Co.Clothiers.Theprice informationonthebackrevealsthefullsuitcost$32,$8to$15forafatiguesack,$16to $18foracape,shoulderstrapsat$1andcapandwreathsfrom$3.75to$6,dependingon 8

rank.28Conklin,whorosethroughthecadetranksasacorporal,sergeant,firstlieutenant andfinallyasquartermaster,mighthavespentasmuch$75,aprettypennyintodays dollars!29Tastefulandeconomical,theCornellErainaccuratelydescribedthem,before theuniformshadevenarrived.30 Studentswererequiredtosubmitthemselvestoasimplecodeofsemimilitary regulationsnecessarytothepreservationofquiet,orderandhealth,astrictorderperhaps toanyrowdycountryteenagersarrivingattheuniversityforthefirsttime.31Tocombatthe potentialviolationsofacalm,orderlyandhealthylifestyle,theuniversitysdormitories wereplacedunderthecontroloftheCommandantoftheCornellsstudentbattalions.A veryclearschedulepunctuatedtheregimentationofstudentlife.TheRegisteroutlinesthe undergraduatesschedule,asdeterminedfromthenewbellsandchimes.Reveillewould soundat7:15a.m.,halfanhourafterthebreakfastcallcamefromthebell.Othercalls wouldincludeachapelcallat7:45a.m.,dinnerat1:15p.m.,drillcallat5:00p.m.,supperat 6:15p.m.,tattoo(orlightsout)at9:30p.m.andtapsat10:00p.m.Inaddition,thebell wouldgivetenstrokesateveryhouroflecturesorclasses.32 Bishop(andtheCornellEraofDecember5,1868)providesreaderswithadifferent schedule,beginningat5:00a.m.inthesummer,5:30a.m.inthespringandautumn,and 6:00a.m.inthewintermonths.Thestudentsthenrose,dressed,madetheirbeds,and swepttheirrooms,beforehavingtheirroomsinspectedbythestudentofficers. Everywherestudentsmarchedinmilitaryandorderlymanner,eventotheirhousesof worship.Thestrictnessevenpermeatedthedininghalls,then,ofcourse,calledmesshalls. Everycadetwasassignedatableandateverytableaspot.Hewouldneedpermissionto changehisseat.Studyhours,generallybetweenmeals,werestrictlyenforced:theutmost quietintheroomsandthehallsofthebuildingswillbeobserved,andvisitingbetween roomsasmuchaspossibleavoided.33Themilitarysystemwasimperfectaccordingto Bishop.Thestate,ofcourse,delayedindeliveringthepromisedarmaments,andtheboys 9

drilledwithcanesandumbrellasinsteadofguns,hewrites.Theuniformswerealsolatein arrivingandunexpectedlyexpensiveforthestudentsatroughly$40.34 Militarysciencewasonesubjectthatallstudentsduringthesefirstfewyearswere requiredtostudy.Later,aswomenjoinedtheuniversity,therequirementwaslimitedto maleundergraduates.Themilitarysciencedepartment,runbyaprofessorthatwas jointlyanofficeroftheUnitedStatesArmy,offeredcoursesinmilitaryexercisesand militaryscience.Thelatterwereoptionalcourses,opentoallundergraduatesandincluded threecourses.Thefirst,militaryengineering,offeredstudentslecturesandlaboratorieson topography,theeffectofprojectiles,fortifications,descriptionsandnomenclatureoffield worksandmilitaryroadsandbridges.ThecourseentitledtheArtofWardiscussed historyandprinciplesofspecialtactics;theorganizationofarmies,withsomeaccountof theadministrativearrangementsofourownarmy;strategy; grandtactics;andaccessoryoperationsofwar.Finally,the courseonmilitarylawincludedsubjectsonthearticlesofwar, armyregulations,theconstitution,courtmartialing,military commissionsandmilitaryboards.35Militaryexercises,onthe otherhand,weremuchmorephysical.Theyincludedinfantry tactics,artillerytacticsandspecialexercises,whichincluded useofthesword,sabre[sic]andthebayonetand,whenever possible,cavalryexercises.36 ThefirstCommandantwasMajorJosephW.Whittlesey,
MajorJosephW.Whittlesey, Cornellsfirstcommandant (Source:RareandManuscripts Collection,CornellUniversity)

anexperiencedandskillfulofficer.37CornellhistorianWatermanT.Hewettwrotethat duringWhittleseystenure,punishmentwasextremelystrict.Onecaptain,whosofar forgothisrankastojoinsomeofhiscomradesinhazingmildlyanobnoxiousstudent,was expelledfromtheuniversity,andmarchedawayamidvehementprotestsfromthestudent world,andescortedbyaprocessionofhisfellowstudents.38MajorWilliamE.Arnold 10

followedWhittleseyandMajorJuniusWilsonMacMurrayfollowedhim.Duringthenext Commandantsterm,thatofWilliamPercyVanNess,the universityrelaxeditsmilitaryrequirementsforupperclassman, allowingforasubstitutefordrill.In1897onlyfreshmenand sophomoreswererequiredtodrill.Finally,from1902to1916, onlyfreshmenhadtodrill.39Hewetthadonlylaudatory descriptionsofthevariouscommandantsoftheuniversity.He praisedtheircharacter,ability,honesty,attentiontoduty,

MajorWilliamE.Arnold, Cornellssecondcommandant (Source:RareandManuscripts Collection,CornellUniversity)

dignityandobedience.40 AllCornellundergraduatesparticipatingindrillcalled CornellCadetsinthecontextofmilitaryinstructionwere

dividedintocompanies.Astudentofficer,almostalwaysacaptain,wasinchargeofeach company.Belowhimwereoneortwofirstlieutenants,oneortwosecondlieutenants, threetofivesergeants,fourtosixcorporals,twomusiciansandbetween40and60private cadets.AccordingtotheRegisterof186869,captainsandlieutenantswerefourthyear students,sergeantsthirdyearstudents,andcorporalssecond yearstudents. Studentscouldbepromotedthroughnominationsto theCommandantinviewofmilitaryaptitude,general deportment,andproficiencyinstudies41Thatsystemwas notalwaysfairlypracticed,however.Inalettertohis parents,freshmanJohnLittleMoffat73,wroteIthinkthe bestwaytorisewouldbe,firstmerit,&then(very important)jointhesecretsocietyinwhichtheofficersare; butIwilldonosuchthingasthelatter42Thesecret
MajorJ.W.MacMurray,Cornells thirdcommandant(Source:Rare andManuscriptsCollection, CornellUniversity)

societiesMoffatreferredwerefraternitiesandtheyoungfreshmanwasevidentlyseton 11

beinganIndependent.An1871articleintheEraechoedMoffatsobservation: Complainantsclaimthatneitherscholarshipnormilitaryproficiencyistakenintoaccount inissuingcommissions,thosewhohavehabituallyshirkeddrilloftenbearingoffthe highesthonors.43Thecadetcompaniesalsoformedasathleticbonds.TheCornellEra regularlyreportedoncompaniesplayingbaseballwitheachother.Forexample,on September29,1869theErareportedthatonthepreviousFriday,CompanyAdefeated CompanyCbyascoreof46to22.44 Somestudentsviewedthemilitaryinstructionrequirementseriously.Ina discussionontheLandGrantActsrequirement,awriterinthefirstissueoftheCornell Era,characterizedthemilitarytacticsrequirementbynomeanstheleastinimportance. Thewriterattributedthesentimenttothevividlightofrecentexperience,orinviewof thealmosttotalabsenceofthemeansofprofessionalinstructioninthecountryforthe officersoftheNationalMilitia,alludingtotheNorthernstateslackoftrainedofficers duringtheCivilWar.45Inaddition,theEraseriouslyadvocatedforanindoorgymnasium forthefurtherpursuitofmilitarydrill.Boating,baseball,football,farmwork,and militarydrillmaybeadequatetoalldemandsinthesummerseason,butinaclimate where,duringmorethanhalftheyear,theweatherwillnotpermitofoutdoorworkor exercise,itiseminentlyproperthatsomemeasuresshouldbetakentoprovideforgood, healthyindoorsports,thearticlementionedintrueCornellianfashionbyobservingthe weatherslimitingfactors.46 Otherstudentsviewedthemilitaryrequirementwithwryhumor.IntheEras September29,1869issue,anofficialannouncementparodyingtheRegistersofficialtone appeared.Writingthatpursuanttotheaforementionedsectionfouroftheuniversitys charterthatrequiredagricultureandthemechanicalarts,includingmilitarytacticstobe taught,studentswererequiredtomeetbehindNorthUniversityHall(nowWhiteHall) furnishedwithapickandshovel,andattiredinthecommondressofthedaylaborer,in 12

orderthattheaboverequirementsoftheabovesectionoftheChartermaybeobserved Allthisforthesakeofconsistency.47Someyoungmenweresimplyopposedtomilitary instruction.TheErareportedthatW.W.Sabin72hadtraveledtoParisduringitssiegeby thePrussiansduringtherecentFrancoPrussianWar.Thereheacquiredadistastefor militaryservice,andthinksofapplyingforanexcusefromthatbranchofeducation.48Itis unclearwhethertheadministrationacceptedhisexcuseofconscientiousobject. TheCornellErainDecember1868,aftertwomonthsoftheuniversitysopening, concludedthatmilitaryinstructionandtheregimentedlifewasabeneficialtothestudents, universityandthetown.Theyoungmenmarchquietlyandorderly,themesshallspossess noneofthatgreedyscrambling,therewasnonoiseinthehalls,noinsulting,practical jokes,andnoodioushazing.TotheEraswriters,theideaofasoldierexcitesour admirationandwinsourrespect.IntheyearsfollowingtheCivilWar,whenthememory oftheconflictwaslongshapedinregularpublicparadesofveterans,dazzlingmemorials andthefarreachingpoliticalinfluenceoftheGrandArmyoftheRepublic,theidealofa soldiermusthavecapturedtheyoungmenatCornellsimagination.Courage,courtesy, manliness,honoraswellaspromptness,punctuality,orderandobedienceweretraits thesewritersaspiredtoachieve,helpedalongthewaybyfellowstudentsandfaculty.49The Erawisheditsbesttooneyoungalumnus,A.H.Edgren71.Hemusthavelearnedathingor twoasarecipientofCornellsmilitaryeducationashebecameamilitaryinstructor.May heproveasecondGustavusAdolphustohiscountrymen,thenewspaperwished.50

CIVILWARVETERANSATCORNELL
ThedevastatingwarthatimmediatelyprecededCornellsfoundingcastashadowon

theuniversityinmorethanoneway.AlthoughmanystudentsinCornellsfirstfullclass werebornbetween1850and1852,makingthemtooyoungtofightintheCivilWar,more thanafewolderstudentsandfacultytookpartintheconflict.MostfoughtwiththeUnion, 13

althoughCornellwashometoahandfulofConfederateveterans.AmongtheUnion veteranswereDanielKentColburn72,GeorgeHerbertCrafts72(whoalsoparticipatedin campaignsagainsttheApacheintheSouthwesternstates),JosephB.Foraker69,Leroy AllisonFoster72,EdwardWyllysHyde72,DanielRhodes72,ClarenceWellbornStanton 72,DoctorTarbell72andFrankEdgarTibbetts72. Manyoftheseveteranshadillustriousanddistinguishedtermsofserviceduringthe war.JosephB.Forakerservedinthe9thOhioInfantryRegiment,seeingactionin Tennessee,WestVirginiaandGeorgia,andparticipatedinGeneralWilliamTecumseh ShermansMarchtotheSea.HelaterservedtwotermsasgovernorofOhioandtwo termsasUnitedStatesSenator.EdwardW.HydeandDanielRhodeseachrosetotherank oflieutenantintheirrespectivecavalryunits.ClarenceW.Stantonwaswoundedthree timesintheBattleofBeverlyFordduringtheGettysburgcampaign,servedtheentiretyof theWildernessCampaignunderGeneralPhilipSheridenandwasagainwounded.Frank EdgarTibbettsparticipatedinthePetersburgandRichmondcampaignstowardtheendof thewar.51 AtleastthreeConfederateveteransattendedCornellUniversity.ThomasAlexander

Hamilton,anativeofGeorgiaandgraduatedofaMarietta,Georgiamilitaryacademyand servedintheConfederateArmybetween1862and1863whenhewasmerely15and16 yearsold.AtCornellhestudiedcivilengineeringandwasinvolvedwiththeIrvingLiterary Societyandtheclasscouncil.AdolphusLafayetteRader72,anativeofTennessee,fought withthe8thTexasRangersandthe11thTexasInfantryattheBattlesofMissionaryRidge andChickamauga,wherehewaswoundedtwice.AsaCornellstudent,Raderwasalso involvedwiththeIrvingLiterarySocietyandwontheWoodfordMedalwithhisoration NationalUnitytheTendencyoftheAge,afascinatingsubjectforaformerrebel.52The WoodfordMedal,providedbyaformerLieutenantGovernorofNewYorkStewartL. Woodford,wasagoldmedalvaluedat$100andgivenannuallyforthebestEnglish 14

oration,bothmatterandmannerbeingtakenintoaccount.53Finally,JamesBentonGrant, oneofthefamousofficersintheConfederateArmy,wenttoCornellforayearstudying engineering.HisobituaryintheCornellSunnotedhewas16yearsoldwhenhejoinedthe Confederateforces.54GrantlaterbecameagovernorofColoradoTerritory,thefirst Democrattoholdthatoffice. PerhapsthemostinterestingCivilWarveteranto

haveattendedCornellwasDoctorTarbell72.Anativeof Groton,NewYork,TarbellenlistedintheUnionArmy immediatelyafterthefiringonFortSumterinApril,1861. Hejoinedthe32ndRegimentandrosethroughtheranks, becomingacaptainin1862.Tarbellwasaparticipanttoall ofthemajorbattlesintheEasternTheatreoftheCivilWar: BullRun,Antietam,ChancellorsvilleandGettysburg.In September,1864hewascapturedbyConfederateGeneral JohnGrayGhostMosbyandsenttotheinfamousLibby PrisoninRichmond.TarbellwasexchangedonMarch28th,
DoctorTarbell72 (Source:IthacaJournal)

1865asthewarwascomingtoaclose.Aweekandahalf later,TarbellstoppedinWashingtonDCandsawashowat

FordsTheater.ArelaxingnightviewingofOurAmericanCousinbecameoneofthemost tragicnightsinAmericanhistoryasTarbellwitnessedtheassassinationofAbraham Lincoln.AtCornell,Tarbellbecameaclassleader,perhapsduetohisadvancedage;hewas bornin1838andwouldhavebeen30whenclassesbegan.Hewaselectedpresidentofthe sophomoreclass.55Healsoparticipatedinvariousathletics,earningcommendationfrom theEraforhisparticularlyfineplayinginfootball.56Aspresidentofhisclass,Tarbell publiclycommunicatedwiththeclassof1873aboutanupcominggameofbaseball,saying Weproposetobeverylenientwithyouastosizeofbagyoushallusetocatchwith.57 15

Tarbellsclasswon48to39andtheCivilWarveteranmanagedtohitahomerun.58 Veteransofthewaralsoexistedintheranksofthefaculty.Coincidentally,afuture

CornellprofessornamedHomerBaxterSpraguewasheldinLibbyPrisonatthesametime DoctorTarbell72wasimprisonedthere.Thetwoevidentlyhadnotmetbeforeuntilthe dayTarbellcametoIthacatotakehisentranceexaminationstotheuniversity.59Other facultyveteransincludedRobertHenryThurston,anengineeringprofessor,whoservedin theUnionNavyasanengineer.60AnotherwasBurtGreenWilderwhowasasurgeoninthe UnionArmy. Itmusthavebeenunusualforsomeofthestudentswhohadservedunderthe

bannersofnations,foughtundertheviolentsmokeofabattlefield,andsustainedhorrible woundstosuddenlycometoCornellascadets.Oneyoungstudent,WilliamHoraceCorbin 70,reminiscedyearslater:

IrememberaclassmateintheUniversity,oneoftheeldestmenintheclass,whofound itdifficultwithconstantstudytokeeppacewithhisfellows.Whenorderscamethatall studentsshouldreportforoutdoormilitarydrill,thriceaweek,hefeltthathecouldnot affordthetime;and,afterdrillingafewafternoons,modestlyappliedtoMajor Whittlesey,CommandantofCadets,tobeexcusedfromdrill.Thatoldmartinet,veteran oftheMexicanWar,sternlyaskedwhy,whenmyclassmaterepliedthathehadbeen trainingandmarchingwithafuninthe89thNewYorkRegimentforfouryears,agood dealofthetimeatnightaswellasday,andhethoughthereallydidnotneedthedrill. OnreflectionMajorWhittleseythoughtso,too.61

TheidentityofCorbinsclassmateremainsunknown.Itispossiblethatitmayhave

beenDoctorTarbell,whowasindeedoneoftheeldestofhisclassandhadservedinthe warformanyyears.Tarbell,however,wasinthe32ndRegimentanditisalltogether feasiblethatCorbinsclassmatewasamemberofanearliergraduatingclass.

16

THELATENINETEENTHCENTURY
Militaryinstructionisintendedtobesoconductedastodevelopasoldierlikebearingandfosterthe spiritofgentlemanlycourtesy,soldierlyhonor,andobediencetolawfulauthorityCornellSun, April6,1893.

Cornellsfirstthreepresidentsweregenerousinpraiseformilitarydrill,whichthey sawasapopular,characterbuildingactivity.InOctober1882,AndrewDicksonWhitegave hisannualtalkinwhichheadmittedthatsomestudentsconsideredthemilitary requirementasexceedinglyirksome.White,however,describedmilitaryinstructionas oneofthebestthingsinthisUniversity,harkeningbacktohisownexperiencesduring theCivilWarwhenhewatchedhisuntrainedstudentsgoofftowar.62Inhisfarewell addressin1885,WhiteobservedhowthemilitaryschoolsacrosstheSouthhadgivenher agreatadvantageinthestruggle.[Southerners]lookedatouruniversitiesandcollegesad sawtherewasnolongeranymilitaryinstructionworthyofthename.63Whitealsopraised howmilitarydrillturnedstudentsintopropermen:Ihaveseenyoungfellowssorough andgawkishthattheydidnotknowhowtoreturnyourcivilbownordaretotouchtheir hatstoaprofessor,butwho,whenIsawthemafewmonthsafterwards,stoodupstraight andborethemselveswitheaseandmanliness.64Cornellssecondpresident,Charles KendallAdams,offeredsimilarpraiseinhisfirstannualaddressin1885.Hedescribed

Cornell students drilling on the Arts Quad. In the distance we can see the observatory. To the left of it stands the A.D. White House and to the right there is Boardman Hall, now Olin Library. If you look closely, you can see the spiked helmets of the cadets, a popular American military style in the 1890s. (Source: Cornell in Pictures 1868-1954)

17

militarydrillasoneofthebestexercisesfortheyouth,forstraighteninghimselfup, pullingbackhisshouldersandmakingas muchamanofhimaspossible.65 ThecadetsdrilledintheArmory. Builtin1883atacostof$32,700,itsoon expandedin1892withagymnasium.It wastorndownin1957tomakeroomfor HollisterHall.66In1887,theCommandant oftheCornellCadets,LieutenantWilliam PercyVanNess,wrotetotheNewYork SunaboutCornellsmilitaryprogram.He placedthenumberofcadetsat435,
AnexampleofacertificateofpromotionforCharlesF. Jones84.Thetextreads:KnowYe:Thatreposingour specialtrustandconfidenceinthefidelityandabilitiesof Pvt.C.F.Jones,IdoherebyappointhimCorporalofthe CorpsofCadets,CornellUniversity,toankassuchfromthe FifthofMay,1882.Hewillbeobeyedandrespected accordingly.ItissignedbyA.D.Whiteandthe Commandant.(Source:RareandManuscriptCollections, CornellUniversity)

spreadamongeightcompaniesofinfantry, aplatoonofartillery,signalmananda band.WhileVanNesspointedoutthat Cornellisnot,ofcourse,uptothatofa strictlymilitaryschoolitreceivedpraise

fromatopofficerintheGermanartillerywhohadobservedthecadetsduringdrill.He echoedthesentimentsofWhiteandothersthatmilitaryinstructionformsausefulclassof citizensoldiers.In1887,VanNessobserved,theUnitedStatesstandingarmywasonly 25,000,makingoftheutmostimportantthatasmanyyoungmenincivillifebe instructedintacticsandotherbranchesofmilitaryscience67Laterin1887,aroster revealedthemilitarydepartmenttobeprosperousandquitesatisfactory.TheCornellSun reportedthattheeightcompaniesofinfantryeachpossessedbetween40and55menand theartilleryplatoontohave25men.Only20ofthecadetswereupperclassmen,however, showingthatmostCornellstudentsonlyfulfilledthemilitaryrequirements.Still,forthose 18

20,accordingtotheSun,[show]thattherearethoseherewhohaveinterestindrill outsideoftheamountrequiredbytheauthorities.68 TheCornellSunrevealedthedaytodayaspectsofdrilllife.AFebruary1888article reportedthatthesophomorecompanyofcadetswouldbegintargetpracticesoonandthat thebanddevotedtwohoursaweektolearningnewmusic.Thearticlefurthermentioned howsmallflagsofwithCornellcolorsandfringedwithyellowsilkaretobeattachedto theriflesinlieuofthesmallnationalflagsnowrequiredbyarmyregulations.69Inan 1893listofnineannouncements,LieutenantGeorgeBell,thethenCommandant,postedhis officehoursas1p.m.to1:30p.m.andagainfrom4p.m.to6p.m.daily.Theannouncement alsofirmlyremindedcadetstolookneat.[E]verybuttonofhiscoatshouldbebuttoned,his beltadjustedtohiswaistsoasnottodroponthesidewereamongthestipulationsof beingtrim.WhileBellsannouncementsspent asignificantportiononpersonalneatness,he remindedhisofficerstobecourteousand politetothoseunderthem.[C]heerfulness andgoodnaturecangohandinhandwith energyandpromptness,hewrotebefore remindingthelowerranksthatallinferiors shouldobeystrictlyandexecutewithalacrity andgoodfaiththelawfulordersofthe superiorsappointedoverthem.Thelistof Bellsannouncementsalsoincludedpolicies onreports,absences,inspections,uniforms andpromotions.70(Foradescriptionofan 1888parade,seeAppendixB).

AnexampleofacadetdanceinvitationfromCharles F.Jones84.Thewordsread:Thepleasureofyour companyisrequestedattheReceptiontobegivenat theopeningoftheArmory,FridayMay11th,1883.. (Source:RareandManuscriptCollections,Cornell University)

19

C HA PT ER T HREE T HE S PAN ISH A MERICAN W AR

TheUniversitymaywellfeelherlosshasbeenheavyandherglorymuch.CornellSun, October7,1898.

ThebriefwarwithSpainwasacrushingAmericanvictory,yetonCornellscampus

thewartouchedusstrangelylittle.71Bishopmayhavebeenwritinginhindsight, comparingthecampusof1898withtheflurriesofactivitythatoccurredbetweenduring theworldwars.Besides,hewashardlyinkindergartenwhentheU.S.S.Maineblewupin HavanaharborandtheUnitedStatesdeclaredwar.Cornellcontributedhandilytothewar. Ofthe125alumniand40currentstudents,106wereofficers.Thatnearlytwothirdsofthe Cornelliansinthewarwereleaderswastestamenttothestrongmilitaryprogramtraining menfortheprevious threedecades.72 TheMaine

explodedonFebruary 15,1898andthefirst mentionofitappeared intheCornellSunjust fourdayslaterina studentoration.Both

Cornellcadetsposeinthe1890sorearly1900s. (Source:RareandManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity)

CubaandtheMaine weresubjectsof

studentaddressesinanightofentertainmentatLibraryHall.73OnMarch4,theuniversity hostedjournalistMuratHalsteadwhogavealectureonCuba,declaringthat[t]hecauseof Cubaisoneofjusticeandwillwinintheend.HeexplainedthattheSpanishviewtheold colonyasalmostsacredandthatthePresidentWilliamMcKinleymustmoveagainst

20

Spainwithcaution.Halsteadconcludedonamelancholynote,sayingwithallour sympathyforCuba,wemustfeelsorryforSpain.TheyouthsofoldSpainaredying mournedbymothersacrossthesea.74Soonenough,however,collegecampusesbeganto rallyinsupportofwarwithSpainandthelibertyofoppressedCuba.AttheUniversityof Pennsylvania,agroupofaround800studentsledbytheuniversitysband,marchedupand downPhiladelphiasstreetswavingCuban,Americanandtheuniversitysflags.Thecrowd gavethreecheersforCuba,threecheersfortheUnitedStatesandthreecheersforaCuban professor,Dr.JohnGuiteras.75 Cornellhaditsownpatrioticgathering.ThepackedmeetingofApril20thbeganin

theLibraryLectureRoom.Theleader,J.RogerLewis95,declaredthatthemeetingwasa resultofanaturalandspontaneousreactiontothetragedyinHavana.Themembersofthe meeting,heproclaimed,iscomposedofthebestbloodofthelandCornellblood.They gatheredlikeourforefathersof61,inordertocometotheaidofasubjugatedpeople. Theoppressedareabouttobelifteduptothefreeairofheavenandtheiroppressors drivenaway,hedeclared.Lewissspeechwasfollowedbyanemotionalsingingof AmericaandaproclamationfromaseniorthatallstudentsofCornelldoherebytender toHisExcellency,thePresidentoftheUnitedStates,ourheartfeltsympathyandsupportin allthathehasdoneormaydo.Anotherspeechfollowed,theGleeClubsangOnwardand thecaptainofthefootballteamdeclareditistimetostoptalkingandact.Aftermore speeches,aMissLaughlinspokeonbehalfofthewomenoftheuniversity,saying,Weare notfightingfornationalhonor,butforhumanitywhichismore.Herspeechwouldbethe lastandthecrowd,imbuedwiththefiresofpatriotismdispersedfromthemeetingplace, singingtheAlmaMaterastheyleft.76 Onestudent,AdelaideTaberYoung,rememberedthemeetingonthewar.Inaletter

writtensoonafterthepatrioticmeeting,shepenned:

21

Naturallywartalkistheorderoftheday.Lastnightthestudentsmarchedinabig processionwiththeCubanflagattheirhead,yellingandtooting.TheCornellyellwas giventimeaftertimewithCubaLibreontheendandwasoftenaccompaniedwiththe phraseaboutSpain,whichisusuallyreservedhereforYale.Thenthisnoontheyhadan immensemassmeetingintheLibraryLectureRoom.Theretheyhadpatrioticspeeches andmusic.IamsorryIcouldntgobutIhadacommitteemeeting.77

Aweeklater,PresidentSchurmangavealectureontheethicsofwar,remindingthe

studentsthatwarishellbeforelaunchingonthenoblecauseoftheupcomingwar.He observedthatmostAmericanwarswiththenotableexceptionoftheMexicanAmerican warhasbeenwagedforprinciplesandideas.Schurmancondemnedtheshameful scenesinCongressandadmittedthatterritorialdominationwasanunderlyingreasonof thewar.Still,hesaidthefirstgreatreasonforinterventionishumanityssake,citing SpanishatrocitiesagainsttheCubansasareasontogotowar.Schurmanconcludedhis speechbyechoingtheattitudeofthepreviousweeksstudentmeeting:Andwhatarewe todo?LetusstandbythePresidentanddoourdutyasGodseesitforus.78Schurmans wordswereputCornellfirmlyinlinewiththe UnitedStatesdeclarationofwaronSpainon April23,1898.Newsofthewarpunctuated theCornellSunfortherestofthesemester.As studentswentoffforsummervacation,they wouldhaveheardofAmericanvictoriesin Cuba,GuamandthePhilippines. ThewardirectlyimpactedCornellin theschoolsfirstmilitarydeath.Clifton BeckwithBrown00waskilledinactionon SanJuanHill,charginguptheinclinewith TeddyRooseveltsfamedRoughRiders.He wasoneof200AmericanskilledattheJuly1st
CliftonBeckwithBrown'00(Source:1900ClassBook)

22

battle.AnativeofCleveland,Ohio,Brownwas21atthetimeofhisdeath.Oncampushe wasinvolvedintheDeltaKappaEpsilonfraternityandwasdescribedasamodelof physicalstrengthandbeautyagoodallaroundathlete,beingagoodrunner,aswellasa finefootballplayerandfairoarsman.79TheSundescribedhimasanexcellentexampleof anAmericancollegestudent.Earnestinhisnatureanddeterminedinhiscourseofaction, whendutycalledhim,hedidnothesitatetointerruptasuccessfulcollegecareerinorderto entertheserviceofhiscountry,thearticlepraised.80Whenheenlistedinthearmy, BrownsbrotherofferedtousehisconnectionstoobtaintheCornelliananofficers commission,buttheBrownwrotebacksayingIwouldratherearnapromotion.Browns commandingofficerwrotetohisbrotherdescribingthebattle:
IwasincommandofourcompanyattheactionatSantiago,andwhenIgavethe commandcharge,Cliftonwasthefirstmantoreachthebarbedwirefence.TheSpanish firewasmurderous.Wewereexposedabouteightminutes,andaboutonefourthofour menwerehit.IhelpedbringCliftonout,andsawhewasbeyondhope.Hisimmense vitalitykepthimaliveafewhours.Hewascarriedtotherearbyourmenanddiedinthe fieldhospital.IcannotexpressmysympathyasIshould.Theresponsibilityisstilltoo greattoallowmuchfeeling.Myownsenseoflossisgreat,asIhadlearnedtolovethe boyasmyownbrother.HewasastrueandnobleafellowasIeverknew,andasgood andbraveasoldieraseverlived.Hehaspaidthehighestprice.81

TheuniversitydidnotforgetBrown.Hisfraternitypubliclyexpressedtheirfeelings oflossandsympathy.82PresidentSchurmancalledontheuniversitytocreateamemorial fortheyoungman,whichincludedplanstocreateabronzetabletinhismemory.Thetablet wastobeplacedinSageChapel.83ThetabletwasunveiledinJanuary1900andplacedin theuniversitylibrary.Todayitisintheuniversitysarchives.ItwastheworkofBelaPratt ofBoston;otherworksofhisgracetheLibraryofCongress,theBostonPublicLibraryand theConnecticutStateCapitol.TheSuncharacterizedthetabletasasimple,dignified memorialtothecharacterofonewhohadthoseveryqualitiesofsimplicityanddignityso stronglyexemplified.84AttheunveilingceremonyintheLibraryLectureHall,President Schurmangavealongandchargedspeech.Hesaid,Ouryoungherohasfallenandwehave beenbaptizedtoanewlifebythebloodofamartyr.ProfessorTrowbridgefollowed 23

Schurman,remarkingonBrownsstrongacademics.Twoclassmatesgaveremarksonthe heroismandcharacterofthefallenCornellian.85Inadditiontothememorialandbronze tablet,theuniversitycreatedtheCliftonBeckwithBrownPrizewiththehelpofBrowns brother,whichisstillgivenannuallytothearchitecturestudentwiththehighest cumulativegrades.DeltaKappaEpsilonhasalsohonoredBrown,firstinafireplacebuiltat theirhousein1899,thenwithapairofsprucetreesplantedbythenGovernorTheodore Roosevelt(aDeltaKappaEpsilonbrotherandparticipantofthebattle)in1899,andfinally aplaquecommemoratingthesprucetreesin2004.86 SeveralotherCornelliansparticipatedinandsurvivetheSpanishAmericanWar. OnewasMarioGarciaMenocal80,whoservedthroughouttheentirewarasageneral, oneof[CubanGeneralMaximoGomezs]mosttrustedaids.87Menocalwouldlaterserve aspresidentofCubafrom1913to1921.AtCornell,hewasalsoamemberofDeltaKappa Epsilon.AnotherwasJ.W.Beacham,aformerfootballstar,whoservedasasergeantinthe PhilippinesandthetakeoverofManila.Hisgundetachment,No.3,wasintheengagement frombeginningtoend,anditreceivedspecialrecognitionforitsaccuratefirefrom GeneralArthurMcArthur,thefatherofthefamousWorldWarTwoGeneralDouglas McArthur.88JamesBradyMitchell95,aformercadetcolonel,volunteeredforservice distinguishedhimselfduringthewarwithhisengineeringbackground,improvingthe sanitaryconditionsforCampAlgerinVirginia.Thisactionearnedhimaplaceintheregular army.89 Finally,therewasLouisLivingstonSeaman72,whoseadventurouslifetookhimall overtheworld.HewaspresidentoftheCornellClubofNewYorkin1898andpresiding overanalumnidinnerwhenhereceivedwordoftheMainessinking.Immediately,heleft thetableandsentatelegramtotheUnitedStatesSurgeonGeneralrequestingan examinationtobeasurgeoninthearmy.HewasacceptedandservedinCubaandPuerto Rico.Duringthosecampaigns,helearnedthatmorecasualtiesweretheresultofdisease 24

thanenemygunfire.Thismovedhimtoprotestagainsttheunhealthfulrationsfermenting cannedtomatoesandhalfcookedcannedbeansservedtotheAmericansoldiersItwas thebeginningofhisincessantagitationforproperrationstosoldiersinthefield.90Onthe whole,CornellscontributionstothesplendidlittlewaragainstSpainweremeritorious andsomewhattragicintheuniversitysfirstcombatdeath.Thewarseemedtofurther justifythemilitaryinstructionrequirementandthefineservicethatCornellssons providedtothecountryservedasanoptimisticreminderoftheuniversityslargerrolein thecountryasthetwentiethcenturydawned.

TheOldArmory,whereHollisterHallnowstands.

25

C H A PT ER F O UR B ETWEENTHE W AR S

IfIhadmywaymilitarydrillwouldberequiredduringthefirstyearsateveryuniversityinthis country.IbelievethatAmericanlibertywouldbefarbettersecuredthereby.AndrewDicksonWhitein theCornellSun,January8,1907

ATIMEOFPEACE
Thestudentscontinuedtodrillandthecommandantscontinuedtoteach.Theearly

1900swasaperiodofprosperityandgrowthfortheuniversity.Itwas,toBishop,the happytimeofourinnocence.Fromthe18981899academicyeartothe191314,Cornells enrollmentincreasedfromaroundtwothousandstudentstomorethanfivethousand.In 19091910,CornellwasthesecondlargestAmericanuniversity,surpassedbyColumbiaby only60youngscholars.91Thegrowthintheuniversityreflectedinthemilitarydepartment. TheoldArmory,longthecenterofstudentdrillandsociallife,wasincreasinglytoosmall. In1914,thestatelegislatureauthorizedtheDrillHall(nowBartonHall),which,when completedontheeveoftheAmericanentryintotheGreatWar,wasthelargestunpillared buildingintheworld. Beyondthechangeinuniform,therewaslittlechangetothemilitaryinstruction

curriculum.Duringthe1890s,themilitarydepartmentbrieflyadoptedthespikedhelmets thattheGermanlandforceswerefamouslyknown,thepickelhaub.Later,theuniforms becamemorefamiliarandbythelate1910swereoftheolivedrabthatAmericanswore intoFrance.Anexampleofstudentsentrepreneurshipandperhapsalittlepennypinching existsina1905editionoftheCornellCountryman,apublicationforagriculturestudents. CADETS!Donotpurchaseyourmilitaryuniformbeforeyouseemeandgetmyprices,an advertisementfromM.W.Evans06implored.Ihavealargenumberofuniformswhich havebeenusedbefore;theseareallinfirstclasscondition,andwillservethepurposejust

26

aswellasnewones.Icangiveyouacorrectfit,andsaveyoufiveorsixdollarsifyoubuyof me.92 In1906,theWarDepartmentbrieflyconsideredabolishingthemilitarydrill

requirementforaseriesoflectures.Outsideofthephysicalexercise,probablythegainto graduatesinfuturelifefrommeredrillwouldnotbeconsiderable,thecircularfromthe Departmentsaid.93TheeditorsoftheSunadmittedthatdrillhadmanyinherent drudgeriesbutstillsupportedsomelevelofmilitarysciencetobetaughtto undergraduates.TheCommandantatthetime,FrankBarton,alsorespondedtotheWar Departmentfavorably.Hementionedhispreviousadvocacyforsuchasystem,ashewasa longtimebelieverthatdrilloughttobetaughtatthehighschoolorpreparatoryschool level,leavingcollegeanduniversitytospecializedlecturesandtacticaltraining.94 Bartonsdescriptionofamore rationalsystemcomprisedofmilitary lecturesstoodinsharpcontrasttoAndrew DicksonWhites.Theelderlyformer presidentsolemnlydeclaredinalettertothe Suninsupportofthestatusquo,IfIwere calledupontonametheonethingwhichI thinkwecouldnotdispensewithinCornell Universityitismilitarydrill.Heoutlined severalreasonsforhisviews,whichhad remainedconsistentovertheyears:the beneficialpresenceofeducatedmeninthe military,thattheUnitedStateswouldneed
Commandant Frank Barton, namesake of Barton Hall. (Source: Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University)

suchmeninthefuture,andthevaluesitplacedinyounguniversitystudents,includinghow military,inthestruggleforexistence,[giveshim]abetterchancethanthemanwhohas 27

simplyslouchedit.Heismoreofamanamongmen.95Fivedayslater,theSunpublisheda letterfromProfessorBurtGreenWilder,whoalsosupportedmilitarydrill.Hecitedhis ownserviceduringtheCivilWarinwhichIheardfrequentexpressionsofregretatthe lackoftraininginthescienceandartofwaruponthepartofourvolunteers.Asascientist, Wilderunsurprisinglycomparedmilitaryinstructiontohisownspecialtiesinbiology, writingthattheperfectcombinationinasubjectwasthroughtheoryandpracticedrill andlecturesinthemilitary,lecturesandlaboratoriesinthesciences.96 Thecontroversydieddownandstudentskeptdrilling.Infact,freshmenand sophomoreswererequiredtodrill.Since1902onlyfreshmenhadtofulfilltherequirement becausetheArmorywassimplytwosmallfortwoclasses.Withthecompletionofthenew DrillHall,twoclasseswouldagainberequiredtodrill.97In1913,theWarDepartment offeredspecialcommendationtoCornellandfiveothercollegesfortheirmilitary departments.98 TheundergraduateexperienceofStuartMauriceFord14revealthelifeofatypical youngmanwhoenteredCornellbeforeWorldWarOneandremainedinvolvedwiththe CornellCadets.AnativeofMorristown,NewJersey,FordarrivedatCornellinthefallof 1910,aimingtolearnacourseinmechanicalengineering.Hisscrapbookwasputtogether withtheorganizedprecisionofayoungmanclearlyrespectfuloforder,perhaps reminiscentofhisinterestsinengineeringandmilitarydrill. FordwasassignedtoCompanyA,whichbecamehishomeandfamilyforthenext fouryears.Hisscrapbookisfilledwithprogramsandannouncementsforalitanyof banquetsanddances.InMarchof1911,thesecondsemesterfreshmanattendedthe companysbanquet,enjoyingtheoystercocktails,turkeywithgibletgravy,mashed potatoes,peas,shrimpsalad,wafers,icecream,cakeandcoffeethatwasserved.His fathersname,E.P.Ford,appearsontheguestlist.ByMayof1913,Fordwasacadetofficer, havingbeenpromotedtosecondlieutenant.Heattendedabanquetinhonorofthe 28

commissionedofficers.AndrewDicksonWhiteandThomasTeefeeCranewerealsoin attendance;bothmengavetoaststotheCornellCadetCorpsanddinedonbakedkingfish encrme,juliennepotatoes,chickencutletsauBechamelandroastfiletofbeef.The cigarettes,theprogramnoted,werefurnishedbyLiggettandMeyer,aNorthCarolina tobaccocompany.Threedayslater,FordattendedthebanquetspecificallyforCompanyA atTheAlhambrahotel.Hegaveremarksduringthefestivitiesandprobablyatesomeofthe porterhousesteakandFrenchfries. Fordevidentlywasalsoquiteadancer.Earlyinthescrapbook,thereisacardfrom

KeegansSchoolofDancingonEastStateStreet.WeteachthecorrectcollegeBoston, theircardadvertised.Perhapsthe15waltzesandtwostepsthatFordlearnedwerethe resultofaprivatelessonbyappointment,butundoubtedlyhislessonswereputtogood useatthe16thAnnualMilitaryHoponNovember14,1913wherehedancedTheWhip, JoiedeVivre,AppleBlossomTimeinNormany,Luna,PegOMyHeart,andthefinal waltz,GoodNightEverybody. Bythetimeofhissenioryear,Fordwasinvitedtothemilitaryhonorsociety,

ScabbardandBlade,whichhadtheaimofcreatinganefficientbodyofofficersfor volunteerunitsintimeofwar.Hewasonlyoneoftwoinitiatesintheclassof1914.The initiationbanquetonNovember6,1913tookplaceatTheSenatehotel.Themenuincluded creamoftomatosoup,porterhousesteak,mushrooms,potatoesaugratinandgreenpeas butcigaretteswereconspicuouslymissing.ThenextFebruary,thenowCaptainof CompanyAattendedtheScabbardandBladeInformalDance.Theprogramforthedanceis situatednexttoahandmadeheartinthescrapbookaddressedToMyValentire,perhaps fromanendearingyounglady.AttheMasonicHall,Forddancedseveralromanticsounding songsincludingNightsofGladness,HoneymoonLane,ALittleLove,SunshineGirl, GirlintheHeartofMaryland,IWantYou,KissMeGoodNight,andSweethearts. Suchwasthesociallifeofthedashingyoungcadetofficer. 29

ButFordslifewascertainlynotallbanquets,dancesandperhapsafewValentines

Daykisses.TheDepartmentofMilitaryScienceandTacticsInformationfortheGuidance ofStudentsinits19101911edition(Fordsfreshmanyear)sternlyadvisedthenew studenttocarefullyperusethispamphletandthenretainitforfuturereference.Indeed,it wasfullofusefulinformationregardingdrill,discipline,promotions,scheduling,uniforms, andothersubjects.TruetoAndrewDicksonWhitesdescriptionofdrillturningboysinto men,thepamphletnoted,Stooping,hollowchest,unevenshoulders,ungainlygait, awkwardcarriageofthebody,andsimilarfaultsusuallytheresultofunconscioushabit, arecorrected.Further,thepamphletdirectedyoungmentoretainmanlyselfcontrol, respectelders,obeyauthority,andupholdgentlemanlyvalues.Itfrownsuponallformsof untruth,deceitanddishonestyandencouragedability,integrityandhonor,particularly inthearenaofpromotiontoahigherrank.Thepamphletalsolistedthecoursesinthe militarydepartment andmentioneda swimming requirementforall freshmencadets. Whenthe

possibilityoffacing realactionarousein 1914,Fordwasquick toexpressinterest. Hisscrapbook

CompanyHdrillsontheArtsQuadin1914.SibleyHallisvisiblebehindthecadets. (Source:RareandManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity)

includesanumberof

clippingsfromtheCornellSunaboutthepossibleuseoftroopsinMexico,incasethe PresidentshouldissueacallforvolunteerstogotoMexico.Atthetime,Mexicowas 30

embroiledinacivilwar.ThelongtimedictatorPorfirioDiazhadabdicatedin1911to FranciscoMaderowho,in1913,wasoustedandexecutedbytheauthoritarianminded VictorHuerta.WoodrowWilsonrefusedtorecognizetheHuertaregimeandtensions betweentheUnitedStatesandMexicowerestrained.DistantCornellfelttheeffectsof Mexicanpolitics.CommandantBull,alieutenantintheU.S.Army,calledforvolunteersfor hebelieve[d]thatsuchanorganizationwouldbestrongerthanifthemenwere scatteredtheespiritdecorpswouldbegreater.AccordingtotheSun,Bullsplantokeep theCornellmentogetherintheeventofanarmedconflict,madethethemilitary departmentoneofthemostpopularinstitutionsintheUniversity.TheSunlistedFordas oneofthefirst152mentovolunteer.99Onepeacemindedyoungwoman,KatherineLyon 16,rememberedthefeelingofcampusatthetimeinherdiary:ThechimesplayTramp, tramp,tramp,theboysaremarchingandeverythingisverypatrioticandwarlike.I certainlyhopethespiritisallweget.100 Wargameswerethemostdynamicaspectsofmilitaryinstruction.OnMay4,1914, Ford,afouryearveteranoftheCornellCadetsparticipatedinaRedArmyversusBlue Armybattle.AscaptainofCompanyA,hereceivedspecificordersbyCadetColonelMeads earlierintheweek.Theordersgaveleewaytocaptainstofigureoutwhichmenintheir unitwouldbefitforvariousbattlework,suchasreconnoiteringandsendingmessages. Otherresponsibilitiesweremoremundane.Captainswererequiredtosettheirwatchesto McGrawTowerstimeandtoensurethattheirsergeantscarriedasmallnotebookfor writingmessages.Theordersfurtherexplainedthatallcultivatedlandisimpassable. Captainswillbeheldresponsibleforalldamagedonetosuchpropertybytheir organizations.ThemostimportantmessagethatMeadsgavetothecaptainswastobe deliberate:Weighthesituationandusecommonsense.Begovernedby DELIBERATENESS.Nosnapjudgments.

31

UnfortunatelyforFord,MeadsandtheirBlueArmy,theyweremembersofthefirst armyinthehistoryofCornellsmockbattlestobedefeatedbyadefensiveforce.The CornellSunreportedthattheBlueArmyadvancedtowardtheuniversityfromVarnain ordertocaptureapowdermagazineneartheAgricultureCollege.Meanwhile,theRed ArmytookapositiontotheeastofAlumniFields,whichtheumpiresofthebattle(ledby CommandantBull)deemedimpregnable,therebygivingthedefensivearmythevictory. TheSunreportedthataroundfivehundredindividualswitnessedthebattleandafew hundredmoreoncampusmissedtheactionbecauseitwassofareast.(Foranaccountof theSunsreportofthebattle,seeAppendixC). CaptainFord,thoughonthedefeatedsideofthemockbattle,wasabletofinishhis cadetcareerinaflurryofsocialengagements.AthisfinalCompanyAbanquetatThe Alhambrajusttendaysafterthebattle,Fordgavesomeremarks.Wecanspeculateonwhat hesaidbutperhapsitwasatributetoasystemthatimprovedhischaracterandmadehim amanofhonorandintegrity.HisfinalbanquetforthecadetcorpscameonMay25,1914at theIthacaHotel.FormerPresidentWhite,PresidentSchurman,ThomasTeefeeCraneand LieutenantBullwereallinattendance.Bytheendofthesummer,Europewouldbe engulfedinwar.Ford,then,finishedhismilitaryserviceattheendofaneraofpeace.That periodwouldchangeremarkablyduringthelatermonthsof1914asEuropesarmyfound traditionalmilitarypracticestorntoshredsbytherapidfirerifles,machineguns,andeven airplanes.FordhimselfwouldevidentlynotserveinanyarmyduringtheGreatWar.He eventuallymarried,hadadaughteranddiedin1971attheageof80.

32

THEGREATWARFROMEASTHILL
TheCornellSunsarticlesduringthesummerof1914werestrikingintheirinitial

aversiontoreportanythingrelatedtoEuropesimpendingtroubles.Thefirstmentionof ArchdukeFranzFerdinandtheheirtotheAustroHungarianthronewhoseJune28th assassinationislargelycreditedforpromptingtheFirstWorldWarappearedonJuly17, 1914andonlyinaminorcontext.ThomasTeefeeCrane,travelingabroadthatsummer, reportedbacktotheuniversitythathehadseenthearchdukeinTriesteenrouteto Sarajevo,wherehedied.Cranesdaughterremarked,Heissocarefullyguarded,howcould anyoneharmhim?101 Otherarticlesrevealnonchalanceabouttheloomingviolence,probablybecauseno onecouldeverfathomthefuturedestruction.Ironically,theSunreportedontwoyoung alumnistudyingpeaceinEurope,selectedearlierintheyearbytheAmericanAssociation forInternational Conciliation.Thetwomen, GeorgeW.Nasmyth06 andRolandHugins11 existedatanunfortunate periodofworldhistoryfor theirdesiredpathsof worldpeace.Still,they triedtheirbest.Nasmyth attendedtheParisPeace Conference,thoughdiedin 1920.Huginsbecamea prolificauthor,writinganumberofbooks(includingonetitledGermanyMisjudged)and
CompanyAdrillinginfrontofGoldwinSmithHallin1915.StuartM.Fordledmost ofthesementhepreviousyearduringhistermasthecompanyscaptain. (Source:RareandManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity)

33

articlesonthesubjectofpeace.In1916,hewroteoptimistically,PossiblyEuropewill recoverfromthatinsanity.CertainlyAmericacannothelpEuropebycapitulatingtothe samemadness.Onlybytheexerciseofdispassionatejudgmentandaninfinitecompassion canweoffertheworldanewhorizonandahope.102Huginsdiedin1929.Bothpacifists, thankfully,weresparedthehorrorsoftheSecondWorldWarandtheatomicage. TheSunalsospentthesummerreportingonvariousprofessorstripstoEurope.103 InJuly,PresidentSchurmangaveaseriesoflecturesontheBalkanWarsof1912and1913 withnotasinglewordonthecurrentcrisisinEurope.104TheGermanDepartmentgavea seriesofpubliclecturesthatsummer.Thefirst,onJuly15thesamedaytheprime ministerofHungaryrailedagainstSerbiainthelegislatureinBudapestwasaboutthe MaybeetleComedy.105Thenextlectureaweeklaterreceivedamisleadingheadlineinthe Sun.GermanLectureontheAustrianDrama,itsaid,thoughthelecturewasactuallyabout theViennapopularstagebacktotheplaysoftheJesuits.106Twodayslater,the governmentinViennaissuedSerbiaanunconditionalandharshultimatum.Thethird Germanlecture,ironically,wasabouttheconstitutionofGermany.Thelecturingprofessor point[ed]outthetendenciestowardamoretrulyrepresentativegovernmentinGermany comparedtotheUnitedStates.107Imaginetheraucousreactionthatwouldelicitifgiven threeyearslater! ForeignnewsintheuniversityspaperlimiteditselftotheconflictinMexico, disorderinHaitiandthedomesticconflictinIreland.Thefocusgraduallyshiftedasthe conflictinEuropebecamereal.OnJuly26at8p.m.,anAustrianstudent,HermannRoth15, gavealectureonhiscountrysdomesticsituationanditsrelationswiththeBalkansits relationsonbehalfoftheCosmopolitanClub.TheJuly27issueoftheCornellSunwouldbe thefirstissueofmanythatdiscussedthewaronitsfrontpages.AustrianServian[sic]War PracticallyDeclared,notedonesmallheadlineonthefrontpage.108OnJuly29,theSun headlinesscreamedofwar.Thenextday,Russiasmobilizationwasdeemedimminent.The 34

nextday,theSunreported(viatheAssociatedPress,ofcourse)ofamajorSerbiandefeat. AndbyAugust5,readersinIthacalearnedthatGreatBritainandGermanyhadofficially enteredthefray. MorrisBishopdescribedthemoodsof1914,1915and1916asoneofcollegiate disregard,inwhichthenewspapereditorsandwriterswerechieflyexercisedabout seniorblazers,theconvocationhour,theholdingoftheArtsAssociationbanquetindry PrudenceRisley,andstudentapathywithregardtocrew.109Perhapstheoldprofessor, whohadjustgraduatedwithamastersdegreethatspring,wasrightwithregardsto collegiatedisregardbuttheSuncertainlykeptthecampusappraised(again,viathe AssociatedPress)withthecomingsandgoingsofthetitanicEuropeanconflict. Studentsoncampusduringthesummer,forexample,mayhavebeeninterestedto readPresidentSchurmansdire(andsurprisinglyaccurate)predictionsforEurope. Schurman,whohadrecentlyservedasU.S.MinistertoGreece,wasreportedtohavesaid thestrugglemightresultinremakingtheentiremapofEurope.Ageneralwar, Schurmansaid,waslikelyandwouldbesuchanunimaginablecalamityandthatitis impossibletoexaggeratethegravityofthesituation.110AndrewDicksonWhite,another formerdiplomat,toldtheSunonAugust4thatthewarnowthreatenstobecomeoneof themostfearfulinthehistoryoftheworldandperhapsmoreso.Truetofutureoutcome, Whitepredicted,Thewarwillprobablyhavetogoonuntilsomeofthenationsare pinchedbyitsdrainontheirresources,andthensomeinternationalcongress,perhapsat TheHague,maymakesomepropercasesforpeace.111 ByAugust4,thewarhadreachedEastHillasaverysmallhandfulofEuropean professorsandstudentswereforcedtoleaveidyllicIthacafortheconflict.ProfessorW. GrosseoftheGermanDepartmentwasorderedtoreportbacktotheGermanreserves. However,he,andsomanyothersreturningtoEurope,couldnotsecurepassageonany oceanlinersincesomanyhadcancelledtheirvoyagesbecauseofthethreatofwar.112 35

ProfessorGeorgesMauxionoftheCollegeofArchitecturealsoleftCornellfortheFrench consulateinNewYorkCity.113Fromthere,hejourneyedtotheOldWorldandbecamea poilu,theendearingtermgiventotheFrenchsoldiers.R.Haccius,aSwissstudent,leftthe universityforhisneutral,albeitmobilizing,homeland.Finally,therewasT.Volkoff15,who hadarrivedinRussiaforsummervacationbutwassubjecttocalltotheRussianarmyand probablyhasjoinedhisregiment.114Oneinstructor,LaurencePumpellyoftheRomance Department,facedtrialsinreturningbacktotheUnitedStates.InEngland,hewasaccused ofbeingaspy.115 Mauxion,theFrencharchitectureprofessor,paidtheultimatepriceinhisreturning toFranceforservice.Beforehisdeathin1917,however,theSunranregularupdatesonhis timeinthetrenches.InOctober1914hiswiferelayedtothenewspaperaletterreceived fromtheprofessorturnedsoldier.Hehadtransferredtothefront,thelettersaid,and reportedthattherewasplentyoffoodbutnotenoughwaterwithwhichtowash.116In anotherletterduringthatsamemonth,Mauxionlamentednotknowinghisexactlocation, butshowedoptimismintheAlliedeffortbecausetheywereineffortonceoccupiedbythe Germans.Iwriteyouamidstthenoiseofcannon,whichnowandthenfindsomevictims, hewrote.117InNovember,theSunreportedviaalettertoMrs.Mauxion,thatprofessorwas headofhiscompanysmailservice,awayfromthedangersofthefrontlines.118 InJanuary,1915theSunreprintedsnippetsofaletterhewrotetoacolleagueinthe CollegeofArchitecturedescribingtrenchlife.Mauxionwroteofthetimeeverytendays whenthesoldierswereallowedtogotothebackofthelinestocleantheirlinensandwash theirfaces,althoughbathsremainedimpossible.Onthefiringlineinthetrenches,Mauxion describeditasseldomshelteredandnaturallywhenitisrainingourfeetandlegsarevery damp;butitiswar.Everybodyisobligedtobeready,nightandday,tofight.Interestingly, hisdescriptionofairplanesthissadbirdreflectedalongingforpeacetime;previously

36

everyonewasgoingoutofdoorstoseeitasacuriositybutnow,withitsreconnaissance missions,theyweretheworstofenemies.119 TheuniversitydidnotforgetMauxion.TheCollegeofArchitecturesenthima touchingChristmascardin1915.120ForthenextyeartheSunreportedlittleofMauxion. NeartheSommeRiver,afellowsoldiersavedhimafterMauxionbeingburiedindirtfroma nearbyexplodingshell.121By1916,hewasalieutenant.InJanuary,1917hereceivedthe honoredCroixdeGuerrefordistinguishedserviceonthebattlefield.122OnMay16,1917 MauxiondiedfromGermangunfirenorthofSoissonsintheChemindesDamesregion.His commandingofficerrelatedthatduringacounterattack,LieutenantMauxionledhis platoon.Asheledhismenoutofthetrenchhewasstruckintheheadbyabulletandfell intothearmsofhisorderlywiththewordsJesuismort.CornellsBoardofTrustees passedaresolutioninhishonor,sayingtheuniversityandCollegeofArchitecturehad sufferedfromhisheroicdeath.123 AmidstallthesoundandthefuryofthewarinEurope,Cornellscadetscontinuedto

drillandpractice,hesitant,perhaps,ofthedaythewarwouldreachthem.In1914,several cadetsattendedsummercampsrunbytheWarDepartmentandreceivedspecialpraise andseveralstudentsreceivedhonorsfortheirmarksmanshipandbestindividualslowfire score.124AttheBurlington,Vermontcamp,forexample,sixofthesevencadetofficers wereCornellCadets.125TheuniversityreopenedonSeptember24;hundredsofoldand newstudentspouringintothecityandthecampushasagainassumedanairoflifeand activity.126Meanwhile,workbeganonthenewDrillHall,whichtheSunreportedin1914 wouldhavewouldhaveenoughlockersfor750men,30newshowersandbeoneofthe bestarmoriesonacollegecampus.127PresidentSchurmanurgedthecadetstoremaincalm anddispassionate.Indiscussingthemilitaryquestionweshouldkeepourfeetfirmand ourheadscool,notallowinganyonetorushusoffourfeet,hesaidatabanquetfor CompanyIoftheCornellCadetCorps.128 37

Theworldwarbefore1917onlyslightlyimpactedregularstudentlifeandnot

alwaysinamannerflatteringtotheCornellundergraduate.KatherineLyon16lamentedin herdiaryonNovember20,1914thatIamfeelingverylow.Havejustlearnedthatweare goingtogiveourThanksgivingDinnertotheBelgians!Belgium,squeezedstrategically betweenFranceandGermany,haddeclaredneutralitybuttheGermansinvadedanywayin August.ThesmallnationwasnearlyentirelyoccupiedbyNovember.EightdayslaterLyon updatedherdiarywithgoodnews:WearegoingtohaveourThanksgivingdinnerafterall. Thevotewasnotunanimousandsotheauthoritiesthoughttheydidnothavetherightto giveawaythemoney.Ohjoy.129Suchanexchangewouldprobablyhavebeenan unpleasantshocktoProfessorSutherlandSimpsonwhoheadedaBelgianaidfundunder theWoundedAlliesReliefcommittee.130 TheLusitania,thatluxuriousandfastCunardlinerwhosesinkingdidmuchto

enflamethepassionsoftheAmericanpublicagainstGermany,sadlyaffectedtheCornell communityinthelossofanalumna.OnMay7,1915,theU20,oneoftheKaisers submarines,torpedoedtheoceanliner.Thelargeshipsankinlessthantwentyminutes, killingnearly1,200ofher1,959 passengers.Oneofthepassengers wasayoungalumna,Katherine Dougall15.ShewasintheCollege ofAgricultureandwasamember ofAlphaPhi.131AdelheidZeller16 notedonMay7thatDougallwas ontheshipandthathernamewas notyetonthelistofsurvivors.
ArenderingofthetorpedoingoftheRMSLusitania.One Cornelliandiedduringthesinkingwhileanothersurvived thetragedy.(Source:LibraryofCongress)

Shemusthaveperished,Zellerwrotetwo

38

dayslater,thusaddinganothernametothelongInMemoriamlistofthe1915class.132 AnotherCornellian,RobertRankin04,survivedthesinking.Becauseofthepropertylosses hesustainedduringthesinking,Rankingwasabletoreceiveareparationof$1,362from Germanyin1924,asstipulatedintheTreatyofBerlinin1921.133(SeeAppendixDfora retellingofhisaccountontheship). TheLusitaniadisasterwarrantedtheSunsfirsteditorialdirectlyrelatedtothewar. TheeditorsonMay13condemnedapetitioncirculatingforPresidentWilsontoenterthe war.OurPresidentisamanofhighideals,whocanberelieduponinthiscrisistoguide thenationwithafirmhandintherightpath,theSunespoused.Heisnotamantobe rushedintowarbychauvinistsandjingoists,howeverrabidtheymaybe.Theeditorial askedthatifthepetitioncontinue,itoughttoremovethelanguagesayingeventssuchas thesinkingoftheLusitaniahavenolegalormoralsignificanceinthenationalor internationalsituationbecause,totheeditors,suchlanguagewasstultifying[for]ones moralsensibilities.134Inflamedpassionssoondiedawayandthestudentsploddedalong, awareofthewarbutuncertainastothefateoftheircountryanduniversitysroleinit. AsthewarragedinEurope,Cornellstruckabalancebetweenbeingconsciousofthe conflictseventsandisolation.NamesofFrenchriversandfortressesliketheMarne, SommeandVerdundidfillstudentpapers.Butthepreparednessofthecampusremained decidedlymixed.Forone,interestinthecadetprogramsurged.IntrueBishopianfashion, theUniversityHistorianwrote,Freshmanunderstandablypreferredthearmycaptothe froshcap.135TheSunpraisedthestrongshowingofafullcadetdrilloncampusinMay 1915.DrillismorepopularintheUniversityjustnowthanithaseverbeenbefore,an editorialdeclared,owingthepopularitytothedepartmentmakingitsinstructionofreal practicalvalue.136Aspartofthemilitarydepartmentsefforts,itcreatedtwonewtypesof companiesforstudentsoutsideofregulardrill.First,acompanyforadvancedstudents formed,offeringbroaderandmorethoroughinstructionthantheothercompanies. 39

CompanyI,asitwascalled,wouldalloweverymembertoruntheunitatsomepointduring theyearinordertofosterleadershipabilities.137Anewcompanyalsoformedforworking students,who,inthepast,wereexcusedfromdrillastheyfulfilledalaborrequirement.138 Ontheotherhand,nationalnewspapersreportedthatmanyAmericanuniversitiesand collegesremainedunpreparedforwar.AnarticleintheNewYorkSunlonganopponent forcompulsorymilitarydrillinaMarch1916issuerailedagainsttherequiredmilitary drill,citingPrincetonslecturesoranyschoolselectivedrillasusefulinamilitarysense. Tobacktheirclaims,thearticlecitedPresidentFaunceofBrownUniversitywhoobserved thatrequireddrilloftenleftadistasteformilitaryserviceamonghisstudents.139 ByNovember1916,itwasclearthatCornellscadetswereincreasinglypreparedfor war.TheCornellchapterofScabbardandBladedisbandedbecauseitsusefulnessasa steppingstoneforofficersintheUnitedStatesmilitary hadbeenoutweighedbytherecentpreparedness propagandaandtheincreasedefficiencyoftheCornell CadetCorps.Asfarasthesocialaspectsofthe organization,therewereplanstocreatetheCornell OfficersClub.140Thecadetsonthewholelearnedmore practicalmaterial;closeorderdrillandceremonies wereminimizedinfavorofextendedorderandfield practice,writesBishop.Inaddition,theuniversityset upaSignalCorpsunitandanEngineeringCorpsof50 men.141 WhiletheSunregularlyreportedonwar developments,anoccasionalletterfromaprofessor OverThereappearedinitspages,andayoungalumna
EdwardI.Tinkham16(Source:Chicago SundayTribune)

evenperishedatthehandsofaGermantorpedo,thewarreallydidnotmakeasignificant 40

impactonEastHilluntilEdwardI.Tinkhamreturnedtocampus.TinkhamenteredCornell in1912andpursuedacourseintheCollegeofForestry.Hewasactiveoncampusasa memberoftheSealandSerpentfraternity,Helios,thevarsitytrackandcrosscountry teams.InFebruary1916herequestedaleaveofabsencetojointheAmericanAmbulance FieldService,chargedwithtransportingwoundedAlliedsoldiersfromthefrontlinestothe hospitals.InFrance,TinkhamdistinguishedhimselfduringtheviciousBattleofVerdun.His experiencesfilledhimwithintenseenthusiasm.142InDecember1916hereturnedto Cornellwiththeintentionofreenrollingasastudent.NowIamtryingtogetaccustomed tonormallifeagainandbeginworkwhereitwasbrokenoff,hewrote.InthemeantimeI amstillservingtheFieldServiceinthesearchformentocarryiton.143 Searchhedid!InaninterviewwiththeSun,Tinkhamspokehighlyofhisadventures, saying[t]hetrainingandexperienceintheFieldServiceoftheAmericanAmbulanceCorps iswellworththedangerinvolved.Hedescribedtheexpressionlesscolumnsofveterans, thedangerofdrivingamidstexplodingshells,thecomradeshipbetweentheFrenchand Americans,andthehumanitarianaidgiventothewoundedwemayhavestartedout withmanyreasonsforjoiningbutaftercarryingthefirstloadofwoundedbackfromthe frontthereisonlyonereasonthatholdsusitistohelpthesemen.144Tinkhamheldoffice hoursinBarnesHallforanyoneinterestinginjoiningtheambulanceservice.145Aprofessor laterwrotethathespokeagainandagaintogroupsofstudents,talkinginthesimplestof languageandbyhisunselfishfervorcarryingconvictiontoallwhoheardhim.146On January6,1917theSunpublishedalongcallforvolunteerstotheambulanceservicefor sixmonthenlistments.147Thenewspaperfollowedupthenextmonthwithaneditorial urgingundergraduatestoenlistwithTinkham:
ThusfarCornellhashadlittlepartinfurnishingtheambulancemenwhohavegoneover toEuropetotakepartintheRedCrossworkthere.Upontheassumptionthatthelittle activitiyinthisserviceatCornellisattributablemoretoalackofinformationonthe subjectthantoanyotherreason,adefiniteeffortwillbemadethisweektoenrolla CornellunitfortheambulanceworkinFrance.Thiscallforvolunteersintheworkof

41

humanityisacallwhichshouldchallengeranymanintheUniversitywhoiswillingto giveseveralmonthsofhistimeandundergothenecessaryhardshipsofservicetobe encounteredinanundertakingofthiskind.Itisanopportunityforthecollegemenof Americatoenterintothespiritofselfsacrificeofthewarwithoutbeingsubjectedtoits deephatreds.Thoseintheworkarebrave,generousAmericanswhohaveacceptedthis wayofshowingtheirsympathyforthemenwhoaredependentuponunselfishactsof thiskind.148

TinkhamalsowrotetotheSunthatdaygivingdetailsonqualificationsandthe

specificsoftheambulanceduties.ByMarch,theCornellIthacaambulanceunitwas formed.149UndergraduatesocietiesSphinxHead,QuillandDaggerandAlephSamachall publiclyexpressedapprovaloftheunit.Theexecutivecommitteeandsupportersgavea presentationtoalargegatheringinBaileyHalltostudents,facultyandtownspeople, completewithmotionpicturesofFranceandthewar,which,accordingtotheSun,which haveneverbeenshownbeforeinIthaca.150Aprofessorrememberedhowyoungmen wouldrespondtoTinkhamsimploring:Eachtimeheended,therewasadeepsilence,and thensomeonewouldsayCountmein,Tinkham,orWouldIbegoodenoughforthe job?151HiseffortsandthemeetinginBaileyweresuccessfulininspiring32youngmento signupfortheservice.TheAmericanAmbulanceFieldServicereportedasplendid responsefromthestudentbody.WillardStraight01gaveanambulancetotheunit,tobe knownasCornellAmbulanceNo.1.LocalIthacansandafraternityalsopledgedtoraise fundsfortheirownrespectivegroups.152OtherbigdonorsincludedEdwinM.Sanderson 87andtheCornellClubofMichigan. EverythingchangedinIthacaandacrossthecountryonApril6,1917.Thatday, PresidentWoodrowWilsonannouncedthatastateofwarexistedbetweentheUnited StatesandGermany.Bishoprememberedhowwethrewourselvesintothestrugglewith characteristicenthusiasmand,ofcourse,effectiveness.153OnApril14,1917,eightdays aftertheUnitedStatesdeclarationofwaronGermany,theunitof33Cornellianssetsailon theS.S.RochambeauforFrance.154AmonthlatertheSunreportedthatthedirectorof AmericanAmbulanceServicepraisedtheCornellians.Weneverhadafinergroupofmen 42

thantheCornellunitwhichhasjustarrivedwithE.I.Tinkham17,andIamsurethatthe Cornellsectionwilladdanewchaptertothetothestoryofourservice,thedirectorwrote toaCornellprofessor.155 TheCornellambulanceunitwasthefirstAmericanunittounfurltheAmericanflag asanactivecombatantagainstGermany.TheAssociatedPress,reportingfromFrance,on May24,1917gavetheCornelliansentryintothewaranalmostliteraryquality:

ItwasaproudmomentwhenthefirstdetachmentofAmericanfieldservice,consisting mainlyofCornellundergraduates,departedfortheAisnebattlefield.Theywerearmed withcarbines,attiredinkhakiuniforms,anddroveAmericanfivetonmotorscars.As theyleft,theStarsandStripes,floatingoverthecantonmentinanhistoricFrenchforst, spreadoutinthebreezeandothercontingentscheeredthemontheirway.Clarence MackayheldthecampwiththeAmericanflag,whichnowfliesbesidesthetricolor.156

AparadeoftheCornellCadetCorpsbeforetheFirstWorldWar. (Source:RareandManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity)

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C HA PT ER F IVE P REPAREDFORTHE F UTURE

TodayPres.WilsonistoreadhisultimatumtoGermany.Iguessitwillmakequiteadifferencetome thissummerandnextyear.IneversupposedthatthewarcouldexcitemesothatIcouldnt concentrateonmystudies,butthatwasthecaseintheLibrarytonight.AdelheidZeller,April19, 1917.157

CornellUniversityplungedintotheGreatWarwithapatrioticfervorunmatchedin

itsfiftyyearhistory.Thecampuswastransformedintoamilitarycamp.Fraternities emptiedandbecamedormitoriesforservicemen.ThenewReserveOfficerTrainingCorps foundawelcomehomeintheuniversitythatforfiftyyearshadproducedablemilitary leaders.SchoellkopfField,oncethehometofootballvictories,gavewaytobayonet practice.ThousandsofCornellians,rangingfromoldLouisLivingstonSeaman72,tothe youngestgraduate,volunteeredforserviceandwentacrosstheAtlanticOceantoOver There.Thefacultygrantedimmediatedegreestodisappearingserviceandloosenedthe rulesoverleavesofabsences.By1918,Cornellbecameamilitaryschool.158In1941the universityagainbecameamajorcenterofmilitarytraining.Andthetraditionwenton throughKorea,Vietnam,theGulf,Iraqandintothefuture. Butcompulsorymilitarydrilllostitspopularity.Theuniversitykeptmilitary instruction(orathletics)arequirementfortheinterwaryearsbutitfacedthreatsfromthe studentsandfaculty.InMay1931thefacultyvotedtwotoonetomakedrilloptionalfor students159andinNovember1933studentsvoted1532to481thesameway.160TheBoard ofTrusteesdeclinedtochangethepolicythenandagainin1939,whiletheStudentCouncil unanimouslysupportedtherequirementsin1947.161Bythe1950s,lettersandeditorials regularlyappearedintheSunadvocatingforanoptionalmilitaryinstructioncourse.In 1955aneditorialsaidwedontlikeit,butwesupposethereisntmuchthatcanbedone aboutit.162Thewritermerelyhadtowaitfiveyears.InJune1960theBoardofTrustees, withsupportfromPresidentMallottandthefaculty,votedtoendtherequiredtwoyear

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commitmentforallablebodiedmentojoinCornellsROTCprogram.163Itwastheendof nearlyacenturyoftradition,sometimescalledirksomeanddespisedbyafew,that neverthelessproducedanumberofcapableandintelligentmilitaryleaders. Theirlegacylivesonthroughoutcampus.Beyondthemodernincarnationofthe CornellROTCprogram,therearenumeroustestamentstoCornellsfallenwarheroes.From theWarMemorialonWestCampustotheshrinesdedicatedtothosewhofellinWorldWar Two,KoreaandVietnaminAnabelTaylorHall,Cornelldoesnotforgetitsyoungveterans. CornellsmilitaryhistorywasborninthedarkdaysoftheUnitedStatesin1862 whenitseemedasiftheSouthernstateswouldactuallysucceedintheirrebellion.Fromthe universitysfoundingin1865itwasrequiredtooffercoursesonmilitarytactics,whichit didwithaneffectivefervorunderthewatchfuleyesofCivilWarveterans.TheArtsQuad, theArmoryandtheDrillHallrangwiththeordersofstudentofficersandthesteady marchingofyoungcadets.Theboomingofartilleryandthesharpshotsofriflespunctuated thecampusairoftheyounguniversity.WhentheUnitedStatesdeclaredwartwicein twentyyears,Cornellwasconfidenttosenditsstudentsandyoungalumnitowar.There, fromthePhilippinestoCuba,fromtheSommetotheArgonnes,theseyoungmenserved bravelyandbroughtbackanimpressivearrayofdecorationsandpridefortheircountry anduniversity. Theyoungfreshmenoftheclassof1878maybeseen,onalmostanypleasantday, paradingabstractedlyupanddownthecampus,sighing,inimagination,forotherworldsto conquer.164Meanwhile,thehaggardveteranoftheclassof1872couldattesttothefirm commandsofMajorArnold,asnumerousachingbacksandwearymusclestestify.165 PerhapstheyoungprofessorattheUniversityofMichiganintheearly1860shadsome inklingofthecharacterbuildingsuchmilitaryinstructionwouldimbueonsomeofhis futurestudents.AndrewDicksonWhitessteadyadvocacyforthebenefitsofmilitary instructionwasoneofhislastinglegaciesattheuniversity.Asthepresidentsreportfrom 45

1916relayed,Thetrainingisoneofthebestthingsinthestudentslifehere,significantin itsinfluenceonobedience,punctuality,attention,andphysicalbearing,butmost importantitforcesonhimconsiderationsofpatrioticserviceandtakeshimoutofthe egoisticattitudewhichaneducationforindividualisticsuccessiswonttobeget.166

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A PPE NDIX A E XAMPLESO F E XAMINATIONS INTHE C OLLEGEOF

M ILITAR Y S CIEN CE
CornellRegister187172 Whatformationsareincludedunderthedenominationofsuccessiveformations? Givethecommandsandexplainthefollowingmaneuvers: 1. Toformcolumnoffoursrightfrontintoline. 2. Toformlineofbattletotheleftwhenapartofthecolumnhaschangeddirectionto theright. 3. Tobreakthelineofbattletotherightorleftintocolumn. 4. Thecolumnbeingbycompanyrightinfront,formlinetotheleft. 5. I.ClosecolumnbydivisionII.Foursleftandright.III.March. CornellRegister187475 1.Drawadiagramillustratingacompanyinline.Notebysymbolsthepostsofofficersand noncommissionedofficers. 12.Describeamannerofgivingcommands;prepatory;execution 23.Beinginline,toformcolumnofplatoons;describedutiesofofficersandmannerof execution.Drawillustrativediagram. 14.Explaindutiesoffirstsergeantinformingcompany.Givecommandsandexecution. 25.Whatisafile?Arank?Thelineoffileclosers?Whoareinthelineoffilecloserswhen thecompanyisinline? 76.Fromline,toformcolumn,offourstothefront.Describeexecutionandillustrateby diagram. 77.Beingincolumnoffourstoformlinetotherightorleft. 202.Towheeltorightonmovablepivot.Givecommandsandexecution. 185.Companybeingincolumnofplatoons,toformline.Illustratebydiagram;give commandsindetail.

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A PPE NDIX B D ESCRIP TIONO FA C ADE T P AR ADE

CornellSun,May15,1888 TherewasauniqueandprettysightontheCornellUniversitycampusadayortwo ago.TheoccasionwasthereviewbythePresidentoftheUniversityofthecadetbattalion, underthecommandofLieut.VanNess,themilitarycommandant.Itisdoubtfulifanywhere inthecountry,barringWestPoint,abettercadetmilitarydisplaycouldbemade,oramore picturesqueparadebeseen. Thedaywasperfectwarm,bright,delicious.Thehighplateauenclosedbythe Universitybuildingswasvividlygreeninitsspringdressofyounggrass.Belowlaythesnug littlevillage,andtothenorththewatersofthelakereflectedtheblueandwhiteofthesky. Theparadegroundwaswellfringedwithcarriagesandspectatorswhenthebattalionof sevencompanies,precededbythecadetband,drummajorandallmarchedoutfromthe bigarmory.Theuniformofdarkblue,withwhitecrossbeltsandwhitehelmets,madethe boyslookextremelywell,andthebeardedcommandant,mountedonaseventeenhands highsorrelandovershadowedbythebrilliantredhorsehairplumeofhishelment,wasa decidedlymartialfigure.Asthebattaliondeployedupontheparadegroundthebrass cannonofthestationbangedawayspitefully,andPresidentAdamscamecanteringdown theavenuemountedonaglossybay.Hisbluecoatwasbuttonedsnuglyaroundhisstrong figureandhishatwastheglossiestoftheglossy.Hesathishorselikeatrooperandthe horsewasworthyoftherider.Asthebandplayedandthebattalionformedforreview,the horsearchedhishandsomeneckandpawedtheturfinatrulymartialmannerthatleft nothingtobedesired.Thenwhentheofficershadsalutedandthecommandantreported, thePresident[rode]atahardcanterstraightatthebattalion,asiftorideovertheboys,but withintwentyfeetoftheofficersheturnedsharplytotheleft,rodealongtheline,shweeled aroundtheguideontheleft,gallopeddownbehindthelonglineofbluecoats,circledthe bandandthencanteredbacktohisfirstposition. Itwasagoodthingtoseeagraybeardedcollegepresidentridelikethat,andthe wholedisplayofreviewedandreviewerwasexcellent,andcarriedoutwithallthesnap andpompofregulararmyaffairs. Thenextdaythecadetsmarcheddowntown,wherethetrusteesreviewedthem. TheUniversityisproudofitscadets,andthemilitarydepartmentshowstheresultofthe thoroughworkconstantlydoneinit.

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A PPE NDIX C D ESCRIP TIONSO F T WO M OCK B ATTLES

CornellSun,May4,1914 ForthefirsttimeinthehistoryofshambattlesatCornell,thedefendingforcegained thedecisionovertheattackintheannualmaneuversoftheCadetCorpsSaturday afternoon.Aboutfivehundredpeoplewitnessedthebattleandafewhundredotherswere disappointedwhentheywaitedabouttheCampus,asthefieldofactionwasneartheAg. barns. TheBluearmy,commandedbyCol.L.G.Meads,14,consistingofthefirstandthird battalions,marchedundersealedorderstoVarnaearlyintheafternoon.Col.Meadsorders startedthatitwastobeconsideredthatat2:30p.m.hehadreceivedinformationatVarna thatanimportantpowderfactorywassituatedatthenewstockjudgingpavilionoftheAg. College. TheRedarmywascommandedbyMajorR.E.J.Summers,14.Itconsistedofthe secondbattalionandthesignalcorpsdetachment.ItlefttheArmoryfifteenminuteslater thantheBluesandmarchedundersealedorderstotheAg.barns,whereMajorSummers receivedorderstoprotectthepowderfactoryattheeastendofAlumniField.TheReds tookapositionontheridgeoverlookingtheriflerange,declaredimpregnablybythe umpires,andfromthisdefensewonthebattle. Thewirelessdetachmentofthesignalcorpsdidefficientwork,sendinglong messagesingoodtime.Lieut.D.H.Finley16,incommandofaportionofCompanyDofthe RedssucceededincapturingaplatoonofCompanyIoftheBlues.Hehadtheirblank cartridgesconfiscatedandsentthemenunderguardtotheArmory. Dr.S.A.Munford,medicaladviser,accompaniedthedefenseassurgeonofficer.He establishedhypotheticalstationsforthewoundedattheHomeEconomicsBuildingand justintherearofthedefenseline.TheumpiresfortheBlueswereLieut.H.T.Bull,U.S.A., commandant,andCapt.E.C.White,oftheNationalGuardofVermont,aninstructorinCivil Engineering.TheumpiresfortheRedswereLieutenantsR.S.A.DoughertyandJ.W. Stewart,U.S.A.oftheengineeringcorps. CornellSun,May26,1914 ForthefirsttimeinthehistoryofannualinspectionsoftheCornellCadetCorps,the Universityregimentwasgivenmilitaryproblemstoworkout,consistingoftwoattackson theCampus,attheinspectionyesterdayafternoon.CaptainS.J.BayardSchindel,ofthe GeneralStaffoftheUnitedStatesArmy,theinspectingofficer,spokehighlyinpraiseofthe regimentatthecloseoftheinspection.HesaidthattheimprovementintheCorpswas wonderfulsincehisinspectionlastyear,andthatthespiritofthecadetsandoftheofficers wasmuchbetter.HewasgreatlypleasedwiththereviewandcomplimentedLieut.H.T. Bull,thecommandant,highlyontheshowingoftheCorps. Theinspectionstartedshortlyafter2p.m.witharegimentalreviewwiththe ceremonyofescorttothecolors.Thiswasfollowedbyaregimentalinspectionofevery manbyCaptainSchindel.Abattalioncloseorderdrillandcompanyextendedorderdrill 49

wasfollowedbythetwoattacksontheCampus.ThefirstattackwasdirectedfromStewart avenueandconsistedofabattalionadvancetocapturetheStewartavenuebridgeoverFall Creek,allotherbridgesoverFallCreekbeingconsideredblownup.Thesecondbattalion, underMajorR.E.J.Summers14,wasgiventhisproblemwithoutnoticeandsucceededin theirmission,accordingtothedecisionoftheinspector.Thesecondattackwasalsofrom StewartAvenueandconsistedofaregimentalattackonsixhypotheticalcompaniesonthe Quadrangle.Thiswasalsohighlysuccessful. Owingtothehotweatherseveralmenintheregimentfaintedduringtheexercises, butnoneofthecaseswereseriousandnocomplicationsareexpectedinanyofthecases.

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A PPE NDIX D R OBERT R ANKIN 04 ONTHE L USITAN IA

ArticlebyMichaelPoirier.OriginallyprintedinVoyageMagazine,aPublicationoftheTitanicHistorical Society,issue46,Winter20032004andreprintedat: http://www.rmslusitania.info/multimedia/articles/robertrankin/

[Rankin]finishedtheletterandtookaquickwalkalongtheboatdeckbeforelunch. HesawFredandMabelPearsontakingastrollaswell.By2:00P.M.hewasstandingonthe starboardsidewithThomasBloomfieldandRobertDearberghwhenoneofthemcaughta glimpseofsomething.Theresawhale,heheard.Lookingoutontothedazzlingbluesea, heknewatoncewhattheblackridgewas.Instantly,awhite,foamystreakshotoutfrom thesubmarine.Itlookslikeatorpedo,Dearberghexclaimed.MyGod,itisatorpedo, saidBloomfield.Thethreewatchedasitcutthroughthewater.Rankindescribedthe excitementofthemomentingreatdetail,Itcamestraightfortheship.Itwasobviousit couldntmiss.Itwasaimedaheadofherandstruckunderthebridge[.]Theystoodthere andforabriefmomentwaitingforittodetonate,therewasadelayandtheyallhopedit wouldnotexplode.Hethenwentontosaythat,Theexplosioncamewithaterrificcrash, clearthroughthefivedecksdestroyingtheboilerroomandthemainsteampipe.Amass ofglass,wood,etccamepouringonourheads,200feetaft.Weduckedintothesmoking roomshelterandIneversawmycompanionsagain[.] ThemanfeltthattheLusitaniawasdoomedfromthestartandcrossedthesmoking roomtotheportside.Heaidedsomemenwhoweretryingtopushalifeboatovertheside, butthoughtitwasauselesstaskastheshipwaslistingtoofartostarboard.Abandoning thiseffort,heenteredthecompanionwayandmadehiswaydownstairs,tryingnotto bumpintopeoplewhowererushingupthestairs.HegotasfarasDdeckandheardthe disconcertingsoundofwaterveryclosetowherehestood.Lookingdown,hesawthatE deckwasalreadyflooding.HecrossedthedarkenedpassagewayonDdecktoaporthole andtohishorrorsawthatthewaterwaswithintwelveinchesoftheport!Hecameacross ClintonBernardinthestairwellwhoaskedhim,haveyoualifepreserver?towhich Rankinshookhishead.Theytriedafewcabinsandfoundthattheywereallgone.Thetwo decidedthatiftheyfoundonetheywouldshareit,fiftyfifty.Asthefriendswalkedalong Bdecktheyfoundquiteafewpassengersmilllingaboutwaitingtobetoldwhattodo. TheymountedthestairstoAdeckandwatchedtheboatsonthestarboardsidebegin loading.Totheirdismay,boatnumberonedriftedawaywithwhatappearedtobejustone personaboard.Rankincameacrossoneofthosedoughnutlifepreserversattachedto therailandpresentedittoBernard.Theypreparedtojumpoverboardwithitwhena stewardclaimedthattherewasanoldladywhoneededit.Thegentlemanunselfishlygave itaway. ThelastminuteswereablurtoRankin,ofwhichhesaidthefollowing,Bythistime theboatwassinkingrapidlyandBernardsaid,Goodbyeoldchapandgrabbedmebythe handatthesametimepullingouthismoneyandthrowingitaway.Thesixtyfootdeckwas, bynow,withinsixtotenfeetofthewaterandIpulledoffmycoatandjumped,feetfirst,as farasIcouldandstartedtoswimonmyside.LookingstraightupIsawthefunnelscoming overandthoughtthatIwouldcertainlybehitonthehead.Thenthefunnelswentbackand thebowplungedandtheshipwentdown..Hefoundthewatertobelikeiceandthathe

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wascoveredwithalayerofsootfromthefunnels.Hecameacrossboatelevenpackedwith sixtyoddpeople,buttheassistantdeckstewardpulledhiminanyway.Theydriftedabout atthemercyofthewindastheyhadnorudder.Finally,theWandererofPeelcametothe rescueandpulledthemaboard.TheywerethentransferredtotheFlyingFishandtakento Queenstown.Themomentwassurrealasthewetandwearysurvivorswalkedbetweena lineoftownspeople.Thecrowdcheeredandapplaudedastheymadetheirwayforward. Rankinfeltalumpinhisthroatasthemagnitudeofthetragedyhithim.Ajackytargave himadrinkofhotwhiskeyandputhimtobed.Thenextday,hemadehiswaythroughthe townlookingforfriends.HefoundClintonBernardwhohadswumtoacollapsibleand rescuedmanypeopleamongthemStanleyLinesandDorothyConner.RankinsawDr. Pearsonlyinginamakeshiftmorgueandarrangedforhisembalming.ThatSunday,heand anothershipboardacquaintanceRobertTimmismotoredovertoKinsaletohelpidentify bodies,butfoundnonethattheyknew.Healsogaveabriefdescriptionofhisexperiences totheAmericanCounselwhichwassenttothestatedepartmentintheformofa deposition.

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 E NDNOTES
1

AndrewDicksonWhite,AutobiographyofAndrewDicksonWhite,VolumeI,(NewYork: TheCenturyCo,1905),90. 2 MorrisBishop,AHistoryofCornell,(Ithaca,N.Y.:CornellUniversityPress,1962),89. 3 Ibid.,125 4 Ibid.,388 5 LetterfromEzraCornelltoAlonzoCornell.December20,1846.EzraCornellPapers.Rare andManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity,Ithaca,N.Y. 6 LetterfromEzraCornelltoMaryAnnCornell,February21,1861.EzraCornellPapers. RareandManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity,Ithaca,N.Y. 7 LetterfromEzraCornelltoI.R.Elwood,January21,1861.EzraCornellPapers.Rareand ManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity,Ithaca,N.Y. 8 LetterfromPaulCornelltoEzraCornell,April22,1861.EzraCornellPapers.Rareand ManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity,Ithaca,N.Y. 9 LetterfromEzraCornelltoMaryAnnCornell,July231861.EzraCornellPapers.Rareand ManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity,Ithaca,N.Y. 10 Ibid. 11 PetitionbymembersofNewYorkStateSenatetoSecretaryofStateEdwinStanton,May 131864.EzraCornellPapers.RareandManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity,Ithaca, N.Y. 12 LetterfromDanielB.CornelltoEzraCornell,January26,1861.EzraCornellPapers.Rare andManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity,Ithaca,N.Y. 13 LetterfromJohnG.ApgartoEzraCornell,July24,1864.EzraCornellPapers.Rareand ManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity,Ithaca,N.Y. 14 37thCongress,SessionII,Ch.130,page504,emphasismine. 15 RichardM.Abrams,TheU.S.MilitaryandHigherEducation:ABriefHistory, AnnalsoftheAmericanAcademyofPoliticalandSocialScience,Vol.502,Universitiesand theMilitary(Mar.,1989),16. 16 JamesE.Pollard,MilitaryTrainingintheLandGrantCollegesandUniversities,With SpecialReferencetotheR.O.T.C.Program.(Washington,D.C.:AssociationofState UniversitiesandLandGrantColleges,1964),E. 17 Ibid.,5758 18 CongressionalGlobe,June10,1862,2633. 19 CongressionalGlobe,June17,1862,2770. 20 CornellRegister.186869,14. 21 PresidentsReport,1916,appendix1,page8 22 CornellEra,December5,1868 23 Register,31 24 Ibid.,76 25 CornellRegister.187071,61 26 CornellRegister.18691870,107 27 Bishop,126. 28 MillardConklinPapers,RareandManuscriptCollections,CornellUniversity.

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29

CornellUniversity.HistoryoftheClassof1872,CornellUniversity,"TheFirstThrough Class";HistoricalandBiographicalRecordswithChaptersonVariousAspectsofCornell HistoryandDevelopmentbyMembersoftheClass.(S.l:s.n.],1925),119. 30 CornellEra,November28,1868 31 CornellRegister,3132 32 Ibid.,42 33 CornellEra,December5,1868 34 Bishop,125 35 CornellRegister,7374 36 Ibid. 37 WatermanThomasHewett,FrankR.Holmes,andLewisA.Williams.CornellUniversity,a History,VolumeI.(NewYork:TheUniversityPublishingSociety,1905),232. 38 Ibid.241 39 Ibid.,242 40 Ibid.,245 41 CornellRegister,7576 42 Carol.KammenFirstPersonCornell:Students'Diaries,Letters,EmailsandBlogs.(Ithaca, NY:CornellUniversityLibrary,2006),15. 43 CornellEra,November10,1871 44 CornellEra,September29,1869 45 CornellEra,November28,1869 46 CornellEra,November3,1869 47 CornellEra,September29,1869 48 CornellEra,October6,1871 49 CornellEra,December5,1868 50 CornellEra,10/27/1871 51 InformationgatheredfromtheHistoryoftheClassof1872 52 Ibid. 53 Hewett,volume3,123 54 CornellDailySun,November8,1911 55 1870Cornelian 56 CornellEra,November3,1869 57 CornellEra,May25,1870 58 CornellEra,June1,1870 59 CornellEra,March20,1869 60 Bishop,280 61 CornellUniversity.CentennialAnniversaryoftheBirthofEzraCornell:Addressesatthe CelebrationHeldatCornellUniversity,April26,1907.(Ithaca,N.Y.:CornellUniversity,1907), 37. 62 CornellDailySun,October19,1882 63 CornellDailySun,November30,1885 64 CornellDailySun,October19,1882 65 CornellDailySun,September28,1885 66 CornellUniversityFirstCenturyLandsandBuildings1867to1967,41. 67 CornellDailySun,November18,1887 54

68 69

CornellDailySun,December8,1887 CornellDailySun,February7,1888 70 CornellDailySun,April6,1893 71 Bishop,350 72 HistoryoftheClassof1872,52 73 CornellDailySun,February19,1898 74 CornellDailySun,March5,1898 75 CornellDailySun,April29,1898 76 CornellDailySun,April21,1898 77 Kammen,FirstPersonCornell,6667. 78 CornellDailySun,April29,1898 79 CornellDailySun,October7,1898 80 CornellDailySun,September28,1898 81 CornellDailySun,October7,1898 82 CornellDailySun,October21,1898 83 CornellDailySun,November4,1898 84 CornellDailySun,January20,1900 85 CornellDailySun,January23,1900 86 DeltaKappaEpsilonFraternity.#7:Artifacts,Furnishings,andMemorials. https://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3313/5/%2307A%20Artifacts.pdf 87 CornellDailySun,3/7/1899 88 CornellDailySun,10/21/1898 89 HistoryoftheClassof1872,9/27/1898 90 HistoryoftheClassof1872,,224 91 Bishop,35152 92 CornellCountryman.Vol.3,No.1,October1905. 93 CornellDailySun,November23,1906 94 Ibid. 95 CornellDailySun,1907 96 CornellDailySun,,1907 97 CornellDailySun,November18,1913 98 CornellDailySun,September26,1913 99 AllinformationgatheredfromtheStuartMauriceFordPapers,RareandManuscript Collections,CornellUniversity. 100 FirstPersonCornell,114 101 CornellDailySun,July17,1914 102 RolandHugins,"TheAttitudeofAmerica:Conclusion.,"TheOpenCourt:Vol.1916:Iss.4, Article5,240. 103 CornellDailySun,July10,1914 104 CornellDailySun,July13,1914 105 CornellDailySun,July14,1914 106 CornellDailySun,July21,1914 107 CornellDailySun,July28,1914 108 CornellDailySun,July27,1898 109 Bishop,425426 55

110 111

CornellDailySun,7/29/1914 CornellDailySun,August5,1914 112 CornellDailySun,August4,1914 113 CornellDailySun,August6,1914 114 CornellDailySun,August11,1914 115 CornellDailySun,September21,1914 116 CornellDailySun,October23,1914 117 CornellDailySun,October28,1914 118 CornellDailySun,November10,1914 119 CornellDailySun,January8,1915 120 CornellDailySun,December11,1915 121 CornellDailySun,1916 122 CornellDailySun,1917 123 CornellUniversity.MilitaryRecordsofCornellUniversityintheWorldWar.(Ithaca,N.Y.: TheUniversity,1930),84. 124 CornellDailySun,August10,1914 125 CornellDailySun,September23,1914 126 HarvardCrimson,September28,1914 127 CornellDailySun,September23,1914 128 CornellDailySun,December7,1914 129 Kammen,FirstPersonCornell,115 130 CornellDailySun,October21,1913 131 CornellDailySun,May10,1915 132 Kammen,FirstPersonCornell,103 133 http://www.rmslusitania.info/primarydocs/mcc/robertrankin/ 134 CornellDailySun,May13,1915 135 Bishop,426 136 CornellDailySun,May12,1915 137 CornellDailySun,September28,1914 138 CornellDailySun,September29,1914 139 CornellDailySun,March28,1916 140 CornellDailySun,November1,1916 141 Bishop,426 142 MilitaryRecordsofCornellUniversityintheWorldWar,123 143 CornellDailySun,December21,1916 144 CornellDailySun,January5,1917 145 Ibid. 146 MilitaryRecordsofCornellUniversityintheWorldWar,124 147 CornellDailySun,January6,1917 148 CornellDailySun,February26,1917 149 CornellDailySun,March12,1917 150 CornellDailySun,March19,1917 151 MilitaryRecordsofCornellUniversityintheWorldWar,124 152 CornellDailySun,April2,1917 153 Bishop,427 56

154 155

CornellDailySun,April14,1917 CornellDailySun,May16,1917 156 CornellDailySun,May24,1917 157 Kammen,FirstPersonCornell,105 158 Bishop,430 159 CornellDailySun,November16,1933 160 CornellDailySun,November17,1933 161 CornellDailySun,November5,1953 162 CornellDailySun,May13,1955 163 CornellDailySun,August1,1960. 164 1874Cornelian 165 1872Cornelian 166 TwentyFourthAnnualReportbyPresidentSchurman,19151916.CornellUniversity OfficialPublication,Volume7,No.17.AppendixI,pageIX.

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