LIFE AT ANNAPOLIS.
When Dr. Dewey had consented to his son's wishes for a naval education,
the next step was to secure his appointment to a cadetship at the
Academy at Annapolis. Each member of Congress has the privilege of
appointing a candidate when there is no cadet from his district in the
Academy; and the President has ten appointments at large, besides one
for the District of Columbia. The giving of these appointments after a
competitive examination was not so common forty years ago as it is now.
They were almost invariably bestowed arbitrarily, according to the
Congressman's personal relations with those who sought them or his idea
of his own political interests. But it was of little use to appoint a
boy who could not pass the mental and physical entrance examinations.
George Dewey obtained an appointment, but only as alternate. The first
place was given to a schoolmate two years older than he, George B.
Spalding. For some reason Spalding, though a bright boy, failed to
pass, while the alternate answered the requirements and was admitted to
the Academy. Mr. Spalding was graduated two years later at the
University of Vermont, studied theology at Andover, and has had a
creditable career as a clergyman and legislator. It is said that only
about forty per cent of the appointees are able to pass the entrance
examinations, and of those who are admitted, only about half finish the
course.
Dewey entered the Academy September 23, 1854, being then in his
seventeenth year. He was born December 26, 1837. The number of cadets
was then one hundred and sixty, the curriculum had been recently
remodeled for a four-years' course, and the first class under the new
regulation was graduated that year. Captain Louis M. Goldsborough
(afterward rear admiral) was the superintendent.
The classes are designated by numbers, the lowest (corresponding to
freshmen in a college) being called the fourth. The cadets (or
midshipmen, as they were then called; that term is no longer in use)
were under the immediate charge of an officer called the Commandant of
Midshipmen. He ranked next to the superintendent, and was the executive
officer of the institution and the instructor in seamanship, gunnery,
and naval tactics. He had three assistants. There were eight
professorships--Mathematics; Astronomy, Navigation and Surveying;
Natural and Experimental Philosophy; Field Artillery and Infantry
Tactics; Ethics and English Studies; French; Spanish; and Drawing.
The examinations of all the classes were held in February and June. A
very strict record was kept of the conduct of every student; and after
the June examination those in the second class who had not received
more than a hundred and fifty demerit marks during the year were
furloughed till October, while the others were at once embarked for the
annual practice cruise. This appears like a great number of demerit
marks for even the worst student to receive, but some offenses were
punished with more than one mark. Thus, for neglect of orders or
overstaying leave of absence the penalty was ten marks; for having a
light in one's room after taps, eight; for absence from parade or roll
call, six; for slovenly dress, four, etc. Any cadet who received more
than two hundred demerits in a year was dropped from the rolls; and it
was optional with the superintendent to dismiss a cadet from the
service for being intoxicated or having liquor in his possession; for
going beyond the limits of the institution without permission; for
giving, carrying, or accepting a challenge; for playing at cards or any
game of chance in the Academy; for offering violence or insult to a
person on public duty; for publishing anything relating to the Academy;
or for any conduct unbecoming a gentleman.
The daily routine of the Academy is of interest as showing to what
discipline the cadets were subjected, and what habits of promptness,
regularity, and accuracy were cultivated. Marshall's History of the
Academy shows us what it was at that time, and it is still practically
the same.
The morning gun-fire and reveille with the beating of the drum was at
6.15 A.M., or at 6.30, according to the season. Then came the police of
quarters and inspection of rooms. The roll call was at 6.45 or at 7.15,
according to the season. From December 1st to March 1st the later hour
was the one observed. Chapel service followed, and afterward breakfast
at 7 or at 7.30. The sick call was thirty minutes after breakfast. Then
the cadets had recreation till 8 o'clock, when the study and recitation
hours began.
Section formations took place in the front hall of the third floor,
under the supervision of the officer of the day, who, as well as the
section leaders, was responsible for preservation of silence and order.
When the signal was given by the bugle, the sections were marched to
their recitation rooms. They marched in close order, in silence, and
with strict observance of military decorum. Whenever a section left its
recitation room it was marched by its leader to the third floor, and
there dismissed.
Study alternated or intervened with recitations until one o'clock, when
the signal for dinner was given. The cadets were again formed in order
by the captains of crews, and marched into the mess hall. The
organization was into ten guns' crews, for instruction in seamanship
and gunnery, and for discipline. The captains of crews, when at the
mess table, repressed promptly all disorderly conduct, unbecoming
language, and unnecessary noise. They enforced perfect silence among
their guns' crews until the order "Seats!" had been given. Then
conversation was permitted. Silence was enforced again after the order
"Rise!" until the crews reached the main hall. At all times, in
mustering their crews, the captains were required to call the names in
the lowest tone that would secure attention. They were required to
report any irregularity in uniform or untidiness which they perceived
at any formation, as well as any infraction of regulations, disregard
of orders, or other impropriety.
The Professor of Field Artillery and Infantry Tactics was inspector of
the mess hall, and presided at the mess table. He had charge of the
police and order of the mess hall, in which duty he was assisted by the
officer of the day and the captains of crews. Each student had a seat
assigned to him at table, which he could not change without the
sanction of the inspector of the mess hall; and no student must appear
at meals negligently dressed.
Thirty minutes were allowed for breakfast, and the same time for
supper. Forty minutes were allowed for dinner.
After dinner the young gentlemen had recreation again until two
o'clock, when the afternoon study and recitation hours began. These
continued until four o'clock, followed by instruction in the art of
defense, infantry or artillery drill, and recreation until parade and
roll call at sunset. Supper followed immediately; then recreation and
call to evening studies at 6.25 or 6.55, according to the season. Study
hours continued until tattoo at half past nine, which was a signal for
extinguishing lights and inspection of rooms. After "taps" at ten
o'clock no lights were allowed in any part of the students' quarters,
except by authority of the superintendent.
On the school-ship attached to the Academy there was another set of
rules and regulations, concerning duty, conduct, and etiquette, so
minute and exacting that one would think it was a liberal education
merely to learn them all, to say nothing of obeying them daily and
hourly. Here are the greater part of them:
At reveille the midshipmen will immediately turn out, arrange their
bedding, and taking the lashing from the head clews of their hammocks,
where it was neatly coiled the night before, will lash up their
hammocks, taking seven taut turns at equal distances, and tucking in
their clews neatly. They will then place their hammocks under their
right arms, and first captains will give the order, "Stand by your
hammocks, No. -- forward, march!" at which order they will proceed in
line, by their allotted ladders, to their allotted places in their
respective nettings; when there, they will in order deliver their
hammocks to those appointed to receive them. Each first captain
delivering his hammock and falling back, will face the line of his
gun's crew, and see that proper order is maintained; each midshipman,
after delivering his hammock, will fall back, facing outboard, forming
line from first captain aft. When all are stowed, the first captains,
each at the head of his crew, will face them in the direction of their
ladder, and march them to the wash room--odd-numbered crews on
starboard, even numbers on port side of the wash room. Towels will be
marked and kept in their places, over each respective basin. No one
will leave the wash room until marched out; three guns' crews will wash
at the same time, and each week the numbers will be changed. When
ready, the first captains will march their crews to their places on the
berth deck, where they will dismiss them.
Guns' crews Nos. 1 and 2 stow hammocks in forward netting--No. 2 on
port, and No. 1 on starboard side; Nos. 3, 5, and 7 in starboard, and
Nos. 4, 6, and 8 in port quarter-deck nettings, lowest numbers of each
crew stowing forward.
Nos. 1 and 2 guns' crews leave berth deck by fore-hatch ladders, Nos. 3
and 4 by main-hatch ladders, Nos. 5 and 6 by after-hatch ladders, and
Nos. 7 and 8 by steerage ladders, each on their respective sides, and
each march to their allotted places on spar deck.
Twelve minutes from the close of reveille (which will be shown by three
taps on the drum) are allowed for lashing hammocks and to leave the
berth deck.
The guns' crews will form in two ranks, at their respective places on
gun deck: Nos. 1, 3, 5, and 7 on port side, and Nos. 2, 4, 6, and 8 on
starboard side; first and second captains on the right of their crews,
officer in charge, and adjutant forward of mainmast. Officer of the day
and superintendents forward of main hatch, fronting officer in charge;
when formed they will be faced to the front, and dressed by first
captains by the orders, "Front; right dress." The adjutant then gives
the order, "Muster your crews!" when each first captain, taking one
step to the front, faces the line of his crew, second captain stepping
forward into his interval; first captain then calls the roll from
memory, noting absentees; when finished, faces toward his place, second
captain takes backward step to his former position, and first captain
faces about to his place in the front rank; the adjutant then gives the
order, "First captains front and center!" First captains take one full
step to the front, and face the adjutant's position, second captains
filling intervals as before; the adjutant then gives the order,
"March!" at which captains march in direction of the adjutant, forming
in line abreast of him. The adjutant then gives the order, "Front!
report!" The captains report all present, thus: "All present, No. 1!"
or, if any are absent, thus: "---- absent, No. 1!" First captain of
No. 1 will begin in a short, sharp, and intelligible tone, making the
salute when he has finished, which will be the signal for first captain
of No. 2 to report, and so on to the last. The adjutant then gives the
order, "Posts! march!" the first captains facing, at the order "posts!"
in the direction of their crews, advance at the word "march!" to their
places in the ranks. The adjutant then reports to the officer in
charge, and receives his instructions; if there be any orders he
publishes them; he then gives the order, "Two files from the right, two
paces to the front, march!" when the two files from the right of each
rank step two paces to the front, and the adjutant gives the order,
"Battalion right dress!" The battalion dresses on the two files, and
the adjutant gives the order, "Battalion to the rear, open order,
march!" when the rear rank will take two steps to the rear, halt, and
be dressed by the second captain.
The officer in charge, with the adjutant, will proceed to inspect the
battalion. The adjutant will then give the order, "Rear rank, close
order, march!" when the rear rank will take two steps forward. The
adjutant then gives the order, "Officer of the day and superintendents,
relieve!" at which the officer of the day and superintendents of the
day previous will face about, and pass the orders to their reliefs, the
officer of the day delivering his side arms; they will then take
position in their respective crews.
When the officer of the day and superintendents of the day previous
have taken their places in their crews, the adjutant gives the order,
"March to breakfast!" the first captains will direct their crews by
their respective ladders to their respective mess tables. On arriving
at the mess tables, each first captain will take position in rear of
his camp stool, at the after end of the table, second captain taking
the forward end, and the crew taking position corresponding to their
places in the ranks; all will remain standing in rear of their
respective camp stools until the officer in charge gives the order,
"Seats!" at which word the midshipmen will place their caps under their
camp stools, and quietly take their seats. As the midshipmen at each
table shall have finished the meal, the first captain will rise and
look at the adjutant, who will acknowledge the report by raising his
right hand; the first captain will then resume his seat; when all shall
have reported, the adjutant will make it known to the officer in
charge, who, rising from his seat, will tap on the table and give the
order, "Rise!" at which order each midshipman will rise, put on his
cap, step to the rear of his camp stool, putting it in place, and
facing aft; at the order "March!" from the adjutant, first captains
will advance, followed by their crews in their proper order, and
proceed to their parade stations on the gun deck, where they will form
and dress their command, and bring them to parade rest in order for
prayers. All will take off their caps at the opening of prayers, and
put them on at the order "Attention!" at the close of prayers, from the
adjutant, who gives the order "Battalion, attention! right face, break
ranks, march!"
The hours for recitation and study were the same on board the training
ship as in quarters--from about eight o'clock in the morning to one
o'clock, and from about two o'clock in the afternoon to four o'clock.
The guns' crews were then assembled for exercise at the great guns for
an hour or more, or perhaps in infantry drill, or in practical
seamanship, including exercises with boats, the lead, log, etc. Evening
parade intervened, and after supper the fourth class were called to
their studies again. At tattoo, half past nine in the evening, the
midshipmen were required to arrange their books and papers neatly,
place their chairs under their desks, and at gun-fire form by crews,
when the officer in charge inspected the study tables. At "taps" all
must turn in, and all noise must cease at four bells.
The rules of etiquette were very minute. Here are some of them:
The midshipmen will not use the steerage ladders, the after ladder from
the gun deck, the starboard poop ladder, the starboard side of the
poop, quarter-deck, or gangway abaft No. 2 recitation room; they are
particularly enjoined to keep the starboard gangway clear. The
etiquette of the quarter-deck will be strictly observed. Officers on
coming up the quarter-deck ladders will make the salute. No running,
skylarking, boisterous conduct, or loud talking will be permitted on
the quarter-deck or poop. The midshipmen will never appear on the gun
deck or quarter-deck without their caps, jackets, and cravats. They
will, in ascending and descending the ladders, avoid the heavy step
upon them which is made by shore people; when absent in boats they will
yield implicit and prompt obedience to their captains, or those placed
in charge. It is particularly forbidden to get out of or into the ship
through the ports, or to sit on the rail of the ship. No one is
permitted to go out on the head-booms during study hours, or to go
aloft, without authorized permission. No one is permitted to go or come
from the berth deck during study hours by any other than the main-hatch
ladders. The midshipmen are forbidden to sit upon the study tables.
A young man who could go through with four years of such discipline as
this, and at the same time keep up such proficiency in his studies as
to pass the examinations, might well be supposed to be thoroughly
fitted for the duties of life. George Dewey went through with it, and
on graduation, in 1858, stood fifth in a class of fourteen. His
classmate, Captain Henry L. Howison, says of him: "In his studies Dewey
was exceedingly bright. At graduation he was No. 5 in our class and I
was No. 4, but after the rearrangement at the end of our final cruise
he was No. 4 and I was No. 5. He was a born fighter. He was just as
much of a fighter in a small way when he was a boy as he has been in a
large way as a man. His days at the Naval Academy proved this. He is
quick at the trigger and has a strong temper, but he has excellent
control over it. When a cadet he would always fight, and fight hard if
necessary, but he was never known to be in a brawl. I do not want to
convey the idea that he ever wanted to get into a row, because he
didn't. He would go a long way to get out of fighting if the affair was
none of his business. He was sure to be on the right side of every
fight, but the fight had to come to him. He did not seek it. If he saw
a quarrel on the street and he thought it the part of a gentleman to
help one or the other of the contestants, he would not hesitate a
moment about pitching in. He would go miles to help a friend who was in
trouble. He was fond of animals, and especially fond of horses. Ever
since I have known him he has gone horseback riding whenever he had a
chance, and has owned several fine animals. At the Academy he would
ride whenever he could get anything to ride. He had a fine horse when
we lived in Washington. I recall that Dewey as a lad was very fond of
music, and, indeed, quite a musician himself. He had a really good
baritone voice, nearly a tenor, and he used it well and frequently,
too. He also played the guitar well. He was no soloist, but could play
accompaniments all right."
When Dewey was in the Academy there was a special source of
misunderstanding, ill feeling, and quarrels in the heated condition of
politics and sectional jealousy; and then, as ever, it was customary
for the boys to settle their differences with their natural means of
offense and defense. Dewey did not escape the peculiar peril of those
days. There is a story to the effect that the leader of the Southern
party among the cadets made an occasion to give George an unmistakable
statement of his opinion of Yankees in general and George in
particular, whereupon he presently found himself provided with a black
eye. Then came a challenge to mortal combat, which George promptly
accepted. Seconds were chosen, and a meeting would undoubtedly have
taken place had not some of the students informed the faculty, who put
a stop to the scheme and made the boys give their word of honor to keep
the peace.
George participated in the annual practice cruises with his classmates,
and after graduation they were sent on a two-years' cruise in European
waters in the steam frigate Wabash, commanded by Captain Samuel Barron.
The ship attracted a great deal of attention in every port she visited.
Steam had been only recently adopted for naval vessels, and the
Americans had constructed a type of steam frigate that was superior to
anything in the other navies of the world. While the Wabash lay at
Malta a fine steam yacht came in from the sea and anchored near her. It
was said that she was the property of a distinguished nobleman, and was
one of the few first-class steam yachts then in existence. She excited
a great deal of curiosity among the officers of the Wabash. A few days
later Captain Barron gave out a general invitation, and many visitors
from the garrison and from British men-of-war in the harbor came to
inspect the new war ship from the West. Dewey and the other midshipmen
were on hand to assist in doing the honors, and when a kindly-looking
gentleman with a small party came up the gangway and saluted the
quarter-deck with a nautical air, George returned the salute and asked
if he could be of any service. The gentleman said he would like to see
whatever was to be seen, and the self-possessed young midshipman
proceeded to show him and his party over the vessel. When they had
nearly completed the rounds, Dewey ventured to offer his card by way of
introduction. The gentleman took out his own card and gave it in
return, and Dewey, as he glanced at it, read one of the highest names
in the British peerage. "Yes," said the gentleman, "that is my little
teakettle anchored under your quarter. I fear she'll seem rather
cramped after we go aboard of her from this." Dewey's conscience now
began to trouble him, and he insisted on taking the party to his
commanding officer, though, as he anticipated, from that moment his own
existence was ignored.
While nothing strictly historical took place in connection with this
cruise, there were many pleasant incidents and some that made strong
impressions on the young midshipmen in regard to duty and discipline.
Several Italian ports were visited, princes and ambassadors were
received on board, and courtesies were exchanged with the war vessels
of several nations. The Fourth of July and Washington's Birthday were
duly observed, and on the former occasion one of the officers read the
Declaration of Independence to the ship's company assembled on deck. At
Leghorn the Wabash ran aground, and a British merchant steamer assisted
in getting her off. At Genoa some of the petty officers and seamen got
into a street fight, in which a man was killed; and the captain sent
them all ashore next day for the civil authorities to identify the
participants. At Spezia, Dewey records in his journal, "five hundred
and fifty gallons of beans were surveyed, condemned, and thrown
overboard," furnished probably by contract. This is in striking
contrast with what afterward he was able to say concerning the supplies
of the fleet at Manila. On November 13, 1859, they sailed for home, and
on December 16th arrived at the port of New York. A little later
Midshipman Dewey was examined at Annapolis for a commission, and he not
only passed the examination, but was advanced in his relative standing.
He then received leave of absence to visit his home. He was
commissioned lieutenant April 19, 1861, and was ordered to the steam
sloop Mississippi.