When George was fifteen years old, he was sent to a military school at
Norwich, Vermont. He liked the training so well that he decided to try
to get an appointment in the Naval Academy at Annapolis.
One day he told one of his school fellows, George Spalding, what he
intended to do. "Why, Dewey," said Spalding, "that is what I am going to
do myself." Spalding received the coveted appointment, but as he was not
able to go, George went in his place.
George Spalding became a minister, and when the news of Admiral Dewey's
victory at Manila reached the United States, he preached a sermon about
it in his church at Syracuse, New York.
The boy who goes to the Naval School at Annapolis must be ready to work
hard with both his hands and his brain. The discipline is rigid and no
favors are shown or allowances made.
George Dewey was seventeen years old when he entered the Academy. He was
a strong, active boy, and fond of outdoor sports. He was also a lad with
whom no one could trifle.
One day one of the cadets called him insulting names. George promptly
knocked him down. Soon afterward another cadet tried to test the courage
of the "new boy," but received a worse thrashing than the first one had.
The cadets, however, were a manly set, and they admired George for his
courage in defending his rights. Long before the four years' training
had expired, George was one of the most popular members of his class. It
is greatly to his credit, that, although study was not naturally easy
for him, yet he graduated as the fifth in his class. This, at
Annapolis, means good honest work.
George was graduated in 1858, and in order to finish his training, went
on a two years' cruise to the Mediterranean in the _Wabash_. On his
return, he visited his old home in Montpelier, and while there the war
between the Union and the Southern Confederacy began. He hurried to
Washington, where he received his commission as lieutenant.