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Maryland State Archives Adam Goodheart Collection MSA SC 5826 msa_sc5826_3_1-0029 Enlarge and print image (859K) |
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Maryland State Archives Adam Goodheart Collection MSA SC 5826 msa_sc5826_3_1-0029 Enlarge and print image (859K) |
| - 29 - Haughty and implacable to his foes, but tender and gentle as a lamb with his friends. He always wielded the strongest influence among his companions and generally in the right direction. Of ray own class and date, with the single exception of Gen, Humphreys, who is beyond doubt, a military genius of high order, there was a great dearth of military ability and few rose to distinction, in fact, about that time, many went into the Civil service, and were never heard of again. Henry Clay a son of the statesman, killed at Buena Vista in the Mexican War, and Duncan who died just after that War were both men of ability and would, no doubt have risen to eminence had they lived. I graduated with the Class in 1831 and was assigned as Brevet 2nd Lieut. of the 4th U. S. Artillery. Lt. Whistler of that Regiment, a man of rare genius, afterwards Ch. Engr. to the Emperor of Rupia in whose service he died, was at this time in Baltimore employed in locating the Baltimore and Susquehanna R.R., now the Northern Central, He met me one day at a private house and the subject of phrenology was the topic of conversation; Mr. Whistler was a great believer in the truth of its doctrines, and before selecting an assistant to aid him in any particular work, always examined his head phrenologically. Without any intention at the time of seeking a situation on a Rail Road, I asked him to examine my head and tell me what I was fit for. He made the examination very deliberately, and then sat down with an accomplished Pianist whom he accompanied with his flute, and gave us some delicious music. I supposed, of course, I had been measured and found wanting, but the next morning I found a note from him with an appointment in which he urged me to join him, at least, for a time, I did so, and he assigned me at once to sketching the Topography of the Country along the line to be explored, at which I proved myself quite skillful, but meeting the officers of my Regiment at Fort McHenry, and seeing the Troops msa_sc5826_3_l-0029 ©Maryland State Archives |