Cadets in Washington, 1861

[Stryker65]

On May 8, 1861, the newly-graduated first class of 1861 arrived in Washington, DC. On May 17, they were appointed to their first official ranks in the Regular Army, replacing the many Confederate officers that had just resigned. Here are some of the more famous ones:
- Cadet Adelbert Ames: App. 2nd Lt. G, 2nd USA
- Cadet Charles E Hazlett: App. 2nd Lt. D, 2nd USC
- Cadet Henry C. Hasbrouck: App. 2nd Lt. A, 4th USA
- Cadet Samuel N. Benjamin: App. 2nd Lt. I, 2nd USA
- Cadet Charles M. Loeser: App. 2nd Lt. D, 2nd US Dragoons
- Cadet Eugene B. Beaumont: App. 2nd Lt. H, 1st USC
- Cadet Henry W. Kingsbury: App. Bvt. 2nd Lt. Ordnance Dept.
On June 30, the second class of 1861 (32 cadets) arrived from West Point after graduation, and more cadets received their first positions, including:
- Cadet Peter C. Hains: App. 2nd Lt. G, 2nd USA
- Cadet Daniel W. Flagler: App. Bvt. 2nd Lt. Ordnance Dept.
- Cadet Joseph C. Audenried: App. 2nd Lt. F, 1st USC
- Cadet Patrick H. O'Rorke: App. Bvt. 2nd Lt. Corps of Engineers
- Cadet Emory Upton: App. 2nd Lt. H, 4th USA
- Cadet Alonzo H. Cushing: App. 2nd Lt. H, 4th USA
- Cadet George A. Custer: App. 2nd Lt. G, 2nd USC

Pretty star-studded class!

 

[RedRover]

Here's an interesting project on the USMA class of 1861, including those who resigned to join the Confederacy.

Finding the Class of June 1861

Among the graduates of 1861, three resigned to serve the Confederacy:

Clarence Derrick
Frank A. Reynolds
George O. Watts

Among those who left before graduation to serve the Confederacy were later Confederate generals John H. Kelly and P.M.B. Young.

 

[UncleJohnCT]

It's sad and impressive to see the contributions those young officers would make in the coming years. It would also be interesting to see if the classes of 1917 or 1941 had a similar impact

 

[on again]

The class of 1915 was the one on which the stars fell on i.e. became General officers

 

[GELongstreet]

...
Among the graduates of 1861, three resigned to serve the Confederacy:

Clarence Derrick
Frank A. Reynolds
George O. Watts
...

Also six of those who graduated in May.

 

[Stryker65]

Here's an interesting project on the USMA class of 1861, including those who resigned to join the Confederacy.

Finding the Class of June 1861

Among the graduates of 1861, three resigned to serve the Confederacy:

Clarence Derrick
Frank A. Reynolds
George O. Watts

Among those who left before graduation to serve the Confederacy were later Confederate generals John H. Kelly and P.M.B. Young.

23rd VA Battalion, 39th NC, and Magruder's chief of artillery, I believe.