[The Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman by William T. Sherman]@TWC D-Link bookThe Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman CHAPTER VII 6/35
We appended to it "Military Academy," as explanatory of its general design. On the 17th of November, 1859, the Governor of the State, Wickliffe, issued officially a general circular, prepared by us, giving public notice that the "Seminary of Learning" would open on the 1st day of January, 1860; containing a description of the locality, and the general regulations for the proposed institution; and authorizing parties to apply for further information to the "Superintendent," at Alexandria, Louisiana. The Legislature had appropriated for the sixteen beneficiaries at the rate of two hundred and eighty-three dollars per annum, to which we added sixty dollars as tuition for pay cadets; and, though the price was low, we undertook to manage for the first year on that basis. Promptly to the day, we opened, with about sixty cadets present. Major Smith was the commandant of cadets, and I the superintendent. I had been to New Orleans, where I had bought a supply of mattresses, books, and every thing requisite, and we started very much on the basis of West Point and of the Virginia Military Institute, but without uniforms or muskets; yet with roll-calls, sections, and recitations, we kept as near the standard of West Point as possible.
I kept all the money accounts, and gave general directions to the steward, professors, and cadets.
The other professors had their regular classes and recitations.
We all lived in rooms in the college building, except Vallas, who had a family, and rented a house near by.
A Creole gentleman, B.Jarrean, Esq., had been elected steward, and he also had his family in a house not far off.
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