In French, the only other study at that time in the first year's course, my standing was very low.

In fact, if the class had been turned the other end foremost I should have been near head.

I never succeeded in getting squarely at either end of my class, in any one study, during the four years.

I came near it in French, artillery, infantry and cavalry tactics, and conduct.
Early in the session of the Congress which met in December, 1839, a bill was discussed abolishing the Military Academy.

I saw in this an honorable way to obtain a discharge, and read the debates with much interest, but with impatience at the delay in taking action, for I was selfish enough to favor the bill.