RETIREMENT FROM THE ARMY. 103 



I had in the fourteen years of my military service 

 with the then bad arrangements for promotion become 

 the senior of rather more than half of the second 

 lieutenants, and received therefore according to custom 

 my discharge as first lieutenant "with the permission 

 to wear officer's uniform with the regulation insignia 



o D 



for those placed on the retired list". I declined the 

 pension due to me for my more than twelve years, 

 service as officer, as I felt in good health and would 

 not hand in the required invalid certificate. 



To the acceptance of my request for dismissal 

 was attached a remark of reprehension on a formal 

 error in my petition. The political reaction had then 

 become so strong that the German sentiments shown 

 by me in the Danish war had become a reproach in 

 governing circles. 



In spite of the small final result of my military 

 service I look back with a certain satisfaction to my 

 military period. My most agreeable youthful recollections 

 are connected with it, it paved my way through life, 

 and gave me through the success I had achieved self- 

 confidence for aiming at higher goals. 



O o O 



Although my activity and aims were not materially 

 changed by withdrawal from all official duties, yet my 

 life acquired in consequence a more settled direction, 

 henceforth dependent entirely on my own exertions. It 

 lay with me now to raise to the utmost by good work 



