ADDRESSES 325 



his soldierly instincts and sense of duty prevailed, with 

 that sad result. A soldier, a gentleman and a scholar. God 

 rest his soul!" "My classmate Dickinson has always 

 been the same sunny, light-hearted boy he appeared to be 

 when we reported at West Point in 1876. The last long talk 

 I had with him was at Tampa, discussing the projected 

 campaign. He was eager for the active service and looked 

 forward with high hopes to our immediate success with the 

 efficient army then organizing. 'Dick,' as we were wont to 

 call him among ourselves, was naturally a great favorite 

 in his class and among his brother officers, and withal he was 

 a most efficient officer. The loss on the day of July 1 was 

 so heavy and immediate to us that at first I hardly appre- 

 ciated that we had lost our classmate, but as time goes on, 

 I find that I miss him the more, as my mind is capable of 

 appreciating the fact that we can never hope to see again 

 his cheery smile or hear his hearty laugh." 



What higher commendation can a man seek than this? 

 Conscientious in the discharge of duty Doing his best 

 in whatever position placed Inflexible in his adherence 

 to truth A soldier, gentleman and scholar these are 

 no uncertain words of praise. They represent the noblest 

 ideals and highest conceptions of duty. 



Graduating from the Academy in June, 1880, he was 

 assigned as Second Lieutenant to the Fourth U. S. Cav- 

 alry. At last his boyish dreams were realized and he was 

 in truth a member of that gallant army in which he took 

 so much pride. The next eleven years were busy ones for 

 our young, untried officer. We catch glimpses of him now 

 in the field against the Indians and now in garrison on 

 some lone frontier post now doing duty as quarter- 



