OUR MILITARY SCHOOL OF '31 The article on this page was published in the Fayetteville Weekly Observer Fayetteville, North Carolina, Thurs., June 15, 1893 Transcribed by Myrtle Bridges October 7, 2022
Fayetteville, NC, June 7, 1893 Mr. Editor:--As we are about to have a "military" school, perhaps it would interest the people to know it is not the first of the kind for our good old town. I do not recollect whether it was in the year '29 or '30 it was established, but it was kept in a building where Mr. Jesse Kyle now lives, and was destroyed in the fire of '31. The school was under the superintendance of Col. Ransom, a graduate of West Point, assisted by a Mr. Welch as Drill Master. It was quite a flourishing school, and in all probability would have been so for many years, as it was increasing in numbers very fast up to the time of the fatal fire of '31. On one occasion about 60 of the cadets marched to Raleigh, regularly equipped with tents, knapsacks, &e. Among the scholars I can only remember the names of some of our own townspeople. The two Murchisons, John and William, who were stout men, and used at the head of the column in forming a line, Jno. H. Cook, Archibald McLean, the Beldens, Cochrans, David, John and Jesse Smith, P.H. Winston, Jno. Philips, Jno Lewis, Wm. McK Lumsden, Jas Cade, W.P. Waddill and many others whose names I have forgotten. Not one do I know to be living at this time without it is Robert Belden, who lived in Harnett county some few years ago, but have heard he was dead. Wm. McK Lumsden was drummer, from which he got the "nickname" of Tap Lumsden; Jno. Phillips was the phifer. As Waddill, Cade and myself were the smallest in the school which ever got in place last brought up the tail end of the column, for which we often scrambled. The uniforms for winter were blue, with metal buttons, bullet shaped, glazed caps with golden band. In summer the pants were white. Fencing and broad sword exercises were taught to those who wished to take lessons. I only remember a few who went to West Point, nor do I know of any of them graduating who went. I think one of the Beldens, Fred Beach, Jno. H. Cook, Wm. Cary and perhaps one of the Cochrans, and possibly others that I do not now think of. But so far as I know I am the only one to tell the tale, for there is no one of our town beside myself that was a member of the school; possibly there may be some one yet living who was also a member. If I have made any mistakes I would like to be corrected, for it is only 62 years the 29th of last month since the eventful fire that destroyed three-fourths of our town, and scattered things, to the four winds. I have thought often times I would like to speak of our good old-fashioned townspeople, or find someone who could give something of a "history" of them better than myself, as I hardly feel competent to do so. Go back to the "Ruffle Shirt" times of such men as David Anderson, Sr., Duncan Thompson, Hugh Campbell, John Kelly, Oliver P. Stark, James Dobbin, David Smith and many others that I could call to mind who have passed over the River. But as I do not know as this will be acceptable, will call a halt until further orders.
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