Georgia Military Institute: "Went Through Infantry and Light Drill"

The following reporting appeared on November 22, 1860, describing the visit of Georgia Military Institute to Macon, Georgia, where they interacted with a group of local volunteers. Founded in 1851, Georgia Military Institute sent cadets to act as drill instructors for Georgia volunteer regiments and in pre-war and early Civil War months.

Cadets of the Georgia Military Institute.

The Cadets, under Major Capers, arrived in this city yesterday morning, at 7 o’clock, en route for Milledgeville. They were received at the Depot by the Macon Volunteers, Capt. R.A. Smith, who gave them a cordial welcome and an invitation to breakfast. Major Capers responded on behalf of the Cadets in a brief and felicitous speech, which was received with loud applause by the large crowd of spectators present. The Cadets and Volunteers then partook of an excellent breakfast, at Brown’s Hotel, after which they formed battalion under Capt. Smith and marched into the city. After a short halt the Cadets, under Major Capers, went through Infantry and Light drill in a manner that excited the highest admiration of our citizens and Military. In the exercise of the bayonet, a detachment of them elicited much and well-deserved praise. The Cadets are an ornament to the State and reflect credit upon the Superintendent and other officers of the Institute. We again bespeak the fostering care of the State in behalf of the Institute, and that it may be put on a war footing by the present Legislature. The Cadets were escorted to the Depot by the Volunteers to whom Major Capers returned grateful acknowledgements in a parting speech, and for whom the Cadets gave three hearty cheers.— The Volunteers returned the cheers in good style of course. The Cadets left for Milledgeville at 10 A.M. and we wish them a good time at the Capital.

Source:

The Weekly Telegraph, "Cadets of the Georgia Military Institute," Thursday, November 22, 1860, Page 5. (Accessed through Newspapers.com)