061 - Duty, Honor, Countries: The West Point Class of 1846

About this episode: 

The United States Military Academy has a long and distinguished history. Established in 1802, its stated mission continues to be “to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army.” Six decades after its creation, that mission took on new and unusual interpretation, for their country was at war with itself. All too often, fellow alums and classmates - all trained on the west bank of the Hudson River - were pitted against one another. This is the story of one prominent class that found itself caught in that tragic dilemma. This is the story of the West Point Class of 1846.

 

Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode:

Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson

George B. McClellan

Richard Delafield

Zachary Taylor

Winfield Scott

Cadmus M. Wilcox

 

For Further Reading:

The Class Of 1846: From West Point To Appomattox - Stonewall Jackson, George McClellan And Their Brothers by John C. Waugh

 

Get The Guide:

Want to learn more about the Civil War? A great place to start is Fred's guide, The Civil War: A History of the War between the States from Workman Publishing. The guide is in its 9th printing.

 

Producer: Dan Irving