I thought how little interest the men before me had in the results of the war, and how little knowledge they had of “what it was all about. - Ulysses S. Grant

The proslavery and aristocratic party in Cuba is gradually arraigning itself in more and more open hostility and defiance of the home government, while it still maintains a political connection with the Republic in the peninsula; and although usurping and defying the authority of the home government whenever such usurpation or defiance tends in the direction of oppression or of the maintenance of abuses, it is still a power in Madrid, and is recognized by the Government. Thus an element more dangerous to continued colonial relations between Cuba and Spain than that which inspired the insurrection at Yara—an element opposed to granting any relief from misrule and abuse, with no aspirations after freedom, commanding no sympathies in generous breasts, aiming to rivet still stronger the shackles of slavery and oppression—has seized many of the emblems of power in Cuba, and, under professions of loyalty to the mother country, is exhausting the resources of the island, and is doing acts which are at variance with those principles of justice, of liberality, and of right which give nobility of character to a republic. In the interests of humanity, of civilization, and of progress, it is to be hoped that this evil influence may be soon averted.

First: I want you to have the respect of all with whom you come in contact; professors and students. To gain this never deceive nor act an artificial part. Be simply yourself, know your lessons, never resort to any means to make believe you know more that you really do, particularly in the recitation room. I want you to show good standing; but I want entirely in your merits. I am not anxious that you should take first honors, nor fifth, nor any special number, but I am anxious that you should thoroughly understand what you go over.

Some commanders can move troops so as to get the maximum distance out of them without fatigue, while others can wear them out in a few days without accomplishing so much.