Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/106



N the summer of 1863 the steamer Patrick Henry, at Richmond, was fitted up as a schoolship, and a naval academy was organized. The officers were: Capt. William H. Parker, superintendent; Lieut. B. P. Loyall, commandant of midshipmen; Lieut. W. B. Hall, professor of astronomy and navigation; Lieut. T. W. Davies, assistant; Lieut. C. I. Graves, instructor of seamanship; Lieut. J. W. Billups, assistant; Lieut. W. V. Comstock, instructor in gunnery; Lieut. G. M Peek, professor of mathematics; Lieut. George W. Armistead, professor of physics; Lieut. Lewis Huck, professor of English; Lieut. George A. Peple, professor of French and German; Master Sauxey, professor of infantry tactics and sword exercise.

The staff remained about the same to the conclusion of the war. Capt. James H. Rochelle relieved Captain Loyall in the fall, and Lieut. John P. McGuire reported for duty as assistant professor of mathematics.

Until April 2, 1865, the school continued in operation, the senior class of midshipmen graduating as past midshipmen, and the new appointees being sent to the schoolship. The exercises were occasionally interrupted by the detachment of the senior class for pressing service, notably in the capture of the United States steamer Underwriter, where Midshipman Saunders was killed; but upon the whole, satisfactory progress was made. During the summer of 1864 constant drafts were made upon the school, and the midshipmen served on board