The author provides an autobiographical account of his time at the United States Military Academy at West Point at the outbreak of the American Civil War. Morris Schaff (December 28, 1840 – October 19, 1929) was an American military officer and historian. A native of Etna Township, Ohio, he wrote several books relating to U.S. Civil War history and the history of Etna and Kirkersville, in Licking County. Schaff served in multiple battles and campaigns during the U.S. Civil War, including the Rappahannock Campaign and the Richmond Campaign. He served under several well-known U.S. generals during the Civil War: Major General Gouverneur Warren, General Joseph Hooker, General George Meade, and General Ulysses S. Grant. His wartime experiences greatly influenced the authorship of his 20th century books and articles. Schaff resigned from the Army on December 31, 1871. He later became known as General Schaff because he was appointed Brigadier General of the Massachusetts Militia in 1880.