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The book reprints a diary found in the Naval War College archives of Joseph K. Taussig, later a distinguished U.S. naval officer, kept when as a naval cadet (midshipman and junior officer) he participated in the Spanish-American War, Philippine Insurrection, and Boxer Rebellion. The text is supported by helpful editorial notes and introduction, as well as by numerous period photographs and the diarist s sketches of the scenes and events.
In this new volume covering the years 1898 to 1901, Dr. Cherpak has made a significantcontribution to American naval history with the publication of these diaries. Vastly different in approach and sophistication of observation from those ofmore senior officers, these diaries capture the viewpoint and growing professional understanding of a young man during his very first experiences of wartime operations. In the years between 1882 and 1902, the U.S. Naval Academy did not use thetitles Midshipman or Passed Midshipman for officers and naval engineers in training, employing the term Naval Cadet until the more traditional title was restoredon 1 July 1902. During these years, the Naval Academy s academic program lasted six years. The first four years were spent at Annapolis, the next two at sea.
In part 1 of this book, Taussig writes while still in the first phase of his educationat Annapolis. Taussig s very rough and impressionistic notes of his first experiences of naval operations during the Spanish-American War, in 1898, are interesting forthe manner in which they document some of the typical attitudes and interests of a novice, while also providing the modern reader with a fascinating viewpoint on thewar.
In part 2, Taussig has already finished his Annapolis years (in early 1899) and isbeginning his two years of required sea duty before returning to Annapolis to take his final examination and to await a vacancy for promotion to ensign. During theentire period recorded in part 2 Taussig is still a naval cadet and has yet to take hisfinal promotion examination. He does that, but only in mid-1901, after the commandingofficer of USS Culgoa (in the final entry printed in this book) allows him to proceed to that step, with the words, An Excellent Journal. Approved. In part 2Taussig s journals for 1899 1901 contrast with his first journal for 1898, as he recordshis observations of two more wars, the Philippine Insurrection and the BoxerRebellion, observations that document his growing professionalism and his increasinginterest in and understanding of the naval profession.
Taken as a whole, Taussig s diaries in this volume provide a valuable glimpse ofthe initial stage of a naval officer s professional military education just a little over a century ago. When compared and contrasted with the diary that the same man wasto keep in 1917, in command of a destroyer during World War I (The QueenstownPatrol), Taussig s early journals and diaries can be seen as substantively marking thefirst stages of the development of an officer s professional understanding.
Taussig built on these initial experiences and developed his professional understandingwhen, as a captain, he became a student at the Naval War College in 1919, staying on for two years as an instructor in tactics in 1920 21. Returning to Newportafter two additional periods in command, he became head of the Naval War College s Strategy Department in 1923 26 and chief of staff to the President, NavalWar College, in 1927 30, before becoming a flag officer in 1932. In the light of thesefurther experiences and the advanced professional education that Taussig wouldeventually acquire, the diaries published in this volume provide insight into the basicprofessional military education at the entry level in the early twentieth century.
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About the Author :
Evelyn M. Cherpak, editor "
