Intro
The U.S. Army's Officers' Lyceum Program, my current research project, represented the lowest level of the officer education system during the latter part of the nineteenth-century. The Lyceums, established at every post, provided a forum for continuing professional education for the junior officers spread across the tiny garrisons that doted the frontier and coastlines. This program was orginially established by Major General John M. Schofield, then the commanding general of the Army, in General Order#80, issued on October 5th, 1891 and continued until it was replaced as part of the Root reforms in 1902. The full text of General Order#80 is reporduced below.
General Order #80
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
Adjutant General's Office
Washington, October 5th, 1891
With the approval of the Secretary of War, the following is published for the information and guidance of the Army:
First. On November 1, 1891 or as soon thereafter as practicable, there shall be established at every post in the Army, garrisoned by troops of the line, an officers’ lyceum. From the work connected therewith no officer of the line shall be excused excepting under such conditions as would exempt him from any other duty at the post. The commanding officer of the post shall be the president of the lyceum, and in that capacity act as the director of instruction, subject to the supervision of the department commander.On November 1, 1891, or as soon thereafter as practicable, there shall be established at every post in the Army, garriosned by troops of the line, an Officers' Lyceum He shall be assisted by a secretary, from the officers of the garrison, whose duties shall be to keep a simple record of the proceedings of the lyceum. The secretary shall not be excused from the same duty that falls on other members of the lyceum. The commanding officer shall also be assisted by such assistant instructors from the officers of the garrison as may be approved by the department commander.
Second. The president of the lyceum will prepare a carefully-considered scheme of theoretical instruction, selected from the subjects enumerated in Paragraph I hereof1, and assignments of courses of study will be made with special reference to the requirements of examination for promotion.
Field officers will not be required to participate as members of the lyceum in this part of the work excepting as it may be expedient to employ them as assistant instructors.
Officers' Lyceum of the 6th U.S. Infantry Regiment, held while encamped at Port Tampa, Florida, in 1898
Third. In addition to systematic recitations in the foregoing curriculum, a selected professional subject will annually be assigned, by name, to every officer belonging to the lyceum, for original investigation and written report, for the preparation of which ample time should be allowed. A schedule showing the subject assigned to each officer, and the dates at which the papers are to be read before the lyceum will be submitted for the information and approval of the department commander.
As far as practicable, the preferences of officers will be consulted in the assignment of subjects, which should be made with reference to their capacity to treat them.
The professional papers will be read at stated meetings of the lyceum, and full discussion of each will be encouraged. No minutes of the discussion will be kept, and after a paper is read it will be regarded as the private property of the author. Upon examination for promotion these papers may be submitted by the candidate to the board, and will be carefully considered in determining fitness for promotion.
As this method of instruction is intended to be carried on from year to year, only a reasonable amount of work will be laid out for any one course. The work should be so regulated that the course shall, as far as practicable, be progressive.
Fourth. No text-books are prescribed, or will be required, excepting in respect to the subjects designated for examination for promotion; nor will any system of marking to indicate relative merit be used.
Fifth. Department commander will supervise the organization and administration of post lyceum, to which end he will keep himself constantly informed in regard thereto by such periodical and special reports and inspections as may be necessary to insure productive results. The work of the post lyceum as prescribed herein is regarded as fulfilling the requirements of paragraphs 217 and 218, Army Regulations, in respect to the theoretical instruction of officers. The annual lyceum season shall consist of not less than six months, not necessarily consecutive, to be determined by the department commander according to the necessities of each post, and in view of climatic and local conditions as well as the general interests of the service.
The department commander will embody in his annual report, a carefully prepared statement of accomplished work in the various lyceums of his command, together with such recommendations as may be suggested by observation and experience.
BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL SCHOFIELD:
J.C. KELTON
Adjutant General
1. The subjects from Paragraph I include: Manual of Guard Duty, Military Law, Elements of Field Engineering, Signaling, Drill Regulations, Minor Tactics, Small Arms Firing Regulations, Administration, and Military Topography. ↩