Roads to Rome: Major General Erasmus D. Keyes (1810-1895)

Last updated on: July 22, 2011 at 9:23 am by Pat McNamara

Roads to Rome: Major General Erasmus D. Keyes (1810-1895) 2011-07-22T09:23:00-06:00 Pat McNamara

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One of the most interesting places in this interesting land of ours is the United States Military Academy at West Point, overlooking the lordly Hudson. What a world of memories a visit there calls up! No loyal American can spend a day there without returning to his home a better citizen.

But the Catholic visitor, as he passes out of the church lately built on the Academy grounds, experiences a higher feeling than even that of patriotism as he calls to mind the long roll of illustrious sons of West Point numbered among our American converts. Greater than all their victories in battle was the grace of conversion, given to some, it may be, while yet pursuing their studies, to others on the battlefield, or, perhaps, in the evening of their days. No other institution in this country has given io many soldiers to the great army of the Prince of Peace as has this military school. It may, therefore, prove interesting, as well as instructive, if we speak of these convert sons of West Point.

Major-General Erasmus Darwin Keyes was graduated from West Point in 1832, standing tenth in a class of forty-five. After serving in Charleston during the Nullification troubles, he was appointed aide to General Scott in the Indian wars. At the end of the last war he was sent as artillery and cavalry instructor to West Point, where he remained for four years; from there he was called away to act as military secretary to his old commander. It is an interesting historical fact that when General Scott was made lieutenant-general, being allowed a military secretary with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, he offered the position to Robert E. Lee, by whom it was refused, whereupon he offered it to Captain Keyes, who accepted and entered on his duties in 1860.

For distinguished services at the battle of Fair Oaks, Keyes received the brevet of brigadier-general. Unfortunately, owing to misrepresentations made by an officer to the War Department, the career of General Keyes in the Civil War was shortened and he was appointed to a position on the board for retiring officers.

Like all of his family, General Keyes was a convert to the Church. He came of staunch old Puritan stock, but when well advanced in life he became a Catholic. He tells us in his “Autobiography” (a most delightful book) that, while serving in the Northwestern country he met Father Jaset, a Jesuit priest, who instructed him in the Catholic religion. He says it was primarily due to that good priest’s influence that, at a subsequent date, he turned Catholic.

After a long life the old warrior died at Nice, October 14, 1895. His remains were conveyed to this country, and after a requiem Mass in St. Agnes’ Church, New York, his body was taken to West Point for burial. Dr. Edward L. Keyes of New York, one of the most celebrated physicians and scientists of the United States, is a son of General Keyes.

Scannell O’Neill, “Convert Sons of West Point,” The Rosary Magazine, Vol. 32 (1908): 179.

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