CongressвЂ™ first bill to support higher education through land grants was introduced in 1857 but an act was not passed until 1859. Admission was initially limited to white males, and, as required by the Morrill Act, all students were required to participate in military training.

The State of Texas agreed to create a college under the terms of the Morrill Act in November 1866, but it was not until Apthat the вЂњAgricultural and Mechanical College of TexasвЂќ was approved by the Texas state legislature. Kalmus, Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets Center, Texas A&M University) Frank Avery, Commandant of Cadets, Texas A&M University, 1899-1903. Texas A&M University was that StateвЂ™s first publicДЎ. All wear uniforms and are under strict military discipline.вЂќ The average attendance last year was 383.

The enrollment this year will be near 450. Can you furnish them on requisition? The college has only 230 and they are all unfit for use having been here 10 years. I absolutely need 400 cadet rifles and accoutrements. вЂњI have recently been put in charge here and find things in pretty bad shape. Army officer serving as вЂњCommandant of CadetsвЂќ at the Texas Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas, wrote to the Army Chief of Ordnance requesting some blank requisition forms and asked when the last return2 of ordnance had been made by the college. Texas A&M University Springfield Cadet вЂњTrapdoorвЂќ Rifles

1873 springfield trapdoor markings