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diff --git a/64925-0.txt b/64925-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b43c9d --- /dev/null +++ b/64925-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8960 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of Cadet Life at West Point, by Hugh T. Reed + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will +have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using +this eBook. + +Title: Cadet Life at West Point + +Author: Hugh T. Reed + +Release Date: Mar 25, 2021 [eBook #64925] + +Language: English + +Produced by: MWS and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at + https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images + generously made available by The Internet Archive/American + Libraries.) + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT *** + + + + + + +[Illustration] + +United States Military Academy + +West Point, New York + + _Jan. 10th, 1911._ + +_Dear Reed_: + +_I have delayed sending back the proof sheets of the third edition of +your “Cadet Life at West Point” because I wanted to read them. This I +have finally found time to accomplish, but I really have not the time +to write out my views on the book as I would like to do for you can +appreciate my situation when I tell you that we leave here on the 17th +inst. and the house is completely torn up._ + +_I think, however, that in addition to having written a very interesting +book you have given the public one full of valuable information, +particularly useful to young men who contemplate entering this academy. +The book recalls many pleasant incidents of our own cadet life and +conditions now are very little changed from our day, especially as we are +to return to the four-year course with entrance for the new class back to +June again._ + +_With best wishes for the New Year_, + + _Sincerely_, + + _Fred H Sibley_ + +Colonel Sibley was the Commandant of Cadets from February 1, 1909, to +January 17, 1911. + + + + +PRESS COMMENTS ON CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT + + +Dedicated to the dear girls who adore the military. + +“Entertaining personal reminiscences.”—_Cleveland Plain Dealer._ + +“Most charming book.”—_The_ (Philadelphia) _Keystone_. + +“Especially entertaining to lads with military aspirations.”—(Boston) +_Waverly Magazine_. + +“Parents and sisters too come under its spell.”—(Chicago) _Quarterly Book +Review_. + +“The various troubles cadets have are clearly described.”—_Cincinnati +Commercial Tribune._ + +“The reader soon becomes interested.”—_Richmond_ (Ind.) _Palladium_. + +“Complete description of the life of a cadet.”—_The_ (Chicago) _Medical +Standard_. + +“Through the trying days of plebedom.”—_Indianapolis Journal._ + +“Until he finally doffs the cadet gray and dons the army blue.”—_Chicago +Tribune._ + +“The story is told in a very interesting way.”—(New York) _American +Stationer_. + + “Whether you’re young or old, girl or boy, + Reed’s ‘Cadet Life’ is a book to enjoy; + It is full of facts, mixed with fun, + That gives great pleasure to everyone.” + +“A very spirited and interesting book.”—(New York) _Scientific American_. + +“Stories, poems and accounts of graduation hops and other +amusements.”—The (New York) _Publishers’ Weekly_. + +“Also contains statistics which are of sufficient value alone to warrant +publication.”—_Chicago Journal._ + +“Charming in its personality.”—_Army and Navy Journal._ + +“Answers many questions one would like to ask.”—_Chicago Inter-Ocean._ + +“In such a happy vein as to charm American readers of all ages.”—_Army +and Navy Register._ + +“A pleasing style.”—(New York) _Review of Reviews_. + +“The best description of cadet life and also of the workings of the +academy.”—WM. WARD, _clerk in charge (for the last 60 years) of Cadet +Records at West Point_. + +“Nothing quite like it in this country.”—(London, Eng.) _Army and Navy +Gazette_. + +“A complete book.”—(Orchard Lake, Mich.) _Adjutant_. + +“Interesting reading.”—_Chicago Times-Herald._ + +“About West Point, how to get there, etc.”—_Indianapolis News._ + +“Just the thing.”—(Atlanta, Ga.) _Southern Star_. + +“Of value to guardsmen.”—_The_ (Columbus, O.) _National Guardsman_. + +“Interesting reading even for laymen.”—(New York) _Godey’s Magazine_. + +“Should be in both normal school and village libraries.”—_Cortland_ (New +York) _Evening Standard_. + +Handsome cloth. 12mo. 315 pages. Illustrated. $1.50 + + + + +[Illustration: THE AUTHOR] + + + + + + CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT + + BY + COL. HUGH T. REED, LIEUT. U. S. ARMY, + _Late Inspector General of Indiana_. + AUTHOR OF + _Military Science and Tactics, Etc._ + + ILLUSTRATED + + THIRD EDITION. + + RICHMOND, INDIANA: + IRVIN REED & SON. + + ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. + COPYRIGHT, 1896 AND 1911, BY HUGH T. REED. + + + + +Dedicated + + +_TO THE DEAR GIRLS WHO ADORE THE MILITARY, ONE OF WHOM HAVING PAID THE +PENALTY OF HER ADMIRATION, IS NOW MY SUPERIOR OFFICER._ + + + + +PREFACE + + +I believe it to be well established that the mental habits are fully +as strong as the physical habits of man. That is, thought moves in +grooves day after day and day after day as walks in life do. The habit +of retrospectant thought fastened itself upon me several years ago, and +the habit confined itself largely and almost irresistibly to my life at +West Point. My reflections became almost realisms; I was to all intents +and purposes oblivious of the intervening years; oblivious of accumulated +griefs and sorrows, of successes and of contemporaneous ambitions—I was +indeed a boy again, and at West Point, living over and over and over +again all the scenes leading up to and creating my life at the Nation’s +Military School. + +In one of these moods, it occurred to me, entirely for my own +gratification, and possibly to dispossess myself of the habit of thinking +upon the subject, to write a little sketch of those days. I became +interested in the work, and the pages grew in number as memory served me +with inspiration for my narrative, until I had at last completed what +might be called a volume of reminiscences. + +As an amusement for him, I read chapter after chapter, as it was written, +to a favorite nephew, and when the manuscript was written and in a +temporary binding, I loaned it to this young relative, who, in turn, +with my consent, loaned it to friends of his, and it was read by these +youngsters and passed from hand to hand. I could not help but realize +the interest that was taken by these young readers in what I had so +carelessly and indifferently written, but at the same time, I should +never have undertaken the publication of my notes if my nephew had not +attended a military school and bombarded me with appeals to send him the +old manuscript, so that his comrades might read about life at West Point. + +The old manuscript wouldn’t do, so I edited what I had written, re-wrote +some of the pages, added a few lines here and there, and finally +concluded to publish it without the least expectation that it will +interest very many persons, or bring me any material reward. + +I have tried to write it naturally and without any attempt at literary +excellence, and beg most respectfully to offer it to the public as a +grateful tribute of my happiest years. + +For valuable data I am indebted to Colonel Charles W. Larned, Lieutenant +Colonel F. W. Sibley, Commandant of Cadets, Captains W. E. Wilder, F. W. +Coe and O. J. Charles, Adjutants, Lieut. M. B. Stewart, Tactical Officer, +Dr. E. S. Holden, Librarian, and Mr. William Ward, in charge of Cadet +Records from 1851 to 1911, all of the Military Academy, and to Lieutenant +Charles Braden, editor of Cullum’s Biographical Register of West Point +Graduates. + + + + +INDEX. + + + Chapter. Page. + + I. The Appointment 13 + + II. The Preparation 21 + + III. The Candidate 27 + + IV. The Plebe in Camp 65 + + V. The Plebe in Barracks 87 + + VI. The Yearling 125 + + VII. The Furloughman 153 + + VIII. The Graduate 179 + + IX. The United States Military Academy 259 + + X. The Appendix 287 + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS. + + + The Author Frontispiece + + Might Be a Cadet 15 + + Topographical Sketch of West Point 25 + + Setting-up Exercises 41 + + Hop Invitation—Camp McPherson 63 + + Hop Invitation—I. O. C. B. 81 + + Cadet Warrant 111 + + Hop Invitation—Camp Geo. H. Thomas 123 + + Hop Invitation—Camp Belknap 151 + + Graduating Hop Invitation—Class of 1872 163 + + Cadet Captain’s Chevron 175 + + Bell Button for Civilian Coats 176 + + Badge 176 + + Hop Invitation—Camp Thayer 177 + + Inaugural Ball Invitation 198-9 + + Graduating Hop Invitation—Class of 1873 203 + + Bird’s Eye View of West Point as It May Be in 1912 209 + + Diploma 211 + + Bird’s Eye View of West Point in 1902 213 + + West Point in 1848 215 + + West Point in 1825 217 + + Guard Mount in Camp 219 + + Color Line 219 + + Seal of the United States Military Academy 221 + + Cadet Hospital 221 + + Superintendent’s Quarters 221 + + Battery Knox 223 + + Sea Coast Battery 223 + + Siege Battery 223 + + The Academic Building 225 + + Mess Hall 227 + + Dining Room 227 + + South Cadet Barracks 227 + + Cavalry Drill 229 + + Battalion Marching from Camp to Barracks 229 + + Cadet Tent 231 + + Group of First Classmen 233 + + Group of Furloughmen 233 + + The Old Cadet Chapel 233 + + Cadet Room 233 + + Professors’ Row 235 + + Flirtation Walk 235 + + Kosciuszco’s Garden 235 + + The Old Riding Hall 237 + + Battle Monument 237 + + Ponton Bridge 237 + + Cadet Camp—World’s Fair, 1893 239 + + Officers’ Quarters Above Old North Gate in 1910 241 + + Officers’ Quarters Below Old South Gate in 1910 241 + + Bachelor Officers’ Quarters in 1910 241 + + The New Cadet Chapel in 1910 243 + + The North Cadet Barracks in 1910 243 + + The Old Washington Headquarters 245 + + Officers’ Mess in 1910 245 + + Cullum Memorial Hall 245 + + Coat of Arms of the United States Military Academy 247 + + Library 247 + + Siege Battery Drill in 1910 249 + + Artillery and Cavalry Group in 1910 249 + + The New Gymnasium in 1910 249 + + Proposed Staff Quarters 251 + + Headquarters Building 251 + + Inspection in Camp 253 + + Light Artillery Drill 253 + + Sedgwick’s Monument 255 + + Professors’ Row 255 + + Cadet Monument 255 + + Looking East from the New Chapel in 1910 257 + + Perspective View from River on the East 257 + + Interior of New Riding Hall 315 + + + + +CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE APPOINTMENT. + + +I was not more than eight years old when I first heard about West Point, +and then I was told that it was Uncle Sam’s Military School; that the +young men there were called cadets; that they were soldiers, and that +they wore pretty uniforms with brass buttons on them. The impression +made upon me at the time was such that I never tired talking and asking +questions about West Point. I soon learned to indicate the site on the +map, and I longed to go there, that I might be a cadet and wear brass +buttons. I talked about it so much that my good mother made me a coat +generous with brass buttons. I called it my cadet coat, and wore it +constantly. Ah! for the day I should be a big boy and be a real cadet. +With a wooden gun I played soldier, and when the war broke out and the +soldiers camped in our old fair grounds, I was in their camp at every +opportunity. The camp was about half-way between our home farm and +father’s store in town, and many is the time I have been scolded for +being so much at the camp. My only regret at that time was that I was not +old enough to enlist, for I loved to watch the drills and linger around +the camp-fires, listening to stories of the war. + +I learned a good deal from the soldiers about West Point. They told me +that I could not go there until I was seventeen years old, and not then +unless I was appointed as a cadet by my congressman. They also told me +that I must be a good boy at school and study hard, for the reason that +after securing the appointment I would have to pass a rigid examination +at West Point before admission. This was bad news to me, because we +farm boys never attended school longer than four or five months in +a year. Fortunately, however, the family moved to “town” when I was +fourteen years old. I was then assured that I would have my wish, and I +never missed a day at school. I was so anxious to learn rapidly that I +overtaxed my eyes, and was in a dark room for nearly a year. Still I did +not give up hope, and when my eyesight permitted I returned to school +again. + +I found out that there could be only one cadet at a time at West Point +from the same congressional district, and also that there was then a +young man there from my district; still I had hopes of getting there +myself before I got too old, that is, over twenty-one.[1] Then there was +no book published about West Point, and magazines and newspapers never +described it. + +[Illustration: “MIGHT BE A CADET.”] + +One day I saw by the paper that the Hon. G. W. Julian was at home on a +short visit, and I knew that he was my congressman; hence I wanted to go +at once to see him. I confided in my mother and obtained her permission +to be absent from school that afternoon. So I saddled old John, my +favorite horse, and rode six miles to Mr. Julian’s house. He was at home, +and was very kind to me. He asked my father’s name, and also my name and +age, and he made a note of my address, saying that he might write to +me from Washington. He also said that there would be a vacancy at West +Point, from his district, the next year in June, and that he would make +the appointment soon; that I was the first young man to apply for the +place, but if any one who had served in the war applied for the cadetship +within the next few weeks he would appoint him—that such a person could +be just under twenty-four years of age. Nevertheless, if no old soldier +applied, he would appoint me, as he knew my father well. He then said +that if he did appoint me I must be a good student the next year, and +prepare for the examination at West Point. Upon my return home I did +not talk about West Point any more, nor did I speak to any one except +my mother about having seen Mr. Julian, and I had five brothers and a +sister, too! + +About two months after my visit to Mr. Julian, I received a letter from +him, taking it myself from the postoffice, but alas! the writing was such +that I could not read it, although there were but eight words in it, so +I hastened with it to my mother, but she could not read it, either. Then +as I must confide in another person, I decided to speak to my father, and +ask him to read the letter, under promise that he would not talk about +West Point with any one except my mother and myself. He read the letter +at once, and said that the writing was all right, but that the letter did +not mean anything, as Mr. Julian had probably written the same to other +boys. I did not believe this, and was surer than ever of obtaining the +appointment. Many years have passed since then, but the words of that +letter are still fresh in my memory. They are: + +“Please inform me in reply your exact age.” + +I wanted my father to write Mr. Julian in my behalf, but he declined to +do so, saying that he did not want me to go to West Point. I then got him +to promise not to write “that” to Mr. Julian, and I myself answered the +letter by return mail. + +About ten days after this I received another letter from the congressman, +a great large one, in a long envelope, and all I could read of that was +“I have recommended you”; but that was enough, as the appointment itself +was enclosed, and I could read it, and I was a happy boy. I ran home to +show the appointment to my mother, and then to the store to show it to +my father, and also to get him to read the letter to me, which was as +follows: + + “I have recommended you, and enclose herewith your conditional + appointment as a cadet to West Point, together with certain + other papers from the War Department. I shall now expect you to + prepare yourself for the examination next June, and I hope you + will graduate with high honors, and that afterwards you will be + loyal and useful to your country.” + + +THE APPOINTMENT. + + War Department.[2] + + Washington, ________ 1868. + + Sir: You are hereby informed, that the President has + conditionally selected you for appointment as Cadet of the + United States Military Academy, at West Point, New York. + + Should you desire the appointment, you will report in person + to the Superintendent of the Academy on the ____ day of + ________, 1869, for examination. If it be found that you + possess the qualifications required by law and set forth in the + circular[3] herewith, you will be admitted, with pay from date + of admission, and your warrant of appointment will be delivered + to you. + + Should you be found deficient in studies at the semi-annual + or annual examinations, or should your conduct reports be + unfavorable, you will be discharged from the military service, + unless otherwise recommended for special reasons by the + Academic Board, but will receive an allowance for traveling + expenses to your home. + + Your attention is particularly directed to the accompanying + circular, and it is to be distinctly understood that this + notification confers upon you no right to enter the Military + Academy unless your qualifications agree fully with its + requirements, and unless you report for examination at the time + specified. + + You are requested to immediately inform the Department of your + acceptance or declination of the contemplated appointment upon + the above conditions. + + Very respectfully, + + ____________ + Secretary of War. + + To ____________ + + * * * * * + + + ____________, 1868. + + To the Honorable Secretary of War,[4] Washington, D. C. + + Sir: I hereby respectfully acknowledge the receipt of your + notification of my contemplated appointment as a Cadet of the + United States Military Academy, with the appended circular, and + inform you of my acceptance of the same upon the conditions + named. + + I certify, on honor, that I was born at ________, in the + County of ________, State of ________, on the ____ day of + ________, 18__, and that I have been an actual resident of the + Congressional District of ________ for __ years and __ months. + + (Signature of appointee) ____________ + + I hereby assent to the acceptance by my ________ of his + conditional appointment as Cadet in the military service, and + he has my full permission to sign articles binding himself to + serve the United States eight years, unless sooner discharged. + + I also certify, on honor, that the above statements are true + and correct in every particular. + + (Signature of parent or guardian) ____________ + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE PREPARATION. + + +After examining the papers received from the War Department, I found one +that required my father’s signature before I myself could accept the +appointment. My parents both objected to my leaving home, and therefore +did not wish me to go to West Point. I argued that I wanted to go to +college somewhere, and why not let me go where Uncle Sam paid the bills. +At last I won my mother on my side, and then my father, seeing that my +heart was so fixed, signed the paper requiring his signature, and mailed +it to the Honorable Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. This done, I let +the secret out, and all of my boy friends wanted to know how I had gotten +the appointment. I told part, but I did not tell just how I did get it. + +After seeing the kind of examination[5] I would have to pass at West +Point the next year, my father decided to send me to the High School at +Ann Arbor, Mich., and to send my brother Charley there with me to prepare +him for the University of Michigan. We entered the High School early in +September. About two weeks afterward the University of Michigan (also at +Ann Arbor) opened, and we observed that many of the candidates for the +freshman class seemed no farther advanced than we thought ourselves, so +we applied, were examined, and admitted to the University. I thought that +if I failed at West Point I could return and graduate at the University +in three instead of four years. + +There was a tall young man from Tennessee, who entered the High School +with us, and afterward entered the University, too. He, like myself, had +an appointment to West Point, and was going there the next June, so we +became friends at once, and he and I agreed to study after Christmas for +the West Point examination. After the sophomores quit hazing, all went +well with us, and the year soon passed. I left Ann Arbor on the last day +of April to return home via Lakes Huron and Michigan, and went to Detroit +to take the first steamer of the season around the lakes to Chicago. Upon +arriving in Detroit, I heard that there was to be a muster and inspection +of a regiment of United States troops out at Fort Wayne, a short ride +from Detroit, and as I was to be a soldier, I went to see the sight. As I +looked at the troops (the First U. S. Infantry), I thought that I would +like to be an officer of that regiment when I graduated from West Point, +and singularly enough my wish was gratified. I remained so long at Fort +Wayne that the boat had departed when I returned to Detroit, so I took +train and overtook the boat at Port Huron. While there I went to see Fort +Gratiot, and strange to say, that was subsequently my first army station. +When the steamer stopped at Mackinaw I visited the fort that was there at +that time. + +After my return home I reviewed the studies I was to be examined on in +a few weeks, and then started east. I promised my father if I failed to +pass the examination that I would return home at once. Arriving in the +great city of New York, I took passage on the day steamer “Mary Powell,” +and was charmed with the scenery along the Hudson. The first stop was at +the south landing at West Point. I was on the upper deck at the time, +and after seeing my trunk put ashore, I walked leisurely downstairs to +disembark and to my great surprise the boat was fifty feet or more from +shore when I got down. I thought that all steamers made long stops, +for the only other boat that I had ever been on stopped for many hours +every time she landed. The captain would not let me off, and said that I +could get off at Cornwall and take a down boat the same evening. I was +satisfied and went on the upper deck again and saw the passengers who had +landed get into the West Point Hotel ’bus. All the trunks except mine +were put on the top of the ’bus, and it was then driven up the hill, +leaving my trunk all alone on the dock. + +When the steamer stopped at Cornwall I this time promptly stepped ashore. +It was about sunset. There were not more than half a dozen buildings in +sight, and not a soul at the dock, and I was the only passenger landing +at that point. I went to one of the houses and inquired the location of +the hotel, and I was informed that it was not open, as it was too early +for summer visitors. I then asked what time the down boat was due, and +was informed that it would be along soon, but that it would not stop. The +West Shore Railroad was not built at that time, and as there was no stage +line over the mountains nor ferry on the river, I began to fear that I +could not get away by the tenth of June, the last day for me to report. +This bothered me more than the hotel accommodations, but I soon found +obliging people and arranged for my lodging and breakfast, and also to be +rowed to my destination the next day. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: Topographical Sketch of WEST POINT] + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE CANDIDATE. + + + “As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined.” + +It was about ten o’clock in the morning of June 8, 1869, when I stepped +from a rowboat on the dock near the Sea Coast Battery at West Point. +The weather was perfect, and my heart was light and free. As there was +neither any person nor conveyance at the dock, I followed the road +winding up the hill to the plain. I stopped to admire the scenery. In +front I beheld a level green plain of one hundred acres or more with +massive buildings peeping through the large elm trees that fringe two +sides of the plain; on either side were high hills; in my rear rolled the +majestic Hudson between the Highlands, with Siege Battery at my feet. As +I gazed around it was to me then, as it is to me now, the most beautiful +of places. + +I found my way to the Adjutant’s office in the Administration Building[6] +and reported. I was courteously received and handed the “Instructions +to Candidates” to read. I stated the fact of my trunk having been put +ashore on the south dock and of the Mary Powell carrying me to Cornwall +the previous evening, and I was told that my trunk had undoubtedly been +taken to the hotel, as there was then (and now is) but one hotel at the +Point. And I was also informed that my trunk would be sent to the Cadet +Barracks. After I had complied with the instructions, an orderly, at the +sound of a bell, entered and was directed to escort me to the barracks. +In going through the area we passed some cadets and I overheard such +remarks as “He’ll learn to button his coat.” At the orderly’s suggestion +I buttoned my coat. He took me into a hall, said “This is the door,” +laid down my valise, and left me. The door was the first one on the +right of the eighth division—how well I remember it! I knocked on the +door, and heard a commanding voice say “Come in!”[7] With valise and +umbrella in one hand and cap in the other, I entered. There were two +cadets in the room, seated near a table, and before I had a chance to +speak, I was greeted about as follows: “Leave your things in the hall. +Don’t you know better than to bring them in here?” I stepped into the +hall, left the door open, and while looking for a suitable place to put +my things (for there was neither a hook nor a table), one of these two +cadets cried out: “Lay them on the floor and come in, and don’t be all +day about it, either. Move lively, I say. Shut the door. Stand there. +Come to attention. Put your heels together, turn out your toes, put your +hands by your side, palms to the front, fingers closed, little fingers +on the seams of the trousers, head up, chin in, shoulders thrown back, +chest out, draw in your belly, and keep your eyes on this tack.” While +one cadet was giving commands with great rapidity, the other one fixed +my feet, hands, head and shoulders. “What’s your name? Put a Mr. before +it. How do you spell it? What’s your first name? Spell it. What’s your +middle name? Have none? What state are you from? What part? Put a sir +on every answer. Where’s your trunk? Don’t know? Didn’t you bring one? +Put on a sir; how often do you want me to speak about it?” I explained +how my trunk and I had arrived at different times. “You’re too slow. +You’ll never get along here. Keep your eyes on that tack; turn the palms +of your hands squarely to the front. Did you bring all of the articles +marked ‘thus’? You don’t know what they are? Put on a sir, I tell you. +Didn’t you get a circular telling what articles you should bring? Didn’t +you read it? Now answer me; did you bring the articles marked ‘thus’? +Well, why didn’t you say so at first? Keep your eyes on that tack.” A +wagon drove up and put a trunk on the porch near the window. “About face! +Turn around the other way. Don’t you know anything? Is that your trunk? +It is, is it? Now, let’s see you ‘about face’ properly. Steady. At the +word ‘about’ turn on the left heel, turning the left toe to the front, +carrying the right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to and three +inches from the left heel, the feet perpendicular to each other. Don’t +look at your feet. Head up. Stand at ‘attention’ till I give the command. +Now, ‘about’ (one of the cadets fixed my feet); at the word ‘face,’ turn +on both heels, raise the toe a little, face to the rear, when the face +is nearly completed, raise the right foot and replace it by the left. +Now, ‘face.’ Ah! turn on both heels. Fix your eyes on that tack again. +Draw in your belly. Throw back your shoulders and stand up like a man. +Now, ‘left, face.’ Don’t you know your left hand from your right? Face +that door; open it. Ah! why don’t you step off with the left foot first? +Pick up your things, follow me, and move lively.” My back was nearly +broken, and I was glad to get out of that room. After going a few steps +on the broad porch on the area side of barracks, a young man in civilian +clothes came out of the next hallway carrying the palms of his hands to +the front. “Come here, Mr. Howard, and help your room-mate carry his +trunk upstairs; step lively, now.” With that introduction Mr. Howard and +I took hold of the trunk. Just then the tall young Tennesseean, whom I +knew at Ann Arbor, passed, carrying the palms of his hands to the front. +We exchanged knowing winks, but did not venture to speak. “What’s the +matter with you? Don’t be all day carrying that trunk upstairs.” Howard +and I tugged away and finally got the trunk upstairs and into the room +designated. Candidates Howard and Knapp had already been assigned to the +same room. “Stand attention, Mr. Knapp. Don’t you know enough to stand +attention when I enter the room? Palms to the front. Put the trunk over +there. Mr. R⸺d, open your trunk and valise and take out everything and +make a list of all you have. Stand attention, Mr. Howard. Take out your +things first and make a list afterward. Put the small articles on this +part of the clothes-press, hang your clothes on those pegs and put your +bedding over there. Study the regulations. Fold your things properly, +put them in their places, and the next time I come in I want to see +everything in place. What did you bring that umbrella for? You will never +need it here. Mr. R⸺d, post your name over there on the ‘alcove,’ put it +on the ‘Orderly Board’ under Mr. Knapp’s name, and put it there on the +clothes-press. Whenever you hear the command, ‘Candidates, turn out,’ +button your coats, hasten downstairs and ‘fall in’ in the Area.” Cadet +Hood left the room then, and we sat down, prostrated. Then we proceeded +to get acquainted with one another, and on comparing notes we found that +each one of us had had about the same reception. As Howard and Knapp had +reported the day before, they gave me many pointers, which I appreciated. + +The room was good-sized, with two alcoves at the end opposite the window; +but, oh! how uninviting it seemed. No bed, no carpet, no curtains, +and not even shades. The furniture that was in the room consisted of +a clothes-press, that is, shelving arranged for two cadets, but to be +used by three or four candidates, two small iron tables, a wash stand, +an iron mantel and a steam coil with a marble slab on it. H⸺rd and K⸺p +had already carried from the Commissary certain articles for use by all +occupants of the room, as follows: A looking-glass, a wash basin, a water +bucket, a cocoanut dipper, a slop bucket and a broom. They had also +obtained such other articles as were required for their personal use, +such as a chair and a pillow. + +The following extract from the “Blue Book” shows the arrangement of +rooms, etc. + +White Helmet.—On the clothes-press. + +Dress Hat.—On the gun-rack shelf. + +Cartridge Box and Bayonet or Sword.—On pegs near gun-rack. + +Caps and Sabres.—On pegs near gun-rack. + +Rifle.—In gun-rack. + +Spurs.—On peg with sabre. + +Bedstead.—In alcove against side wall of room, head against rear wall. + +Bedding.—Mattress, folded once; blankets, comforter and sheets, folded +separately, so that the folds shall be the width of the pillow, and all +piled against the head of the bedstead, thus: mattress, sheets, pillow, +blankets and comforter; the end of the pile next to the alcove partition +to be in line with the side of the bedstead; this end and the front of +the pile to be vertical. + +Clothes-Press.—Books on top against the wall, backs to the front; hair +and clothes brushes, combs, shaving materials, such small boxes as are +allowed, vials for medicines, etc., on top shelf; belts, collars, gloves, +handkerchiefs, socks, etc., on second shelf from the top; sheets, pillow +cases, shirts, drawers, pants, etc., on the other shelves. + +Text-Books.—Those in daily use may be upon the tables, except during +Sunday morning inspection. + +Arrangement.—All articles of the same kind to be neatly placed in one +pile, folded edges to the front and even with front edge of the shelves. +Nothing to be between these piles and the back of the press, unless want +of room renders it necessary. + +Soiled Clothes.—In clothes bag. + +Shoes.—To be kept clean, dusted and arranged in line, toes to the front, +along the side near the foot of the bed. Shoe brush in the fireplace. + +Woolen Clothing, Dressing Gown and Clothes Bag.—On pegs in alcove, +arranged as follows: Overcoat, dressing gown, uniform coats, jackets, +gray pants, clothes bag and night clothes. + +Broom.—Behind the door. + +Candle Box.—In fireplace. + +Tables.—Against the wall under gas jet or near the window when the room +is dark. + +Chairs.—From 8 a. m. to 10 p. m. against the tables when not in use. + +Mirror.—At center of mantel. + +Wash Stand.—In front of and against alcove partition. + +Wash Basin.—Inverted on top of wash stand. + +Water Bucket.—Near to and on side of wash stand opposite the door. + +Dipper.—In water bucket. + +Slop Bucket.—Near to and on side of wash stand nearest the door. + +Curtains.—Regulation only allowed. + +Calendar.—A small, plain one may be placed on the wall over the gas +fixture. + +Clock.—A small plain one may be kept on the mantel. + +Bath Towel.—May be hung in the alcove. + +Trunks, Pictures, Splashers, Writing Desks, Etc.—Prohibited. There is a +storeroom for trunks. + +Floor.—To be kept clean and free from grease spots or stains. + +Heating Apparatus.—To be kept clean and free from scratches. + +Windows.—Cadets are forbidden to sit at the windows with feet on +the woodwork, or to appear before windows improperly dressed, or to +communicate through windows, or to raise the lower sash more than four +inches during “call to quarters.” + +Names.—Uniformly printed to be posted over gun-rack pegs, alcove, +clothes-press and on orderly board over wash stand. + +Hours of Recitation.—To be on the mantel on either side of the mirror. + +Academic Regulations, Articles of War and the Blue Book.—To be kept on +the mantel. + +Laundry.—All clothes sent to the wash to be plainly marked with owner’s +name. + +Room Orderly.—Is responsible for the cleanliness and ventilation of the +room, and that articles for joint use are in place. + +After having folded and arranged my possessions according to the Blue +Book, as I understood from a hasty perusal of it, I looked out of the +window down into the Area of Barracks, where I saw old cadets passing to +and fro. They carried themselves so very erect that we could not help +but admire them and wish that we too were as straight and walked as well +as they. We observed what small waists they had, and we wondered if they +laced. Another thing we observed was that the cadets looked so much +alike. I had unbuttoned my coat while arranging my effects, and forgot to +button it again, when I heard a quick walk in the hall and then a sharp, +firm, single rap on the door. We all sprang promptly to attention, palms +to the front. Cadet Hood entered and began: “Button your coat, Mr. R⸺d.” +He moved several piles on the clothes-press and disarranged my bedding, +too, saying, “Not folded properly. Why don’t you study the Blue Book? Mr. +Howard, fill your water bucket the first thing every morning. Get the +water from one of the hydrants[8] in the Area. The floor is very dirty; +sweep it properly, invert your wash bowl, and don’t let me have occasion +to speak about these things again.” + +The first call for dinner sounded and then we heard, “Candidates, turn +out promptly.” We hastened downstairs. The old cadets were gathering in +four different groups, while the candidates were being put into another +one. Cadets Hood, Allen and Macfarlan were on the watch for candidates, +and they began thus: + +“Button that coat. Get down here lively. ‘Fall in.’ Fall in in the rear; +don’t you know better than to get in front of anybody? Palms to the +front. Fix your eyes on the seam of the coat collar of the man in front +of you, and at the second call, face to the left.” Some of the candidates +faced one way and some another, but we were soon straightened out, and +then, “Eyes to the front! What do you mean gazing about in ranks? Each +candidate, as his name is called, will answer ‘Here’ in a clear and +audible tone of voice.” The roll of the candidates was then called. “Why +don’t you answer, Mr. H⸺? Well, then, speak up so that you can be heard. +Mr. ⸺, don’t shout,” and so on till the last name was called. We were +told how to “count fours,” and after the command came something like +this: “Stop counting. Try it over. Count fours. Steady, Mr. ⸺; wait till +the man on your right counts. Eyes to the front. Why don’t you count, +Mr. ⸺! Speak out. Eyes to the front,” and so on. We were now told how +to “wheel by fours,” and at the command, “March,” to step off with the +left foot first. There was a great time after the command, “Fours right, +march,” was given. The cadets on duty over us were kept busy shouting at +and pulling in place, first one candidate and then another, but after +a fashion we got started and followed the cadets to the Mess Hall, and +those on duty over us were kept busy all the way correcting mistakes made +by the candidates. + +While en route to dinner we were directed to remove our caps just before +entering the Mess Hall and to put them on again just after leaving it. +Of course we made blunders, and were gently (?) corrected for them. Upon +entering the hall we were directed to certain tables, but told not to +sit down until the command, “Candidates, take seats,” was given. When +each one found a place behind an iron stool (that in my day resembled an +hour glass in shape), the command, “A Company, take seats,” was given, +and then the members of A Company all sat down promptly; then came “B +Company, take seats,” “C Company, take seats,” “D Company, take seats,” +and then “Candidates, take seats.” Immediately after the last command +something like this came: “Sit down promptly. Do you want to be all day +about it? Eat your dinner, and don’t leave the table until the command, +‘Candidates, rise.’” + +Dinner was on the table, and there were a good many tables in the big +hall. Each table had seats for twenty-two persons, ten on a side and +one at either end. There were tablecloths, but no napkins, and one +waiter for every two long tables; the waiters did not pass anything, but +brought water, bread, etc., when needed. The cadets (and candidates) at +the ends of the tables did the carving, while those at the center of +the long tables poured the water. At supper and breakfast there were no +tablecloths. Tablecloths and napkins are now furnished for all meals, and +there are cane seat chairs instead of the old iron stools. The tables +of the cadets were divided crosswise in the center by an imaginary line +into two parts, and each part was called a table. The cadets had seats +according to rank, and they always sat in the same seats. First classmen +sat near the end called the head of the table, second classmen next, +third classmen (except the corporals) next, and then fourth classmen, +the latter being at the center of the long tables. The corporals at the +ends of the tables were the carvers, and the fourth classmen poured the +water.[9] + +After dinner we were marched back to barracks, and before being dismissed +the candidates were informed that they could do as they pleased until the +bugle sounded “Call to quarters” at 2 o’clock, and then they must repair +promptly to quarters, that is, to their own rooms in the barracks. All +the time that we were in ranks the usual volleys were fired at us, such +as: “Eyes to the front. Head erect and chin in.” After we were dismissed +we were constantly reminded to “carry palms of the hands to the front,” +notwithstanding the fact that we had been told to go where we pleased +for a whole half hour. Some of the candidates went to the sink (i. e., +water closet),[10] and some of the old cadets went there, too. A number +of them surrounded a poor candidate, called him a plebe or an animal, +and fired dozens of questions at him at once. The madder the plebe got +the more fun it was for the old cadets. As the candidates were not +acquainted with one another, and as they dreaded to meet the old cadets, +they naturally drifted to their quarters, thinking that the safest place +to be, but, alas! some of the old cadets called upon them there. While +they did not mention their names, something like this generally occurred: +“‘Shun, squad. Come to attention, plebes. Palms to the front. What’s your +name? Spell it; spell it backwards. What state are you from? Who’s your +predecessor?’ Say ‘Mr. ⸺.’ Do you think you can pass the ‘prelim’? Where +is Newburg? Don’t know? How do you expect to get in here if you don’t +know where Newburg is? Climb up on that mantel and be lively about it, +too. Now move your arms and say ‘Caw, caw.’ Stop that laughing. Eyes to +the front.” And so on, till the old cadets would slip out in time to go +to their rooms for “Call to quarters.” + +At two o’clock came the call, “Candidates, turn out promptly,” and every +candidate turned out and “fell in.” A number were sent back for towels, +and upon returning to the Area were sent to the bathrooms, then in the +basement of D Company quarters. After bathing, some were sent to the +Cadet Hospital for physical examination, and were there told to strip to +the skin, then called one at a time before three Army Surgeons, in full +uniform, who examined the lungs, eyes, ears, teeth and feet, made the +candidates hop first on one foot, then on the other, raise their hands +high above the head, cough, bend over forward, etc. When my turn came I +did not mention anything about ever having been troubled with my eyes. + +Upon returning to the barracks we were sent to the Commissary, where each +candidate was given the articles necessary for his own immediate use. +As near as I now remember, I got a chair, a pillow, a piece of soap, an +arithmetic, a slate, a copybook, a quire of “uniform” paper, a history, a +grammar and a geography. Other candidates who, like myself, had brought +the articles marked “Thus*” received the same as I, while those who had +not brought them got two blankets in addition to what the rest of us got. +The books mentioned above are not now issued to candidates. Cadet H⸺d saw +to it that candidates rooming together were provided with a wash bowl, a +mirror, two buckets, etc. When all were fitted out we took up our loads +and returned with them to Barracks, carrying them in our hands or on our +shoulders, as was most convenient. This trip from the Commissary store +across the grassy plain to Barracks has been described thus: + +[Illustration: SETTING UP EXERCISES. + +The setting up exercises are now taught by the Instructor of Military +Gymnastics and Physical Culture.] + + “Examinations being completed, + The ‘found’ having fled evermore, + Then with fear and a sigh + And blood in the eye, + Candidates hasten to the store. + + “‘Give me my things,’ in joy a plebe exclaims, + Then the storekeeper puts on a smile, + But dispels the illusion + And causes confusion + By throwing his goods in a pile. + + “Slowly he carries them across the plain, + With buckets and broom in the rear; + But hard is the task, + He has reason to ask + If his future abode is quite clear. + + “The looking-glass breaks, the pails rattle loud, + And the sound echoes from afar; + Plebe cries in disgust, + ‘Let me get up and dust, + I want to go home to my ma.’” + +Upon returning to Barracks we were ordered to our rooms, and then to the +shoeblacks, at that time in the basement of B Company quarters, to have +our shoes cleaned and polished, and told to go there, at certain hours, +as often as necessary to keep our shoes in proper order. Candidates whose +hair was considered too long by Cadet H⸺d were sent to the barber’s, at +that time in the basement of C Company quarters. Candidates who had to +shave were directed to shave themselves, as the barber was not permitted +to do anything but cut hair. + +At 4:15 p. m. we were turned out for “Squad Drill.” We “fell in” +promptly and were corrected in the manner indicated when we fell in +for dinner. Even now I seem to hear Cadets A⸺n, H⸺d and M⸺n shouting +themselves hoarse at us poor, stupid candidates. There were about twenty +“yearlings,” classmates of Cadets A⸺n and H⸺d, standing around our line, +waiting to get a chance at the candidates, so as to compete with them +and with one another for “Corporal’s chevrons.” We were separated into +squads of four or five to the squad, and a cadet instructor assigned to +drill each squad. Cadet H⸺d had the squad I was in. After all details +were adjusted, the command, “March off your Squads” was given, and then +Babylon was let loose; the candidates could hear the commands of all of +the instructors, and they did not know the voice of their own, hence +there was much confusion. Some of the instructors acted as if they wanted +to terrorize the candidates in their squads, and shouted: “Eyes to the +front. Pay attention to me. What do you mean by listening to others? +Palms to the front,” and so on, for ten or fifteen minutes, and then we +were given a brief “rest.” + +Then we were taught how to march and the instructor began thus: “At the +word ‘forward’ throw the weight of the body upon the right leg, the left +knee straight. At the word ‘march’ move the left leg smartly, without +jerk, carry the left foot forward thirty inches from the right, the sole +near the ground, the toe a little depressed, knee straight and slightly +turned out. At the same time throw the weight of the body forward (eyes +to the front), and plant the foot without shock, weight of the body +resting upon it; next, in like manner, advance the right foot and plant +it as above. Continue to advance without crossing the legs or striking +one against the other, keeping the face direct to the front. Now, +‘forward, common time, march.’ Depress the toe, so that it strikes the +ground at the same time as the heel. (Palms of the hands squarely to the +front. Head up.) When I count ‘one,’ plant the left foot, ‘two,’ plant +the right, ‘three,’ plant the left again, ‘four,’ plant the right again, +and so on. Now, ‘One,’ ‘two,’ ‘three,’ ‘four,’” etc. “Bring your feet +down together. Depress your toes,” and so on. + +We were taught many things, such as the facings, the exercises, rests, +etc. “In place, rest,” was the most acceptable, but half the pleasure of +that was taken away from the candidates by being often told to “keep one +heel in place.” That first hour at squad drill is not soon forgotten. My +every muscle was sore and I ached all over. Just before we were dismissed +we were informed that we could go anywhere we pleased on Cadet Limits, so +long as we were back a little before sunset, in time for dress parade. +This seemed a great privilege, but wherever candidates went some old +cadets were already there, and greeted them with “Depress your toes, +plebes. Palms to the front. Are you going to be all summer learning how +to march? Squad halt. Right hand salute. What’s your name? Can you sing, +dance or play on the piano? Come here ‘Dad,’ and see this ‘animal.’” And +a thousand and one other equally pleasant sayings. + +Dress parade came and went, but the candidates did not participate in the +ceremony out on the grassy plain. They were kept in the Area, and their +positions alternated between “Attention” and “Parade, Rest.” When the +“Retreat Gun” was fired many of them jumped half out of ranks, and then +were gently (?) informed that they were a fine lot of soldiers. “What do +you mean by leaving ranks before you are dismissed?” When we had half a +chance we enjoyed the music of the band, but it was very hard to hear it +and our instructor’s commands at the same time. Soon after parade we fell +in again and marched to supper. On the way to and from the Mess Hall we +were constantly entertained by our cadet instructors by such commands +as, “Eyes to the front,” “Depress your toes,” and “Palms to the front.” +Before being dismissed after supper we were informed that we had half an +hour before “Call to quarters,” and that during that half hour we could +do as we pleased. But that half hour passed just as the other half hours +had passed, that is, by the candidates furnishing amusement for the old +cadets. + +Upon going to our rooms at the signal of “Call to quarters,” Cadet H⸺d +called to say that if we expected to pass our preliminary examination +we had better “bone up” for it; he also informed us that we could not +retire until after “Tattoo.” A cadet’s bed is “made down,” when it is +ready to get into, and it is “made up” when it is piled according to +regulations and not ready for use. We were too tired to talk. At 9:30 we +were turned out to Tattoo. After Tattoo I folded each blanket lengthwise +and laid it on the floor, then spread the sheets and comforter on the +blankets, undressed and got in bed, leaving H⸺rd, the room orderly, to +turn out the gas. Our bones did not fit the hard floor very well, but +we soon fell asleep. “Taps” sounded at 10 p. m., and, oh, how sweet and +soothing it was. In a few moments more our room door was opened (for +they are never locked), a dark lantern flashed in our faces and the door +closed again. The same thing was repeated once more during the night, but +this time by an officer of the army, called by the cadets a “Tactical +Officer.” These inspections were made to make sure that our lights were +out and that we were in bed. We slept in the alcoves, heads near the wall +farthest from the door. H⸺rd, K⸺p and I, when fast asleep, were suddenly +awakened. We had been “yanked,” that is, some old cadets had come into +our room, seized our blankets, and with a quick jerk carried us some +distance from the wall, and then ran out of the room. We fell asleep once +more and slept soundly until we were awakened by the “Reveille Gun” that +is fired at sunrise and followed by the beating off of “Reveille.” This +music was very pretty, too, but we could not half appreciate it, as we +had to get up at once, fall in and begin another day. After reveille we +made up our beds. H⸺rd swept out and brought a bucket of fresh water. +Cadet H⸺d inspected our quarters twenty minutes after reveille, and said, +“Mr. H⸺rd, your wash bowl is not inverted, and your floor not half swept. +Attend to them at once.” + +We had another hour’s drill before breakfast (omitted now), which made +us very hungry. Sick call sounded soon after this drill, but while the +candidates were all half sick, it was not medicine they wanted, so none +of them went to the hospital. Breakfast was at seven o’clock, and after +it the candidates furnished the cadets with the customary half-hour’s +entertainment before call to quarters sounded. Cadet H⸺d again cautioned +us to “bone up” when he inspected quarters about nine o’clock, and said: +“The mantel is dusty, and the floor very dirty.” Captain H⸺t, a Tactical +Officer of the Army, also inspected us before noon, but he did not say +anything. While I had then been only a day at West Point, so much had +happened that it seemed an age. + +About a week passed with much the same routine as for the first day, +except that we had Saturday afternoon, after inspection, to ourselves, +that is, such part of it as we were not busy entertaining old cadets, +and on Sunday morning we had inspection of quarters, and after this +inspection we were all marched to church. On Sunday afternoon we were +permitted to make down and air, or use, our beds, and to enjoy lying +on the soft side of the boards again. The candidates were all marched +to the Episcopal Church, “the” church there at that day. In due time +the Catholics and Methodists attended their own churches, but all +cadets, except Jewish ones, had to attend some church once a week. After +inspection of quarters on Sunday morning, K⸺p became room orderly for the +next week. It was then his duty to sweep and dust the room and to carry +the water needed for himself, H⸺rd and me. The dirt was swept into the +hall to one side of the door, and left there. A policeman, that is, the +janitor, swept the halls, carried out the waste water and scrubbed room +and hall floors, when necessary. It is wonderful how soon we learned many +things, such as to button our coats and spring to attention, palms to the +front, at the sound of footsteps in our hall. At first we made mistakes, +but we soon learned to distinguish the footsteps of our instructors from +those of our fellow-candidates. + +There was a story in my day of a gentleman who went with his son when the +latter reported as a candidate, and that while Cadets H⸺d and A⸺n were +putting the son through his first lesson in the office, the father turned +his palms to the front, put his heels together, and otherwise assumed the +position of the soldier. + +At the first opportunity I wrote home, but I was very careful not to +mention the hardships I endured, for the reason that I had gone to West +Point contrary to my parents’ wishes, and consequently I was determined +to get through if I could. This reminds me, there were young men in +my class whose parents had sent them there against the wishes of the +candidates themselves, and many of these young men did not want to stay. +Competitive examinations required by some Congressmen for appointments +were not as common in my day as they are now. Some of my classmates +purposely failed on the preliminary examination and West Point is no +place for a young man unless the young man himself wants to go there. + +One day Mr. B⸺dy, my predecessor, sent for me to go to his quarters. I +did not know what new trials were in store for me, as I had never been +in any old cadet’s quarters. Mr. B⸺dy invited me to sit down, which I +did for the first time in an old cadet’s presence. We talked for a few +moments about people we both knew at our native places. He then gave me +his “white pants” (about twenty pairs), and said he hoped I would pass +the “prelim” so as to be able to wear them, and that I would graduate +higher than he would. + +The “graduating ball” that year was on the night of June 14th, but as +candidates were not expected to attend it, none were present. The next +day the graduating class received their diplomas, discarded cadet gray, +put on “Cit” clothes, said good-byes and left the Point, to return no +more as cadets. We did not know much of the graduating class, but I now +remember the names of more men in that class than in any other at the +Academy, excepting my own. This I account for from the fact that I was +then so much impressed with the importance of a graduate of West Point. +In my eyes he seemed to be a greater man than the Superintendent, in fact +there was no comparison. + +There was a change made on graduating day among the cadet officers. At +the next drill Cadet H⸺d appeared with pretty gold lace chevrons on his +coat. He wore them on the sleeves of his dress coat, below the elbow, +and he was proud to have everybody know that he was a “Corporal” now. I +promptly congratulated him, and he said, “Thank you, Mr. R⸺d,” instead +of reprimanding me for speaking without having been first spoken to. In +a few days more the new second class men put on “Cit” clothes, and left +on furlough. It seemed strange to me that these cadets seemed just as +anxious to take off the cadet gray as the candidates were to put it on. + +Before the departure of the graduates and furloughmen the candidates +learned that there were four trunk rooms[11] in the angle of Barracks, +one for the cadets of each company. They learned this by carrying trunks +from there to the rooms of the graduates and furloughmen. I soon learned +that I got along the easiest by saying as little as possible and doing +about as I was told. The candidates who talked much or who bragged on +what they knew, especially about military matters, had the hardest time. +These poor fellows were called “too fresh,” or “rapid,” and, as the +cadets expressed it, they had to be “taken down.” + +It was a common thing for old cadets to enjoy a call upon candidates +after supper and on Saturday afternoons. And it was difficult at first +for candidates to become acquainted with one another, as so much of their +leisure (?) time was taken up answering questions, standing on chairs, +tables and mantels, reading press notices about themselves, singing, and +in fact doing almost everything old cadets told them to do. I have heard +many cadets when they were “plebes” or “animals,” declare that they would +not do so and so, but they always did as they were told, and they were +quick about it, too. It is strange what control old cadets have over +“plebes.” They never laid hands on candidates except when they yanked +them. + +We soon discovered that the cadets who found especial delight in being +in the society of plebes were generally “yearlings,” that is, those +who had themselves been plebes only the year before. But “yearling” +instructors[12] seldom deviled plebes in their own squads. + +Mail arrived every day, and was sorted over, that for the cadets and +plebes in each division was dropped on the floor in the halls near the +entrances and the word mail called out in a loud tone of voice. Every one +expecting mail buttoned up his coat and hastened to get such as might be +for him. Now the policemen deliver mail to the cadets in their rooms.[13] + +In a few days more the candidates were sent in sections of about a +dozen to the section for their preliminary or entrance examination. The +section I was in was sent to a room having tables, chairs and writing +materials, and we were here examined in writing and spelling. There was +but one officer present, and after a certain time we put our names on +and handed our papers to him whether we had finished them or not. We +were next sent to another room, where there were about a half a dozen +members of the Academic Board, and as many other army officers.[14] +Each candidate, as his name was called, was assigned a subject and then +sent to a blackboard. The first one called was numbered one, the second +numbered two, and so on, until five or six candidates were sent to +different blackboards. Each was directed to write his name and number at +the upper right hand corner of the board, to put such data or work on +the board as he wished, and when ready to recite to pick up a pointer +in his right hand and face about. While those sent to the blackboard +were getting ready to recite, another candidate was sent to the center +of the room, facing the examiners, and then questioned by one of them. +After finishing with the candidate on questions, No. 1 was called upon +to recite, and after he was through, another candidate was assigned a +subject and sent to the board, and so on. Some of the candidates were +self-possessed, and made good recitations and ready answers to questions, +while others trembled all over and lost control over themselves, their +hearts got up into their throats or went down into their boots. The +examination here was in grammar, history, and geography. We were then +sent to another room before as many other Professors and Army Officers +for examination in arithmetic and reading. I was satisfied with my +examination up to this time. After the assignments to the blackboards I +was called upon to read. I began to tremble, and had much difficulty in +turning to the page designated. I read very poorly, because I could not +hold the book steady, and the words on the page danced so that it was +hard for me to catch them. I was then told to put down the book and was +questioned in arithmetic. Professor C⸺h asked me a number of questions, +the answers to which I knew perfectly well, yet all the answer I could +make was “I don’t know, sir.” Professor C⸺h then talked kindly and said +how important it was to me, that I answer the questions, because if I +did not answer properly that I would be found deficient and sent home. +I then said that the old cadets had told me he would “find” me, and I +believed he would. After having said this I got courage to ask to be +sent to the blackboard. My request was granted, and I had no trouble in +writing answers to every question, or to solve any problem given me, but +for the life of me I could not turn my back to the board and tell what I +had put on it; but fortunately I could point to anything called for. The +preliminary examinations the next year were written, and they have been +written ever since, which is decidedly the best, as some of my class were +so badly frightened that they did not know what they said, and some who +failed were graduates of good schools, or had passed splendid competitive +examinations for their appointments. In a few days the result of the +examination was announced, and I was happy to write home that I was one +of the lucky ones to enter West Point, and be a “new Cadet” instead of a +“Candidate.” Those of us who were fortunate enough to pass were sent to +the Commissary[15] for “plebe-skins,” that is, rubber overcoats, caps and +white gloves, and we were measured for uniform, clothes and shoes, and +for fear perhaps that we might get lazy another hour’s drill, from 11 a. +m. to 12 m., was given us. From now on we wore caps and white gloves at +all infantry drills. + +The new cadet whose name comes first in alphabetical order is the +“class-marcher” whenever the class is called out by itself, and it is his +duty to call the roll of the class and to report absentees. After our +preliminary examination Baily became the class-marcher, and he marched us +over to the Library, where we took the oath of allegiance.[16] We were +now assigned to Companies, the tallest were put in A and D and the rest +in B and C Companies, but the new cadets were still drilled by themselves +in small squads, then in larger ones, and later on all in one squad as a +company. + +W⸺r of my class wore a plug hat when he reported, and he was sorry for +it many times. He was the left file of Mr. H⸺d’s squad. One day we +were drilling on the Cavalry plain,[17] and there were many ladies and +gentlemen watching the drill. We were marching in line at double time, +and Mr. H⸺d gave the command, “By the right flank, march.” Three of us +marched to the right, but Mr. W⸺r went off to the left all by himself. +Everybody near laughed, even Mr. H⸺d suppressed a grin, and then scolded +the new cadets for laughing in ranks. Mr. W⸺r chewed tobacco, and this, +too, caused him many unhappy moments, but after having been repeatedly +reprimanded for chewing tobacco and told to spit it out he quit the +practice in ranks. + +There was a young man who could not keep step, yet he tried hard to do +so. When in front he threw everybody behind him out of step and at other +times he would walk all over the heels of the man in front of him. I do +not remember whether he was found deficient physically or mentally, but +he was not there long. This reminds me of the “Awkward Squad.” It was +composed of those who were particularly slow in doing what they were told +to do. Tired and sore as they were from the frequent drills, I have seen +members of the Awkward Squad practice alone, determined to get out of it, +which, of course, they eventually did. + +We studied the Blue Book, but the most of the regulations were learned by +having them beaten into our heads by the old cadets. We did not then have +a copy of the Drill Regulations to study, but we learned them in the same +way that we learned most of the Regulations in the Blue Book. + +We were now instructed in many things besides Squad Drill. For instance, +we were informed that we would be reported for all delinquencies, that +is, for all offenses committed against the Regulations, that the reports +would be read out daily after parade, and be posted the next day in a +certain place; that we must go there every day to see the list; that when +there were reports against us we must copy the exact wording of each +report and then write an explanation for it; that we must write as many +explanations as there were reports against us, and further, that for all +official communications we must use “Uniform Paper” (i. e., paper of a +certain size) and no other. + +New cadets are taught to use as few words as possible in their +explanations. One evening at Dress Parade, a plebe raised his hand and of +course he was reported for it, and the reason he gave in his explanation +for raising his hand in ranks was, “Bug in ear.” + +The following illustrates the character of the reports posted against +cadets, to-wit: + + REPORTS. + + Floor not properly swept at A. M. inspection. + + Bedding not properly folded at police inspection. + + Late at dinner formation. + + Calling for articles of food in an unnecessarily loud tone of + voice at supper. + + Gloves in clothes-press not neatly arranged at morning + inspection. + + Appearing in Mathematical Section Room with shoes not properly + polished. + + Inattention in Mathematical Section Room. + + Shoulder belt too short at inspection. + + Dust in chamber of rifle at inspection. + + In dressing gown at A. M. inspection. + + Shoes at side of bed not dusted at A. M. inspection. + + Hair too long at weekly inspection. + + Absent from formation for gymnasium at 12 M. + + Orderly light in quarters after taps. + + Late at reveille. + + Absent from quarters 9 A. M. + + Wheeling improperly by fours at drill. + + Not seeing to it that a cadet who was late at breakfast was + reported. + + Coat not buttoned throughout at reveille. + + Cap visor dusty at guard-mounting. + +The discipline is very strict, more so by far than in the Army, but the +enforcement of penalties for reports is inflexible rather than severe. +The reports are made by Army Officers, and by certain cadets themselves, +such as file-closers and section-marchers, and the cadets make by far +the greatest number of reports against one another, but no cadet ever +reports another except when it is his duty to do so. If he fails to +report a breach of discipline he himself is reported for the neglect. +Cadets may write explanations for all reports against them, but they +must write an explanation for absence from any duty or from quarters; +for communicating at blackboard in section room; for neglect of study or +duty; for disobedience of orders; for failure to register for a bath, and +for failure to report departure or return on permit where such report is +required. + +When the Commandant accepts an explanation as satisfactory he crosses off +the report, and four days after the date of reports, for which either no +explanations or unsatisfactory ones have been received, he forwards them +to the Superintendent, and he causes a certain number of demerits to be +entered against a cadet for each report in a book kept for that purpose, +and which the cadets may see once a week. Any cadet receiving more than +one hundred demerits[18] in six months is dismissed from the Academy for +deficiency in discipline. The result is that cadets invariably write +explanations, and the form now used is as follows: + + West Point, N. Y., ____ __, 19__. + + Sir: + + With reference to the report, “Absent from 9:20 A. M. class + formation,” I have the honor to state that I did not hear the + call for this formation. I was in my room at the time. The + offense was unintentional. + + Very respectfully, + + JOHN JONES, + Cadet prt. Co. “B,” 4th class. + +For the first few weeks demerits are not counted against new cadets, but +to teach them how to write them, explanations must be submitted for all +reports. Whenever a cadet is reported absent, and he is on Cadet Limits, +he is sure to write an explanation stating this fact and anything +more he may have to say, because if he fails to do so he is tried by +Court-Martial.[19] + +A “permit” is a document that grants certain privileges to the cadet +named in it. A map of “Cadet Limits” is posted where all may see it, and +when a cadet desires to visit friends at the hotel or at an Officer’s +quarters, or go to the Dutch Woman’s, i. e., the confectioner’s, or to +the dentist’s, he must write an official letter to the Commandant of +Cadets (or to the Adjutant of the Military Academy, as the case may be), +setting forth what duty, if any, he wishes to be excused from, and the +exact time he wishes. This letter will be returned with an endorsement +granting all, a part or none of his request, and the cadet must govern +himself accordingly. + +From now on we had to make out a list of such articles as we wanted or +were instructed to get from the Commissary. An account is kept by the +Treasurer with each cadet, who is credited with his deposit, and also +with his pay,[20] and he is charged for everything furnished him, such as +board, washing, wearing apparel, bedding, books, gas, policing barracks, +polishing shoes, etc. At his option a cadet is also charged for boats, +hops, etc., and when out of debt with such luxuries as new clothes, hop +gloves, hop shoes, or $2.00 per month for confectioneries at the “Dutch +Woman’s.” + +As time wore away we felt less fatigue from drill, and found more +pleasure in life, and letters borne were quite cheerful. + + NOTE 1. At present the new 5th classman is received by cadet + officers under the immediate supervision of an officer of the + Tactical Department and his reception is strictly in accordance + with the requirements of military discipline and courtesy. + The discipline is, of course, of the strictest and is rigidly + enforced, but the life of the newcomer is so hedged about by + orders and is so carefully guarded by those who have him in + charge, that it is doubtful if a young man entering any school + or college in the country would be subjected to less annoyance + or embarrassment than would fall to his lot at the Military + Academy. + + NOTE 2. At present each table seats 10 cadets, and the cadets + are about equally divided among the different classes. One + first classman sits at the head of each table; he is officially + designated “The Commandant of Table,” and is responsible for + order at his table. + + NOTE 3. The mail is now received and distributed by company in + the Cadet Guard House, and at a signal on the trumpet a cadet + private from each division of barracks, detailed for a week + at a time, reports at the Guard House, gets the mail for his + division, and distributes it to the proper rooms. + + NOTE 4. In addition to demerits cadets receive other + punishments for certain classes of offenses; these consist of + confinement to room during release from quarters for a certain + number of days, or, of walking (equipped as a sentinel) for a + certain number of hours on certain days in the area of barracks. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: CAMP McPHERSON + +The Pleasure of your company is requested at the hops to be given by the +Corps of Cadets every Monday Wednesday and Friday Evening during the +encampment + +MANAGERS + +FOR THE FIRST CLASS + +P. S. BOMUS. W. S. EDGERLY. S. WARREN FOUNTAIN. F. V. GREENE. OTTO L. +HEIN. DEXTER W. PARKER. CLARENCE A. POSTLEY. W. R. QUINAN. EDWD G. +STEVENS. + +FOR THE THIRD CLASS + +JAMES ALLEN. W H. CARTER. G. F. ELLIOTT. HARRY A. LANDON. J. A. RUCKER. +W. F. ZEILIN. + +West Point + +N.Y. 5th July 1869.] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE PLEBE IN CAMP. + + +About two weeks after I reported we were directed to prepare to go to +Camp McPherson, a half mile or so from Barracks, out beyond the Cavalry +plain, near old Fort Clinton. We were told just what articles to take +for use in camp, and that we must put the balance of our effects in our +trunks and carry them to the trunk rooms in the angle. We sorted out +our camp articles, and each cadet made a bundle of his small things, +and used a comforter or a blanket to hold them. D⸺n, M⸺s, and I, having +arranged to tent together, we helped one another store away our trunks. +When the call sounded to “fall in” we fell in with our bundles, brooms +and buckets, and marched over to the camp. There were trees all around +the camp site, with quite a grove at the guard tents. The tents were all +pitched and they looked very pretty through the trees, with the trees and +green parapet of Fort Clinton as a background, which could be seen over +the tops of the white tents as we approached the camp. The tent cords +were not fastened to pegs in the ground, but to pegs in cross-pieces +supported upon posts about four feet high, which brought the Company +tents only four or five feet apart. All of the tents for cadets were +wall tents, and each had a “fly” on it. There was a wooden floor, a gun +rack, and a keyless locker (that is, a four-compartment long box), and +a swinging pole hung about eighteen inches below the ridge pole of the +tent, and nothing else in it. After the assignment, which, of course, was +made according to rank, we proceeded to our respective tents, that were +to be our homes till the 29th of August, the day to return to Barracks. + +The “Yearlings” and first classmen, too, began to take a greater interest +in the plebes than ever. They were anxious to teach them how to fix up +their tents, and this is the way they did: “Come here, Plebe, and I’ll +show you how to fix up your tent. Untie those bundles, fold the blankets +once one way then once the other way; that’s it. Now pile them in the +rear corner over there, farthest from the locker; put the folded edges +to the front and inside; that’s not right, turn them the other way; now +that’s right. Lay the pillows on the blankets, closed ends toward the +locker; that’s it; now fold the comforters just like you folded the +blankets, and pile them the same way on top of the pillows; that’s it. +Why, you’re an old soldier, ain’t you? Straighten the pile a little, so +that the edges are vertical; that’s it. Now hang the mirror up there +on the front pole; that’s it. Put the washbowl out there against the +platform, bottom outward; that’s it. Put the candle-box behind the +rear tent pole. Put the white pants, underclothes, etc., in the locker. +Throw the overcoats, gray pants, etc., on the pole. There, that’ll do. +Say, wait a minute. When you go after water, why I want some; just set +the bucket down there by the washbowl when you come back.” After having +been given several lessons the plebes were permitted to fix up their own +tents, and in a very short time every tent was ship-shape. The yearlings +kindly showed the plebes how to clean rifles, too, and this is the way +they did it: “Come here, Plebe, you’ll soon be getting your guns, so I’ll +teach you how to clean yours; just get that gun over there in my rack; +that’s the one; get the cleaning materials in the candle-box, take out +a rag, put oil on it; that’s it. Lay the gun in your lap, muzzle to the +left, half-cock the piece, open the chamber. Why, you’re doing well. +See the rust in the breech block? Well, get a small stick out of the +candle-box, put a bit of the rag over it, pour a little oil on the rag, +now be quick, rub it on the rusty place, rub hard, elbow grease is what +counts most, so don’t be afraid to use plenty of it,” and so on, till +the yearling’s gun showed an improvement. “I’ll call you again soon to +give you another lesson; that’ll do now.” Strange as it may appear, even +the first classmen condescended to teach us some things, and even the +cadet officers showed us how to clean their breast plates. The old cadets +never told us, in so many words, to do anything of a menial character, +but their broad hints and insinuating ways were very persuasive. Every +day the plebes were called to the tents of the Army Officers in charge +of cadet companies, and asked if they had any complaints to make against +upper classmen, and the plebes invariably answered “No, sir.” + +We continued to take our meals in the Mess Hall, and we marched to and +fro as usual, but as the distance was a half mile or more we were now +cheered en route (notwithstanding the plebes still carried palms to the +front) by the inspiring music of fifes and drums; and we now sat at +tables with the old cadets, and had the pleasure of pouring water for +them before helping ourselves, no matter how thirsty we might be, but +such is the life of a plebe, and it is a necessary part of his training. + +The first day in camp we were initiated in police duty; the other +classmen turned out with us, and, as usual, they did the talking and we +did the work. The detail from each company had a wheelbarrow, a shovel, +and a broom. The grounds, to us plebes, seemed clean when we began, but +we got half a wheelbarrow load of dirt all the same, which we dumped into +“police hollow,”[21] near camp and just west of Fort Clinton. We gathered +up burnt matches, cigar stumps, tobacco quids, bits of paper, etc. +Whenever there was a sign of rain we turned out and loosened tent cords, +and after a rain we turned out and tightened them—always by command, of +course. We dreaded the nights in camp, but we were not yanked often, +unless we got too fresh or rapid, and then, of course, we had to be taken +down.[22] + +The parade ground was changed during camp from the grassy plain in front +of Professor’s Row to the space between the guard tents and the west line +of company tents. In fair weather the battalion stacked arms on the camp +parade ground, and the colors were furled and laid on the center stack. +The arms and colors, that is, the United States flag, were left there +from after guard mount till 4 p. m., and a sentinel posted to require +everybody crossing his post, which is known as the “Color Line,” to +salute the colors by lifting the cap. + +We plebes were very anxious to get guns, but after we did get them we +wished we did not have them, for we were again put into small squads and +drilled three times a day, notwithstanding the fact that our right arms +were very sore, and each rifle seemed to weigh a ton, and, again, we had +to spend several hours a day, for weeks, cleaning the guns before they +would pass inspection. Each cadet knows his own gun by the number on it. +The upper classmen had already taught us how to clean their guns, so we +knew something about cleaning our own, and they now were considerate +enough to allow us more time to ourselves, and some of the plebes +finished cleaning their guns in less than an hour’s time. But, alas! at +the first drill with arms the cadet instructors told them that their +guns, cartridge boxes, and waist plates were very dirty. After drill +we set to work on them again, but still they were said to be dirty. In +the course of time we were told that our guns were passable, and later +on that they were in fair condition. We soon learned to attend to them +immediately after a rain, as it was easier to clean them then than after +they had stood awhile. + +We were kept busy at first complying with requests (?) of upper classmen, +but they were very considerate and dispensed with our services long +enough to let us attend drills three times a day, police service twice a +day, and to other military duties. We were still required, both in and +out of ranks, to carry palms of the hands to the front, but nothing more +was said about depressing the toes. + +Cadets are encouraged to be patriotic, and they always celebrate Fourth +of July. This year, as the Fourth fell on Sunday, the exercises were held +on the next day. + + NOTE 1. At my time hazing, or deviling, consisted of little + more than harmless badgering, which had the effect of reducing + a possibly conceited or bumptuous youth to a frame of mind more + consistent with the requirements of military discipline. In + time, however, it developed into practices which it was deemed + advisable to discontinue, and hazing has entirely disappeared + from the Academy. + + UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. + + July 5th, 1869. + + President, + + Cadet E. E. Wood Pennsylvania + + Marshal of the Day, + + Cadet J. Rockwell New York + + PROGRAMME. + + Overture. + + Prayer. + + Music. + + Reading of the Declaration of Independence, + + Cadet E. M. Cobb California + + Music. + + Oration, + + Cadet E. S. Chapin Iowa + + Music. + + Benediction. + + Music. + +Plebe life was very trying, especially on H⸺e of my class, and he, being +something of a poet, reduced his thoughts to writing, which he showed to +his classmates. They said that he had expressed the situation very well, +indeed. Some of the yearlings heard of H⸺e’s poetry, so he was persuaded +(?) to read it to them, and then to sing it. His poetry was so well +received by the yearlings that the first classmen wanted to hear it, too, +so at their invitation (?) H⸺e both read and sang it for them. And, at +the request of a number of upper classmen, he made copies of his songs +for them. Other plebes were requested (?) to make copies of the copies, +and the following are copies of H⸺e’s copies that were made for me by a +plebe in my yearling camp, viz.: + +THE BIG MENAGERIE. + + Attention, all ye forlorn Plebes, + While the story I relate, + Of how I came to fall into + My present lost estate. + A moment only dry your tears + And listen unto me, + And I’ll describe my experience + In this big menagerie. + + The first day that I reported + My heart was full of joy, + And to all intents and purposes, + I was a bully boy. + A stunner in my native town, + I thought I’d easily + Upon my muscle go right through + This big menagerie. + + But, ah! full soon that fatal day + My crest began to fall, + And my spirits came down mighty fast + When I got to the Mess Hall. + My folly and my sauciness, + They soon took out of me, + And made me sing a different tune, + In this big menagerie. + + They put me up in the window, + Attention made me stand. + And I had to dance and sing and speak + At everyone’s command. + I tried to run, but soon found out + That my rapidity + Was not the kind of game to play, + In this big menagerie. + + The first time that I went on guard, + The night was dark as pitch, + They took my gun and then yanked me + Right in Fort Clinton’s ditch. + The Corporal I called aloud, + But not a step came he, + And then I learned another dodge + In this big menagerie. + + But after all I’d been through, + They said I was not tame, + And that they would complete the cure, + By giving me another name. + They called me for some gay old cuss, + Who’d been dead a century, + And now I’m known as De la Rive, + In this big menagerie. + + All day I police, scrub and drill, + Till my troubles make me weep, + And when the day, is over, + I’m denied the boon of sleep, + But all the night lie trembling, + From Taps to Reveille, + For fear I really will be yanked + In this big menagerie. + + My frolics, joys and amusements, + Are all knocked into smash, + And pleasures all concentrated are + In eating Mess Hall hash. + And should I meet a lady fair, + I dare not speak to she, + That would be too fast for a Plebe, + In this big menagerie. + + They call me beast and vile reptile, + And goodness only knows, + I’d rather be a kangaroo, + In one of those circus shows, + For all the real animals + Are happier far than we, + For they don’t have any squad drill + In their menagerie. + + The lions, tigers, bears and wolves + Can never feel our woes, + For whoever heard of an elephant + Depressing his great toes. + And even the little monkeys + Are happy, gay and free, + And carry their hands just as they please + In their menagerie. + + But soon this camp will end, and then + My troubles will be o’er, + I’ll drop the beast from off my name, + And sing this song no more. + But where’er I roam in years to come, + On land or on the sea, + I’ll ne’er forget my sufferings + In this big menagerie. + +A PLEBE’S LAMENTATION. + + Oh, Lord, will I never get done + A rubbing on this rusty gun. + + Chorus— + I wish I was at home, + I wish I was there, too. + + It makes me sigh, it makes me fret, + To clean this rusty bayonet. + + Chorus— + + And all day long, in rain or shine, + We’ve got these darned old tents to line. + + Chorus— + +There were a good many more verses to this song, and songs written by +others of my class, but I have forgotten them. + +Uniforms were issued to the plebes as fast as they were made, and in a +few weeks all were uniformed. The only pocket in the whole suit was a +watch pocket in the pants. We were permitted to carry a watch, but not +a chain. Our handkerchiefs were tucked in the breasts of our coats. +After getting uniforms we were sent to the trunk rooms to put away our +cit clothes, as we were not allowed to keep them in either our tent or +barrack room. In a few weeks the plebes were admitted to the battalion, +at first to march to and from meals, and then for parades, but they still +had to carry disengaged hands, palms to the front. + +After supper we were permitted to bathe in the Hudson at Gee’s Point, and +many of us availed ourselves of the privilege. As I have said, soon after +reporting, I wondered if the old cadets laced. Well, now, when bathing, +I discovered they did not lace. Still, I wondered why old cadets’ waists +were so much smaller than plebes’ waists. + +Every day, especially during guard-mount, parades, and band practice, +there used to be many ladies and other visitors under the trees near the +guard tents. The upper classmen seemed to enjoy being with them, but the +plebes were seldom wanted there. The plebes used to hear that there were +hops three times a week during camp, but that is about all they knew of +hops. However, they went to the old fencing room in the Academic Building +and took dancing lessons, and as no ladies were admitted they danced with +one another. + +At last the time arrived for us to go on guard, for there was a chain +of cadet sentinels all around the camp. We dreaded our first night on +post, but each plebe had to experience it. Our guns were not loaded, +and we had no cartridges; the rifle with the bayonet on is all we had +to protect ourselves with. It was amusing afterwards to compare notes +of our experiences. Some who had boasted most fared the worst. Some had +had their rifles taken away, some had been tied to a tree, some rolled +down into Fort Clinton ditch[23] alongside of Posts No. 2 and No. 3. +Others had been frightened by ghosts, or confused by numerous parties +approaching at the same time from different directions. Some replies to +the challenge being a band of Indians, a body of armed troops, and the +Prince of Wales. Of course, the plebe would call for the corporal of the +guard, but this official never got around in time to see anyone, except +the sentinel. The poor plebe was then taken to task for allowing himself +to be disarmed, or for not detaining parties till the corporal arrived. +When questioned as to who the parties were the answer invariably was “I +could not recognize any of them.” When the old guard marched off the next +morning each member fired three shots at a target.[24] When it came M⸺s’ +time to fire he was badly frightened because he had never fired a gun. +And when asked why he did not close his left eye when aiming he said that +no one had told him to close it. + +On the 12th of August we again visited the trunk rooms, and this time to +put away our dress coats, white pants, dress hats, etc., as we were to +go on a campaign. A knapsack and a half of a shelter tent were issued to +each cadet. After packing our knapsacks and getting everything, except +our wall tents, in readiness, we fell in at the sound of the drum. Our +wall tents were left standing with the walls fastened down and the flaps +tied in front. To the time of “The Girl I Left Behind Me” we marched in +a drenching rain about a dozen miles westward up into the mountains; +halted, stacked arms, unslung knapsacks, and unloaded the big six-mule +wagons that had followed us. We then pitched the “A” tents that were +provided for our use now; we then dug a trench around each tent, and +so as not to lie in the mud we cut boughs to sleep on. We then got our +rifles and knapsacks, and were soon at home again, but this time in more +contracted quarters. We were now taught to live at Camp Lookout in +regular army style, and as there is no delinquency book in the army we +had none in this camp. We ate army rations and slept on the ground. We +built camp fires, sang songs, and otherwise enjoyed our freedom, for no +one said anything about palms to the front out there in the mountains. +The camp was in the woods, between Long Pond and Round Pond. We obtained +drinking water from one, and utilized the other to wash and to bathe +in. We remained out there about ten days, and each cadet learned to do +guard duty in the woods. Members of the guard had to cut poles for their +shelter tents, and button two or more pieces together for use at night, +and they were needed, too, as it rained more than half the time we were +in the mountains. Between rains, when not on duty, we roamed through the +woods and over the hills. There were many laurel bushes all about us, and +one day a first classman said that he wanted a nice root to make a pipe, +and that I could get it with a hatchet and spade. I took the hint and dug +about half a dozen good roots. I put the two best ones in the breast of +my gray jacket and gave the others to the first classmen. I afterwards +made myself two fine pipes, and I have one of them now. Years afterwards +that first classman and I met, and the first thing I did was to show him +my pet pipe and thank him for it. He admired the pipe and my cheek, too, +for having kept the best root. + +As soon as we returned to Camp McPherson palms of the hands were turned +to the front again and the usual routine there resumed. + +Some of the yearlings said that certain of the plebes had become “too +fresh” out in the mountains, and as the ordinary methods would not tame +them down a few fights in Fort Clinton were necessary. Seconds were +chosen, and soon nearly every cadet in camp knew that there would be +a fight in Fort Clinton on a certain day during the supper hour. Fort +Clinton is just across Posts Nos. 2 and 3. Those who desired to witness +a fight assembled at the ice water tank, near which the Posts of Nos. 2 +and 3 meet. Then when the two sentinels on these posts were far apart +and their backs toward one another (which is against the rule) across +the posts would dash the Fort Clinton party, and strange to say neither +sentinel would see any unauthorized person or persons cross his post. +When the referee calls time the principals and seconds are in place and +the fight begins. Fists only are used in these fights, and as soon as +either side calls enough, or either principal fails to come to time, +the fight is over. All return to camp, the bruises are bathed, and if +necessary one or both principals go to the hospital, and the sick report +the next morning shows one or two names with “contusions” as the cause +of the disability. Unless the army officers on duty at the Point have +“official knowledge” of a cadet fight no notice is taken of it. When +a dispute arises that only a fight will settle and the parties to the +dispute are unevenly matched the result may be one or two fights. The +offending cadet must fight, and a classmate of the other cadet about +his size and strength is selected to do battle with him. Sometimes the +offended cadet must fight a man of his size, and then there are two +fights. + +[Illustration: I. O. C. B. + +The pleasure of your company is respectfully solicited at a Hop +Extraordinary, to be given on the evening of July 29th, under the +auspices of the “Confirmed Bachelors” of the Class of 18—. + + F. G. SCHWATKA, + JAS. E. SHORTELLE, + U. G. WHITE, + Managers. + +West Point, July 28, 1869.] + +We plebes were sent to the river a number of times to assist the first +classmen to build pontoon bridges, and we rendered very valuable +assistance, too, by carrying all heavy timbers used and helping to get +the boats in place for the timbers to be laid upon them. + + NOTE 1. Fort Clinton ditch, then along the north side of the + camp ground, was filled up and that part of the parapet removed + long ago, the major part of this fort being now used for an + extension of the camp. + +RETURN OF THE FURLOUGH CLASS. + + There’s a stir in Camp, as all observers may see, + ’Tis a moment of interest, a moment of glee. + + The “Furloughs” are coming, and now must be near; + There is dust, there is shouting, the “Furloughs” are here. + + We welcome you back to the Camp and the plain, + There your favorite “Tac” will drill you again. + +The 28th of August is a day every graduate remembers, for it is then +the furloughmen return. I can see them now rushing[25] into camp. That +evening there was a great time out on the color line; we plebes were +turned out for the last time to amuse upper classmen. H⸺e and others sang +their songs. Some of them had been sung so often that everybody knew them +and joined in. The evening was a perfect one, and there were many ladies +under the trees near the guard tents, who heaved a sigh to think that all +gayeties were over at West Point until the next June. The following are +some of the songs that were so often sung during my cadet days, to-wit: + + Old Black Joe, + Dixie, + Marching Through Georgia, + Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, + Hail Columbia, + Star Spangled Banner, + My Country, + Annie Laurie, + Red, White and Blue, + Home, Sweet Home, + Suanee River, + Auld Lang Syne. + +ARMY BLUE. + + We’ve not much longer here to stay, + For in a year or two + We’ll bid farewell to “Cadet Gray,” + And don the “Army Blue.” + + Chorus— + + Army Blue, Army Blue, + We’ll don the Army Blue, + We’ll bid farewell to Cadet Gray, + And don the Army Blue. + + To the ladies who come up in June, + We’ll bid a fond adieu, + And hoping they’ll be married soon, + We’ll don the Army Blue. + + Chorus— + + Now here’s to the man who wins “the cup,” + May he be kind and true, + And may he bring “our godson” up + To don the Army Blue. + + Chorus— + +BENNY HAVENS, OH! + + Come, fill your glasses, fellows, and stand up in a row, + To singing sentimentally, we’re going for to go; + In the Army there’s sobriety, promotion’s very slow, + So we’ll sing our reminiscences of Benny Havens, Oh! + + Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! + So we’ll sing our reminiscences of Benny Havens, Oh! + + Let us remember, comrades, when to our posts we go, + The ties that must be cut in twain, as o’er life’s sea we row, + Hearts that now throb in unison must moulder down below, + So let us take a parting cup at Benny Havens, Oh! + + Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! etc. + + To our kind old Alma Mater, our rock-bound Highland home, + We’ll cast back many a fond regret, as o’er life’s sea we roam, + Until our last battle-field the lights of heaven shall glow, + We’ll never fail to drink to her and Benny Havens, Oh! + + Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! etc. + + May the army be augmented, promotion be less slow, + May our Country, in her hour of need, be ready for the foe, + May we find a soldier’s resting-place beneath a soldier’s blow, + With space enough beside our graves for Benny Havens, Oh! + + Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! etc. + + Come, fill up to our Generals, God bless the brave heroes, + They’re an honor to their country, and a terror to her foes; + May they long rest on their laurels and trouble never know, + But live to see a thousand years, at Benny Havens, Oh! + + Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! etc. + + When you and I and Benny, and all the others, too, + Are called before the final board our course of life to view, + May we never “fess” on any point, but coldly “max” it through, + And join the Army of the blest, at Benny Havens, Oh! + + Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! etc. + +NOTE.—The following verses are from the 1909 Howitzer: + + Then here’s to you, old glory team, that downs the strongest foes. + Your Benny Haven’s strongest sons, in you our hopes repose, + On the mountains by old Hudson’s shore, your deeds have been our theme; + But, victors or defeated men, you’re still the army team. + + The brave old army team, the loyal army team, + The army’s hearts, the army’s hopes, are with the army team. + + When you meet the rovers of the sea, and struggle hand to hand, + Remember, in that hour supreme we all behind you stand— + Let black recall our past defeats, the present struggle gray, + But victory is brightest gold, that you shall win that day. + + The black, and gray, and gold, the black, and gold, and gray, + Yea! Victory shall be the prize, the black, and gold, and gray. + + On the world’s rough-trampled gridiron, the battle-field of life, + Your spirit brave, old rock-bound home, shall nerve us in the strife. + Before us gleams the future, with manly parts to play, + While from the dim past stretches the unbroken line of gray. + + Oh! the dear old gray battalion, the loyal line of gray, + Friend close to friend, firm to the end, shall stand the line of gray. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. + + +The next morning we took our bundles, buckets, and brooms to barracks, +and upon returning to camp we unfastened the tent cords and held up the +canvas by the poles, and, at the tap of the drum at 12 o’clock, every +tent was lowered to the ground, and “Camp McPherson” was no more. We then +“fell in,” and to the tune of “The Girl I Left Behind Me” marched to +barracks, leaving the summer visitors standing under the trees near where +the guard tents had been. + +There were rooms enough so that every two cadets could have one together. +Roommates having been chosen and rooms selected (according to rank, +of course,) each cadet went to his own room, and there he found two +single iron bedsteads and a double clothes-press. The old cadets got the +balance of their effects (such as cadets are permitted to have in their +rooms) from the trunk rooms, while the plebes got the articles they had +there, and the balance, such as mattresses and tables, they went to the +Commissary for, and carried them across the plain. Every one obtained at +the Commissary the text-books he needed before Christmas, and by night +all rooms were in order. The return to barracks is a great day for +plebes, for then they quit carrying palms to the front. + +The “Seps” arrived about this time, and those who were admitted were +assigned to rooms, and they at once became a part of the fourth class. +“Seps” are candidates, who, for some good reason, did not report in June. +(See appendix.) They began recitations with the rest of the plebes, but +for weeks they attended drill in squads by themselves. Notwithstanding +the fact that Seps escape the many trials and tribulations of plebe +camp, in escaping it, they miss one of the most valuable parts of cadet +life, as it is an experience which most old graduates look back upon +with pleasure. After having been through the course of deviling,[26] or +hazing, as practiced in my day, I am a believer in the system, because +I believe it makes young men manly and self-reliant. I never saw bodily +injury inflicted upon a plebe, but I do not call bodily injury deviling. +I call that cruelty, and cruelty should be severely punished. But times +have changed at the Academy since I left it. Now after candidates have +reported at the Adjutant’s office they are sent to the Army Officer in +charge of new cadets. And it is his duty to personally instruct them +respecting their rights and duties in their relations to old cadets and +to the cadets on duty over them. He causes to be read to them the present +regulations pertaining to new cadets and explains to them what is meant +by “Cadet Limits.” Candidates are also informed that they must not +submit to hazing, and that they must promptly report to the Commandant or +to the Army Officer over them any attempt at hazing on the part of old +cadets. But they must be respectful to all and perfectly subordinate and +obedient to the cadets on duty over them. + + No more shall Plebes be deviled, + And yearlings can’t be seen, + For there’s now a law against + Hazing the Plebes so green. + +The penalties for hazing are very severe, and several cadets have +been dismissed from the Academy for engaging in it. A recent act of +Congress says: “Any cadet dismissed for hazing shall not be eligible to +reappointment.” + +White pants were very pretty for camp, but now that the hops were +over and the visitors gone the cadets had to work, so on the first of +September they appeared in their gray working clothes. + +The daily routine from September 1st to about June 20th is as follows: +Reveille at 5:45 A. M. (on Sunday at 6:30); roll call; police call +five minutes after reveille; sick call fifteen minutes after reveille; +then clean arms or study or take physical exercise; breakfast at 6:15; +recreation except for the guard,[27] which is mounted, at 7:15; then +study and recitations from 8:00 A. M. to 1:00 P. M.; dinner at 1:00; +recreation; then study and recitations from 2:00 to 4:00; then generally +military exercises for about an hour; then about half hour recreation, +followed by retreat parade at about 6:00; supper; recreation; then study +from about 7:30 to 9:30; taps at 10:00; then lights out till reveille the +next morning. Rooms are inspected at police call; between 8 and 11 a. m.; +11 a. m. and 1 p. m.; 2 and 4; four times between 7:30 and 9:30; again at +taps, and once more between taps and reveille. In September and May there +are Infantry drills; in October and April there are Artillery drills; in +every month from September first to June first there are Cavalry drills; +from December first to April first there is exercise in the gymnasium or +in dancing. Saturday afternoon is for recreation except between 2 and +2:30 during the weekly inspection of the battalion. On Wednesday after +4 p. m. there are no drills, the time being given for recreation. On +Sundays there are no recitations and no military duties, except guard +and inspection of quarters at 9:45 a. m., and the time for recreation +is a little longer than usual; the cadets march to and from church; all +wear white gloves, white belts and those entitled to do so swords, which +(swords excepted) are not removed during service, some of the cadets are +members of the choir. Visiting between cadets is allowed only during +recreation hours. + +The gymnasium is open to cadets daily, except Sundays, from 1:30 to 2 p. +m.; 4:00 to supper mess parade, and on Saturdays afternoons and evenings +until tattoo. + +We were arranged into sections of from eight to ten cadets to the +section, the arrangement of upper classmen being made according to +class standing,[28] as determined at the last examination, while the +arrangement of the plebes was alphabetical. The first cadet in each +section was the section-marcher, that is, he marched the section to and +from the section room. The section-marchers were notified what the first +lessons would be, and the hours for recitations, and they then notified +the members of their sections. The studies[29] for the fourth class were +Mathematics and French, and in addition to these we had instruction in +Fencing,[30] and for this the sections were larger than as stated above. +One half the class attended recitations or fencing at a time, and the +other half had to be in their rooms during Call to Quarters. To let the +Inspectors know when cadets are at recitations the following form is used: + +HOURS OF RECITATION. + + Cadet __________________________ 4th Class. + Mathematics From 8 A. M. to 9:30 A. M. + Use of the sword, etc. From 12 M. to 1 P. M. + Modern Languages From 3 P. M. to 4 P. M. + +Each cadet obtained a blank form (and there is a special form for each +class), put his name on it in block letters, filled in his hours of +recitation and put it on the mantel, and he also put his name in block +letters over his alcove, on the orderly board, on his clothes-press, +and on his gun-rack. Every cadet not in his room at inspection, and not +at recitation at the time, was reported absent, unless his room-mate was +in and could properly account for the absence. We at first thought that +our studies, being so few, would be easy, but when we saw the great long +lessons and had experienced the thoroughness required at recitations, we +changed our opinions, and decided that much hard study was necessary. + +Promptly at eight o’clock on the morning of September first, the bugle +was sounded for sections to form. One half of each class “fell in.” +The Cadet Officer of the Day commanded—“Front, Call your rolls.” Line +was formed in the area of barracks, first classmen were nearest the +Academic Building, next to them were sections of the second class, next +third classmen and then the plebes. Each section-marcher facing his +section, called his roll and faced to the front, then beginning with +the ranking section of the first class, the section-marchers reported. +The Officer of the Day then commanded “March off your sections.” If +there were any absentees not excused, he hunted them up and sent them to +their section rooms. The sections marched to the Academic Building, and +each went to the room previously assigned, the members of each section +hung their caps in the hall on hooks near the door and then filed into +the room. The section-marcher took post near the center of the room, +facing the instructor, who was seated on the platform opposite to the +door. The members of the section went one half to the right, and the +other half to the left, in front of two benches. The section-marcher +saluted and reported, “All are present, Sir,” or, “Mr. ⸺ is absent, +sir,” the instructor returned the salute and then the cadets sat down, +the section-marcher taking seat on the right of the first half of his +section. On a blackboard behind the instructor, was written the lesson +for the next day, and each cadet noted it. The instructor then called Mr. +⸺, who took post in the center of the room facing the instructor. The +instructor assigned to him a topic in the lesson, care being required +on the part of the cadet to understand the topic which is called his +“enunciation.” When he understood it, he went to a certain blackboard, +and in the upper right hand corner wrote his name and number thus—Brown +1. The instructor called up another cadet who, after understanding his +enunciation, went to the next board, and wrote his name and number, +thus—Smith 2, and so on. Topics in the lesson of the day were assigned to +the first four, and topics in the lesson of the day before were assigned +to three or four others. Then one was called who took post in the center +of the room, and the instructor questioned him for ten minutes or more +upon such parts of either lesson that he elected, and when through said +“That’ll do,” when this cadet returned to his seat. The cadets at the +boards wrote on them such work as they wished pertaining to their own +subjects and when ready to recite, each took a pointer in his right hand +and stood at ease facing the instructor. Beginning with the cadet who +was ready and had the smallest number, when he was called upon to recite +the cadet, said: “I am required to” and then gave his enunciation, after +which he proceeded in his own words. If the instructor was satisfied +with the recitation, he said, “that’ll do” and the cadet faced about, +laid down his pointer, cleaned his board, and took his seat; but if the +instructor was not satisfied with the recitation, he asked such questions +as he deemed proper to draw out, if possible, further information on the +subject, and when through, said, “That’ll do.” This drawing out process +is necessary with plebes, until they learn what is required of them in +the way of recitations. No communication between cadets is allowed in +the section room. When the time expired the instructor said, “That’ll +do, gentlemen; section’s dismissed.” If the bugle was sounded before all +had recited, those at the board who were ready to recite and had all +necessary work on the board, were marked the same as if they had recited. +The cadets filed out of the room, got their caps and “fell in,” then +marched to the area where the line was formed and there the section was +dismissed. The mark for a perfect recitation is a 3, 2.5 is a good mark, +2 is fair, 1.5 is medium, 1 poor, .5 very poor, and a zero a complete +failure. Recitations go on every day except Saturday afternoons and +Sundays. On Monday the marks of the previous week were posted so that the +cadets could see them. The instructor never told the cadets what marks +he gave them, and he could not excuse a cadet from recitation. A cadet +who was sick enough to require it was taken into the hospital, or by the +surgeon excused from reciting, but a cadet excused from reciting had to +go to and remain in the section room, and there report to the instructor +that he was excused. Nothing is gained by not reciting, because every +cadet must make satisfactory recitations and pass the examinations[31] in +January and June or be found deficient. At the end of the fifth or sixth +week, and at times after that, transfers from one section to another were +made, and some cadets were sent up and others down to other sections. By +Christmas, the plebe class was pretty well dissipated by transfers. + +Days, weeks and months passed with a firm, steady grind. In my day up at +5, but now 5:45 a. m., and nothing but study, recitations and drill till +9:30 p. m., except during the short half hour for recreation after each +meal, the welcome half holiday on Saturdays and the change of routine +on Sundays. No visitors at the Point, no hops, no nothing but hard +study and drill to look forward to until the next June. It is true that +Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s are always acceptable days to a +cadet, but he generally eats so much turkey then, that he receives a poor +mark at recitations the next day. + +Not long before examination the instructor selects as many topics as +there are cadets in his section and writes each topic on a separate piece +of paper, turns them face down, mixes them, and then numbers them; number +one being for the first cadet in the section, number two for the second, +and so on, or otherwise mixes them so that no partiality be shown on +examination. + +Of course we could not study all of the time set apart for study, so we +often devised ways and means to lighten our burdens. + +All of our coats buttoned up to the chin and the white collars of my +day were made so that we had to fold them lengthwise and pin them on +the coat. As white shirts were not used to fasten the collar to we quit +wearing them, and pinned our cuffs to the inside of the coat sleeves. We +got the knack of dressing down to a fine point, no cadet wore suspenders +then, so all we had to do for reveille or tattoo, was to jump into our +pants, stick our feet into our oldest shoes, from which the strings had +been removed, and called “reveilles,” put on the coat and cap to be worn +and hustle, buttoning up just before going out of the hall-door. Two +minutes gave us ample time to get from our rooms to the line in the area. +Now the cadets are required to wear white shirts and the style of the +white collar[32] having been changed it requires a white shirt to fasten +it to. + +A cadet generally carries his lead pencil stuck into his coat near the +throat, but I made a little pocket on the underside of the tail of my +dress-coat, just big enough for a little pen knife and a pencil an inch +and a half long, and I never got “skinned” for it either. In my day, the +last section was called “the Immortals” but I am told that the “Goats” +have captured the name I once knew so well. + +For many years, “Old Bentz” blew the bugle calls for recitations and +mid rain or snow, he never missed a call, he blew it first on the north +side of the Barracks, near the “Sally Port,” and then in the area. Many +a cadet has stood at the blackboard, not ready to recite, praying for +old Bentz to blow; once in a while he would succeed in “bugling it,” +that is, avoid a recitation, but as the instructors have all been cadets +themselves, the poor fellow was generally called upon to recite and got +1.5 or less for his pains. + +A day or two after returning to barracks I was on post one evening +in the hall of the old “sixth div.” when D⸺m, of my class, who lived +in that “div.” passed through the hall with his coat unbuttoned. Of +course I reported him for it. The next day the report was on the list +of delinquencies read out to the battalion by the cadet adjutant. After +supper that evening another classmate called on me and asked what I had +against D⸺m, I said I had nothing against him and I wanted to know why +he asked. He replied that D⸺m was very angry with me for having reported +him for “coat unbuttoned in hall of barracks.” I was surprised and said +that I had to report him or tell a lie to the officer or corporal of the +guard. Up to that time D⸺m had not been on guard in barracks and he did +not know the orders, so he consulted an upper classman about the report +and learned that I had done my duty. Then he came to me and said, “I +sent a friend to challenge you but find that you are right and I wrong, +so I want to beg your pardon.” Had I not have reported D⸺m I would have +gotten into serious trouble, because the cadets themselves have no use +for a liar or a thief. As I have said the rooms of barracks are never +locked, hence any cadet will promptly report another for stealing and the +thief[33] is summarily dealt with by the authorities. + +In barracks a sentinel is posted in each hall, and he walks post only +during meal hours, evening call to quarters, and Sunday[34] call to +quarters. When a relief is to be taken off post and no new sentinels +are to be posted, such as after meals and at tattoo, the corporal of +the relief on post, beginning at the first division hall, calls, “No. +1 Off,” marches him to the second division and calls, “No. 2 Off,” and +so on until the eight sentinels are off, the relief is then marched to +the guard house, and there dismissed. The spirit of deviltry used to +crop out in the average fourth classman, as soon as his plebe camp was +over, and he often laid awake at night devising ways and means for sweet +revenge upon the next class or even upon the “Seps” of his own class, +before they became acquainted with one another. One night a June plebe +discovered that the sentinels on Posts 1, 2 and 3, were Seps of his own +class, and that they were on guard for their first time. A happy thought +came to this June plebe. He put on his overcoat, turned the collar up to +hide his face, got his rifle, and just before time for the Corporal to +take off his Relief at tattoo, this plebe took off the Relief himself. +The first three sentinels being green Seps “fell in” without a suspicion +of anything wrong, and the older cadets of the Relief knowing that it +was about time to be relieved, also fell in. Just as the June plebe was +approaching the guard house with the Relief, Lieutenant K⸺g saw the +Corporal of this Relief in the guard house watching the clock, hence +he knew that some devilment was up. The plebe saw that the Lieutenant +saw him, so he fled to his room, with the Lieutenant after him and the +members of the Relief ran back to their posts. The plebe was caught +and he walked “extras” for many a Saturday afternoon for his fun; and +the Corporal was reduced to the ranks for allowing his Relief to be +improperly relieved. + +Cadets do not salute one another except on occasions of ceremony +prescribed by the regulations. Plebes address one another as Jones or +Smith, but they say[35] Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith in speaking of them to +an officer, or to an upper classman. In speaking to or of an officer, +they use his title, but in speaking to or of an upper classman, they +say[35] Mr. White or Mr. Black. Upper classmen address one another as +White and Black, but they say Mr. White or Mr. Black in speaking of them +to an officer or to a plebe. In speaking to or of an officer they use +his title, but in speaking to or of a plebe, they say Mr. Jones or Mr. +Smith. Officers in speaking to or of a cadet say Mr. Jones or Mr. White. +Cadet titles are used only by the cadets having them, and then only in +their permits and explanations, thus—Cadet Corporal, Cadet Sergeant, +etc. Except officially, officers and cadets rarely speak to one another. +At first it seemed very strange to recite to an officer for months, and +to pass him on the plain without a friendly word being exchanged, the +military salute being the only recognition. It is best that it is that +way, as it avoids intimacy and favoritism. + +When the first snow fell, I was greatly amused to see one of my +classmates who had never seen it snow. He ran out into the area +bare-headed (and was reported for being in the area without cap). He held +out his hands and then opened his mouth to catch the flakes; it was a +soft fine snow and melted as soon as it touched anything, so he could not +catch any of the flakes, yet he could see them in the air and he appeared +dumbfounded. + +Now that we did not have to carry palms of the hands to the front we used +to walk more about the post. I say walk, because we were not allowed +to ride. We found our way occasionally to the Dutchwoman’s,[36] near +the postoffice[37] (as no permits were needed to go there in my day), +where cadets having a little change, or who, being out of debt, could +get ice cream, cakes, pies, etc. On Saturday afternoons we went down +“Flirtation Walk,” a beautiful stroll along the Hudson, or up to Cro’ +Nest, the highest peak for miles around, or to old Fort Putnam, on a hill +west of the Barracks, and once in a while to Kinsley’s orchard.[38] The +only reason I can think of having gone to Kinsley’s is, that it was then +“off limits,” and the Regulations said cadets caught off limits should +be dismissed, or otherwise less severely punished. Christmas season had +much in store for us. We received boxes of sweetmeats from home, we had +a theatrical performance in the Mess Hall, and some of us, and I was +one, had a three days’ “leave” from the Point. This leave was granted +to cadets having not over six demerits for the past six months. But +few cadets obtained leaves, and those who did were envied by the less +fortunate fellows. Everybody enjoyed the boxes from home, because cadets +are proverbially generous, and divide their good things with those who +do not receive boxes. Many were “skinned” and given demerits for grease +upon their floors after the boxes came. The cadets are not now permitted +to receive Christmas boxes. An entertainment was given on New Year’s Eve, +in the Mess Hall. A temporary stage was erected, and all of the actors, +“actresses” and members of the orchestra were cadets. + +A PARODY ON HOHENLINDEN. + + At West Point, when the sun was low, + All spotless lay the untrodden snow, + And dark as winter was the flow + Of Hudson rolling rapidly. + + But West Point saw another sight. + Loud groans were heard at dead of night, + And plebeians howled with wild affright, + Whilst dreaming of Geometry. + + ’Twas morn, but on that luckless day + The morning brought no cheering ray, + To pierce the mist of Algebra, + Or clear it of perplexity. + + In glittering armor, bright arrayed, + Each teacher drew his battle blade, + And furious each plebeian made, + To witness such pomposity. + + Then shook the hills with thunder river, + As each plebe to the blackboard driven + Despairing of all hopes of Heaven, + In view of his deficiency + + And fainter still his hopes did grow, + When he received a big zero; + His throbbing bosom rent with woe, + The tears came railing rapidly. + + “Immortals” falter! On! ye brave! + Who rush to glory or the grave, + Wave! plebeians; All thy banners wave! + And charge that Trigonometry. + + The lesson o’er—the hovering cloud + Hath burst in torrents, wild and loud, + And buried in one common shroud + The essence of stupidity. + + The “found” shall part, no more to meet, + For Math has been their winding sheet, + And every “hash” they now shall eat + Brings curses to the memory. + + * * * * * + + PROGRAMME + + OF THE + + Entertainment Given by the + U. S. Corps of Cadets, + + NEW YEAR’S EVE., 1869 + WEST POINT. + + Overture Orchestra + + PART I. + + PADDY MILES, THE LIMERICK BOY. + + (A drama of Corinthian lightness.) + + DRAMATIS PERSONAE. + + Paddy Miles Cadet Shortelle + + (The Greek.) + + Dr. Coates Cadet Wood + + (Spooney and Fidgety.) + + Henry, his son Cadet Cobb + + (No joke here.) + + Job, a gardener Cadet Guard + + (Biles with rage.) + + Reuben Cadet Hall + + (Randy—O! High.) + + Mrs. Fidget Cadet Paddock + + (See joke on Dr. Coates.) + + Jane Cadet Fornance + + (The Girl of the period.) + + Guitar Duet Cadets Evans and Harrington + + Music Orchestra + + PART II. + + DARK TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE. + + Othello Cadet Davis + + (Ye Swarthy Moor.) + + Desdemona Cadet McDonald + + (As was gone back on.) + + Brabantio Cadet McGinniss + + Duke Cadet “Doylle” + + Senators, Assassins, Collectors of Internal Revenue, etc., by + the Company. + + Music Orchestra + + PART III. + + THE LIGHTSOME FARCE OF GRIMSHAW, BAGSHAW AND BRADSHAW. + + Peter Grimshaw Cadet Williams + + (Christened Peter after his Aunt Sarah.) + + John Bagshaw Cadet Goddard + + (“Trust him not.”) + + BRADSHAW!!! Cadet Fountain + + (Bastante dicho—“wich” it is Spanish.) + + Towser Cadet Wood + + (Characteristics: Heart flinty, Conchoidal fracture.) + + Fanny, a milliner Cadet Townsend + + (A-lass! not a Millionaire.) + + Emily, Towser’s niece Cadet Birney + + (Same at same.) + + Music Orchestra + + PART IV. + + “DARKER HERE.” + + MINSTRELS, BY THE CADET BAND. + + 1. + + Overture, “Les Dames de Seville,” Cadet Band + + The Bell Goes Ringing for Sarah Solo and Chorus + + Linda Polka Cadet Band + + Little Maggie May Solo and Chorus + + We Parted by the River Side Company + + Selection Cadet Band + + Clog Dance Cadet Bassett + + 2. + + Selections Cadet Band + + Fairy Moonlight Quartette + + West Point Polka and Selection Cadet Band + + My Christmas Leave Solo + + Et Bonde Cryllup Cadet Band + + Rootle Tum Tootle Tum Tay Solo and Chorus + + Galop Militaire Cadet Band + + * * * * * + + NO HURDLES. + + “GENERAL REGULATIONS.” + + Those unable to secure seats will be permitted to visit the + Guard-house, where they will find amusement during the entire + entertainment in the perusal of the delinquences posted there. + + In consideration of the almost perfect disguise which may be + effected through the magic agency of burnt cork, by which even + the dignified features of our Professors can be effectually + concealed, we would enjoin upon the audience a respect for + gravity during the minstrel performance; and the managers would + take this opportunity of thanking the “Heads of Departments” + for the very affable manner in which they have consented to + contribute, by their Terpsichorean and Ethiopian efforts to the + evening’s amusement. + + Owing to the probability of the hall being inspected by the + “Officer in charge,” after the Battalion has returned to + Barracks, the managers earnestly solicit the destruction of all + vestiges of this “Feast of reason,” as it is not mentioned on + the “Cadets’ Bill of Fare” for this date. First classmen are + recommended to preserve the “Flow of soul” for use to-morrow, + in case the Superintendents may not be pleased to release them + from “pledge.” + + The managers respectfully call attention to their endeavors + to produce that long desired “mean” equally removed from + “Corinthian lightness, and Egyptian massiveness.” + + Should the performers attempt to “consume time,” or the + enthusiasm of the audience be kindled to such an extent as + to create apprehension for the safety of the building, the + services of the Fire Department, under the able management + of its efficient “Chief Engineer,” will be called into + requisition—(provided the nozzle can be found.) + + MANAGERS: + + S. W. FOUNTAIN, + R. A. WILLIAMS, + E. M. COBB, + A. H. RUSSELL, + A. E. WOOD. + +The semi-annual examination commenced right after New Years and when +the class standing[39] was announced, about thirty cadets were found +deficient, and discharged. At least half the deficient ones were in my +class, and the balance in the other three classes. Those near the foot +of my class, who passed, but about whom doubts had been entertained as +to their ability to get through, were now furnished with warm cloth +overcoats of the regulation cadet gray. The sections were rearranged +according to the standing determined by the examinations, text books for +the next five months were drawn, lessons assigned and studies resumed. +Shortly after our class standing had been published, the class was sent +to the Library, where we again took the oath of allegiance, and in due +time afterwards each fourth classman received his “cadet warrant.” + +The plebes now began to make the best show they could both about their +rooms and in their personal appearance. Those who could do so procured +curtains[40] for the windows, alcoves and clothes presses, all turkey +red, of course, as that was the regulation color. When they got new +clothes, they were particular about the fit, especially of the dress +coats, as their waists had grown more shapely, caused by wearing close +fitting clothes and belts, which required the chest and not the abdomen +to be used for breathing. They had their old dress coats made smaller in +the waist, too. + +Cadets having a taste for music were permitted to have such musical +instruments as banjos, guitars and flutes, and during “release from +quarters” they could practice. Musical spirits were soon brought +together, and after the players became proficient they attracted +attention. Aside from those who played upon instruments, there were +some who had very good voices. When pleasant spring evenings came, the +musicians would often assemble on one of the front steps of the Barracks +and their sweet music and songs attracted all other cadets. Often would +the officers, their ladies and the few visitors at the Point at that +season of the year, stroll near the cadet Barracks to hear music and +songs, and even Old Bentz would look at his watch a dozen times and wait +till the last second to sound “Call to Quarters.” One evening, Christine +Nilsson, the famous “Swedish singer,” who was visiting the Point, was so +attracted by the singing of the cadets that she consented to sing for the +whole corps on condition that the cadet quartette would sing for her. +Her proposition was accepted and the Mess Hall was used for the purpose. +Of course we were charmed by her sweet voice and she complimented the +quartette, too, and Cadet W⸺r in particular. Miss Nilsson told him that +he ought to cultivate his voice and that if he would resign she herself +would pay for his musical education in Europe. Cadet W⸺r thanked her +for her generous offer, but declined to accept it. Miss Nilsson then +said that the cadets must pay for her singing, and that she would make +the collection at once. She was promptly informed that cadets were not +allowed to have money, and that they did not even have pockets in their +clothes. She replied every cadet had with him that which she wanted, +namely a bell-button, and she was particular about the one too, and said, +“I want the spooney button, the one from over the heart.” She produced a +string and we filed past her and each cadet gladly paid her price. The +officers present on this occasion neglected their duty for not reporting +every cadet, for “a button off dress coat in Mess Hall.” About once a +month on Saturday evenings during the winter the band gave orchestra +concerts at which cadets could be present. + +[Illustration: TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: + +Know ye, _That the PRESIDENT has been pleased to appoint ________________ +a CADET in the Military Service of the UNITED STATES, to rank as such +from the __ day of ________ 18__. He is therefore to be received with all +the consideration attached to such appointment._ + +Given _under my hand at the WAR DEPARTMENT, this __ day of ________, in +the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ____, and of the +INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES the ________._ + + ____________ + _Secretary of War_.] + +One day, S⸺s, one of my classmates, took sick with typhoid fever, and +was confined to bed in the hospital for weeks. We took turns sitting +up at night with him. When he became dangerously ill, his parents were +notified, and they came at once and were with him some days before he +died. An order was published announcing his death, and the loss of a +valuable member of the corps, and directed as a mark of respect to his +memory, that all cadets should wear the usual badge of mourning; that is, +a four-inch band of black crape around the left arm, above the elbow, for +a period of thirty days, and that the flag should be at half-staff on +the day of the funeral. The pallbearers were chosen from his class and +the funeral services held in the little chapel. The coffin was carried +from the chapel, arms were presented, the band played an appropriate +air, and then the coffin was laid upon an artillery caisson draped with +the stars and stripes. We marched to solemn music, with “arms reversed,” +to the beautiful little cadet cemetery just outside of the north gate +overlooking the Hudson at the foot of the highest peak of the Highlands. +Upon reaching the grave, line was formed facing it, and the coffin placed +over it; arms were again presented and the band played another solemn +air; the body was then lowered to its last resting place. We stood with +bowed heads at rest on arms, while the Chaplain conducted the services at +the grave. We then fired three rounds of blank cartridges and returned +to barracks. After leaving the cemetery, we came to “right shoulder” +arms, and marched to a quick step. During my day the corps of cadets +attended a great many funerals, and among them were those of three of +our professors, two or more cadets, and a number of old graduates of the +Academy. + +We fourth classmen now began to talk of June first, the day on which we +would become yearlings and be admitted to the corps on equality with +the other classmen; of the dropping of the Mr., of the shedding of our +“plebe-skins” and how that great event should be celebrated; of how we +would treat the next class, of which of us would be made corporals, of +the hops, of the ladies who come up in June, and of other topics of vital +interest to fourth classmen. At a class meeting we selected six hop +managers, six being our share for the summer hops, and we selected them +by ballot. There were no nominations, it having been decided that the +six receiving the greatest number of votes should be elected, and I was +not one of the six. About the twenty-fifth of May D Company vacated its +quarters and they were put in order for the candidates, who reported in +my day between the first and tenth of June; then they reported later in +June, after the cadets had gone into camp. Now new cadets report March +1st. + +The academic year practically closed on the 31st of May, and on the next +day the battalion was to again appear in its summer clothes; that is, in +white pants and gray coats. White pants are the forerunners of the many +changes to soon occur at the Point; a class to be graduated, another to +go on furlough, and the other two, with a new class added to the corps, +to go into camp; the members of the Board of Visitors[41] and hundreds +of other people to arrive, some to witness the graduating exercises, old +graduates to attend their alumni meeting, others to see relatives in the +corps, and still others to attend the summer hops. But with all these +and other pleasures in store for the cadets about a dozen of the plebes +were not satisfied. They knew that on the morrow candidates would begin +to report, and that then they themselves would shed their plebe-skins, +drop the Mr. and be full-fledged “yearlings.” In order to mark this +great event in the life of a cadet at West Point we had months before +decided upon doing something that no other yearlings had done. Away +back in April, while at light battery drill, we “hived” some powder, by +taking a little from a dozen or more cartridges, and we also “hived” some +friction-primers. The night of May 31st was cloudy and hazy, which just +suited us, and the tactical officers favored us by inspecting every room +before midnight. At about half-past eleven we tied the handle of the +angle door to an upright of the porch and fastened a rope to the posts +at the head of the angle porch stairs, and then went one at a time out +to the “reveille gun” that stood near execution hollow away out on the +plain. We loaded that gun and then put in it all of our old socks and +rammed the charge well. Some of our trusty party got cannon balls at +Trophy Point and joined the others at the gun. We then wheeled the gun +near the gravel walk in front of the barracks, and one of our party went +on the grass to the right and another to the left. These two then made +noises that attracted the attention of the two engineer sentinels posted +at night on the gravel walk, and signaled that our coast was clear. We +then rushed across the walk through the Sally Port and fired that gun in +the area. At the same time the cannon balls were rolled along the porches +in rear of barracks, then we hastened to our rooms, undressed and went +to bed to await developments. Oh, what a dandy report that gun made; +it shook the barracks and other buildings, too, and shattered windows +all around. The cannon balls were also a great success, for they made a +horrible rumbling sound. We awoke everybody. Lieutenant M⸺l was “officer +in charge,” and we soon heard him tugging away at the angle door and then +stumble against the clothesline that we had so thoughtfully put up for +his special benefit. He called the “drummer orderly,” who slept in the +guard-house and had long roll sounded. He questioned the cadet officers, +but, of course, they knew nothing; then, as he himself had been a cadet, +he made the new-born yearlings fall in and told them that the outrage +had been committed by some of them, and that the guilty ones should be +punished. He then said that all who had not taken part in the disgraceful +affair could fall out and go to their quarters; the guilty ones trembled +in their shoes, but soon recovered, for not a man fell out. The night +was raw and chilly, but there the Lieutenant made us stand, first at +attention, then at parade rest and then at attention again. The innocent +were once more told to fall out, but not a man moved. We were then put +into the guard-house and several of us obtained permission to go to our +rooms for overcoats. Line was re-formed and B⸺ly directed to call the +roll. I was in my own room at this time and could see and hear what was +going on in the area. I knew that B⸺ly had not called the class roll for +months, so I staid in my room and listened to the roll-call, and when I +discovered that I was not reported absent I went to bed. Lieutenant M⸺l +then marched the yearlings out on the cavalry plain and drilled them at +double time for several hours. He stood still some times and marched the +class around him, and as he was not always near enough to distinguish +one yearling from another in the dark there were many blunders purposely +made in ranks, and this made him furious. After awhile Colonel B⸺k, the +Commandant, put in his appearance, and then the class behaved all right, +but it was kept at drill till near breakfast time. Before being dismissed +Colonel B⸺k told the innocent ones to fall out, but not a man left the +ranks. The class was then dismissed, and in a few minutes the battalion +was formed for breakfast, and, of course, I fell in then. Before marching +to the Mess Hall an order was published confining all members of the +fourth class, except one who was in the hospital, to the area of the +barracks until further orders. Some of the class had relatives and +friends at the Point, and the confinement was hard on them, because +cadets in confinement cannot see their friends for longer than half an +hour, and then only in the visitors’ room in the guard-house. + +A salute of seventeen guns was fired by a detail of cadets in honor of +the arrival of the Board of Visitors. There was much of interest now at +the Point for the Board and others to see. Beginning with guard-mount +now after parade, then oral examinations from 9 to 4 followed infantry, +artillery or cavalry drill, and the day closing with dress parade at +sunset. The rear view of the cadets marching at double time, to or from +dress parade, out on the grassy plain is a beautiful sight, especially +when white pants are worn, for then the wavy motion of the handsome +uniforms with the black shoes alternating against the white pants and +the green grass once seen is a sight never forgotten. In the evening the +cadets, except those in confinement, and their friends could be together +for an hour or two at the hotel or at some of the officers’ quarters, +provided, of course, that the cadets had “permits.” Not to speak of a +handsome display of fireworks on one evening and the graduating hop on +another. During all these festivities, which lasted about three weeks, +the cadets and candidates were undergoing rigid examinations,[42] and +at which many failed. Lists of the successful ones were announced, the +graduates and furloughmen left and the others went into camp. Some of the +“found” were turned back to join the next class, while the others were +discharged. + +On the morning after we had fired the gun in the area Colonel Black sent +for me, showed me one of my own slippers and told me that it had been +picked up that morning on the walk in front of the barracks, and as it +had my name in it he wanted me to explain how the slipper got out of my +room. I told him that I didn’t know, as the last time I had worn or seen +it was on the previous evening before taps. He did not ask me if I had +taken part in the “disgraceful” affair. All of his questioning could get +nothing more out of me, because I told the truth. I afterwards learned +how the slipper did get out on the walk. When D Company vacated its +quarters for the new class C⸺y came over to room with L⸺t and me, and +unbeknown to me he had worn my slippers, and as he was one of the two +cadets chased by the engineer sentinels he lost it, and then for fear +that he and I might both be caught he did not mention the fact to me +until after my return from the Commandant’s office. + +Three of my class were turned out over new cadets, and others of the +class detailed to help drill them, and when the new list of corporals was +published I had the pleasure of writing home that I was one of the few +yearlings to wear chevrons. + +After the publication of the new lists of class standing I called upon +one of the unfortunates to express regret that he had not passed. He +seemed to be very indifferent about having been found, and said that, +after a long search on his “family tree,” he had on that day made the +fortunate discovery that he was the nineteenth cousin of Queen Victoria! + +While in confinement Casey wrote a song commemorating the firing of the +gun in the area, and the song was very popular in my day. The following +is my version of it: + +WHO FIRED THAT GUN IN THE AREA? + + In eighteen hundred and ⸺ ⸺ ⸺ + Some plebes went out on the plain so free, + Played the mischief generally, + And fired the gun in the area. + + They locked them up in the old guard-house, + And bade them be as still as a mouse; + They whooped and yelled and kicked about, + And fired the gun in the area. + + They made them at the attention stand, + With rifles held all tight in the hand, + But no one “peached” on any man + Who fired the gun in the area. + + Then Gussie M. said: “Oh, don’t you see + There’s no use of your fooling with me? + I’ll make you stand till ‘Reveille’ + For firing gun in the area. + + “And if you rascals don’t all be still, + Of punishment you shall have your fill— + I’ll take you on the plain to drill + For firing gun in the area.” + + He marched them round at the double time— + Egad! that drill it was very fine; + From everything they took the shine, + And fired the gun in the area. + + This man he got into such a state + That ev’ry plebe he wanted to ate, + And said they were insubord’nate, + And fired the gun in the area. + + Then Harry B. just raves and hollers, + “Leave them alone, the bad young bothers; + Confine them till further orders, + For firing gun in the area.” + + Yearlings the plebes all became that day, + And paid the price for being so gay + After midnight the last of May, + For firing gun in the area. + + NOTE 1. Now only those cadets are examined whose average + marks fall below a certain figure, which may be different for + different subjects. For changes and improvements see Chapter + IX, the articles by Colonels Tillman and Larned. + + NOTE 2. A change has been made since the text was written so + that the white collar is not buttoned to the shirt, but is + fastened to the inside of the collar of the coat by means of + three metal clasps. + + NOTE 3. Such a thing as stealing is rare among the cadets. + + NOTE 4. Sentinels are now posted from shortly after the return + of the battalion from supper until 9:30 p. m. only. + + NOTE 5. The Dutch woman left the post in 1875, and the + confectionery or store is now in a brick building about 200 + yards north of the brick cottage she occupied. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: CAMP GEO. H. THOMAS. + +The Pleasure of your company is requested at the hops to be given by the +Corps of Cadets every Monday Wednesday and Friday evening during the +encampment. + +_Managers._ + + FRED D. GRANT + ANDREW H. RUSSELL + WALTER S. WYATT + EDWARD W. CASEY + HENRY C. LA POINT + JAMES R. WASSON + THOS S. MUMFORD + REID T. STEWART + QUINCY O. GILLMORE + WILLIAM T. RUSSELL + J. BURKE HICKEY + T. M. WOODRUFF + CORBIN DAVENPORT + LOUIS A. CRAIG + WILLIAM H. COFFIN + +West Point N. Y. + +22d June, 1870.] + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE YEARLING. + + +When we marched into camp again at the old site, which was this year +named “Camp Geo. H. Thomas,” the yearlings were perfectly happy. We +enjoyed the society of the plebes for awhile, but soon tired of that. +We had been under such a strain during the previous year that we needed +a rest, and we had it, too, as there was not much required of us for +the first month. We seemed to need sleep, and we slept in the morning, +again in the afternoon and all night, too. After we were rested we +loitered under the trees near the guard tents during guard-mounts and +band practice and mingled among the numerous summer visitors at the +Point; to get acquainted was not difficult, as some of the visitors had +relatives or friends in the corps, and, moreover, people get acquainted +easier at a resort or a dance than almost anywhere else. Some of the +yearlings never missed a hop, and there were three of them a week, from 8 +to 11 p. m. Others of us who were not proficient in the art took dancing +lessons occasionally, but generally found our pleasure in boating and in +being with the ladies, or with one another, listening to the music; in +promenading on “Flirtation Walk,” or calling at the hotel. We idled away +the whole summer, and it did us good, for, when we returned to barracks, +we were ready for study again. I don’t want to be understood that we had +nothing to do during camp, because many hours were spent at drill, at +inspections and on guard, just enough to keep us active and healthy. + +On pleasant days when not on duty we often strolled on “Flirtation Walk,” +that beautiful path winding through the trees and rocks between the camp +site and the river to watch passing steamers or to see the objects of +interest along this walk. There are some links of a huge chain on “Trophy +Point” between Professor’s Row and the hotel that was floated on logs +across the Hudson during the Revolutionary War from Gee’s Point at the +big bend of the river to Constitution Island[43] near the village of Cold +Springs on the east side of the Hudson. We used to examine the place near +the lighthouse on Gee’s Point, where one end of this chain was fastened +and wonder what effect such an obstruction would be to the gunboats of +to-day. At other times we would linger about Kosciuszco’s Monument, a +little south of Gee’s Point, and quench our thirst at the same spring +that this noble Pole drank from more than a century ago when he built +Fort Clinton—that is, nearby on the plain—while at the same time General +Putnam constructed the numerous other fortifications on the neighboring +hills. Then we would visit Battery Knox, near Kosciuszco’s garden, to +see the beautiful view down the Hudson that this work commands, or go to +see still another handsome view up the Hudson from Trophy Point or Siege +Battery at the north, or rather the west end of Flirtation Walk. Battery +Knox, and Seacoast, Siege and Mortar batteries are of comparative recent +origin and were built by the cadets. There are many monuments, aside +from those in the little cemetery, that have been erected at salient +points about the grounds to heroes who freely sacrificed their lives in +the cause of freedom. Some of those brave men shed their blood to give +birth to our republic, others to wrest territory from the Indians or from +Mexico, and still others that our Union might live. Then there are cannon +and other relics of war on Trophy Point and in the “museum” that are +silent teachers for all who see them. The very air about this historic +spot teaches love of country, and the cadets absorb much valuable +information that is not taught in the section room. + +Cadets who were popular with the ladies often used to pin the “spooney +buttons” on their coats, and when a cadet gave his spooney button to a +young lady this act was equivalent to saying that she was the favored one. + + “The ladies—may Heaven bless their faces! + They come here in summer sweet, + Each being loaded with graces, + And all have cadets at their feet.” + +Lieutenant K⸺g was a popular tactical officer and quite a ladies’ man. +He liked music, and at band practice he often requested the leader to +play “Shoo Fly,” and so often that the cadets noticed it, and called him +“Shoo Fly,” not to his face, of course, but among ourselves. Clara G⸺e, +a little six-year-old girl, was a frequent visitor at camp, and she was +a great admirer of Cadet W⸺e. One day he was officer of the guard and +I was corporal of the guard. During dress parade my post was near the +first guard tent facing the battalion, and it was my duty to see that +visitors kept back of a certain line. Little Clara was out to see the +dress parade, and, as Cadet W⸺e was at the guard tents, she was near him. +W⸺e called me, and then told little Clara just when and where to go and +what to say. There were many visitors present that evening. I took my +post, and in a few minutes Lieutenant K⸺g stepped a dozen or so yards in +front of me and of the line of visitors preparatory to taking post as +officer in charge of the parade. Just then little Clara ran out in front +of the visitors’ line, and in a loud voice called: “Lieutenant K⸺g! Oh, +Lieutenant K⸺g!” which, of course, attracted everybody’s attention, and +then she said, “What do they all call you ‘Shoo Fly’ for?” + +One day four young ladies came to camp, and four of us yearlings met them +under the trees at the guard tents. The ladies wanted us to take them out +boating, and as they knew cadets had no way of providing refreshments, +they themselves had brought baskets of cake and fruit. Knowing that our +quartette could be absent from camp for several hours we picked up the +baskets and started. Attached to our boathouse[44] there was an inclined +and also a floating dock, all fastened together, so that the two docks +would rise and fall with the water in the river. The floating dock had +been covered with water so often that it was quite slippery, and we +cautioned the young ladies about it. While we were carrying our boat from +its place in the boathouse one of the young ladies ran down the inclined +dock, and the moment she stepped upon the floating dock she slipped and +sat down in a half inch of water. Her sister (for there were two sisters +in the party) ran to her rescue, and she, too, sat down in the water. +We knew nothing of the mishaps until the sisters were just getting upon +their feet; then we suggested another day for the trip, but they said +no, as everything was ready now we must go. All got in the boat and off +we went. We rowed across the river under the bridge and landed (off +limits) in the woods on the east side of the Hudson. The ladies said +that they would prepare lunch, so the yearlings left them to themselves +for a while. Upon our return a dainty lunch was spread upon the grass, +and we all fell to with a relish, and then started upon our return to +the camp. We observed that the ladies insisted upon carrying the baskets +and to hold on to them while in the boat; this, of course, excited our +suspicions, and we found out that the baskets contained the sisters’ +laundry. + +It was the rule for a corporal to march the sick of his company to the +hospital at sick-call at 6:30 a. m., and as there were not many sick the +custom sprang up in the corps for one corporal to take the sick-report +books of all four companies to the hospital when there were no sick. So +one morning near the close of Yearling Camp, when there were no sick in +my company to go to the hospital, a corporal of another company took my +sick-report book, and as luck would have it I was reported for “Neglect +of duty, not taking sick-report book to the hospital,” and for this I +was reduced to ranks, but soon afterwards I was appointed a “marker” +for battalion drill, a very pleasant duty. The summer soon passed, the +furlough class returned, we struck tents and our yearling camp was over. + +Back to barracks we went, donned our gray pants, drew text books,[45] +posted our hours of recitation and began the school work for another year. + +Cavalry drill is a part of the course in each of the last three years, +and the yearlings always hailed the day when they could begin cavalry +drill, and at last the time came for us. The class was divided into two +platoons, and a platoon at a time sent to the Riding Hall.[46] When my +platoon marched into the hall we were all disappointed, for, instead +of finding our horses ready saddled, they were not saddled at all. We +were marched in front of the line of horses, which were being held by +cavalry soldiers, the yearling on the right of the line was instructed to +take the first horse, the next yearling to take the next horse, and so +on to the left. The horses were bridled and had blankets on them, held +in place by surcingles. Captain B⸺s explained to us how to mount, and +then ordered us to mount. Some of us had no trouble in mounting, but it +was very amusing to see others who had never been on a horse; it took +them a long time to get on, notwithstanding the drill we had had in the +gymnasium.[47] It was found that a real horse was different from a wooden +horse. After all were mounted the position of the soldier, mounted, was +explained to us, and our faults corrected. We were then dismounted, then +mounted again. So much time was taken up in explaining details and in +mounting and dismounting and correcting errors that the whole hour passed +in that way. The next day we did get to ride, but for only a few minutes, +and at a walk then. As the days came we rode longer each time, but always +at a walk for weeks. Then came the slow trot, and it was fun to see some +of the yearlings fall off, but as we had been so well drilled in mounting +they were soon on again. That first day at the slow trot we all got very +sore. Many of the horses were hard trotters, and many a yearling had +chafed legs. I remember seeing several of my class who suffered a great +deal, so much that for a time the blood ran down on their shoes. We were +taught to saddle and unsaddle, to fold the saddle blanket, to bridle and +unbridle, to ride with saddles, first at a walk, then a trot and then +at a gallop. We were then taught to ride with a sabre and then given +sabre exercises, and then the use of the pistol, then without saddles to +mount and dismount, first at a walk, then at a trot, then at a gallop +and then at the full speed of the horse; then to jump hurdles, then to +jump a hurdle, dismount, mount and jump another hurdle, the horse going +at full speed; then to use the sabre, cutting at leather balls, called +heads, one on a post, one on the ground and another on a post; then to +jump a hurdle and with the sabre to catch a ring at the same time from a +string suspended near the hurdle, then to cut a head on the ground, then +one on a post and then to jump another hurdle, catch another ring and +take another head. We were also taught the various platoon movements, and +occasionally on pleasant days we were taken out for long rides into the +country. + +Visitors at the Point often wanted to see how the cadets lived, and +when they went about it right, i. e., made the acquaintance of certain +tactical officers, their requests were sometimes granted. Lieutenant K⸺g +came to my room one morning after he had made his regular inspection and +said that he had wanted to bring some visiting ladies and gentlemen over +to see my room, but from the looks of things he thought it inadvisable. I +replied that all would be in order in a few minutes, and when ready I’d +go to the hall door, where he could see me. To this he assented. My room +at that particular time was in bad order. O’C⸺r and I had our guns apart +and cleaning materials and rags scattered about the floor, and worse, two +of our classmates who lived across the hall from us brought their chairs +to our room, and we four were playing whist, but Lieutenant K⸺g was good +enough not to notice our visitors or cards, and he did not report us. In +a few minutes all was in order, and I went to the hall door as a signal. +In a few minutes more Lieutenant K⸺g arrived with, the visitors; they +wanted to see our guns, but fearing criticism he made an excuse that they +were all alike. O’C⸺r and I at once got our rifles and the Lieutenant was +amazed to see them in fine condition. Afterwards he told us that he did +not know how we put things in shape in such a short time. + +One pleasant Saturday afternoon a party of young ladies arrived with +baskets of refreshments to meet a party of yearlings for a trip to “Cro’ +Nest.” As I was the only one of the yearlings not “on punishment” or “in +confinement” I met the young ladies, explained the situation and said +that the trip would have to be postponed. They replied that as two of +the young ladies were to leave for New York on Monday next they were +determined to go to Cro’ Nest at once, and that if I would not go that +the ladies would go alone. Seeing that they were determined to go I went +with them. We climbed to the top of the mountain and had a good view, as +Cro’ Nest is near the top of the highest peak around. The mountain is +covered with timber, and after leaving the top it was hard to tell just +where we would find our way down. Unfortunately, we reached the foot of +the mountain at a point on the Hudson where the bank was about vertical, +and so high that we had to climb more than half way up again to get down +on the other side of that ridge. This consumed so much time that when we +reached the Dutchwoman’s it was after 10 o’clock at night. Alfred, the +Dutchwoman’s son, was there, and we sent him for Lieutenant K⸺g to take +the young ladies to Cold Springs, where some of them lived and the others +were visiting. Cold Springs was off cadet limits, hence I could not risk +going there, when I knew I had been reported absent from dress parade +and from quarters, so I bade the young ladies adieu and reported with as +little delay as possible to the cadet officer of the day, who had made +search for me and was about to send a detail to hunt for me. Immediately +after breakfast the next morning I went to the Dutchwoman’s, saw Alfred +and learned that he had found Lieutenant K⸺g in ample time to catch the +last ferryboat at 11 p. m., but that the Lieutenant waited to finish +a game of billiards he was playing at the officers’ mess,[48] and he +arrived with the ladies at the North Landing just in time to see the last +ferryboat beyond call. The party then went to the Engineer Barracks, +a half mile or more distant, got a large engineer boat, and Lieutenant +K⸺g himself rowed the young ladies across the Hudson to Cold Springs, +and did not return until after reveille the following Sunday morning. I +hastened back to my quarters and worked hard on my gun in preparing my +room for inspection (for I was room orderly that week), for I felt that +the Lieutenant would be especially careful with me at inspection, and so +he was, but he could find nothing to report me for. After inspecting my +room he said, “Mr. R⸺d, you had quite an adventure yesterday?” I replied, +“Yes, sir.” He then asked: “Did the young ladies get home safely?” and I +answered, “You ought to know more about that than I do, sir.” He left the +room, banged the door and accepted my explanation for my absence the day +before. + +Before we could realize it Thanksgiving came and went, Christmas and the +boxes of sweetmeats arrived, and as no Christmas leaves were granted this +year we took a greater interest than usual in an entertainment that came +off in the Mess Hall on New Year’s Eve. + +The January examinations came again, and as is always the case there were +many failures, among them being my tall young friend from Tennessee. +After changing our hours of recitation the steady grind went on as usual. + +About 1 o’clock in the morning of the 5th of February “long roll” +sounded, and, of course, this meant for everybody to turn out promptly. +In a few minutes after the call sounded the cadet companies formed in +the area, and in a few minutes more those in the fire department had +our little hand engine out and at work, for the cadet barracks were on +fire. Tony R⸺r held the nozzle and directed the stream on the roof of +the “Fourth Division,” where the flames were the thickest. The bucket +brigade was also soon at work. Some of the plebes in the cock-loft of +the Fourth Division did not awake until after their rooms were filled +with smoke, and when roll was called they were discovered absent, and +formed lines taking hold of hands and went into their rooms that were +filled with smoke and brought them out. We worked until after daylight +the next morning. Engineer and cavalry soldiers soon arrived to help +us, but much damage was done before the fire was put out. Most of the +roof was destroyed and great damage done to the “Dialectic Society Room” +over the Sally Port and to the cock-loft rooms of the Fourth Division. +No one was injured, but some of the cadets lost everything except their +nightclothes, which they had escaped in. The unfortunate ones found +accommodations by doubling-up with their classmates. Recitations begun at +8 a. m. that day as though nothing had happened, and in a few weeks the +damage to the building was repaired, and a little later Congress, which +was then in session, made good all losses. + + PROGRAMME + + OF THE + + Entertainment Given by the + U. S. Corps of Cadets, + + NEW YEAR’S EVE., 1870 + WEST POINT. + + Overture Orchestra + + PART I. + + Handy Andy. + + (Ye Gladsome Farce.) + + Handy Andy Cadet Shortelle + + Squire Egan Cadet A. E. Wood + + Dick Dawson Cadet Rogers + + Mr. Murphy Cadet Casey + + Squire O’Grady Cadet Goddard + + Mr. Furlong Cadet Mumford + + Edward O’Conner Cadet Hickey + + Simon Cadet Guard + + First Ruffian Cadet “Doyle” + + Second Ruffian Cadet “McGinnis” + + Oonah Rooney Cadet Birney + + Mad Nance Cadet Townsend + + Fanny Dawson Cadet Rowell + + Peasants, Strangers, Citizens, Etc., by the Company. + + Music Orchestra + + PART II. + + Ye Soul-Stirring Tragedy of Macbeth. + + Macbeth—Ye vengeful slayer of his King; who is knawed by grim + remorse. + + Macduff—Ye valiant general; ye loyal nobleman. + + Duncan—King of Scotland. + + Lady Macbeth—Who nightly walketh in her sleep. + + Seyton—Ye officer of Horse Marines, attendant upon Macbeth. + + Guitar Duet Cadets Evans and Harrington + + “Camille.” + + A Tragedy. + + Camille Cadet Casey + + (Tries to wheeden it.) + + Armand Duvall Cadet Goddard + + (The histrionic vender of peanuts.) + + Music Orchestra + + PART III. + + Dion Bourcicault’s “Speelshakes” Unparalleled Combination + Overstrung Electro-Plated Tragedy of + + Les Immortelles de la Classe Von-Bonaute. + + As exhibited on the European plan by the world-renowned Pere + Hyacinthe Troupe at Covent Garden, New Jersey, for over one + consecutive night, during the rainy season, to an overflowing + house, and afterwards successfully brought out by the Sheriff + and Posse Troupe at the Tombs, New York, to a well-secured + audience. + + CHARACTERS. + + (Don’t cut this part off.) + + Cadet Shrimp, Plan and Section Marcher. + + Cadet McDoyle Vesskoldt + + Cadet Ginness Narywacks U. C. + + Cadet Bewkellit Wheet, N. R. + + Cadet Cutit Tanbark + + Cadet Merritt, D. + + Recites at No. 1.5 Cockloft, Cavalry Stables, or in the area of + Barracks on Saturday, alternating daily as the Professor may + feel like it, with Courts-Martial from 2 P. M. until Police + Inspection. + + Music Orchestra + + PART IV. + + Minstrels, by the Cadet Band. + + 1. + + Overture (Ernani) Cadet Band + + Beautiful Bells Solo and Chorus + + Polka (La tarde del Sabado) Cadet Band + + Kaiser, Don’t You Want to Buy a Dog? Company + + Riding Hall Galop Cadet Band + + Mary Aileen Solo and Chorus + + Music Orchestra + + 2. + + Maltese Boat Song Quartette + + Galop (Dgagdfnp) Cadet Band + + Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Solo and Chorus + + Flirtation Waltz Cadet Band + + Die Wacht am Rhein Company + + Jim Jam Chorus Company + + * * * * * + + ARTICLES OF WAR. + + ARTICLE I.—The managers wish it to be distinctly understood + that they have original jurisdiction over all cases of loud and + unseemly noise, shouting and crying out “Supe,” “Boots,” “Carry + him out” and the like; and appellate jurisdiction over all + violations of these Articles of Confederation, including the + use of peanuts, taffy, pop-corn or other raging strong drink. + + ART. II.—In case of fire, to prevent unnecessary disturbance, + the audience will be formed in two ranks endwise, the right + wing resting on the Chapel steps, the left on the Declaration + of Independence, bayonets fixed and trimmings to be worn on the + outside of the mess hall. Should the danger be imminent a small + detail, made by the Superintendent on recommendation of the + academic board, will be allowed to visit the trunk rooms for + the purpose of obtaining their white pants. + + AMENDMENT XIV.—Should any one of the audience feel hungry + during the performance he will make out a statement of the + fact, showing the color of his eyes and hair, when and where + he was born, when and where enlisted, how long since he ate + anything, and why he did not then eat enough to last. He will + submit it to the Commandant of Cadets, who will, if convenient, + forward it to the Superintendent. He will forward it to the + Secretary of War, who will refer it to the Third Auditor of the + Treasury to ascertain how much of the necessary appropriation + remains unexpended. It will then be exposed to Brand’s sulphate + of soda test to ascertain the effect of frost, after which it + will be covered with several layers of beton, well rammed. + At the end of ten hundred years, if it still yields to the + pressure of the finger and remains soluble in hot rum toddy, + the application will be disapproved. The applicant will + meanwhile receive napkins, cane-bottomed chairs and plated + castors to whet his appetite. + + PREAMBLE.—Should any member of the academic staff be so + overcome by the refining nature of the performance as to feel a + desire to sign the temperance pledge, he will find one in the + cupboard of a little room in rear of the dining room of the + officers’ mess. + +When a cadet expected to “cut a meal,” that is, not go to the Mess Hall +for it, or when he wanted a lunch between meals, he would butter a +breakfast roll or two pieces of bread, fold the lunch in his handkerchief +and put it in the breast of his coat, and then throw his shoulders +forward to hide it, so as not to be reported for carrying food from the +Mess Hall. In winter I often carried a roll to my room and put it on the +steam coil under the marble slab. The heat melted the butter and made a +luscious evening lunch. Whenever a cadet had not provided a lunch for +himself and he wished to attend a “fight” at Fort Clinton a classmate +would bring him something from the Mess Hall. + +Once in a while some of the cadets would try their hands at cooking; +they would get such articles of food from the Mess Hall as they could +conceal about their clothes and other articles from the Dutch Woman’s, +and after taps put a blanket up to cover the window, attach one end of a +rubber tube to the gas jet and the other to a burner under a pot or pan, +using candles for light. About the time the dainty dish, called “hash,” +was ready the invited guests would arrive, and then such a feast. Once +in a while an unexpected visitor in the form of a tactical officer would +happen around, and then such scampering; the unlucky ones always paying +dearly for the fun by walking “extras” on Saturday afternoons. There were +two of my classmates who lived together, and one of them was a famous +cook, but they were both “found” in January, and the one who was not the +cook told me that he himself would not have been found had he not had a +cook for a room-mate. + +The paraphrase, by T⸺n of the class of 18—, gives a good account of “a +cadet hash” and the results following it: + +A CADET HASH—(With Apologies to “The Raven.”) + + Once upon a morning dreary, + Whilst I pondered sad and weary, + Over the remains of cooking + And the grease upon the floor, + Suddenly there came a tapping, + As of Kent or Piper rapping, + Rapping at my chamber door; + Only this and nothing more. + + What I said I will not mention + When I heard the “stand attention” + Coming from my chamber door. + Up I jumped nor word did utter, + As with many a snuff and splutter, + Came the giant form of Henry + Gazing at my greasy floor; + Only this and nothing more. + + And behind him came a creature, + Human as to form and feature, + Whom I recognized as Jakey, + Gazing, too, upon my floor. + When I heard this creature vicious + Putting on a smile malicious, + Mutter, “You’ve been having cooking, + That is what has greased your floor.” + Only this and nothing more. + + “Yes,” said Henry, “I can smell it, + ’Tis so plain that one can tell it, + Tell the odor of the cooking, + And the grease upon the floor.” + Thus his spirit burned within him, + And he said to Jacob, “Skin him, + Skin him for the smell of cooking + And for grease upon the floor.” + “Yes,” said Jakey, and something more. + + Then he said, with look aggressive, + And with twist of head expressive, + “Put him on as orderly. + Orderly for one week more!” + “Yes,” said Jacob, “I will do it; + This young man shall surely rue it, + Rue the night that he had cooking, + Rue the time he greased his floor, + He shall serve for one week more.” + + Then they left me in my sadness, + Musing o’er the deed of madness, + Thinking of the smell of cooking + And of grease upon my floor. + All that night was turned to mourning, + Visions stern of “extras” dawning, + On my tearful, blinded vision, + Caused me pain evermore. + This is all—there’s nothing more. + +Among the plebes reporting last June there was a colored youth, and he +was the first colored appointee. He passed the preliminary examinations +and was duly admitted. Without any concert of action we each and every +one let the colored plebe alone. We never spoke to him except officially. +He had a tent or a room all by himself, and he never had cause to +complain of being deviled. However, one day he did complain, and said he +had been tied and had had his ears cut; a great cry was raised against +the hazing at West Point. The case was investigated, but he had no +charges to make against any particular person, and as his injuries were +of a certain kind the cadets were of the opinion that he had inflicted +them upon himself. The army surgeons gave it as their opinion that any +one could tie and injure himself as this colored youth had been tied and +injured. This lad was neither black nor was he a mulatto; his face and +hands were light, with dark spots on them, and these spots were darker +on some occasions than others, which caused us to watch him closely. We +discovered that just before a rain the spots in his cheeks were darker +than at any other time, so we spoke of him as the “Walking Barometer.” +Like many a better man, he was found deficient in a year or two and +discharged. Had he been a white man I do not believe that he would ever +have been admitted to West Point, because, as cadets, we thought him very +dull and stupid. + +There were some young ladies living at Cold Springs, who often visited +the Point, and they repeatedly invited certain of the cadets to call +on them some evening after “Taps.” Upon promise of a good supper and +music some of us agreed to “run it” over there on the next Saturday +night, provided, of course, that the tactical officers made their night +inspections in time for us to catch the last ferryboat at 11 p. m. It +so happened that the tactical officers all made early inspections on +a particular Saturday night, and soon after they had gone we went to +the rooms of certain candidates, who had not gotten their uniforms and +whose suits of civilian clothes we decided to wear, unbeknown to them, +of course. We found them asleep, took off our cadet gray and donned the +candidates’ citizen clothes. By “hustling” we were just in time for +the ferry, but as we were going down hill past the Seacoast Battery we +met Professor C⸺h and some other officers, who had just arrived on the +ferry, and as luck went L⸺n, from force of habit, saluted the officers. +Our courage almost failed us then, but on we went. After reaching the +boat landing we hesitated about crossing the Hudson for fear that, after +having been seen, another inspection of quarters would be made that +night, and if it were made we were sure of being reported absent, and +this meant, as we could not make explanation that we were on cadet limits +at the time, that we would have to stand “trial by court-martial,” and +if any witnesses were found to prove us off limits we were certain to +be dismissed. Notwithstanding all this, we went, and reached the house +where all the young ladies had agreed to be at about midnight. We were +not expected, but the young ladies were up and said that they did not +dream of our taking the chances we did of being dismissed. As we were +not expected, there was no supper for us. One of the ladies played the +piano for a little while, and then quit because it was Sunday morning. +Seeing that our trip was a disappointment we left the house and started +on our return to barracks. The boatman was not where he told us to call +for him, and we did not find him till about 4 a. m. In the meantime we +became thoroughly chilled, and we ran across several men who might become +witnesses, thus increasing our chances of being caught. Again it was fast +approaching reveille, we would be absent from roll call, and what would +the candidates whose clothes we had on do? Then there were our clothes +with our names in them in the candidates’ rooms to be used as evidence +against us. Oh, what a pleasant time we had that night! At last we landed +at the same dock that I had first landed at, but I was not then in a +humor to appreciate the scenery. We agreed after we changed clothes again +with the candidates and had gone to our own rooms to see whether or not +we had been “hived absent” to meet at the sink. It was not long till we +met there and found that we had not been caught absent, and that the +candidates never knew we wore their clothes. + +We now began to talk of furlough, and as the time drew near we became +the more anxious to see home folks again. Tailors visited the Point with +samples of summer suitings, and the Commissary tailor also had samples to +show. At last each yearling ordered the clothes he wanted to wear when he +went on furlough as a swell second classman, and when the citizen suits +were ready those who ordered at the Commissary could try them on, while +the others had to wait for theirs until after the 1st of June. During the +spring months we held several class meetings to decide upon a furlough +cane, and at last we agreed upon one. It was a small malaca stick with an +L-shaped ivory head, having the last two figures of the year we expected +to graduate in cut into the free end of the L. Our folks when they saw us +with the little canes called us dudes, and they were about right, too, +but that was many years ago, when we were young and charming. + +A FURLOUGH DREAM.[49] + +Air:—Benny Havens, Oh! + + A few more days and June will come, + And with her rosy hand + Will open wide the gate that leads + Unto the promised land, + Where dwells the “Cit” in happy ease, + Without the least regard, + While he doth have the entire earth + Enclosed in his front yard. + + He has no fear of any “Tac” + When he off limits strays, + No reveille disturbs his ear. + Oh, joyful are his days; + He has no fear of Mathy probs, + Or French to masticate; + No Spanish grip with outstretched arms + Awaits to seal his fate. + + He has no bony nag to ride + In Grant’s or Custer’s style, + No other animals to fight + That wear a goaty smile; + And as the summer days roll by + The wily hammock holds + This happy, lazy, lounging “Cit” + Within its sleepy folds. + + Oh, haste the day when we shall share + In life’s sweet joys again; + No hearts on earth will lighter beat + Than those of furloughmen. + ’Twill all seem like a happy dream, + But, oh! how short and sweet, + This oasis in our four years, + When friends long parted meet. + + And then once more we will return + To West Point battle ground, + To fight again for two years more, + That is, if we’re not “found;” + So furloughmen just brace yourselves, + And keep hopes’ fire ablaze, + For we, too, shall be jolly “Cits” + In just a few more days. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: CAMP BELKNAP. + +The Pleasure of your company is requested at the hops to be given by the +Corps of Cadets every Monday Wednesday and Friday evening during the +encampment + +_MANAGERS._ + + STANHOPE E BLUNT + THOMAS C WOODBURY + J W WILKINSON + J LEW WILSON + ALFRED REYNOLDS + GEO T T PATTERSON + ADDIS M HENRY + HARRY C WYCANT + CHARLES W ROWELL + EDMUND K WEBSTER + HENRY R LEMLY + HARRY H LANDON + LEVEN C ALLEN + C E SCOTT WOOD + WM L GEARY + +West Point + +21st June 1871.] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE FURLOUGHMAN. + + +Another June rolled around, the Board of Visitors arrived, the customary +salute was fired and the alumni meeting held. The examinations were +completed, another class was graduated and a new one admitted to the +corps. As usual, at the annual examinations some of the “found” were +turned back to join the next class, while the other unfortunates left the +Point to return no more as cadets. The fortunate graduates and the happy +furloughmen, after drawing the “balances due” from the Treasurer of the +Academy, donned their “cit” clothes and went on furlough; the graduates +to assume the duties of Second Lieutenants in the army at the expiration +of their “graduating leave” on the 30th of the following September, and +the second classmen to return to the Point at the expiration of their +“furlough” on the 28th of August. The amounts due varied according to +the economy practiced by the cadets. Some had nothing due, while others +received as much as two hundred dollars in addition to the “equipment +fund.” Four dollars per month is retained from the pay of each cadet as +his “equipment fund,” and it is given to him when he graduates or leaves +the Academy never to return as a cadet. + +Mine was the furlough class this year, and when I reached home my mother +made me open my trunk in the back yard, and she herself was present to +see that I shook and aired everything I had, for the reason, she said, +that, as there were no women to keep things clean about our barracks, she +was sure that we had bedbugs there. + +I had not been at home long when an old Quaker called on me and said: +“H⸺, I have been waiting for thee to come home. During the war I noticed +that soldiers always stepped off with the left foot first, and now that +thee has been to the Government’s Military School for two years, thee +probably knows why.” I had to confess my ignorance on the subject then, +and I must confess it now. + +One day I received an invitation to visit a battalion of State Militia in +camp, and I was requested to take my uniform. I accepted the invitation, +and wore it in camp. I was able to and did give instruction in many +points of the tactics, which at that time were new to the militia, and at +the same time I learned much at this camp that was new and useful to me. +At the request of the commanding officer of the camp I acted as Adjutant +at parades and guard-mounts. I got along all right after the first dress +parade, where I took post on the wrong side of the commanding officer +after having presented arms to him. However, the militia of my state was +not then as well posted on tactics[50] as it is to-day; my blunder was +not discovered. + +During furlough some of my classmates visited me, and I visited some of +them, and we had a jolly good time of course, for all college men enjoy +their vacations. While students of other colleges usually have several +months’ vacation every year, West Point cadets have but one vacation in +their four years. With many pleasures and not a care the summer soon +passed, and as usual most of the furloughmen met in New York to return +together from there. + +A warm welcome awaited us in “Camp Belknap,” that being the name of +the camp at the Point this year. Mustaches and side whiskers that we +had grown during the summer all had to come off before we reported our +return to the Adjutant. We soon shaved, visited the trunk rooms, donned +our uniforms and reported for duty. After a gay time on the “color line” +that evening we turned in with the first classmen, who had long been our +friends, although they were once the yearlings who had deviled us in our +plebe camp; so quickly is the deviling forgiven and yet never forgotten. +The next day we “broke camp” and returned to barracks, this time to begin +on the hardest studies[51] of the four years. It did not take us long to +get down to hard study and drill again and to become interested once +more in the few things that afford pleasure to cadets during the Academic +year. + +After arriving at the Point and before reporting the return from +furlough, it has long been a custom to have a class picture taken upon +the chapel steps, and when sitting for this picture furloughmen generally +look as “tough” as possible, as may be seen from the picture of the group +of furloughmen. + +When marching to and from meals, long before I myself became a second +classman, I observed four members of the then second class who did not +march with the battalion, but who strolled leisurely to and from the Mess +Hall. My first thought was that they had been excused by the Post Surgeon +from marching to and from meals, but upon inquiry I learned that these +four were “Company Clerks,” and that they were detailed on special duty +upon the recommendations of the first sergeants. Hence I promptly secured +the promise of D⸺t that if he obtained the first sergeancy of C Company +I should be the company clerk. He was made the first sergeant and kept +his promise to me, and for more than a year I made out the muster rolls +and guard details of C Company. From that day I have not walked post as a +sentinel; the first year because I was company clerk, and the next year +because first classmen do not do guard duty after the plebes begin to +go on guard. Neither did I march to and from meals any more; the first +year because I was company clerk and the next because I was one of twelve +first classmen who, at that time, took their meals at a private house in +Professor’s Row. + +Professor K⸺k was an old bachelor, but he kept open house on Saturday +afternoons, and it was a great pleasure to him to welcome cadet callers. +He always treated them to waffles and maple syrup or to something else +equally as delicious and not found on the Mess Hall bill of fare. + +In my day the gas tips in cadet rooms did not give a very good light, so +some of the cadets bought better tips and when caught using them they +were of course reported for tampering with public property. G⸺r, of +my class, had an “Argand burner,” and at first he was very careful to +take it off for inspection of quarters, but one evening he was caught +unawares and reported. For this serious offense he was confined to “light +prison” for several months. Light prisons at that time were rooms in +the angle of barracks, and they were off limits for cadets not there in +confinement. The cadet officer of the day carried the prison keys, and +at certain hours, such as for recitations and drills, he would let out +the prisoners. G⸺r got so tired of being alone that he removed a panel of +his prison door and then often went visiting after taps. But he got out +through the panel once too often, for he was caught and then his prison +door was barred and his stay in prison lengthened many weeks. + +One day when Captain B⸺s had my cavalry platoon out for a long ride in +the country, just before passing an orchard filled with luscious ripe +apples, the Captain rode from the head to the rear of the column and said +to the rear guide: “Mr. H⸺s, don’t let anyone go into that orchard,” and +then returned to the head of the column. H⸺s saw to it that none of us +“fell out” of ranks, but he himself treated to apples from that orchard. + +Cadets are taught the use of the pencil, pen and brush, the latter in +water colors only. In this work we painted from models of landscapes, +figures, ships, etc., and, as may be expected, some cadets were more +skillful than others. Those near the foot of the class in drawing had +hard work to keep from being found deficient in it. To get better results +in water color work the professor occasionally directed a cadet to wash +out a part of his drawing and begin that part over again. In looking +at Cadet G⸺e’s work one day, Professor W⸺r directed him to wash out +the “hull” of the ship he was at work on. After a while the professor +returned and began to scold, when G⸺e “innocently” said: “Why, professor, +you told me to wash out the ‘whole’ of it.” The topographical sketch +of the most interesting part of West Point given on another page is a +reproduction of a specimen of cadet pen and ink work. + +We were kept so busy during this year that the time passed rapidly, +notwithstanding many privileges that we had enjoyed were taken away +from us. For instance, this year we were not allowed to go on Christmas +leave, nor to receive Christmas boxes, nor to give an entertainment on +New Year’s Eve. The fact is a new superintendent had taken charge of +affairs and it did not take us long to find it out. Still we soon became +accustomed to the new order of things and all went well. + +As I have said, cadets wore old shoes to reveille, and the accompanying +verses express the kindly feelings they have for them: + +MY OLD REVEILLES. + + You may talk of your gaiters as much as you please, + Their beauty, their elegance, comfort and ease; + But of all the shoes that e’er shoemaker made, + Not a word that is better of them can be said + Than Cadets will say and they’ll not say it to please, + But for pure, honest love of their old Reveilles. + + Long ages ago, they have seen their best day; + Tho’ rusty and holey, I’ll not throw them away, + But fondly will cherish tho’ the uppers wear out, + And the soles are all ready to sail up the spout, + For there’s no shoes in the world possess so much ease + For my poor tired feet as my old Reveilles. + + The worldly may scoff and at sight of them sneer, + But I’ll cling to them yet for old memories dear; + They covered my feet when a Plebe in distress, + And into my Yearling year helped me to press; + As long as winds whistle and waves roll o’er the seas + Will I look with kind glance on my old Reveilles. + + At last when the policeman shall come in some day, + And gather the “rimnants” that I’ve thrown away, + And bears the old rubbish to the heap down below, + Along with the rest in the dust and the snow, + You’ll see them there lying, producers of ease + Sad, lonely, neglected, my old Reveilles. + + Others and newer may take their old place, + And with plenteous blacking shine smiles in my face, + My feet will look smaller and better perhaps, + But in the sweet slumbers that come after Taps, + Foremost and fairest of all visions that please, + Will be happy remembrances of my old Reveilles. + + Let them go while a tear drop in memory flows + Gently down from my eye-lid and rests on my nose, + But little they’ll reck of my sorrow or pain, + Nor of my longing to get them again. + While over their resting-place cold winds scatter leaves + Where they peacefully sleep—Farewell, Reveilles! + +Artillery drills come in each year of the four. The first year the drill +is on foot at the light battery; the next year with horses at the light +battery; the third year on foot at the siege, mortar and sea-coast +batteries, and the last year first classmen act as assistants to the +instructors. Light battery drill with horses is one that all cadets +thoroughly enjoy. There are six pieces (each with its caisson) in the +battery, and there is great rivalry between the cadets and drivers at +each piece, especially in executing some maneuver that ends with firing. + +In my day the target for mortar drill was a barrel on a post, placed +at the foot of Cro’ Nest, 1,000 yards or more from the mortar battery, +near “Trophy Point.” One day I was “gunner” of a piece and was fortunate +enough to knock the barrel from its post, a feat rarely accomplished, as +it is very difficult to strike a small object with a mortar. + +One of the guns of the sea-coast battery was a very large one, the +diameter of the bore being twenty inches. One day at drill at this +battery, while at “rest,” one of the cadets, who was a little fellow, +crawled into the bore of this big gun. After getting in a certain +distance the more he tried to get out the farther in he went, hence he +had to be pulled out by the heels. The instructor, appreciating the +situation, threatened to report him for being off limits. + +Cadets are taught photography, and on pleasant May days second classmen +can often be seen with cameras taking views of the different buildings +and of the many pretty sights about the Point. + +One pleasant afternoon in May a classmate and I were walking along +Professor’s Row, near the north gate, and we saw three pretty young +ladies, daughters of Professor W⸺r, sitting on their porch, so we stopped +for a chat. The ladies said that they would play the piano and sing +for us if we would go in the house. My friend declined the invitation, +because he was too near found on demerits to risk being caught off cadet +limits, and we did not have a permit. Up to that time I had had but few +demerits and had been lucky in never having been caught off limits, so +I decided to accept the invitation. When there was no officer in sight +I went in, and passed a merry hour with the young ladies. But when I +came out an officer saw me, and reported me for being off cadet limits. +I wrote an explanation, stating where I was at the time, and that was +all. “Off Limits” is a serious offense, especially in an old cadet, +and besides receiving five or six demerits, I was given six “extras” +officially designated as “Saturday afternoon punishments.” This I did not +relish at all, especially as I had never had any before, but I learned to +my sorrow what an extra meant, and I had ample time to ponder over the +gravity of my offense as I paced to and fro, across the area of barracks, +carrying my rifle “just so,” from 2 p. m. till ten minutes before dress +parade at sunset. I never till then fully realized the length of the days +in May and June. When it came time to go to camp again I had walked only +four of the six extras, and as there are no “extras” in camp, for the +remaining two I was given two weeks “confinement,” i. e., I had to be +in my tent all the time for the first two weeks in my first class camp, +except, of course, when absent from it on duty or by special permission. + +Just before this Academic year closed my class selected its quota of +managers for the coming summer hops, and also all of the managers for +the hop that my class gave to the graduating class. The invitations and +programs for these dances were sent to friends, and they began to arrive +with the Board of Visitors and old graduates who came to attend the +Alumni meeting and dinner in the bachelor officers’ part of the Mess Hall. + +Cullum Memorial Hall is now used for all hops and the alumni meetings are +usually held in it, and luncheon is served afterwards from the Officers’ +Mess, next door. + +[Illustration: TO CLASS OF ’72 FROM ’73. + +THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY IS REQUESTED AT A HOP TO BE GIVEN TO THE +GRADUATING CLASS on June 14th. + +_Managers_ + + G. F. HARRISON. + E. W. CASEY. + E. S. BEACOM. + J. E. BLOOM. + +West Point, N.Y.] + +The new buildings now completed or far enough along to be used are the +bachelor officers’ quarters, across the road east and a little south of +old Fort Clinton; Cullum Memorial Hall, a gift accepted by Congress, +a little further south; the officers’ mess, still further south; the +Administration Building, across the road east of and facing the cadet +mess hall; the power plant, a little further east; the cadet hospital, +a little north of the old one that is now used for married officers’ +quarters; the Academic, on the site of, but much larger than the old +one; the North Cadet Barracks, in Professors’ Bow, and a little north +of the old, now called the South Cadet Barracks, to which some years +ago two divisions were added to the east end of its west wing; a second +guard house, in rear, i. e., west of the North Cadet Barracks; a Catholic +church, built, with permission of Congress, by Catholics, on high +ground some distance west of the old north gate that was removed years +ago; many married officers’ quarters, some northwesterly of the old +north gate and some south of the old south gate, that was also removed +years ago—these quarters are built facing the river in two tiers; the +artillery and cavalry barracks and stables are upon two sides of a new +artillery and cavalry plain that adjoins the village of Highland Falls; +the Observatory, on the Hill, now called Observatory Hill, near old Fort +Putnam; lastly, the Cadet Chapel, a beautiful cathedral-like building on +Observatory Hill, crowns the group of handsome buildings. The reservoir +on the west slope of Observatory Hill has been enlarged and a filter +plant added to it. + +The new gymnasium and riding hall are now well under way. The gymnasium +is west and a little north of the west wing of the north cadet barracks; +the roof of the old (and but a few years ago the new) gymnasium has been +taken to cover the swimming pool part of this large new building. The +riding hall nearly fills the space between the officers’ mess on the +north and the power plant on the south; in fact, the riding hall and +power plant will join, and on the south-east corner of this building +there will be a tower to correspond with that of the Administration +Building. + +The following buildings will soon be razed to the ground, to-wit: the old +Cadet Chapel (to be rebuilt in the cadet cemetery); the old, and but a +few years ago the new Administration Building, from a little south of the +old chapel; the old power plant, from the area of the old cadet barracks; +the old, and but a few years ago the new, cadet sink or water closet +building, from the area of the old cadet barracks; the old gymnasium, +from a little west of the angle of the South Cadet Barracks; the old +riding hall, that is now nearly surrounded by the walls of the new one; +and the officers’ quarters in front of the new gymnasium, as the latter +stands well back of but fronts east on Professors’ Row. + +While the Military Academy was the first educational institution in this +country to recognize (in 1817) the value of a uniform system of physical +training it was not till 1890 that the Academic Board allowed cadet teams +to play against teams of other institutions. The first contest being a +baseball game with an Annapolis midshipmen team, then came other contests +with teams from other colleges. Now contests are held annually—and since +1908 under official control—with outside teams in baseball, football, +fencing, basketball and hockey. The present system of indoor gymnastics +dates from 1882 and track work, tennis, golf, polo and wrestling are +indulged in. Most of the contests are held at West Point—many of them +being played on the beautiful green infantry parade ground—and seats +arranged in tiers like the bleechers at professional ball games are put +up in sections on the plain to accommodate the thousands of spectators +that now witness these contests. There being no admission fee the seats +are assigned by tickets to the cadets and their friends, and to officers +and friends of the Academy who voluntarily contribute to the financial +support of cadet athletics. + +Certain cadets who excel in athletics, i. e., those who have actually +played on an Academy (first) team for a year are entitled to wear a large +A, (the initial of Army) on the sweater, jersey, jacket, cap or other +article of athletic uniform, subject to the following: + + 1st. In football they must play in two-thirds of all games + played with outside teams or in a Navy game. + + 2d. In baseball they must play in two-thirds of all games + played with outside teams or in a Navy game. + + 3d. In fencing they must participate in three-fifths of all + contests fenced with outside teams, or in the Intercollegiate + contest. + + 4th. Any cadet who at an Outdoor Meet breaks an Academy record. + +To keep pace with other colleges cadets now have “colors” and “yells.” + +For the Class of 1909 the color is gold, and the yell is— + + SISS! BOOM! AH! + U. S. M. A.! RAH! RAH! U. S. M. A.! RAH! RAH! + HOO RAH! HOO RAH! + NAUGHTY-NINE! + RAH! + +For the Class of 1910 the color is royal purple, and the yell is— + + R-A-Y! RAH! RAH! + R-A-Y! RAH! RAH! + U. S. M. A. + NINETEEN TEN! + +For the Class of 1911 the color is Maroon, and the yell is— + + HOO-RAH-RAH! HOO-RAH-RAH! + HOO-RAH! HOO-RAY! U. S. M. A. + 1911! 1911! 1911! + +For the Class of 1912 the color is royal-blue, and the yell is— + + U. S. M. A.! + U. S. M. A.! + U. S. M. A.! + 1912! RAY! + +While the Corps colors are gray, black and gold, and the Corps yell is— + + Rah, Rah, Ray, + Rah, Rah, Ray, + West Point + West Point + AR-MAY! + Rah, Rah, Ray. + Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah! + West Point, + West Point, + West Point! + +And for the Charge yell— + + Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah! + Ki-yi, Ki-yi, Ki-yi Ki-yi, + Ki-yi, Ki-yi, Ki-yi, + Wow, Wow, Wow. + Ki-yi, Ki-yi, Ki-yi, + Wow, Wow, Wow. + CHARGE! + +Each class elects one or more “Cheer Leaders,” but a first class Cheer +Leader leads the Corps in Corps yells. + +In contests with outside teams the West Point team is called the “Army +Team” and the Annapolis team is called the “Navy Team.” + +Imagine the feelings of one who graduated at the Academy prior to +1890 listening to cadet yells and to such songs (copied from the 1909 +Howitzer) as the following that are now sung by the Corps in the presence +of the Academic Board and other officers, to wit: + +_Air_: “Tipperary.” + + When you see that old veteran Army Team + Come bounding over the ropes, + And settle right down to a winning game + That breaks the Navy’s hopes, + It makes every genuine soldier’s heart + Fill up with joy and pride. + + That he’s of the metal that makes the team, + And that he roots on the Army side. + Throughout this country far and wide, + And islands far away, + Each heart in blue beats hard and beats true + For the Army. + + Chorus. + + Army, Army, you’re a wonder; + You will snow the Middies under. + Win this game without a blunder, for + You’ve got to win, you’ve got to win, + And _down_ that Navy, _down_ that Navy; + It’s for the honor of the Army. + +_Air_: “Women.” + + For this season, the old Army Mule + Has adopted the same sporting rule, + Which he holds as inherited right; + And that rule is “fight, fight, fight.” + So the Tiger of Princeton must fall, + And the Yale Bulldog taste bitter gall; + While the beaten Navy Goat + Must leave land and board a boat, + To be safe on his sea of tears. + +_Air_: “O’Reilly.” + + The Army, The Army, + The Army’s a team that’s sure stormy, + So beat it, you sailor lads, run ’fore the wind, + When our men first blew in here + Your team was skinned. + Poor Navy, dear Navy, + Not even your anchors can save ye, + Your flukes have all stuck, but your line gave way + In this terrible cyclone, the Army. + +“FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!” + + At the Army-Navy football game, in November, 1908, on Franklin + Field, Philadelphia, Pa., during a moment of suspense between + cheers, some one started the refrain—Fight! Fight! Fight! + Spreading instantaneously through the (West Point) Corps, it + was promptly adopted as the Army’s watchword, and throughout + the remainder of the game the stands throbbed with the stirring + slogan: + + Tense is the strain in the stands to-day,— + Six to four, and the army leads! + And, charging in vain ’gainst the line of gray, + The shattered Navy attack recedes.— + For the thought that nerves every Army’s son + Is not the renown of an athlete’s might, + But the call of the Corps, that swells in one + Reverberant chorus, Fight! Fight! Fight! + + The bed of the thicket is stained with red, + So fierce was the Moro ambuscade: + Half the men down, and the captain dead, + And each tree shelters a rebel blade. + But the boy, with never a blush of fear, + Forms the shattered ranks, drives the foe in flight. + For the Corps from afar still speaks to him clear, + And the word that he hears is Fight! Fight! Fight! + + This is the message that evermore, + While endlessly stretches the firm gray line, + Each son hears whispered anew by the Corps, + “Your life no longer is wholly thine. + Your utmost strength and your fullest meed + Of service is pledged as the Nation’s right + And all through life’s battle, this be your creed + And watchword forever—Fight! Fight! Fight!” + +While most of the contests in which a cadet (i. e., the army) team +takes part are played at West Point, some of them are played on other +grounds—notably the annual football game with the Annapolis (i. e., the +Navy) team—it is played on Franklin Field at Philadelphia, Penn., and it +is an event of the year for Washington officials and society folks from +near and from far. + + +THE WEST POINT HYMN. + +[Written by the Reverend Herbert Shipman, a former chaplain at West +Point, and sung by the cadets at the dedication of their new chapel, June +12, 1910.] + +THE CORPS! THE CORPS! THE CORPS! + + The Corps! bare-headed, salute it, + With eyes up, thanking our God— + That we of the Corps are treading + Where they of the Corps have trod. + They are here in ghostly assemblage, + The men of the Corps long dead, + And our hearts are standing attention + While we wait for their passing tread. + + We sons of to-day, we salute you, + You, sons of an earlier day, + We follow, close order, behind you, + Where you have pointed the way; + The long gray line of us stretches + Thro’ the years of a century told, + And the last man feels to his marrow + The grip of your far-off hold. + + Grip hands with us now though we see not, + Grip hands with us, strengthen our hearts— + As the long line stiffens and straightens + With the thrill that your presence imparts. + Grip hands, tho’ it be from the shadows, + While we swear, as you did of yore, + Or living, or dying to honor + The Corps, and the Corps, and the Corps. + +A few years ago the first class was given permission to have a club and +the First Classmen’s Club was duly organized. At first the club had a +room on the ground floor in the Academic Building, but now it has fine +quarters on the second floor in the new North Cadet Barracks where, when +it does not interfere with duty, members may go at any time between 7:15 +a. m. and 9:30 p. m. and until recall from the hop on cadet hop nights. +The club provides, at its own expense, such periodicals, newspapers, +chess, checkers, etc., as may be approved by the superintendent. +Refreshments of all kinds, gambling, cigarette smoking, and deliberations +or discussions having the object of conveying praise or censure or any +mark of approbation or disapprobation toward any one in the military +service, are prohibited. On the week-day immediately preceding the +graduation exercises, the club gives a reception to the members of the +second class to introduce them to the privileges they may soon enjoy. + +The transformation that of late has been wrought in the architectural +setting of West Point, the changes made in the method of teaching and in +the disciplinary ideals, and the greater privileges granted to cadets +all tend to bring the Military Academy closer to other educational +institutions of the country. + +As a school year closes there is much interest taken in the changes soon +to be announced in orders. + +Cadet rank is indicated by chevrons,[52] as follows: + +For a Captain,[53] 4 bars. + +For the Adjutant,[53] 3 bars and an arc of 3 bars. + +For the Quartermaster,[53] 3 bars and a tie of 3 bars. + +For a Lieutenant,[53] 3 bars. + +For the Sergeant-Major,[54] 2 bars and an arc of 2 bars. + +For the Quartermaster-Sergeant,[54] 2 bars and a tie of 2 bars. + +For a First Sergeant,[54] 2 bars and a lozenge. + +For a Company Quartermaster-Sergeant,[54] 2 bars and a tie of 1 bar. + +For a Sergeant,[54] 2 bars. + +For a Corporal,[55] 2 bars. + +Commissions are not given to the cadet officers, i. e., the captains +and lieutenants, and warrants are not given to cadet non-commissioned +officers, i. e., the sergeants and corporals. Two of the sergeants are +designated as color sergeants, the one carries a United States flag +called the colors, the other marching on his left carries the Corps +banner. + +[Illustration: Cadet Captain’s Chevron + +(_Rear._) (_Front._)] + +Cadets now wear gilt service straps on their coat sleeves as follows, +to wit: Third classmen, one stripe; second classmen, two stripes; first +classmen, three stripes. + + +BUTTON. + +[Illustration] + +In June, 1893, the Association of Graduates adopted a miniature bell +button to be worn by members in the upper buttonhole of civilian coats; +the part nearest an observer is a gold plate with the year of graduation +on it, next is a gray stone, then a gold band with the class motto on +it, then a dark blue stone; the date plate being fastened by a shank to +a circular metal base on the under side of which are the owner’s name +and the letters U. S. M. A. In June, 1904, this button was substituted +by another showing the West Point colors, gray, black and gold. In June, +1910, the bell button was re-adopted. + + +BADGE. + +[Illustration] + +Badge of the “Association of Graduates of the United States Military +Academy[56],” adopted June 9, 1902. Composed of the Coat of Arms of the +United States Military Academy and a bar pin made of bronze gilt, silver +gilt or gold pierced by the Corps colors, a gray, black and gold ribbon. +The date of graduation is put on the bar. Worn only by members of the +association at graduate re-unions, graduate dinners, class dinners, etc. + +[Illustration: CAMP THAYER + +THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY IS REQUESTED AT THE HOPS TO GIVEN BY THE +CORPS OF CADETS EVERY MONDAY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENING DURING THE +ENCAMPMENT + +_MANAGERS_ + + W. G. BIRNEY + G. F. HARRISON + A. S. CUMMINS + E. D. HOYLE + J. M. BALDWIN + E. W. CASEY + E. S. BEACOM + H. C. LA POINT + J. J. CRITTENDEN + J. H. KING + C. M. O’CONNOR + J. E. BLOOM + R. LONDON + J. R. JEFFERSON + H. W. ISBELL + +_West Point N.Y._ + +_June 1872._] + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE GRADUATE. + + +After the June examinations were over we went into camp again at the +usual place. This year it was named “Camp Thayer” in honor of a former +superintendent of the Academy, and as first classmen have precedence over +all other cadets, it was “our camp.” Among the young lady visitors were +many who had been to the Point for several summers. They seemed like old +friends and the pleasure of meeting again was mutual. The first thing +of importance for us to do was to arrange for the celebration of the +Fourth of July and for a special hop that evening. We elected officers +to conduct the holiday exercises and to have charge of the special hop. +It was not obligatory upon any one to attend those festivities, but as +the weather was perfect and as there were no other inviting places to go, +everybody who could be present attended the exercises held in the morning +in the pretty little chapel,[57] and in the evening some witnessed the +handsome pyrotechnic display, while others attended the hop, and as usual +the Mess Hall was beautifully decorated and used for the special hop.[58] + +In my day, by special dispensation, twelve cadets of the first class were +permitted to take meals at the Misses Thompson, who lived in General +Washington’s old log Headquarter House, in Professor’s Row. These ladies +were quite old when I knew them; the oldest of the three sisters died +of old age shortly before I went there to board. It was not easy to get +a seat at the Misses Thompson’s table, and when a cadet secured one +without any conditions imposed he generally “willed it to his plebe.” +And this is the way I obtained mine. My predecessor had a seat there and +he willed it to me, but as I could not go there until I became a first +classman certain members of the three classes ahead of me had the seat on +condition that it should come to me when I became eligible. But this was +not all, as may be seen from the following (old form) permit: + + West Point, New York, June 19, 1872. + + Cadet R⸺d, Private 2nd Class “C” Co., has permission to take + his meals at the Misses Thompson (to have the seat last + occupied by Cadet R⸺p), his name having been proposed and + accepted. + + J. F. S⸺h, + Com’d’g Co. “C.” + + E. U⸺n, + Comdt. Cadets. + + Approved: + + T. H. R⸺r, + Superintendent. + + JULY 4 1872 + + ANNIVERSARY + + OF THE + + Independence of the United States + + CELEBRATION AND HOP BY + + THE CORPS OF CADETS + + TO WHICH + + The pleasure of your Company is respectfully requested. + Ceremonies in the Chapel to commence at + Ten A. M. + + Marshall, Orator, Reader, + CADET COFFIN. CADET TOTTEN. CADET EATON. + + President, + CADET HOYLE. + + Hop Commencing at Eight P. M. + + Floor Managers: + + CADET BIRNEY, CADET O’CONNOR, CADET LA POINT. + + Pyrotechnic Display on the Cavalry Plain. + +The father of these old ladies rendered most valuable services to General +Washington during the Revolutionary War, and as his family was left in +humble circumstances they were permitted to live at the Point and board +twelve cadets. We used to think that Miss Amelia was about ninety years +old and that Miss Kate was seventy-five. Miss Kate for months talked of +making a trip to New York, but finally Miss Amelia said: “Catharine could +not go, as she was too young and giddy.” + +There was an old saying at the Point in my day that “extras breed +extras,” and I found it so in my case. While I was serving the two weeks +confinement that were given me, in lieu of the last two of the six extras +for “Off Limits,” an old boy friend from home visited the Point, and I +got permission to be with him in rear of the guard tents for half an +hour. We could not talk about everything we wanted to in half an hour, +so I told him just how to run the gauntlet, that is, how to cross the +sentinel’s post and get to my tent, which he did. At that particular +time of day nearly all of my classmates were out of camp; some on permit +visiting friends at the hotel, some boating and others anywhere fancy +took them. I had the walls of my tent down, so that my friend could not +be seen, for it was a violation of the regulations to have a citizen +in the body of the camp. He and I were having a good time talking over +boyhood days. R⸺s, a classmate, was officer of the day, and thinking +that I was lonesome he came around to cheer me up, saying that my two +weeks was nearly over, but, alas, he had no sooner opened my tent than +he saw my friend, and as the officer of the day is “on honor” to report +all violations of the regulations that he sees, he had to report me for +“Citizen in tent,” and to send my friend at once out of camp. I have +never seen that friend since to tell him that I was given two weeks’ +confinement for that violation of the regulations. + +C⸺s was a Cadet Captain, and one day when walking with a lady between the +camp and the hotel, the lady raised her parasol, and C⸺s, to be polite, +carried it for her. An officer saw him with the parasol and reported him. +For this serious offense he was reduced to the ranks. It was not long +afterward that the young lady saw him carrying a rifle and pacing to and +fro on Post No. 2, but as he did not wish further punishment he did not +speak to her as she crossed his post; he waited until he was relieved and +then told her why. + +We spent some time out in Fort Clinton digging trenches and making +fascines, gabions and a sap roller, thus imitating methods used in the +attack and defense of a fortified place. We also spent some time in the +laboratory making rockets, bombs and other articles used at times by the +military in time of war. With the assistance of the plebes we constructed +pontoon bridges some distance out into the Hudson. + +In my day we played base ball occasionally, but it was not a very popular +game at the Point, not like football has been of recent years. Boating +was allowed then, and the first, second and third classes each owned +a number of row boats, and during camp and in barracks on Saturday +afternoons the boats were always in demand. But since 1875 boating has +not been allowed. + +One evening, when I was officer of the guard, not long after taps, the +sentinel on No. 1 challenged: “Who comes there?” and as I was awake and +in the first guard tent, I heard the reply: “Friend with lemons,” and +also the sentinel’s call, “Halt! Friend with lemons, Corporal of the +Guard, Post No. 1.” As the reply was an unusual one I went out, and +seeing a man in civilian dress, standing alone, I directed the Corporal +to advance the friend with lemons. The man advanced and began to deliver +lemons. He had lemons in every pocket, and he had a good many pockets, +too. There were more lemons than the Corporal and I could carry (for +there are no pockets in cadet uniforms), so I called other members of +the guard to help us carry lemons. The gentleman proved to be an old +army officer who had entered the army from private life and earned a +Brigadier’s star during the war. He said he thought he would treat the +guard that night, and that while I sent to the tank for a bucket of +ice water he would go back to the hotel (not far from camp) for sugar. +About the time two members of the guard returned with ice water No. 1 +challenged again, and the answer this time was “Friend with sugar.” It +did not take long to advance the friend with sugar and to disarm him, not +only of sugar, but of a package of cakes, too. We were soon feasting, +and it seemed to please the General to see us enjoying his treat. He +knew that we violated the regulations by admitting him to camp, but he +promised not to report us. He then treated us to cigars, and he and I +sat under the trees for an hour or two discussing topics of interest to +cadets. In speaking of the hops I told the General how B⸺y, C⸺s and I +had taken many lessons in dancing, and that we were too timid to venture +on the floor at a hop, but that we had agreed with one another to attend +our next hop, and to waltz or treat at the Dutch woman’s. The next +evening was the time for the three to dance, and just as I was ready to +start for the hall[59] the General called for me, and we went to the hop +together. As we approached the Academic Building we observed that the hop +room was well filled. We went to a corner of the room, and the General +surprised me by presenting me to his wife, for he had talked as though +he was alone at the Point. His good wife said that she had come to the +hop in the hotel ’bus with other ladies. The music ceased and a classmate +brought a very pretty young lady over near us, thanked her and said that +she was the best dancer in the room. The General again surprised me by +saying: “Mr. R⸺d, this is my daughter.” At that moment the orchestra +struck up a waltz and the young lady said: “Come, Mr. R⸺d, this is our +dance.” I protested that I did not waltz, but she put my arm around her +waist, saying: “Papa has told me of your agreement to waltz to-night or +to treat at the Dutch woman’s, so come on;” and I have waltzed ever +since then. After I got started to waltz I found the hops very attractive +places to be, and I was more than sorry that I had not met Miss S⸺r long +before I did. It was a long way from the hotel to the hop-room, too far +for young ladies who danced much to walk, so they generally rode, but the +cadets could not ride with them, as it was “Off Limits” to get into a +vehicle. There were always plenty of young ladies at the hops, and some +of them traveled several miles to attend; some came from Highland Falls, +some from Cold Springs and others from Garrison’s, besides those from the +West Point Hotel. They may come from greater distances now that there is +the West Shore Railroad to travel on. + +At one of the hops I met a New York lady. She was a good dancer and a +good talker, too, but she was not very well posted on the history of +our country. She asked me what state I was from, and when I replied +“Indiana,” she said: “From way out there! You have plenty of buffalo and +other wild animals there, don’t you?” + +There is something strange about the partiality young ladies manifest for +the cadets. I have seen many an instance where a young lady would use +all her power to be with a certain cadet, and at his graduating hop and +afterward she would bestow her favors on some member of the next class; +a cadet and an officer, although one and the same man, were different +persons in her eyes. But the young lady, to succeed, had to be very +careful of her conduct toward the cadets in the next class that she +wished to be friendly with after the first class graduated, because if +she had ever been rude to them they would have nothing to do with her. + +Our summer hops began at 8 and closed at 11 p. m., but we could stay +later at the Fourth of July hop, the last summer one, and at the +graduating hop in June. The following were the popular dances in my day: + +Waltz, Galop, Deux Temps, Trois Temps, Lanciers, Redowa, Polka, +Polka-Redowa, Quadrille, Schottische and Medley. + +AT THE HOP. + + “Yes, I’m here, I suppose you’re delighted, + You’d heard I was not coming down? + Why I’ve been here a week—rather early— + I know, but it’s horrid in town. + At Boston? Most certainly, thank you, + This music is perfectly sweet; + Of course I like dancing in summer, + It’s warm but I don’t mind the heat. + The clumsy thing! Oh! how he hurt me! + I really can’t dance any more— + Let’s walk—see they’re forming a Lanciers; + These square dances are such a bore, + My cloak, oh! I really don’t need it, + Well carry it—so, in the folds, + I hate it, but Ma made me bring it, + She’s frightened to death about colds. + This is rather cooler than dancing, + They’re lovely piazzas up here; + Those lanterns look sweet in the bushes, + It’s lucky the night is so clear. + I am rather tired of this corner— + Very well, if you like, I don’t care— + But you’ll have to sit on the railing— + You see there is only one chair. + So long since you’ve seen me!—Oh! ages— + Let’s see, why it’s ten days ago. + Seems years—Oh! of course—don’t look spooney, + It isn’t becoming you know. + How bright the stars seem to-night, don’t they? + What was it you said about eyes? + How sweet!—Why you must be a poet— + One never can tell till he tries. + Why can’t you be sensible, Harry? + I don’t like men’s arms on my chair, + Be still, if you don’t stop that nonsense + I’ll get up and leave you, so there! + Oh! please don’t—I don’t want to hear it— + A boy like you, talking of love. + My answer—Well, Sir, you shall have it— + Just wait till I get off my glove. + See that? Well you needn’t look tragic, + Its only a solitaire ring— + Of course, I am proud of it, very— + It’s rather an elegant thing. + Engaged!—yes—why, didn’t you know it? + I thought the news must have reached here, + Why, the wedding will be in October, + The happy man? Charley LeClear. + Why don’t blame me—I tried to stop you, + But you would go on like a goose. + I’m sorry it happened—forget it— + Don’t think of it—don’t—What’s the use? + There’s somebody coming—don’t look so— + Get up on the railing again— + Can’t you seem as if nothing had happened? + I never saw such geese as men. + Ah! Charley, you’ve found me! a galop? + The ‘Bahn frei’? Yes, take my bouquet, + And my fan if you will, now I’m ready— + You’ll excuse me, of course, Mr. Gray.” + +One day I received a letter from home, saying that my father, mother and +sister were coming east and would pay me a visit. I wrote at once and +said that I would be delighted to see them any time after the fifteenth +of July, but not before then, as I would be too busy to see much of them. +The fact was I would not get out of confinement before the fifteenth of +July, but I did not tell them. They came the latter part of July, and we +were delighted to be together several hours every day during the visit. +They were charmed with the beauty of the place, and my mother said when +I returned home next year that I need not take my trunk in the back yard +again to open it, for now that she had seen what a sweet and clean place +West Point was she was satisfied there were no bedbugs there. + +There is a good deal of cactus, of the prickly pear variety, growing on +the hills about the Point, and one day when B⸺m’s father and mother were +there from Cincinnati they wanted some to take home with them, and Mr. +B⸺m kindly offered to send some to my father, if I wished him to. Of +course I wished it. I expected the folks at home to speak about receiving +the cactus, hence I did not refer to it for a long time, and when I did +my mother told me not to speak of it to my father, as he was very angry +about the cactus. It appeared that Mr. B⸺m put it in a box and sent it +prepaid to my father, and as he supposed that I had written about it, he +did not write. My father opened the box and not knowing anything about +cactus, he took it cautiously in his hands, with the natural painful +results. He dropped the cactus, and, as luck went, he rubbed his hands on +his face and neck, and they too became filled with the stickers. + +Just across the south line of cadet limits in my day was Kinsley’s apple +orchard, and many a cadet run it there for apples. One day Mr. Kinsley, +himself an old graduate of the Academy, caught several cadets in his +orchard, so he hitched up at once and drove to the superintendent’s +office to report the case. The superintendent said that if Mr. Kinsley +could identify the cadets they should be punished; he said he could +identify them. So when the battalion was formed Mr. Kinsley passed down +the line, but failed to identify them, for the reason, he said, that all +cadets looked alike. + +One Saturday afternoon four of us first classmen stuffed pillow cases in +the breasts of our coats and deliberately went to Kinsley’s for apples, +and we proposed to help ourselves, too. Kinsley’s house was in one corner +of the orchard and there were stone fences around and through the center +of the orchard. We went to different trees and found all the apples we +wanted on the ground, so we set to work filling our pillow cases. B⸺y +filled his, set it by a stone fence on the far side from the house, +and then boldly climbed the fence and ventured to trees nearer to the +house. His approach made the chickens cackle and the ducks quack, thus +attracting a lady’s attention. She came out of the house and spoke to +B⸺y, who had three or four apples in his hands. We heard their voices and +then emptied most of our apples on the ground and ran away, as there was +no use of any more of us getting caught than necessary. After we had been +back in barracks awhile we went over to see how B⸺y had gotten away. He +said that Mrs. Kinsley told him that she did not object to any one taking +two or three apples as he had done, but that she did not want the cadets +to carry them off by the bag full. She then asked him who we were, and +he told her we might be plebes, as older cadets knew better than to do +such a thing. We asked him what he did with his pillow case of apples, +and he said: “You don’t suppose I had the cheek, after my narrow escape, +to bring away a bag full, do you?” Notwithstanding this statement, and +the fact that B⸺y was the first Captain of the Corps, we put our hands up +into his chimney, moved a stick and down fell his pillow case of apples. + +Along in December, when we felt confident of graduating the next June, +we began to discuss what we would adopt as our “Class Ring.” Jewelers in +New York, Philadelphia and other cities, knowing that it was customary +for each class at the Point to adopt a certain handsome ring as its class +ring, submitted samples to us. Upon receiving about twenty samples we +held class meetings, and after much discussion part of the class wanted +to adopt one of the designs while the rest wanted to adopt another one. +Finally we agreed to abide by a majority vote, but when the ballots were +counted there was a tie. Then we agreed to take two pieces of paper of +the same size, and to write the maker’s name of one of the two rings on +one paper, and the maker’s name of the other ring on the other paper, to +put the two papers in a cap, shake them up, hold the cap above the head, +and to let T⸺r draw one paper which should decide the case. This was done +and ratified; the ring adopted was a gold ring with a large setting; +there were thirteen stars around the setting, and on one side under the +stars there was an eagle with one wing spread; on the other side under +the stars was a helmet on crossed rifles with the last two figures of +the year of our graduation in the lower angle of the cross, and from +here around to the eagle was a chain. It was agreed that each member +of the class could select his own setting, and some selected amethyst, +some topaz and others blood-stone or onyx. It was also agreed that each +member could use his pleasure about having the “Class Motto” cut into the +setting. A Latin motto was suggested, but many of us opposed it, because +the Academic Board had not made Latin a part of the course of study at +West Point, but after much deliberation, my class, by a close vote, +decided to add Latin to our course, and that “Omnia pro Patria” should +embody the entire course of Latin for our class, and for fear that we +might forget it we adopted it as the motto of our class. We then agreed +that the motto, when cut in the setting of the class ring, should be put +on a ribbon, partially enclosing the last two figures of our graduating +year. I now remember my Latin course better than any other course of +study, for I have never forgotten that “Omnia pro Patria” means “All for +Country.” About this time we also selected the photographer that should +make our Class Albums,[60] but left it to each member to make his own +selection of pictures for it. There is an official photographer now. As +each cadet had to pay for his own ring and album, it was agreed that he +could buy them at his pleasure, but early in January nearly every one +in the class was wearing his class ring and in May the albums began to +arrive. + +One day a misunderstanding arose between a yearling and a plebe that +nothing but a fight could settle. Seconds and a referee were chosen, and +they and others wishing to see the fight repaired to old Fort Clinton. +The fight was begun and several rounds fought, when one of those present +heard footsteps, and peeping through the brush he saw a blue uniform and +gave the alarm. A stampede followed, and in a moment the whole party +scaled the parapet, and almost tumbled over one another in their mad +haste down toward Flirtation Walk, where trees and bushes covered their +retreat. The referee declared the fight off. The principals respected one +another’s fighting qualities and afterward became warm friends. The only +one in the party that the officer recognized was B⸺p, the referee and a +captain of my class, and for being present at the fight he was reduced to +the ranks. + + A PERMIT (OLD FORM). + + West Point, March __, 1873. + + Cadet ________, Private 1st Class “B” Co., has permission to + get a drawing table from the Engineering Drawing Room and keep + it in his quarters until he finishes his drawing of Noizet’s + Front, having been in the hospital and excused from attending + recitations for over a week, he was not able to complete the + drawing in the Academy. + + _____________, + Com’d’g Co “B.” + + Respectfully referred to the Professor of Engineering, + By command of + Col. _____________ + + _____________, + Adjutant. + + Respectfully returned app’d, + + _____________, + Prof. of Eng. + + Approved: + + _____________, + Superintendent. + +In January, after the examinations were over, the daily papers informed +us that the Secretary of War had written to the Superintendent saying +that it was his intention to require the presence of the Corps of Cadets +in Washington on March 4th next, on the occasion of the inauguration +of the President-elect, a graduate of the Academy. The secretary did +this because he was gratified by the conduct and marked improvement +and bearing of the young gentlemen at the Academy, and he believed the +duties which a trip of this kind would require them to perform would be +a relaxation from the close confinement to which they were subjected at +the Academy. Furthermore, he desired to show the people gathered at the +Capitol from all parts of the country a body of young military men which +he believed in discipline, drill and orderly appearance and the qualities +that make a military cadet could not be surpassed. + +In due time the necessary orders were issued, and with knapsacks on our +backs we arrived in Washington on the 3d of March. We were quartered at +the Ebbitt House, and in the afternoon gave a drill and dress parade +before a large audience in front of the Arlington. In the evening we were +given the freedom of the city, the Delinquency Book having been left at +the Academy. On the 4th we joined the procession and took the post of +honor at the head of the long column. We were without overcoats, and it +was fearfully cold, too. Some of us wore double suits of underclothing, +and as many pairs of white gloves as we could and hold on to our guns. +Bands playing (ours at the head, too), banners and flags waving, bright +eyes beaming upon us, and delicate hands applauding us as we marched on +Pennsylvania avenue, made us forget all about overcoats. We stood in +front of General Grant while the oath as President of the United States +was administered to him. We then marched at the head of the procession +along Pennsylvania avenue and passed General Grant on a reviewing stand +in the White House grounds, where we fell out of the column and saw the +balance of the procession pass. Next to the cadets came some battalions +of U. S. Artillery, then the midshipmen from Annapolis, a battalion of U. +S. Marines, then regiment after regiment of militia, then ex-Presidents +and Vice-Presidents, the U. S. Supreme Court, U. S. Court of Claims, +the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, the U. S. Senators and +Representatives, Foreign Ministers, Presidential Electors and tens of +thousands more. Of all the military I was especially pleased to see the +Second Connecticut, a magnificent body of well-drilled men, whose lines +were perfect as they passed us, and extended from curb to curb. + + A CONCERT + + BY THE + + ORCHESTRAL BAND + + WILL BE GIVEN IN + + THE LIBRARY, + THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1873 + + COMMENCING AT 7:30 O’CLOCK, P. M. + + PROGRAMME. + + (No. 7.) + + No. 1. March, Tannhauser Wagner + + 2. Ouverture, Rui Blas Mendelssohn + + 3. Reminiscences of Weber Godfrey + + 4. Reveille Galop Rehm + + 5. Selection, Moses in Egypt Rossini + + 6. Potpourri, Musical Tour Through Europe Conradi + + 8. Potpourri, A Musical Joke Sass + +[Illustration: _You are respectfully invited to attend the INAUGURATION +BALL on the evening of March 4th 1873_ + +Managers + + _Roscoe Conkling_ + _H. Hamlin_ + _A. G. Thurman_ + _W. T. Hamilton_ + _Simon Cameron_ + _Z. Chandler_ + _J. W. Stevenson_ + _J. P. Stockton_ + _O. P. Morton_ + _F. A. Sawyer_ + _Eugene Casserly_ + _M. W. Ransom_ + _Jno. A. Logan_ + _H. B. Anthony_ + _T. F. Bayard_ + _H. G. Davis_ + _M. H. Carpenter_ + _J. S. Morrill_ + _J. W. Patterson_ + _J. G. Blaine_ + _H. H. Starkweather_ + _J. A. Garfield_ + _L. P. Poland_ + _Fernando Wood_ + _S. S. Marshall_ + _H. L. Dawes_ + _J. H. Platt Jr._ + _D. C. Giddings_ + _C. A. Eldridge_ + _A. R. Cotton_ + _A. A. Sargent_ + _Thos. Swann_ + _J. B. Chaffee_ + _O. D. Conger_ + _G. A. Halsey_ + _D. W. Voorhees_ + _B. F. Butler_ + _H. Maynard_ + _H. W. Barry_ + _Jas. B. Beck_ + _P. M. B. Young_ + _L. A. Sheldon_ + _Gens. W. T. Sherman & E. D. Townsend_ + _Gen. W. S. Hancock_ + _Gen. M. C. Meigs_ + _A. B. Dyer_ + _R. B. Marcy_ + _J. K. Barnes_ + _A. A. Humphreys_ + _A. B. Eaton_ + _B. Alvard_ + _J. H. Wilson_ + _J. G. Parke_ + _Admirals D. D. Porter & L. M. Goldsborough_ + _Adm. B. F. Sands_ + _J. Zeilin_ + _Dr. J. C. Palmer_ + _E. T. Dunn U.S.N._ + _Com. C. R. P. Rodgers_ + _Ch. Justice Chase_ + _Justices Field, Miller, Bradley & Strong_ + _Ch. Justice Carter_ + _Justices Wylie & McArthur_ + _Alex. R. Sheppard_ + _H. D. Cooke_ + _J. W. Thompson_ + _Col. Amos Webster_ + _Wm. Dickson_ + _John O. Evans_ + _Thos. L. Hume_ + _John B. Blake_ + _A. M. Clapp_ + _B. Perley Poore_ + _G. S. Gideon_ + _H. Kilbourn_ + _W. F. Mattingly_ + _J. H. Brooks_ + _S. R. Bond_ + _A. B. Mullett_ + _S. H. Kauffmann_ + _W. R. Collins_ + _Joshua Riley_ + _A. Cluss_ + _Enoch Totten_ + _N. Wilson_ + _J. F. Olmstead_ + _W. J. Murtagh_ + _B. L. Blackford_ + _Richard Wallach_ + _D. S. Evans_ + _J. W. Boteler_ + _J. G. Berret_ + _Samuel Cross_ + _C. J. Hillyer_ + _H. M. Hutchinson_ + _L. A. Bartlett_ + _Wm. Tindall_ + _John A. Baker_ + _R. T. Auchmuty_ + _E. L. Stanton_ + _W. D. Colt_] + +After the review was over we returned to the Ebbitt House, nearly frozen, +but we “thawed out” in time to attend the inaugural ball in the evening, +and here we had to dance or freeze, as it was bitter cold there. The +decorations were beautiful. There were mottos and coats of arms of the +United States, and of all the States and Territories in the Union, +shining among the festoons of the many flags of red, white and blue; then +there were flags and coats of arms of many foreign nations. Everybody at +this grand ball had to present a ticket of admission, except the cadets +and midshipmen, whose uniforms admitted them. + +Upon our return we were met at the Battery in New York by the famous +Seventh (New York) Regiment and escorted to its armory for refreshments. +The march up Broadway was amid a continuous line of spectators, who +applauded us all the way. We saw the regiment as it passed us to take +post as our escort, and we were charmed with their faultless alignments +and movements, and were friends at once. The reception was highly +appreciated as a distinguishing feature of our trip. We reached West +Point at 5 p. m. on the 6th of March, and as we marched to the barracks +the band played “When Johnnie Comes Marching Home Again.” The regular +routine was at once resumed. + +In speaking of our drill in Washington one paper said: “The drill of +the West Point Cadets on Pennsylvania avenue was certainly splendid. +The whole battalion went through their various and intricate maneuvers +with such precision that they even surprised some of the military +officers who, in company with the Secretary of War, reviewed them. The +sight was grand, almost beyond description. Thousands of persons viewed +their drills from the streets and indoors, and all were of the opinion +expressed above. If there are any better drilled organizations let them +come along.” + +After the January examinations were over first classmen and furloughmen +began to count the days until the first of June, and to hold meetings of +rejoicing on the hundredth, fiftieth and twenty-fifth nights. On the +hundredth night there was a special program, and the following was sung +on that night: + +THE HUNDREDTH NIGHT. + + Come, fellows, listen to my song, + A pleasant tale and not too long, + Of scenes familiar to each one. + Some have passed and some will come. + + The hundredth night has come at last, + And first-class course will soon be past, + Of Cadet gray they’ll take their leave + And give their white pants to their plebe. + + It really makes the “immortals” laugh, + To think that they’ll get in the staff. + When asked where they are going to go, + In four years Engineers, you know. + + When one more week has had its run, + The Corps will start for Washington. + Clean candle-boxes will be worn. + On us, militia will look with scorn. + + To drink will be the greatest crime, + The corps will drill by band clock-time. + Old Emory will march in grand state + And Murray behind will get a late. + + Now, second classmen, don’t be glum, + First-class camp quite soon will come. + And then you bet you’ll cut a swell, + And spooney “femmes” at the hotel. + + Oh! furlough is a very good thing, + You wear Cit clothes and have your fling. + The Cit you stuff with famous lies, + And if he doubts, you punch his eyes. + + Plebeistic youth, lift up your head, + Your yearling path you soon will tread, + Corporal chevrons will grace your arm, + Which fills the beasts with much alarm. + + And now we’ve done our level best, + I’ve sung this song by request. + If you don’t like it ’tis not a sin, + To say you think it rather thin. + + NOTE 1. The Howitzer, started by the late Colonel Arthur L. + Wagner, Class of ’75, as a small paper, read on the hundredth + night, has grown into a large beautifully illustrated book, + published annually, that now takes the place of Class Albums. + +[Illustration: ’73 FROM ’74. + +THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY IS REQUESTED AT THE FAREWELL HOP GIVEN TO +THE GRADUATING CLASS BY THE CLASS OF ’74. + +FLOOR MANAGERS + + J HANSELL FRENCH + LUTHER R. HARE + WILLIS WITTICH. + +Committee. + + J. HANSELL FRENCH + Wm. H. WHEELER + LOUIS A CRAIG + C. E. SCOTT WOOD + EDGAR B. ROBERTSON + LOTUS NILES + WILLIS WITTICH. + JAS. L. WILSON. + LUTHER R. HARE. + +WEST POINT] + +As our days to wear cadet gray could now be counted by two figures, +for the second and last time at the Academy, we selected clothes for +“Cit” suits, and as we had all decided to enter the army as “Second +Lieutenants,” we also selected uniforms and accoutrements for ourselves +as officers of that high rank. Military goods dealers and tailors were +frequent visitors at the Point on Saturday afternoons, each claiming to +give the most for the least money. We had great trouble about the stripes +on the pants, the color of the cloth in the shoulder knots and straps, +the head gear, etc., because all did not know for certain what arm of +service they would be assigned to, and those things are different for +each arm. The result was that some gave conditional orders, while others +guessed at it and ordered all or a part of their outfits. On the first +of June our new clothes began to arrive, and we were permitted to have +trunks in our rooms and from that day we began to feel that our cadet +days were gone. And it was practically so, too, for even the ladies who +came up in June began to show preferences for the coming first classmen, +except, of course, where friendships were strong. + +Occasionally cadets were invited to dine at some of the professor’s +quarters, but even then we were required to get a permit before we could +accept invitations. General U⸺n, the Commandant, made it a rule to invite +all of the members of the first class (a few at a time) to dine at his +quarters, as may be seen from the following invitation, to-wit: + + “The Comd’t of Cadets will be pleased to see Cadets London, + O’Connor, Paddock and Reed, H. T., at tea this evening after + parade till 8:30 p. m. + + “June—, 18—.” + +As every cadet who graduates at the Military Academy may at his option +enter the army as a Second Lieutenant, he can choose his corps or arm of +the service in accordance with his class standing, and after the first of +June he makes application substantially as follows: + + “United States Military Academy, West Point, N. Y. + + June —, 1873. + + The Adjutant General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. + + Sir:—I have the honor to apply for a commission as 2nd + Lieutenant in the U. S. Army in the Arm and Regiments as + follows: _______________________________. My address for the + ensuing month will be ____________________. + + Very respectfully, your obedient servant, + + ___________________________ + Graduated Cadet, U. S. M. A.” + +The “diploma” given to graduates is reproduced on another page, and the +following is the wording on it, to-wit: + + “UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. + + Be it known that Cadet ________ of the State of ________, + having been carefully examined on all of the branches of the + Arts, Science and of Literature taught at the United States + Military Academy, has been judged worthy to receive the degree + required by law, preparatory to his advancement in the U. S. + Army. + + In testimony whereof, and by virtue of authority vested in + the Academic Staff, we do confer upon him this Diploma, and + recommend him to the President for promotion in ____. + + Given at West Point in the State of New York, this __ day of + ____, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and + ____.” + +It is signed by the members of the Academic Board in the order of their +rank, and entered in the “Register of Graduates” that is kept at the +Academy. + +On the first of June the President of the United States, the Board of +Visitors and others arrived, especially to witness the examinations of +the graduating class. The usual salute, review, drills, fireworks and +hop were on the program. All the members of my class, after having spent +four years at the Academy, fully expected to graduate, but one of the +number was found deficient and discharged on the last day. The weather +on graduating day was perfect, and at the appointed hour my class was +escorted by the Corps of Cadets to the grove in front of the Library, +where a stand had been erected for the President, Secretary of War, Board +of Visitors and invited guests. + +While we were under the big elm trees, surrounded by our schoolmates, +professors, instructors and the many others, listening to the Chaplain’s +prayer, to the sweet music of the band we loved so well, and to the +address of the Secretary of War, and receiving diplomas from the +President’s hand, many thoughts flashed through my mind. It seemed like a +dream. I thought of home, of my life since leaving it, and of the future, +wondering what it had in store for me. My cadet life had been all and +more than I had anticipated it to be, not a care and no one but self to +think of for four years, with good food and clothing in plenty, kind +friends and just teachers, cheerful surroundings and the most beautiful +spot on earth, I was loath to say good-bye to my Cadet Home. + + My heart is in the Highlands, shades + Of night are on my brow; + Ye pleasant haunts and quiet glades, + My soul is with you now. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF WEST POINT AS IT MAY BE IN 1912. (FROM +A DRAWING)] + +[Illustration: DIPLOMA.] + +[Illustration: BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF WEST POINT IN 1902.] + +[Illustration: WEST POINT IN 1848.] + +[Illustration: WEST POINT IN 1825.] + +[Illustration: GUARD MOUNTING IN CAMP. + +COLOR LINE.] + +[Illustration: SEAL OF UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. ADOPTED IN 1898. + +CADET HOSPITAL. + +SUPERINTENDENT’S QUARTERS.] + +[Illustration: BATTERY KNOX. + +SEA COAST BATTERY. + +SIEGE BATTERY.] + +[Illustration: THE ACADEMIC.] + +[Illustration: MESS HALL. + +DINING ROOM. + +SOUTH CADET BARRACKS.] + +[Illustration: CAVALRY DRILL. + +BATTALION MARCHING FROM CAMP TO BARRACKS.] + +[Illustration: CADET TENT.] + +[Illustration: FIRST CLASSMEN. + +FURLOUGHMEN. + +THE OLD CHAPEL. + +CADET ROOM.] + +[Illustration: PROFESSORS’ ROW. + +FLIRTATION WALK. + +KOSCIUSZCO’S GARDEN.] + +[Illustration: THE OLD RIDING HALL. + +BATTLE MONUMENT. + +PONTON BRIDGE.] + +[Illustration: CADETS AT THE WORLD’S FAIR AT CHICAGO, 1893.] + +[Illustration: OFFICERS QUARTERS ABOVE THE OLD NORTH GATE IN 1910. + +OFFICERS QUARTERS BELOW THE OLD SOUTH GATE IN 1910. + +BACHELOR OFFICERS QUARTERS IN 1910.] + +[Illustration: THE CADET CHAPEL IN 1910. + +NORTH CADET BARRACKS IN 1910.] + +[Illustration: THE OLD WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS. + +THE OFFICERS MESS IN 1910. + +THE CULLUM MEMORIAL HALL.] + +[Illustration: COAT OF ARMS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. +ADOPTED IN 1898. + +LIBRARY.] + +[Illustration: SIEGE BATTERY DRILL IN 1910. + +ARTILLERY AND CAVALRY GROUP IN 1910. + +THE NEW GYMNASIUM IN 1910.] + +[Illustration: PROPOSED STAFF QUARTERS ON THE SITE OF THE PRESENT HOTEL. +(FROM A DRAWING.) + +HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IN 1910.] + +[Illustration: INSPECTION IN CAMP. + +LIGHT ARTILLERY DRILL.] + +[Illustration: SEDGWICK MONUMENT. + +CADET MONUMENT. + +PROFESSORS’ ROW.] + +[Illustration: LOOKING EAST FROM THE NEW CADET CHAPEL IN 1910. + +PERSPECTIVE VIEW FROM THE RIVER ON THE EAST. (FROM A DRAWING.)] + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. + + + “Where proud and free the Hudson flows, + Above the Highlands grand, + And in its placid bosom shows + The charms of Nature’s hand” + +West Point, the seat of the United States Military Academy, is the +property of the United States and situated in the State of New York in +the Highlands on the west bank of the Hudson River, about fifty miles +north of New York City. The grounds comprise 2,550 acres, of which about +200 acres are a plain, some one hundred and sixty feet above the river, +the balance being mountainous. + +In May, 1776, Brigadier General Henry Knox, Chief of Artillery, proposed +plans for a military school for the new government, Colonel Alexander +Hamilton seconded them and on October 1, 1776, upon the recommendation of +General George Washington, the Continental Congress passed a resolution +appointing a committee to prepare a plan for “a Military Academy at the +Army” which was followed by the law of June 20, 1777, that provided for +a “Corps of Invalids” to serve as a military school for young gentlemen +previous to their appointment to marching regiments. This corps was +organized the next month in Philadelphia, Penn. + +The occupation of West Point as a military post took place January 20, +1778, and has been continuous since then. + +On March 30, 1779, the Board of War adopted regulations for the Corps +of Engineers and for the Sappers and Miners: these were promulgated in +Orders, July 30, 1779, by General Washington and provided for a plan +of instruction to be carried into effect after approval by the Board +and by the General-in-Chief. The plan contemplated lectures by engineer +officers, on fortifications, mining, reconnaissance, encampments and the +like, and as early as February, 1780, practical experiments in gunnery +were conducted at West Point, and in 1781, at the request of Washington, +the Corps of Invalids was marched from Philadelphia to West Point, +where an engineer school, a laboratory, and a library had already been +established in three separate buildings. + +At Newburgh, N. Y., in 1783, Washington discussed with his officers the +necessity of the government maintaining a military academy as a part +of the regular army and as the first President of the United States he +again referred to it in his message of December 3, 1793, which resulted +in the law of May 9, 1794, authorizing the organization of a “Corps of +Artillerists and Engineers” with two cadets to each company, thereby +creating the new grade of “cadet” in our regular army. The artillerists +and engineers were stationed at West Point that year and a school for +the cadets was opened at once and continued until 1796 when the school +buildings were destroyed by fire. + +In his last message to Congress, Washington said: “The institution of a +military academy is also recommended by cogent reasons. However pacific +the general policy of a nation may be, it ought never to be without an +adequate stock of military knowledge for emergencies. The first would +impair the energy of its character, and both would hazard its safety, or +expose it to greater evils when war could not be avoided. Besides that, +war might not often depend upon its own choice. In proportion as the +observance of pacific maxims might exempt a nation from the necessity +of practicing rules of military art, ought to be its care in preserving +and transmitting, by proper establishments, the knowledge of that art. +Whatever argument may be drawn from particular examples superficially +viewed, a thorough examination of the subject will evince that the art +of war is at once comprehensive and complicated; that it demands much +previous study; and that the possession of it in its most approved and +perfect state is always of great moment to the security of a nation. +This, therefore, ought to be a serious care of every Government; and for +this purpose, an academy, where a regular course of instruction is given, +is an obvious expedient, which different nations have successfully +employed.” + +In a letter to Colonel Hamilton, Ex-President Washington said: “The +establishment of an Institution of this kind, upon a respectable and +extensive Basis, has ever been considered by me as an object of primary +importance to this Country; and while I was in the Chair of Government, I +omitted no proper opportunity of recommending it, in my public speeches +and other ways, to the attention of the Legislature.... I sincerely hope +that the subject will meet with due attention, and that the reasons for +its establishment which you have so clearly pointed out in your letter +to the Secretary, will prevail upon the Legislature to place it upon a +permanent and respectable footing.” + +New buildings were put up at West Point and on July 20, 1801, the +Secretary of War ordered all cadets of the corps of artillerists to +proceed there, and on September 1st of that year the school was reopened +with four army officers and one civilian as instructors. + +An act of Congress approved March 16, 1802, authorized the President to +organize a corps of engineers to consist of five officers and ten cadets, +at West Point, to constitute a military academy, which he did and with +the quota present the United States Military Academy was formally opened +on the Fourth of July of that year. + +But Congress did not appropriate any money for the Academy until March +3, 1803, and then in the Army Bill it gave only $2,000.00 for both the +Academy and for War Department books and apparatus. The Army Bill of 1804 +contained $1,000.00 for the Academy, and that of 1805 gave it $500.00. +Then Congress ignored this institution until the war with England, when +in the Army Bill of 1812 it gave the Academy $25,000.00 and authorized +the erection of a library and other buildings, and the reorganization of +the academic staff. + +An Act of Congress in 1808 authorized 40 cadets from the artillery, 16 +from the dragoons, 20 from the riflemen, and 100 from the infantry, but +as no provision was made for them at West Point only a few of these were +appointed. In 1810 the Military Academy was deprived of nearly all means +of instruction and both officers and cadets experienced difficulty in +getting their pay. During most of the year 1811, although war was then +imminent, academic instruction was practically abandoned and in March, +1812, it was abandoned when the last instructor was ordered to duty +elsewhere. Up to this time 88 cadets had graduated and they had been +admitted to the academy without mental or physical examinations, at all +ages, from twelve to thirty-four and at any time of the year. + +By an Act of Congress approved April 29, 1812, the Military Academy +was reorganized, and the provisions of this Act furnished the general +principles upon which the Academy has since been conducted and +controlled; a more adequate corps of professors was authorized, a maximum +of 250 cadets was fixed, and age and mental requisites for admission of +candidates were prescribed, and in 1817 under the able superintendency of +Major Sylvanus Thayer, a graduate of the West Point class of 1808, the +present era in the Academy’s history began, because he made it a school +for the practical and theoretical training of cadets for the military +service. Since then the requisites for admission have been increased from +time to time by Congress and with its permission by the Secretary of War. + +In 1834 an appropriation (of $139,881.45) for the Military Academy was +for the first time made in a separate bill, called the Military Academy +bill. + +In 1838 many records and other property were destroyed by fire. + +Prior to 1843 a prescribed residence was not a legal qualification for +appointment but the selection of one cadet from each congressional +district became a custom, and in this year Congress prescribed that the +corps of cadets should consist of one cadet (recommended by the member) +from each congressional district, one (recommended by the delegate) +from each Territory, one from the District of Columbia and ten from the +United States at large, to be appointed by the President; the number of +cadets varying as the number of congressmen and delegates increased or +diminished. + +The Academic Board now comprises the following, to-wit: + +Superintendent. + +Commandant of Cadets—Instructor of Tactics. + +Professor of Civil and Military Engineering. + +Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy. + +Professor of Mathematics. + +Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology. + +Professor of Drawing. + +Professor of Modern Languages. + +Professor of Law and History. + +Professor of Practical Military Engineering, Military Signaling and +Telegraphy. + +Professor of Ordnance and Gunnery. + +Professor of Military Hygiene. + +Professor of English and History. + +Without regard to his rank the Superintendent is the head of the +institution, while the other members of the Board take precedence +according to rank. + +These officers have as many assistants detailed from the army as the +Secretary of War deems necessary for the proper instruction of the +cadets, and the senior assistant in each department of instruction is a +member of the Academic Board or of a committee of it, for the purpose of +examining cadets, arranging them in order of merit, and determining their +proficiency or deficiency in every branch of study in that department; +and the instructor of any section under examination or consideration is +a member of a department committee of the Academic Board for the purpose +of examining the section and arranging it in order of merit. + +All deliberations of the Academic Board and of its committees, and +expressions of opinions and votes, individual or collective, of members +thereof are confidential. The decisions of the Board are published in +orders. + +Since 1812 the Course of Study has been four years, except that for the +classes entering in 1854, ’55 and ’56 it was five years, and for classes +entering in 1908, ’09 and ’10 it was four years and three months, as new +cadets were then admitted March 1. + +Cadets of the Fourth Class found deficient at the January examinations +are invariably discharged or permitted to resign, while some of the +unfortunates at the June examination are turned back to the next class. + +By virtue of Section 1331, Revised Statutes of the United States, the +supervision and charge of the Academy are in the War Department under +such officer or officers as the Secretary of War may assign to that +duty.[61] + +The Act of Congress approved June 23, 1879, provided “That each member +of the graduating classes of the Military Academy of 1879 and 1880, +after graduation, may elect, with the assent of the Secretary of War, to +receive the gross sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars and mileage to +his place of residence[62]; and the acceptance of this gross sum shall +render him ineligible to appointment in the army, except in the event +of war, until two years after his graduation.” And Congress did this +when the Military Academy never graduated enough cadets to keep the army +supplied with second lieutenants.[63] + +The Act of Congress approved May 17, 1886, provided “That when any +Cadet of the United States Military Academy has gone through all its +classes and received a regular diploma from the Academic Staff, he may +be promoted and commissioned as a second lieutenant in any arm or corps +of the Army in which there may be a vacancy and the duties of which he +may have been judged competent to perform; and in case there shall not at +the time be a vacancy in such arm or corps, he may, at the discretion of +the President, be promoted and commissioned in it as an additional second +lieutenant, with the usual pay and allowances of a second lieutenant, +until a vacancy shall happen.” + +The Act of Congress approved November 4, 1889, provided that “Any cadet +dismissed for hazing shall not be reappointed.” + +By Acts of Congress approved June 6, 1900, March 2, 1901, June 28, 1902 +(this act alone appropriated $5,500,000.00 for the improvement of a +then fine plant), March 3, 1903, and May 28, 1908, the corps of cadets +was made to consist of one cadet (recommended by the member) from each +congressional district, two (one recommended by each senator) from each +State at large, one (recommended by the delegate) from each Territory, +one (recommended by the Commissioners) from the District of Columbia, one +(recommended by the Resident Commissioner) from Porto Rico, and forty +(appointed by the President) from the United States at large and, with +the exception of the forty from the United States at large, to be actual +residents of the Congressional District, State, Territory, District of +Columbia or Porto Rico, respectively, from which appointed. + +Four Filipinos, one for each class, are authorized to receive instruction +as cadets, to be eligible on graduation only to commissions in the +Philippine Scouts. + +Under these Acts when in June a cadet finishes three years of his course +at the academy, or sooner if his name is dropped from its rolls before +then, a principal and two alternates may be appointed and the successful +one admitted to the academy (formerly in the following June or September +and now) on the next March 1st. But from July 1, 1910, to July 1, 1916, +under the Act of April 19, 1910, when in June a cadet finishes two years +of his course at the academy, or sooner if his name is dropped from its +rolls before then, a principal and two alternates may be appointed and +the successful one admitted to the academy on the next March 1st. + +According to the twelfth census, the maximum number of cadets was fixed +at 533.[64] + +It is suggested to all candidates (principals and alternates[65]) that +before leaving their homes for the place designated (either West Point or +their nearest military post) for their official examination, they should +cause themselves to be thoroughly examined by a competent physician, and +by a teacher or instructor in good standing. By such an examination any +serious disqualification or deficiency in mental preparation would be +revealed, and the candidate probably spared the expense and trouble of a +useless journey and the mortification of rejection. + +It should be understood that the informal examination herein recommended +is solely for the convenience and benefit of the candidate himself, and +can in no manner affect the decision of the official Examining Boards. + +There being no provision whatever for the payment of the traveling +expenses of either accepted or rejected candidates for admission, no +candidate should fail to provide himself in advance with the means of +returning to his home, in case of his rejection before either of the +Examining Boards, as he may otherwise be put to considerable trouble, +inconvenience, and even suffering on account of his destitute condition. +If admitted, the money brought by him to meet such a contingency can be +deposited with the treasurer on account of his equipment as a cadet, or +returned to his friends. + +When the official examination is at a military post the questions[66] +for the candidates and surgeons to answer are sent from West Point to +the Board of Officers that conducts the examination. Each candidate is +given a number which he signs to his examination papers and to a letter +containing his autograph; the two are put in separate envelopes and sent +to West Point. + +The Act of Congress approved March 2, 1901, provided that “Appointees +shall be examined under regulations to be framed by the Secretary of War +before they shall be admitted to the Academy and shall be well versed in +such subjects as he may from time to time prescribe.” + +Special Acts of Congress are sometimes passed that authorize the +education at the Academy of young men from foreign countries. These young +men are not commissioned in the Army and the acts always provide that +all of their expenses shall be defrayed by the countries to which they +belong. + +The Cadets are arranged in four distinct classes, corresponding with the +four years of study. + +The cadets employed on the first year’s course constitute the fourth +class; those on the second year’s course the third class; those on the +third year’s course the second class; and those on the fourth year’s +course the first class. + +There was in 1908, ’09 and ’10 a preliminary course from about March 11 +to June 10 for new cadets then admitted March 1, and they constituted the +class of new cadets. + +The academic year commences on the 1st of July. On, or before, that date +the result of the examination held in the preceding month is announced +and Cadets are advanced from one class to another. At no other time is a +Cadet advanced from one class to another, unless prevented by sickness, +or authorized absence, from attending the aforesaid examination; in +such a case a special examination is granted; but in no case is a Cadet +advanced from one class to another without having satisfied the Academic +Board of his proficiency in each branch of study pursued by his class. + +“No cadet who is reported as deficient in either conduct or studies +and recommended to be discharged from the Academy, shall, unless upon +recommendation of the Academic Board, be returned or reappointed or be +appointed to any place in the Army before his class shall have left the +Academy and received their commissions.” + +(Section 1325, Revised Statutes of the United States.) + + =====+========+================================================ + |Names | MERIT IN + | +-----------+-------+------+-------+------------+ + |Arranged| | | | | | + |in Order| | | | | | + | of | | | | | Natural | + Class|General | | | | | and | + Rank | Merit | | | | |Experimental| + | |Mathematics|English|French|Spanish| Philosophy | + +--------+-----------+-------+------+-------+------------+ + |Maximum | | | | | | + |in each | 400.00 | 75.00 |150.00| 125.00| 300.00 | + |branch | | | | | | + -----+--------+-----------+-------+------+-------+------------+ + + =====+========+======================================================= + |Names | MERIT IN + | +----------+------------+----------+-------+-----------+ + |Arranged|Chemistry,| Drill | | | | + |in Order| Chemical |Regulations:| | | | + | of | Physics, | Cavalry, | | | | + Class|General |Mineralogy| Artillery | | | Civil and | + Rank | Merit | and | and | Military | | Military | + | |Geology | Infantry |Efficiency|Drawing|Engineering| + +--------+----------+------------+----------+-------+-----------+ + |Maximum | | | | | | + |in each | 225.00 | 115.00 | 130.00 |125.00 | 300.00 | + |branch | | | | | | + -----+--------+----------+------------+----------+-------+-----------+ + + =====+========+======================================================== + |Names | MERIT IN + | +------+--------+-----------+----------+--------+-------+ + |Arranged| | | | | | | + |in Order| |Ordnance| | | | | + | of | | and | |Soldierly | | | + Class|General | |Science | Practical |Deportment| | | + Rank | Merit | | of | Military | and |Military| Final | + | | Law |Gunnery |Engineering|Discipline|Hygiene |Conduct| + +--------+------+--------+-----------+----------+--------+-------+ + |Maximum | | | | | | | + |in each |150.00| 150.00 | 45.00 | 20.00 | 25.00 |125.00 | + |branch | | | | | | | + -----+--------+------+--------+-----------+----------+--------+-------+ + + =====+========+======== + |Names | + | ++------- + |Arranged|| + |in Order|| + | of || + Class|General || + Rank | Merit ||General + | || Merit + +--------++------- + |Maximum || + |in each ||2460.00 + |branch || + -----+--------++------- + +The count for conduct, based upon the number of demerits received by a +cadet each year, is + + Class of New Cadets 40 + Fourth class year 50 + Third class year 75 + Second class year 100 + First class year 125 + +The final count in conduct for the graduating merit roll is 125. It is +obtained by adding together the respective proportional parts for each +of the four years and the preliminary course for New Cadets, and then +reducing the sums thus found to equivalent values with a maximum of 125. + +Upon completing the prescribed course of study the graduates are eligible +for promotion to the grade of Second Lieutenant in any corps or arm of +the army, the duties of which the Academic Board may judge them competent +to perform. + +For instruction in infantry drill regulations and in military police and +discipline, the Corps of Cadets is organized into two battalions, under +the Commandant of Cadets, assisted by two battalion commanders (army +officers), each company being commanded by an army officer. The cadet +officers and non-commissioned officers are selected from those who have +been most studious, soldier-like in the performance of their duties, +and most exemplary in their general deportment. In general, the cadet +officers are taken from the first class, the sergeants from the second, +and the corporals from the third. + +In an article in the July-August, 1904, number of The Journal of the +Military Service Institution, Professor Samuel E. Tillman, of the United +States Military Academy said: + +“Any one returning to the Academy now after an absence of fifteen years +will observe many striking changes, the most important of which are: The +disappearance in large part of the annual and semi-annual examinations; +the introduction of the intermediate examinations, that is examinations +during the academic term, at the completion of some part of the +term-course; the large increase in written recitations with corresponding +decrease in oral; a great increase in practical and semipractical work +in connection with the descriptive courses; the greater amount of +time permitted for recreation exercises. These changes have greatly +modified methods deemed of much importance for sixty years prior to +1890, yet it can be confidently asserted that the changes have enabled +cadets to acquire a greater amount of information with less effort upon +their part.... Cadet schools should always be training, developing and +character-forming schools, as they control the students at the best +formative period.” + +Since 1840 the following changes have been made in the subjects taught, +to-wit: + +In 1853 Practical Military Engineering was added. + +In 1857 Spanish was added. + +In 1873 Ethics and Logic were dropped. + +In 1882 General History was added and Physical Training was made a +distinct course. + +In 1909 Military Hygiene was added. + +Text books have been changed or revised from time to time since the +Academy was founded. + +Colonel Charles W. Larned, Professor of Drawing at the Academy, in a +recent article in _Munsey’s Magazine_, said: + +“The improvements now in progress at the Military Academy ... include not +only an architectural renewal, but a revision of the entire curriculum, +both of which are undertakings of transcendant importance to the +institution.... + +“It has been a difficult task to harmonize the various discordant +buildings of other styles, which cannot be sacrificed, with the +prevailing Tudor style; more especially as the topography of the site +restricts the plan within confined limits. The architects have succeeded, +however, in evolving a scheme which, when completed, will have both unity +and coherence, and a picturesqueness unequaled on the continent. The +rugged, climbing masses of semi-medieval Gothic structures that scale +the granite cliffs and rise in towering succession to their crowning +feature, the cathedral-like Chapel on Observatory Hill, will form a group +of buildings in harmony both with their use and their environment, and +worthy of the great institution they house.” + +And in speaking of what graduates have done, he said: “At the end of that +tremendous struggle (the Civil War), all the armies in the field on both +sides were commanded by graduates of West Point; nearly all the army +corps, and most of the divisions. Out of sixty of the greatest battles +... in fifty-six the commanders on both sides were graduates; in the +other four a graduate commanded on one side, and three of the four were +won by graduates.... + +“As explorers, as early as 1820, Long’s expedition containing Bell, +Graham and Swift, explored as far as Pike’s Peak, and first ascended +it; Allen, in 1832, first traced the source of the Mississippi; and +Bonneville’s great exploration, in 1832-1834, penetrated Wyoming, Utah, +California, and the Columbia and Yellowstone regions, and supplied the +first hydrographic maps of the country. + +“For half a century West Point was the principal and almost the +only school of science and technology in America. Its graduates not +only furnished presidents and teachers of scientific institutions +as they appeared, but were the pioneer engineers who laid out the +trans-continental routes of the great western railways, besides +surveying and developing as engineers and presidents other systems in +the East.... More than one hundred and seventy-five thousand miles of +routes, lines and marches.” And graduates have had charge of “the Lake +surveys; the Coast and Geodetic survey, reorganized and for twenty-four +years superintended by a graduate; the surveys west of the one hundredth +meridian; the river and harbor improvements of the United States; the +control and building of the Panama Canal; the superintendency and +construction of public buildings in Washington, including the wings and +dome of the Capitol, and the Congressional Library; the rectification and +completion of the Washington Monument; the construction of lighthouses, +including the remarkable one of Minot’s Ledge; besides many other works +of survey and construction, of which the Chicago (drainage) Canal is one +of the most important. The disbursements of public funds for river and +harbor work alone approximate six hundred million dollars and if other +civil and military works are included, the grand total will be not far +from one thousand millions.... Our officers ... have been: Governors of +provinces, mayors of cities, collectors of customs, school commissioners, +sanitary engineers, civil engineers, police commissioners, judges of +courts, architects, superintendents of railroads, heads of departments of +state, and even commanders of vessels.... + +“Half of the (4,121) graduates in the first century of the academy’s +existence entered civil life, and in the civil career alone their record +shows nineteen per cent of distinguished success—far in excess of that of +any other institution in the land....” + +In an article that appeared in 1904 in the New York Sun he gave the +following data for— + + _West Point Graduates Who Have Attained Distinguished Success._ + + 1 President of the United States. + + 1 President of the Confederate States. + + 3 Presidential candidates. + + 1 Vice-Presidential candidate. + + 4 Members of the Cabinet of the United States. + + 1 Ambassador. + + 14 Ministers from the United States to foreign courts. + + 2 Chargés d’Affaires from the United States to foreign courts. + + 12 United States Consuls-General and Consuls. + + 24 Members of the United States Senate and House of + Representatives. + + 171 United States civil officers of various kinds. + + 8 Presidential electors. + + 2 Governors of States and Territories. + + 77 Members of State Legislatures. + + 2 Lieutenant-Governors of States. + + 8 Presiding officers of State Senates and Houses of + Representatives. + + 13 Members of conventions to form State constitutions. + + 81 State officers of various grades. + + 29 Adjutants, Inspectors, and Quartermasters-General and Chief + Engineers of States and Territories. + + 158 Officers of State militia. + + 17 Mayors of cities. + + 57 City officers. + + 46 Presidents of universities, colleges, etc. + + 32 Principals of academies and schools. + + 14 Regents and chancellors of educational institutions. + + 136 Professors and teachers. + + 1 Superintendent of Coast Survey. + + 11 Surveyors-General of States and Territories. + + 14 Chief Engineers of States. + + 87 Presidents of railroads and other corporations. + + 63 Chief engineers of railroads and other public works. + + 62 Superintendents of railroads and other public works. + + 24 Treasurers and receivers of railroads and other corporations. + + 228 Civil engineers. + + 5 Electrical engineers. + + 14 Judges. + + 200 Attorneys and counsellors at law. + + 1 Bishop. + + 1 Superior-General of clerical order. + + 20 Clergymen. + + 14 Physicians. + + 122 Merchants. + + 77 Manufacturers. + + 3 Artists. + + 7 Architects. + + 230 Farmers and planters. + + 18 Bankers. + + 8 Bank presidents. + + 23 Bank officers. + + 30 Editors. + + 179 Authors. + +In accordance with sections 1327, 1328 and 1329 of the Revised Statutes +of the United States a Board of Visitors, composed of twelve persons, +seven appointed by the President, two by the presiding officer of the +Senate, and three by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, was +for years annually appointed to visit the Military Academy to “inquire +into the actual state of discipline, instruction, police administration, +fiscal affairs, and other concerns of the institution, and reported the +same to the Secretary of War for the information of Congress.” Each +member of the Board received not exceeding eight cents per mile traveled, +by the most direct route, from his residence to West Point and return, +and in addition, five dollars per day for expenses during each day of +his service at West Point. This Board visited and inspected the Academy +during the first two weeks of June. + + * * * * * + +The Act of Congress approved March 4, 1909, among other things says: + +“That hereafter the Board of Visitors to the Military Academy shall +consist of five members of the Committee on Military Affairs of the +Senate and seven members of the Committee on Military Affairs of the +House of Representatives, to be appointed by the respective chairman +thereof, who shall annually visit the Military Academy on such date or +dates as may be fixed by the chairman of the said committees; and the +Superintendent of the academy and the members of the Board of Visitors +shall be notified of such date by the chairman of the said committees, +acting jointly, at least fifteen days before the meeting. The expenses +of the members of the board shall be their actual expenses while engaged +upon their duties as members of said board, and their actual expenses for +travel by the shortest mail routes: Provided further, That so much of +sections 1327, 1328 and 1329, Revised Statutes of the United States, as +is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed.” + +The Military Academy, upon which millions of dollars have been expended +on grounds and buildings alone, is maintained by the Government solely +for the practical and theoretical training of young men for commissions +in the army, and that the investment is appreciated by the country is +voiced by its public men, a few quotations being given here. + +From his experience in the War of 1812 and service on Indian campaigns, +General Andrew Jackson while President of the United States in a message +to Congress said: + +“I recommend to your fostering care, as one of our safest means of +national defense, the Military Academy. This institution has already +exercised the happiest influence upon the moral and intellectual +character of our Army; and such of the graduates from various causes +may not pursue the profession of arms will be scarcely less useful as +citizens. Their knowledge of the military art will be advantageously +employed in the militia service, and in a measure secure to that class of +troops the advantages which in this respect belongs to standing armies.” + +After the close of the Mexican war Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott in a +report to the Secretary of War said: + +“I give it as my fixed opinion that, but for our graduated cadets, the +war between the United States and Mexico might, and probably would, have +lasted some four or five years, with, in its first half, more defeats +than victories falling to our share; whereas, in less than two campaigns, +we conquered a great country and a peace, without the loss of a single +battle or skirmish.” + +Some two score of years later, in speaking of the graduates of the +Military Academy, the Honorable Charles S. Fairchild, of New York, in +an address said: “That roll, which, when told over, excites patriotic +enthusiasm, and calls forth high emotion beyond that of the roll of any +like institution in the world.” + +And General William Tecumseh Sherman said: + +“The education and manly training imparted to young men at West Point +has repaid the United States a thousand times its cost, and more than +verified the predictions of General Washington. Every cadet at West Point +is an appointee of a member of Congress, every member having a cadet of +his own nomination there, with only ten appointed by the President at +large. The corps of cadets is therefore a youthful counterpart of our +national House of Representatives. The same laws, the same regulations, +the same instruction, books, clothing, and food are common to all, and a +more democratic body never existed on earth than is the corps of cadets.” + +In June, 1902, some five hundred graduates and President Roosevelt, +Secretary of War Root, Lieutenant-General Miles, Adjutant-General +Corbin, and scores of other non-graduates, assembled together at West +Point, many with and a few without their wives, and celebrated in a royal +manner the first centennial of the founding of the Military Academy. The +cadets went into camp that year earlier than usual and their barracks +were used by such of the visiting graduates as were not cared for at the +hotel, in Cullum Hall, or by the families on duty at the post, while the +wives and daughters of those of us who slept in barracks were cared for +at Cozzen’s Hotel, now a part of the post. + +Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, then President of the United States, in an +address said: + +“This institution has completed its first hundred years of life. During +that century no other educational institution in the land has contributed +as many names as West Point has contributed to the honor roll of the +nation’s greatest citizens.” + +The Hon. Elihu Root, the Secretary of War, said: + +“The foregoing considerations naturally bring to mind the Military +Academy at West Point. I believe that the great service which it has +rendered the country was never more conspicuous than it has been during +the past two years. The faithful and efficient service of its graduates +since the declaration of war with Spain have more than repaid the cost of +the institution since its foundation. They have been too few in number +and most heavily burdened.” + +And in his address to the graduating class of 1903 the Honorable +David B. Henderson, of Iowa, a former Speaker of the National House +of Representatives, and then the President of the West Point Board of +Visitors, said: “The Board (of Visitors) have all been here and have +devoted such time as was possible to studying the conditions of West +Point. I can speak for the Board that they have been delighted with what +they have seen, and are unanimously of the opinion, which the world +holds, I may say, that this is the greatest military educational school +on earth.” + +Many foreign princes and others interested in the education of young men +for civil as well as for military pursuits visit West Point. Among the +guests at the Academy’s Centennial were two German army officers sent by +the Emperor as his personal representative. + +After a careful inspection of the leading educational institutions of the +world Major-General Sir Thomas Frazer of the British Army in a letter +referring to West Point said: “I think the institution is better than any +I have seen.” + +And Field Marshal Lord Wolseley in writing about West Point said: “I +have very often had the advantage of meeting men who have qualified at +that best of all military schools and invariably found them interesting +companions, with a thorough knowledge of their profession.” + +Colonel Bridges, C. M. G., recently said: “After an exhaustive course +of inquiries into the training of the young idea in military matters, +I have returned to Australia imbued with the idea that the American +methods in vogue at their celebrated institution at West Point are the +best, with, of course, certain modifications for Australia.... It is an +extremely efficient institution for the purpose for which it is intended.” + +[Illustration] + + +TABLE SHOWING DISPOSITION OF CANDIDATES. + + ========+=========+========+===========+=========+=========+ + | | | | | | + | | | | | | + | | |Alternates | | | + | | |Passed | | | + | | |for Whom no| | | + Year | | |Vacancies |Admitted |Cadets at| + Reported|Appointed|Reported|Existed. |as Cadets|Academy | + --------+---------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+ + 1800 |Records |Records |Alternates | 2 | — | + 1 |lost |lost |first | 7 | — | + 2 |by fire |by fire |appointed | 2 | — | + 3 |in 1838. |in 1838.|in 1878. | 8 | — | + 4 | | | | 9 | — | + 5 | | | | 10 | — | + 6 | | | | 9 | — | + 7 | | | | 17 | — | + 8 | | | | 41 | — | + 9 | | | | 10 | — | + 1810 | | | | 2 | — | + 1 | | | | 0 | — | + 2 | | | | 10 | — | + 3 | | | | 87 | — | + 4 | | | | 148 | — | + 5 | | | | 58 | — | + 6 | | | | 34 | — | + 7 | | | | 55 | — | + 8 | | | | 115 | — | + 9 | | | | 86 | — | + 1820 | | | | 67 | — | + 1 | | | | 77 | — | + 2 | | | | 108 | — | + 3 | | | | 103 | — | + 4 | | | | 79 | — | + 5 | | | | 105 | — | + 6 | | | | 91 | — | + 7 | | | | 97 | — | + 8 | | | | 106 | — | + 9 | | | | 113 | — | + 1830 | | | | 102 | — | + 1 | | | | 94 | — | + 2 | | | | 102 | — | + 3 | | | | 112 | — | + 4 | | | | 65 | — | + 5 | | | | 72 | — | + 6 | | | | 97 | — | + 7 | | | | 118 | — | + 8 | 132 | 114 | | 111 | — | + 9 | 91 | 79 | | 76 | — | + 1840 | 106 | 94 | | 84 | — | + 1 | 131 | 122 | | 114 | — | + 2 | 144 | 135 | | 109 | — | + 3 | 77 | 74 | | 60 | — | + 4 | 96 | 90 | | 75 | — | + 5 | 98 | 91 | | 81 | — | + 6 | 121 | 109 | | 103 | — | + 7 | 84 | 78 | | 74 | — | + 8 | 84 | 83 | | 81 | — | + 9 | 95 | 90 | | 88 | — | + 1850 | 98 | 95 | | 90 | — | + 1 | 81 | 74 | | 71 | — | + 2 | 102 | 100 | | 90 | — | + 3 | 97 | 90 | | 83 | — | + 4 | 120 | 111 | | 103 | — | + 5 | 99 | 94 | | 80 | — | + 6 | 101 | 93 | | 73 | — | + 7 | 132 | 117 | | 82 | — | + 8 | 108 | 98 | | 75 | — | + 9 | 91 | 86 | | 60 | — | + 1860 | 84 | 84 | | 72 | — | + 1 | 148 | 123 | | 108 | — | + 2 | 96 | 92 | | 81 | — | + 3 | 126 | 111 | | 99 | — | + 4 | 101 | 88 | | 73 | — | + 5 | 101 | 94 | | 74 | — | + 6 | 95 | 88 | | 70 | — | + 7 | 84 | 75 | | 55 | — | + 8 | 127 | 113 | | 76 | — | + 9 | 112 | 101 | | 70 | — | + 1870 | 163 | 142 | | 65 | — | + 1 | 131 | 119 | | 76 | — | + 2 | 165 | 150 | | 95 | — | + 3 | 230 | 205 | | 118 | — | + 4 | 175 | 159 | | 89 | — | + 5 | 206 | 195 | | 121 | — | + 6 | 167 | 154 | | 98 | — | + 7 | 200 | 186 | | 96 | — | + 8 | 174 | 152 | 3 | 102 | — | + 9 | 146 | 122 | 4 | 88 | — | + 1880 | 139 | 115 | 6 | 73 | — | + 1 | 200 | 152 | 3 | 85 | — | + 2 | 216 | 192 | 8 | 129 | — | + 3 | 235 | 209 | 9 | 141 | — | + 4 | 178 | 155 | 4 | 100 | — | + 5 | 171 | 143 | 6 | 95 | — | + 6 | 215 | 190 | 10 | 128 | — | + 7 | 256 | 210 | 9 | 127 | — | + 8 | 210 | 181 | 6 | 101 | — | + 9 | 231 | 196 | 7 | 96 | — | + 1890 | 198 | 175 | 11 | 81 | — | + 1 | 209 | 161 | 9 | 97 | — | + 2 | 302 | 258 | 15 | 114 | — | + 3 | 326 | 268 | 10 | 108 | — | + 4 | 303 | 258 | 12 | 101 | — | + 5 | 327 | 282 | 17 | 105 | — | + 6 | 308 | 248 | 18 | 110 | — | + 7 | 315 | 285 | 23 | 129 | — | + 8 | 311 | 273 | 15 | 101 | — | + 9 | 321 | 257 | 21 | 145 | — | + 1900 | 379 | 317 | 36 | 170 | — | + 1 | 374 | 311 | 47 | 160 | — | + 2 | 269 | 211 | 26 | 114 | — | + 3 | 425 | 324 | 28 | 163 | — | + 4 | 353 | 279 | 42 | 153 | — | + 5 | 368 | 289 | 41 | 145 | 1 | + 6 | 315 | 228 | 30 | 123 | 8 | + 7 | 387 | 308 | 34 | 143 | 92 | + 8 | 461 | 351 | 7 | 132 | 88 | + 9 | 482 | 366 | 4 | 128 | 118 | + 1910 | 505 | 391 | 5 | 148 | 111 | + --------+---------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+ + Total | — | — | 526 | 9,742 | 418 | + --------+---------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+ + + +============================================================ + | GRADUATED CADETS. + +----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+----- + | | | | | | | |In | |Year + | | | | | | | |from | |or + |In |In |In | In |In |In |In |One to|In |Date + |One |Two |Three| Four |Five |Six |Seven|Seven |Each |of + |Year|Years|Years| Years|Years|Years|Years|Years |Class|Class + +----+ ----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+----- + | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | —| — + | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 5 | —| — + | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2| 1802 + | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | 6 | 3| 3 + | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 2| 4 + | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 8 | 3| 5 + | 3 | 4 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 9 | 15| 6 + | 9 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 12 | 5| 7 + | 7 | — | 12 | 11 | — | — | — | 30 | 15| 8 + | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 7| 9 + | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0| 1810 + | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 19| 1 + | 1 | 7 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 10 | 18| 2 + | 23 | 31 | — | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | 62 | 1| 3 + | 9 | — | 13 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 2 | 66 | 30| 4 + | — | 1 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 1 | — | 21 | 40| 5 + | — | 1 | 2 | 9 | — | — | — | 12 | 0| 6 + | — | 2 | 2 | 18 | 8 | — | — | 30 | 19| 7 + | — | — | 3 | 32 | 9 | — | — | 44 | 23| 8 + | — | — | — | 26 | 6 | 1 | — | 33 | 29| 9 + | — | — | — | 25 | 7 | — | — | 32 | 30| 1820 + | — | — | — | 29 | 5 | — | — | 34 | 24| 1 + | — | — | — | 36 | 7 | — | — | 43 | 40| 2 + | — | — | — | 31 | 9 | — | — | 40 | 35| 3 + | — | — | — | 24 | 4 | — | — | 28 | 31| 4 + | — | — | — | 42 | 8 | — | — | 50 | 37| 5 + | — | — | — | 34 | 3 | — | — | 37 | 41| 6 + | — | — | — | 30 | 10 | — | — | 40 | 38| 7 + | — | — | — | 35 | 8 | — | — | 43 | 33| 8 + | — | — | — | 35 | 12 | — | — | 47 | 46| 9 + | — | — | — | 24 | 13 | — | — | 37 | 42| 1830 + | — | — | — | 43 | 5 | — | — | 48 | 33| 1 + | — | — | — | 44 | 6 | — | — | 50 | 45| 2 + | — | — | — | 44 | 9 | — | — | 53 | 43| 3 + | — | — | — | 36 | — | — | — | 36 | 36| 4 + | — | — | — | 31 | 6 | — | — | 37 | 56| 5 + | — | — | — | 36 | 6 | — | — | 42 | 49| 6 + | — | — | — | 46 | 2 | — | — | 48 | 50| 7 + | — | — | — | 54 | 5 | — | — | 59 | 45| 8 + | — | — | — | 34 | 3 | 1 | — | 38 | 31| 9 + | — | — | — | 22 | 6 | — | — | 28 | 42| 1840 + | — | — | — | 34 | 12 | — | — | 46 | 52| 1 + | — | — | — | 47 | 9 | — | — | 56 | 56| 2 + | — | — | — | 29 | 4 | — | — | 33 | 39| 3 + | — | — | — | 34 | 3 | — | — | 37 | 25| 4 + | — | — | — | 40 | 3 | 1 | — | 44 | 41| 5 + | — | — | — | 41 | 6 | — | — | 47 | 59| 6 + | — | — | — | 35 | 5 | — | — | 40 | 38| 7 + | — | — | — | 38 | 10 | — | — | 48 | 38| 8 + | — | — | — | 42 | 6 | — | — | 48 | 43| 9 + | — | — | — | 40 | 3 | — | — | 43 | 44| 1850 + | — | — | — | 31 | 4 | 2 | — | 37 | 42| 1 + | — | — | — | 45 | 1 | — | — | 46 | 43| 2 + | — | — | — | 35 | 7 | — | — | 42 | 52| 3 + | — | — | — | 20 | 22 | 4 | — | 46 | 46| 4 + | — | — | — | — | 37 | 1 | — | 38 | 34| 5 + | — | — | — | — | 44 | 2 | — | 46 | 49| 6 + | — | — | — | 34 | 4 | — | — | 38 | 38| 7 + | — | — | — | 24 | 5 | — | — | 29 | 27| 8 + | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | — | 20 | 22| 9 + | — | — | — | 27 | 5 | — | — | 32 | 41| 1860 + | — | — | — | 63 | 2 | — | — | 65 | 79| 1 + | — | — | — | 39 | 5 | — | — | 44 | 28| 2 + | — | — | — | 58 | 8 | — | 1 | 67 | 25| 3 + | — | — | — | 46 | 3 | — | — | 49 | 27| 4 + | — | — | — | 36 | 13 | — | — | 49 | 68| 5 + | — | — | — | 44 | 7 | — | — | 51 | 41| 6 + | — | — | — | 34 | 4 | — | — | 38 | 63| 7 + | — | — | — | 53 | 1 | — | — | 54 | 54| 8 + | — | — | — | 40 | 4 | — | — | 44 | 39| 9 + | — | — | — | 37 | 9 | — | — | 46 | 58| 1870 + | — | — | — | 34 | 3 | — | — | 37 | 41| 1 + | — | — | — | 45 | 3 | — | — | 48 | 57| 2 + | — | — | — | 73 | 5 | — | — | 78 | 41| 3 + | — | — | — | 38 | 3 | 1 | — | 42 | 41| 4 + | — | — | — | 64 | 4 | — | — | 68 | 43| 5 + | — | — | — | 47 | 8 | — | — | 55 | 48| 6 + | — | — | — | 45 | 11 | — | — | 56 | 76| 7 + | — | — | — | 26 | 13 | — | — | 39 | 43| 8 + | — | — | — | 39 | 3 | — | — | 42 | 67| 9 + | — | — | — | 34 | 3 | — | — | 37 | 52| 1880 + | — | — | — | 36 | 7 | — | — | 43 | 53| 1 + | — | — | — | 70 | 5 | — | — | 75 | 37| 2 + | — | — | — | 59 | 8 | — | — | 67 | 52| 3 + | — | — | — | 36 | 6 | — | — | 42 | 37| 4 + | — | — | — | 43 | 3 | — | — | 46 | 39| 5 + | — | — | — | 51 | 11 | — | — | 62 | 77| 6 + | — | — | — | 54 | 11 | — | — | 65 | 64| 7 + | — | — | — | 51 | 6 | — | — | 57 | 44| 8 + | — | — | — | 45 | 11 | 1 | — | 57 | 49| 9 + | — | — | — | 43 | 8 | — | — | 51 | 54| 1890 + | — | — | — | 43 | 12 | — | — | 55 | 65| 1 + | — | — | — | 61 | 6 | — | — | 67 | 62| 2 + | — | — | — | 61 | 4 | 2 | — | 67 | 51| 3 + | — | — | — | 55 | 9 | — | — | 64 | 54| 4 + | — | — | — | 61 | 3 | 2 | — | 66 | 52| 5 + | — | — | — | 51 | 8 | — | — | 59 | 73| 6 + | — | — | — | 64 | 8 | 2 | — | 74 | 67| 7 + | — | — | — | 46 | 12 | — | — | 58 | 59| 8 + | — | — | — | 79 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 97 | 72| 9 + | — | — | — | 110 | 14 | 1 | — | 125 | 54| 1900 + | — | — | — | 97 | 10 | — | — | 107 | 74| 1 + | — | — | — | 66 | 9 | 1 | — | 76 | 54| 2 + | — | — | — | 102 | 9 | — | — | 111 | 93| 3 + | — | — | — | 98 | 6 | — | — | 104 | 124| 4 + | — | — | — | 97 | 12 | — | — | 109 | 114| 5 + | — | — | — | 70 | — | — | — | 70 | 78| 6 + | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 111| 7 + | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 108| 8 + | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 103| 9 + | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 82| 1910 + +----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+------+----------- + | 60 | 63 | 45 |4,008 | 714 | 40 | 4 |4,934 |4,934|Total + +----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+------+----------- + + In 1817 the Course of Study was fixed at four years. + + One-half of the cadets admitted in 1854 formed the class of + 1858, and, as the Course of Study was then changed to five + years, the other half constituted the class of 1859. + + Two classes—those admitted in 1856 and 1857—were graduated in + 1861—the former in May and the latter in June—when the Course + of Study was again fixed at four years. + + Revised to June 30, 1910. + + +SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY + + ===========================+==================================+ + No. Name. | Army Rank when Appointed. | + ---------------------------+----------------------------------+ + 1 Jonathan Williams |Major Corps of Engineers | + 2 Jonathan Williams |Lieut. Col. Corps of Engineers | + 3 Joseph G. Swift |Colonel Corps of Engineers | + 4 Alden Partridge |Captain Corps of Engineers | + 5 Sylvanus Thayer |Captain Corps of Engineers | + 6 Rene E. DeRussy |Major Corps of Engineers | + 7 Richard Delafield |Major Corps of Engineers | + 8 Henry Brewerton |Captain Corps of Engineers | + 9 Robert E. Lee |Captain Corps of Engineers | + 10 John G. Garnard |Captain Corps of Engineers | + 11 Richard Delafield |Major Corps of Engineers | + 12 Peter G. T. Beauregard |Captain Corps of Engineers | + 13 Richard Delafield |Major Corps of Engineers | + 14 Alexander H. Bowman |Major Corps of Engineers | + 15 Zealous B. Tower |Major Corps of Engineers | + 16 George W. Cullum |Lieut. Colonel Corps of Engineers | + 17 Thomas G. Pitcher |Colonel 44th Infantry | + 18 Thomas H. Ruger |Colonel 18th Infantry | + 19 John M. Schofield |Major General, U. S. A | + 20 Oliver O. Howard |Brigadier General, U. S. A | + 21 Wesley Merritt |Colonel 5th Cavalry | + 22 John G. Parke |Colonel Corps of Engineers | + 23 John M. Wilson |Lieut. Colonel Corps of Engineers | + 24 Oswald H. Ernst |Major Corps of Engineers | + 25 Albert L. Mills |1st Lieutenant 1st Cavalry | + 26 Hugh L. Scott |Major 14th Cavalry | + 27 Thomas H. Barry |Major General U. S. A | + ---------------------------+----------------------------------+ + + ====+==================+==================+========= + No. | From | To | Remarks. + ----+------------------+------------------+--------- + 1 | April 15, 1802.| † June 20, 1803. | Resigned. + 2 | † April 19, 1805.| July 31, 1812. | Resigned. + 3 | July 31, 1812. | March 24, 1814.| Relieved. + 4 | Jan’y 3, 1815. | July 28, 1817. | Relieved. + 5 | July 28, 1817. | July 1, 1833. | Relieved. + 6 | July 1, 1833. | Sept. 1, 1838. | Relieved. + 7 | Sept. 1, 1838. | Aug. 15, 1845. | Relieved. + 8 | Aug. 15, 1845. | Sept. 1, 1852. | Relieved. + 9 | Sept. 1, 1852. | March 31, 1855.| Relieved. + 10 | March 31, 1855.| Sept. 8, 1856. | Relieved. + 11 | Sept. 8, 1856. | § Jan’y 23, 1861.| Relieved. + 12 | § Jan’y 23, 1861.| Jan’y 28, 1868.| Relieved. + 13 | Jan’y 28, 1861.| March 1, 1861. | Relieved. + 14 | March 1, 1861. | July 8, 1864. | Relieved. + 15 | July 8, 1864. | Sept. 3, 1864. | Relieved. + 16 | Sept. 8, 1864. | Aug. 28, 1866. | Relieved. + 17 | Aug. 28, 1866. | Sept. 1, 1871. | Relieved. + 18 | Sept. 1, 1871. | Sept. 1, 1876. | Relieved. + 19 | Sept. 1, 1876. | Jan’y 21, 1881.| Relieved. + 20 | Jan’y 21, 1881.| Sept. 1, 1882. | Relieved. + 21 | Sept. 1, 1882. | July 1, 1887. | Relieved. + 22 | Aug. 28, 1887. | June 24, 1889. | Relieved. + 23 | Aug. 26, 1889. | March 31, 1893.| Relieved. + 24 | March 31, 1893.| Aug. 21, 1898. | Relieved. + 25 | Aug. 22, 1898. | Aug. 31, 1906. | Relieved. + 26 | Aug. 31, 1906. | Aug. 31, 1910. | Relieved. + 27 | Aug. 31, 1910 | | + ----+------------------+------------------+---------- + + Note.—The selection of the Superintendents of the Military + Academy was confined to the Corps of Engineers from the + establishment of the Institution, March 16, 1802, till the + passage of the law of July 13, 1866, which opened it to the + entire Army. By the Act of June 12, 1858, the local rank of + Colonel was conferred upon the Superintendent. + + † Major Williams resigned June 20, 1803, on a point of command, + and pending its settlement until April 19, 1805, when he + again returned to service as Chief Engineer, no permanent + Superintendent of the Military Academy was appointed, the + command devolving upon the senior officer of the Corps of + Engineers present for duty. + + § Bvt. Major P. G. T. Beauregard, Corps of Engineers, by order + of John B. Floyd, Secretary of War, relieved Colonel Delafield, + Jan. 23, 1861, from the superintendency of the Military + Academy, but was himself displaced five days later, Jan. 28, + 1861, by direction of the Succeeding Secretary of War, Joseph + Holt, the command again devolving upon Colonel Delafield. + + +COMMANDANTS OF CADETS AT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY + + ===========================+==================================+ + No. Name. | Army Rank when Appointed. | + ---------------------------+----------------------------------+ + 1 George W. Gardiner |2d Lieut. Corps of Artillery | + 2 John Bliss Captain |6th Infantry | + 3 John R. Bell |Captain Light Artillery | + 4 William J. Worth |Captain 2d Infantry | + 5 Ethan A. Hitchcock |Captain 1st Infantry | + 6 John Fowle |Major 3d Infantry | + 7 Charles F. Smith |1st Lieut. 2d Artillery | + 8 J. Addison Thomas |1st Lieut. 3d Artillery | + 9 Bradford R. Alden |Captain 4th Infantry | + 10 Robert S. Garnett |Captain 7th Infantry | + 11 William H. T. Walker |Captain 6th Infantry | + 12 William J. Hardee |Major 2d Cavalry | + 13 John F. Reynolds |Captain 3d Artillery | + 14 Christopher C. Anger |Major 13th Infantry | + 15 Kenner Garrard |Captain 5th Cavalry | + 16 Henry B. Clitz |Major 12th Infantry | + 17 John C. Tidball |Captain 2d Artillery | + 18 Henry M. Black |Major 7th Infantry | + 19 Emory Upton |Lieut. Col. 1st Artillery | + 20 Thomas H. Neill |Lieut. Col. 8th Cavalry | + 21 Henry M. Lazelle |Lieut. Col. 23d Infantry | + 22 Henry C. Hasbrouck |Captain 4th Artillery | + 23 Hamilton S. Hawkins |Lieut. Col. 23d Infantry | + 24 Samuel M. Mills |Captain 5th Artillery | + 25 Otto L. Hein |Captain 1st Cavalry | + 26 Charles G. Treat |Captain Artillery Corps | + 27 Robert L. Howze |Captain 6th Cavalry | + 28 Frederick W. Sibley |Lieut. Col. 4th Cavalry | + 29 Fred W. Sladen |Capt. 14th Infantry | + ---------------------------+----------------------------------+ + ====+==================+==================+========= + No. | From | To | Remarks. + ----+------------------+------------------+---------- + 1 | Sept. 15, 1817 | April 2, 1818 | Relieved. + 2 | April 2, 1818 | Jan. 11, 1819 | Relieved. + 3 | Feb. 8, 1819 | March 17, 1820 | Relieved. + 4 | March 17, 1820 | Dec. 2, 1828 | Relieved. + 5 | March 13, 1829 | June 24, 1833 | Relieved. + 6 | July 10, 1833 | March 31, 1838 | Relieved. + 7 | April 1, 1838 | Sept. 1, 1842 | Relieved. + 8 | Sept. 1, 1842 | Dec. 14, 1845 | Relieved. + 9 | Dec. 14, 1845 | Nov. 1, 1852 | Relieved. + 10 | Nov. 1, 1852 | July 31, 1854 | Relieved. + 11 | July 31, 1854 | May 27, 1856 | Relieved. + 12 | July 22, 1856 | Sept. 8, 1860 | Relieved. + 13 | Sept. 8, 1860 | June 25, 1861 | Relieved. + 14 | August 20, 1861| Dec. 5, 1861 | Relieved. + 15 | Dec. 5, 1861 | Sept. 25, 1862 | Relieved. + 16 | Oct. 23, 1862 | July 4, 1864 | Relieved. + 17 | July 10, 1864 | Sept. 22, 1864 | Relieved. + 18 | Sept. 22, 1864 | July 1, 1870 | Relieved. + 19 | July 1, 1870 | June 3, 1875 | Relieved. + 20 | July 1, 1875 | June 30, 1879 | Relieved. + 21 | July 1, 1879 | Aug. 4, 1882 | Relieved. + 22 | August 22, 1882| Sept. 1, 1892 | Relieved. + 23 | Feb. 1, 1888 | Feb. 1, 1888 | Relieved. + 24 | Sept. 1, 1892 | June 15, 1897 | Relieved. + 25 | June 15, 1897 | June 15, 1901 | Relieved. + 26 | June 15, 1901 | June 15, 1905 | Relieved. + 27 | June 15, 1905 | Feb. 1, 1909 | Relieved. + 28 | Feb. 1, 1909 | Jan. 17, 1911 | Relieved. + 29 | Feb. 1, 1911 | | + ----+------------------+------------------+---------- + + Notes.—From April 15, 1802, to September 15, 1817, the + Superintendent performed the duties of Commandant of Cadets in + addition to his own. + + The Commandant of Cadets has the rank and pay of Lieutenant + Colonel, under Sections 1310 and 1334, Revised Statutes of the + United States. + + When the Superintendent is absent from West Point the + Commandant of Cadets is the Acting Superintendent. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +APPENDIX. + +WAR DEPARTMENT. + +INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT AND ADMISSION OF CADETS TO THE +UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. + +[Communications relating to matters connected with the Military-Academy +should be addressed to The Adjutant-General of the Army, Washington, D. +C.] + + +APPOINTMENTS. + +HOW MADE.—Each Congressional District and Territory—the District of +Columbia and also Porto Rico—is entitled to have one cadet at the +Academy. Each State is also entitled to have two cadets from the State at +large, and forty are allowed from the United States at large. The law, +however, provides that for six years from July 1, 1910, whenever any +cadet shall have finished three years of his course at the Academy his +successor may be admitted. The appointment from a Congressional District +is made upon the recommendation of the Representative in Congress from +that District, and those from a State at large upon the recommendations +of the Senators of the State. Similarly the appointment from a Territory +is made upon the recommendation of the Delegate in Congress. The +appointment from the District of Columbia is made on the recommendation +of the Commissioners of the District. Each person appointed must be +an actual resident of the State, District or Territory from which the +appointment is made. + +The appointments from the United States at large are made by the +President of the United States upon his own selection. The cadet from +Porto Rico, who must be a native of that island, is appointed by the +President on the recommendation of the Resident Commissioner. + +The Secretary of War is authorized to permit not exceeding four +Filipinos, to be designated, one for each class, by the Philippine +Commission, to receive instruction at the United States Military Academy +at West Point: Provided, That the Filipinos undergoing instruction shall +receive the same pay, allowances, and emoluments as are authorized by law +for cadets at the Military Academy appointed from the United States, to +be paid out of the same appropriations: And provided further, That said +Filipinos undergoing instruction on graduation shall be eligible only to +commissions in the Philippine Scouts. And the provisions of section 1321, +Revised Statutes, are modified in the case of the Filipinos undergoing +instruction, so as to require them to engage to serve for eight years, +unless sooner discharged, in the Philippine Scouts. + +DATE OF APPOINTMENTS.—Appointments are required by law to be made _one +year in advance_ of the date of admission, except in cases where, by +reason of death or other cause, a vacancy occurs which cannot be provided +for by such appointment in advance. These vacancies are filled in time +for the next examination. + +ALTERNATES.—For each candidate appointed there should be nominated _two +alternates_. The principal and each alternate will receive from the War +Department a letter of appointment, and must appear for examination at +the time and place therein designated.[67] The fitness for admission +to the Academy of the principal and alternates will be determined as +prescribed in paragraphs 19 and 20, Regulations U. S. Military Academy. +If the principal fails to qualify, either mentally or physically, then +the qualifications of the alternates will be considered and if only one +has met the requirements he will be admitted; if both alternates have met +the requirements the better qualified will be admitted. The alternates, +like the principal, should be designated _one year in advance_ of the +date of admission. + + +EXAMINATION AND ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES.[68] + +The following are extracts from the Regulations of the Military Academy +relating to the examination of candidates for admission and will be +strictly adhered to: + +19. On the second Tuesday in January of each year candidates selected +for appointment (except the Filipino candidates) shall appear for +mental and physical examination before boards of Army officers to +be convened at such places as the War Department may designate. The +Filipino candidates selected for appointment, unless otherwise notified +by the War Department, shall appear for mental and physical examination +on the second Tuesday in October of each year before a board of Army +officers to be convened at such place in the Philippine Islands as the +Commanding General of the Philippine Division may designate. Candidates +who pass will be admitted to the Academy without further examination upon +reporting in person to the Superintendent before 12 o’clock noon, on the +1st day of March following the examination. + +20. Each candidate before admission to the academy must show by +examination as prescribed in paragraph 19, that he is well versed in +algebra, to include quadratic equations and progressions, plane geometry, +English grammar, composition and literature, descriptive and physical +geography, and general and United States history, as explained in the +circulars of notification. No rejected candidate shall be re-examined, +except upon recommendation of the Academic Board. + +22. Immediately after reporting to the Superintendent for admission, and +before receiving his warrant of appointment, the candidate is required to +sign an engagement for service in the following form, and in the presence +of the Superintendent, or of some officer deputed by him: + +“I, ________, of the State (or Territory) of ____, aged ____ years ____ +months, do hereby engage (with the consent of my parent or guardian) +that, from the date of my admission as a Cadet of the United States +Military Academy, I will serve in the Army of the United States for eight +years, unless sooner discharged by competent authority.” + +In the presence of ________. + +The candidate is then required to take and subscribe an oath or +affirmation in the following form: + +“I, ________, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of +the United States, and bear true allegiance to the National Government: +that I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States, +paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty I may owe +to any State or country whatsoever; and that I will at all times obey +the legal orders of my superior officers, and the rules and articles +governing the armies of the United States.” + +Sworn and subscribed, at ____, this ____ day of ____, nineteen hundred +and ____ before me. ________ + +QUALIFICATIONS.—No candidate shall be admitted who is under seventeen, +or over twenty-two years of age, or less than five feet four inches in +height at the age of seventeen, or five feet five inches in height at +the age of eighteen and upward, or who is deformed, or afflicted with +any disease or infirmity which would render him unfit for the military +service, or who has, at the time of presenting himself, any disorder of +an infectious or immoral character. Candidates must be unmarried. + +Each candidate must on reporting at West Point present a certificate +showing successful vaccination within one year; or a certificate of two +vaccinations, made at least a month apart, within three months. + +NOTE.—Candidates are eligible for admission from the day they are +seventeen until the day they become twenty-two years of age, on which +latter day they are not eligible. + +It is suggested to all candidates for admission to the Military Academy +that, before leaving their places of residence for the place of +examination, they should cause themselves to be thoroughly examined by a +competent physician, and by a teacher or instructor in good standing. By +such examinations any _serious_ physical disqualification or deficiency +in mental preparation would be revealed. + +It should be understood that the informal examination herein recommended +is solely for the convenience and benefit of the candidate himself, +and can in no manner affect the decision of the Academic and Medical +Examining Boards. + + +CHARACTER OF EXAMINATIONS. + + +PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. + +Upon the completion of the mental examination all candidates will be +thoroughly examined physically by the medical officers of the board, +under the following instructions prepared by the Surgeon General of the +Army: + +Hearing must be normal in both ears. + +Vision, as determined by the official test types, must not fall below +20/40 in either eye, and not below 20/20 unless the defect is a simple +refractive error not hyperopia, is not due to ocular disease, and is +entirely corrected by proper glasses. + +In the record of all examinations the acuity of vision without glasses, +and also with glasses when the acuity is less than 20/20, will be given +for each eye separately; in the latter case the correction will also be +noted. + +Hyperopia requiring any spherical correction, anisometropia, squint, or +muscular insufficiency, if marked, are causes for rejection. + +Color blindness, red, green, or violet, is cause for rejection. + +The following are causes of disqualification if found to exist to such +a degree as would immediately or at no very distant period impair the +efficiency of the candidate: + + 1.—Feeble constitution; unsound health from whatever cause; + indications of former disease, glandular swellings, or other + symptoms of scrofula. + + 2.—Chronic cutaneous affections, especially of the scalp. + + 3.—Severe injuries of the bones of the head; convulsions. + + 4.—Impaired vision, from whatever cause; inflammatory + affections of the eyelids; immobility or irregularity of the + iris; fistula lachrymalis, &c., &c. + + 5.—Deafness; copious discharge from the ears. + + 6.—loss of many teeth, or the teeth generally unsound. + + 7.—Impediment of speech. + + 8.—Want of due capacity of the chest, and any other indication + of a liability to a pulmonic disease. + + 9.—Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or both of the + superior extremities on account of fractures, especially of the + clavicle, contraction of a joint, deformity, &c. + + 10.—An unusual excurvature or incurvature of the spine. + + 11.—Hernia. + + 12.—A varicose state of the veins of the scrotum or spermatic + cord (when large), hydrocele, hemorrhoids, fistulas. + + 13.—Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or both of the + inferior extremities on account of varicose veins, fractures, + malformation (flat feet, &c.), lameness, contraction, unequal + length, bunions, overlying or supernumerary toes, &c., &c. + + 14.—Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices of ulcers likely to break out + afresh. + +The requirements of the following tables of physical proportions are +_minimum for growing youths_ and are for the guidance of medical officers +in connection with the other data of the examination, a consideration of +all of which should determine the candidate’s physical eligibility. Mere +fulfillment of the requirements of the standard tables does not determine +eligibility, while on the other hand no departure below the standard +should be allowed unless upon the unanimous recommendation of the medical +examining board for excellent reasons clearly stated in each case. + +The physical requirements should be those of the age at the birthday +nearest the time of the examination. Fractions greater than ½ inch will +be considered as an additional inch of height, but candidates 17 years +old must be at least 64 inches, and those 18 years and upward at least 65 +inches in height. + + +_Table of physical proportion for height, weight, and chest measurement._ + + Chest + measurement— Chest + Height, Weight, expiration, mobility, + Age. inches. pounds. inches. inches. + + 17 yrs. 64 110 29 2 + 65 112 29¼ 2 + 66 114 29½ 2 + 67 116 29¾ 2 + 68 119 30 2½ + 69 122 30¼ 2½ + 70 125 30½ 2½ + 71 128 30¾ 2½ + + 18 yrs. 65 117 30¼ 2 + 66 119 30½ 2 + 67 121 30¾ 2 + 68 124 31 2½ + 69 127 31¼ 2½ + 70 130 31½ 2½ + 71 133 31¾ 2½ + 72 136 32 3 + + 19 yrs. 65 121 30¾ 2 + 66 123 31 2 + 67 125 31¼ 2 + 68 129 31½ 2½ + 69 133 31¼ 2½ + 70 137 32 2½ + 71 141 32¼ 2½ + 72 145 32½ 3 + 73 149 32¾ 3 + + 20 yrs. 65 122 31 2 + 66 124 31¼ 2 + 67 126 31½ 2 + 68 130 31¾ 2½ + 69 134 32 2½ + 70 138 32¼ 2½ + 71 142 32½ 2½ + 72 146 32¾ 3 + 73 150 33 3 + 74 154 33¼ 3½ + + 21 yrs. 65 123 31½ 2 + 66 125 31½ 2 + 67 127 31¾ 2 + 68 132 32 2½ + 69 137 32¼ 2½ + 70 142 32½ 2½ + 71 147 32¾ 2½ + 72 152 33 3 + 73 157 33¼ 3 + 74 162 33½ 3½ + 75 167 33¾ 3½ + + 22 yrs. 65 125 31½ 2 + 66 127 31¾ 2 + 67 129 32 2 + 68 134 32¼ 2½ + 69 139 32½ 2½ + 70 144 32¾ 2½ + 71 149 33 2½ + 72 154 33¼ 3 + 73 159 33½ 3 + 74 164 33¾ 3½ + 75 169 34 3½ + 76 174 34¼ 4 + + +MENTAL EXAMINATION. + +ALGEBRA.—Candidates will be required to pass a satisfactory examination +in that portion of _algebra_ which includes the following range of +subjects: definitions and notation; the fundamental laws; the fundamental +operations, viz.: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; +factoring; highest common factor; lowest common multiple; fractions, +simple and complex; simple, or linear, equations with one unknown +quantity; simultaneous simple, or linear, equations with two or more +unknown quantities; involution, including the formation of the squares +and cubes of polynomials; binomial theorem with positive integral +exponents; evolution, including the extraction of the square and cube +roots of polynomials and of numbers: theory of exponents; radicals, +including reduction and fundamental operations, rationalization, +equations involving radicals, operations with imaginary numbers, +quadratic equations; equations of quadratic form; simultaneous +quadratic equations; ratio and proportion; arithmetical and geometrical +progressions. Candidates will be required to solve problems involving any +of the principles or methods contained in the foregoing subjects. + +The following questions were used at a recent examination: + +Substitute _y_ + 3 for _x_ in _x_⁴-_x_³ + 2x²-3 and arrange the result in +descending powers of _y_. + +On the eve of a battle one army had 5 men to every 6 men in the other. +The first army lost 14,000 men and the second 6,000 men. The first army +then had 2 men to every 3 men in the other. How many men were there +originally in each army? + + Solve 1.2_x_ - (.18_x_ - .05)/.5 = .4_w_ + 8.9 + +Find the lowest common multiple of 1-_x_, _x_²-1, _x_-2, and _x_²-4. + + Solve √_x_ + 9 = 2 √_x_ - 3. + + Solve (2_x_ - 3)² = 8_x_. + +Expand (_m_-3/4-_m_(4/3))⁴ by the Binominal Theorem. + +Find all the values of _a_ for which the roots of _ax_² + 2(_a_ + 3)_x_ + +16 = 0 are equal. + + Solve + + ((_x_ + _y_)/2) - ((_x_ - _y_)/3) = 8 + + and + + ((_x_ + _y_)/3) + ((_x_ - _y_)/4) = 11. + + Solve _x_² - 4_y_² = 9, _xy_ + 2_y_² = 3. + +A certain article of consumption is subject to a duty of $1.50 per cwt. +In consequence of a reduction in duty the consumption increases one half, +but the revenue falls off one third. Find the duty per cwt. after the +reduction. + +A and B run a mile. First A gives B a start of 44 yards and beats him +by 51 seconds; at the second heat A gives B a start of 1 minute and 15 +seconds and is beaten by 88 yards. Find the time in which A and B can run +a mile separately. + +Sum to infinity the progression 3 + 2 + 4/3.... + +A servant agrees for certain wages the first month, on the understanding +that they are to be raised a dollar every subsequent month until they +reach $60 a month. At the end of the first of the months for which he +receives $60 he finds that his wages during his time of service have +averaged $48 per month. How long has he served? + +PLANE GEOMETRY.—Candidates will be required to give accurate definitions +of the terms used in _plane geometry_, to demonstrate any proposition of +plane geometry as given in the ordinary text-books and to solve simple +geometrical problems either by a construction or by an application of +algebra. + +The following questions were used at a recent examination: + +Define the following: + +1°. Rhombus. 2°. A mean proportional. 3°. Similar triangles. 4°. A +segment of a circle. 5°. The apothem of a regular polygon. + +Theorem: The perpendicular is the shortest line between a point and a +straight line. + +Theorem: In the same circle or equal circles, the less of two chords is +at the greater distance from the centre; conversely, the chord at the +greater distance from the centre is the less. + +Construction: Divide a given straight line internally in extreme and mean +ratio. + +Theorem: The areas of two triangles which have an angle of one equal to +the angle of the other are to each other as the products of the sides +including those angles. + +Problem: Given a circle of unit diameter and the side of a regular +inscribed polygon, find the side of a regular inscribed polygon of double +the number of sides. + +Theorem: The four bisectors of the four angles of a quadrilateral form a +second quadrilateral, the opposite angles of which are supplementary. + +Theorem: If on the diameter of a circle two points be taken equally +distant from the centre, the sum of the squares of the distances of any +point of the circumference from these two points is constant. + +Problem: Find the locus of the point of intersection of the three +altitudes of a triangle, given a fixed base, and constant angle at the +vertex. + +ENGLISH GRAMMAR.—Candidates must have a good knowledge of _English +grammar_; they must be able to define the terms used therein; to +define the parts of speech; to give inflections, including declension, +conjugation and comparison; to give the corresponding masculine and +feminine gender nouns; to give and apply the ordinary rules of syntax. + +They must be able to parse correctly any ordinary sentence; giving the +subject of each verb, the governing word of each objective case, the +word for which each pronoun stands or to which it refers, the words +between which each preposition shows the relation, precisely what each +conjunction and each relative pronoun connects, what each adjective and +adverb qualifies or limits, the construction of each infinitive, and +generally to show a good knowledge of the function of each word in the +sentence. + +They must be able to correct in sentences or extracts any ordinary +grammatical errors. + +It is not required that any particular text-book shall be followed: but +the definitions, parsing, and corrections must be in accordance with good +usage and common sense. + +The examinations may include questions similar to the following: + + 1. Define and give examples of: _a._ infinitive; _b._ indirect + object; _c._ simple sentence. + + 2. Give the principal parts of: _a._ choose; _b._ crow; _c._ + freeze; _d._ fly; _e._ burst. + + 3. (i). Give the plurals of: _a._ motto: _b._ fairy; _c._ + money: _d._ belief; _e._ axis. (ii). Indicate which of the + following words are singular, which are plural, and which may + be either: _a._ cherubim; _b._ mathematic; _c._ species; _d._ + basis; _e._ news. + + 4. (i). Give the feminine of: _a._ hero; _b._ gander; _c._ + duke; _d._ priest; _e._ Englishman. (ii). Indicate the gender + of: _a._ songster; _b._ spinster; _c._ goose; _d._ mouse; _e._ + book. + + 5. (i). Give the possessive case singular of: _a._ it; _b._ + princes; _c._ Kings of Italy; _d._ Henry the Fourth; _e._ + man-of-war. (ii). Give the possessive case plural of: _a._ + brother-in-law; _b._ Jones; _c._ I; _d._ who; _e._ Musselman. + + 6. Give the comparison of: _a._ mournful; _b._ little; _c._ + great; _d._ old; _e._ angry. + + 7. Parse the _italicized_ words in the following sentence: + Other _things being equal, it_ is _obvious that_ the writer who + has most words _to choose from_ is _most likely_ to find in + _his_ assortment _just_ the word _which_ he needs _at_ a given + moment. + + 8. Correct all words in the following sentences. Of words in + brackets {} draw a line through the incorrect word or words: + + {your } + 1. Have either of you brought {their} umbrellas? + {his } + + 2. The river had overflown its banks. + + 3. John thinks he will be able to come and that James shall come also. + shall will + + 4. Men are in the plural number because they mean more than one. + + 5. That is neither a squirrel or rabbit’s track. + + 6. I believe he dont know its here. + + 7. Him dying at this time led to the attempt being given up. + +ENGLISH COMPOSITION AND ENGLISH LITERATURE.—Candidates will be required: + +1. By the writing of short themes on subjects chosen by themselves +within limits set by the examination paper, to prove (_a_) their +ability to spell, capitalize, and punctuate, and (_b_) their mastery of +the elementary principles of composition, including paragraphing and +sentence-structure. + +2. To give evidence of intelligent acquaintance with three plays of +Shakespeare: one comedy, one history, and one tragedy,—_The Merchant of +Venice_, _Henry V._, and _Macbeth_ being especially recommended. + +3. To exhibit a fair knowledge of the names of the most prominent English +and American authors, and of the names of their principal works. + +The general character and scope of the examination are indicated by the +following specimen: + + A. Write a composition of about two hundred and fifty words, on + each of four subjects selected from the following list. (Of two + or more subjects in brackets choose but one.) + + 1. The Story of the Three Caskets in _The Merchant of Venice_. + A Character-Sketch of Antonio. + + 2. The Influences that Caused Macbeth’s Moral Downfall. + The Story of Macduff. + + 3. { The English Army at Agincourt (in _Henry V._) + { A Brief Narrative of the Historical Events of _Henry V._ Previous + to Agincourt. + + 4. { A Description of a Building. + { A Character-Sketch of a Dog. + { A Narrative of an Interesting Journey. + { Reasons for Liking a Favorite Book. + { How to Make a Squirrel-Trap (or a Kite, or an Ice-Boat, etc.) + + B. 1. What author wrote _The Ancient Mariner_? _Comus_? _The + Marble Faun_? _Rasselas_? _Barbara Frietchie_? + + 2. Name two works of each of the following authors: Goldsmith, + Emerson, Burke, Macaulay. + + 3. Give the names of two principal works of a great American + novelist; a great English Puritan poet of the seventeenth + century; an English woman novelist of the last century; a + living American novelist. + +GEOGRAPHY.—Candidates will be required to pass a satisfactory examination +in _descriptive geography_ and the elements of _physical geography_. A +preponderance of weight is attached to a knowledge of the geography of +the United States. + +In descriptive geography of the United States, candidates should be +thoroughly informed as to its general features and boundaries; adjacent +oceans, seas, bays, gulfs, sounds, straits, and islands; lakes, the +location and extent of mountain ranges; the sources, directions, and +terminations of the important rivers, the names of their principal +tributaries, and at what points, if any, these rivers break through +highlands on their way to the ocean; the water routes of communication +from one part of the country to another; the location and termination +of important railroad lines; the boundaries of the several states and +territories and their order along the coasts, frontiers and principal +rivers; the locations and boundaries of the island possessions; and the +names and locations of the capitals and other important cities of the +several states, territories and island possessions. + +In short, the knowledge should be so complete that a clear mental picture +of the whole of the United States is impressed on the mind of the +candidate. + +In descriptive geography of other countries, candidates should be +familiar with the continental areas and grand divisions of water; the +earth’s surface; the large bodies of water which in part or wholly +surround the grand divisions of the land; the capes, from what parts they +project and into what waters, the principal peninsulas, location, and by +what waters embraced; the parts connected by an isthmus; the principal +islands, location and surrounding waters; the seas, gulfs, and bays, +the coasts they indent, and the waters to which they are subordinate; +the straits, the lands they separate, and the waters they connect; the +location of the principal lakes: the locations, boundaries, capitals and +principal cities of the political divisions of the world. + +In physical geography, candidates should be familiar with the relief +of the earth’s surface; the principal mountain systems, the river +systems and watersheds; the coastal and lake plains, and the influence +of climate, soil, mineral deposits and other physical features on the +resources, industries, commercial relations and development of a country +and its people, especially of the United States. + +The following questions were used at a recent examination: + + 1. Name the bodies of water surrounding Europe. + + 2. Where is 1. Cape St. Vincent, 2. Cape Corrientes, 3. Cape + Matapan, 4. Cape Lopez, 5. Cape Comorin, 6. Cape York. + + 3. Name in order the political divisions of South America which + border on the Pacific Ocean and the capital of each. + + 4. Locate definitely the following islands: 1. Mauritius, 2. + Tasmania, 3. Formosa, 4. New Zealand, 5. Madeira, 6. Falkland; + to what country does each belong? + + 5. Where are the gulfs of 1. Bothnia, 2. Guinea, 3. Paria, 4. + Salonica, 5. Pechili? + + 6. What lands are separated and what waters connected by 1. + Torres Strait, 2. Hudson Strait, 3. Strait of Malacca? + + 7. Bound Italy; name its capital, largest river and principal + mountain range. + + 8. Locate definitely the following cities: 1. Vienna, 2. + Nankin, 3. Cork, 4. Tunis, 5. Montevideo, 6. Batavia, 7. Suez, + 8. Pretoria. + + 9. Name in order the waters traversed in sailing from + Liverpool, England, to Hong Kong, China. + + 10. A considerable portion of the boundary line of the United + States is along what parallel? + + 11. Locate definitely the following: 1. Flathead Lake, 2. + Sabine Pass, 3. Black Hills, 4. Sebago Lake, 5. Cape Lookout, + 6. Montauk Point, 7. Wichita Mountains, 8. Lingayen Bay. + + 12. The meridian of Minneapolis passes through what states? + + 13. Name the principal rivers that drain Pennsylvania; where do + they rise, at what points do they leave the state and at what + points, if any, do they break through highlands? + + 14. Name all the waters traversed in going by the two + commercial water routes from Duluth to the Atlantic Ocean. + + 15. Name the principal ranges of mountains crossed in going + by rail from New York to San Francisco; state the rail route + assumed to be traveled. + + 16. Bound precisely the following states and territories: + 1. Montana, 2. Arizona, 3. Arkansas, 4. Wisconsin, 5. + Pennsylvania, 6. Georgia. (In bounding, all contiguous states + must be mentioned as well as rivers, mountain ranges, etc.) + + 17. Name the states west of the Mississippi River, drained + wholly or in part by it or its tributaries, and give the + capital of each. + + 18. Locate accurately the following cities: 1. Austin, 2. + Pensacola, 3. Ashville, 4. Winchester, 5. Allegheny, 6. Iloilo, + 7. Oswego, 8. Pasadena, 9. Guthrie, 10. Detroit. + + 19. Going by water from New Orleans, La., to Pittsburgh, Pa., + what states would you pass on the left? + + 20. How many large islands are there in the Hawaiian group? + Which is the largest? Which is the most important? + + 21. Going westward on the 35th parallel of north latitude, from + near Newberne, N. C., what states and large rivers would be + crossed? + + 22. Describe the chief mountain system of the eastern + hemisphere, and state what island chains of Asia abound in + volcanoes. + + 23. What are the great river systems of South America? Where + are the principal coastal plains? + + 24. What are the qualifications of a good harbor? Name three + of the best harbors on the Atlantic coast; one on the Pacific + coast. + + 25. What has made the Middle Atlantic states the principal + commercial section of the United States? + +HISTORY.—Candidates must be thoroughly familiar with so much of the +History of the United States, and of Ancient Greece and Rome as is +contained in good high school text-books on these subjects, and must have +a good knowledge of the important facts in General Ancient History and in +the History of Medieval Europe to the end of the fifteenth century. + +In History of the United States, the examination will include questions +concerning early discoveries and settlements; the forms of government in +the colonies; the causes, leading events, and results of wars; important +events in the political and economic history of the nation since its +foundation; and the elementary principles of civil government, with +special reference to the federal congress, executive and judiciary. + +In Ancient History, the examination will include questions on important +persons and events in the legendary and authentic history of Greece and +Rome, and on general important facts in the history of other ancient +peoples, taking some account also of Greek art, of Greek and Roman +literature, and especially of Roman government. + +In History of Medieval Europe, the greater emphasis will be laid on the +period from Charlemagne to the end of the Middle Ages, particularly on +events connected with the political and social development of England. + +Questions similar to the following in character and scope are likely to +be asked: + + 1. What explorations or discoveries did each of the following + named persons make? Give the date in each case. _a._ Narvaez. + _b._ Coronado. _c._ Marquette. _d._ La Salle. + + 2. Name three colonies that were founded for religious reasons + and give the sect or denomination by which each was colonized. + + 3. Who were the Pilgrims? Explain the difference between + “Pilgrim” and “Puritan.” + + 4. When, and under what circumstances was Delaware separated + from Pennsylvania? + + 5. Give an account of Bacon’s Rebellion? + + 6. When and where did each of the following events occur? + _a._ Meeting of the first Colonial Congress. _b._ Burgoyne’s + surrender. _c._ Arnold’s treason. + + 7. Name some important results of each of the following battles + of the Revolutionary War: _a._ Long Island. _b._ Trenton. _c._ + Brandywine. + + 8. Name four additions to the territory of the United States + since the Revolutionary War, and give the way each has been + acquired. + + 9. Bound the territory of the United States at the close of the + Revolutionary War. + + 10. What was the “Massacre of Wyoming”? + + 11. When, where, and for what purpose, did the Constitutional + Convention meet? What resulted from its deliberations? + + 12. What was the “Whiskey Insurrection”? + + 13. What were the “Alien and Sedition” laws? What was their + effect? + + 14. When and where was the last battle of the War of 1812 + fought? Name the commanders on each side. + + 15. What were the two principal political parties in 1860? + Their candidates for the Presidency? Their leading doctrines + on the slavery question? Parties. Candidates, Principles. + + 16. With what foreign nations had the United States unfriendly + relations during and at the close of the Civil War? Give the + cause in each case. + + 17. Name, with date, three important military events of 1865. + + 18. What Vice-Presidents have become President? Name the + predecessor in each case. + + 19. Give an account of the “Virginius affair.” + + 20. In what war were the following battles fought? What were + the opposing forces? Which side won? _a._ Ticonderoga. _b._ + Monterey. _c._ Saratoga. _d._ Stony Point. _e._ Spottsylvania. + _f_. Lundy’s Lane. + + 21. By what authority could Lincoln proclaim the emancipation + of the slaves? What states were immediately affected by the + Emancipation Proclamation? How was emancipation legally + completed later? + + 22. How may the Constitution of the United States be amended? + Name two important constitutional amendments. + + 23. Name three offices in the cabinet of the President of the + United States, and state the chief duties that belong to each. + + 24. Explain as briefly as possible how a minority of actual + votes might defeat a majority at a presidential election. + + 25. Define Electoral College; Spoils System; Primary; Supreme + Court. + + * * * * * + + 1. Into what general periods is the history of Egypt divided? + What did Egypt contribute to Greek civilization? + + 2. Name one of the great kings of Assyria. Mention two + important facts concerning the city of Nineveh. + + 3. Mention the principal events of the reign of Darius I., and + the most noteworthy feature of his government. Of what nation + was he ruler? + + 4. Mention three important facts in connection with the + Phœnicians as traders and colonizers in the West. + + 5. Who were: Agamemnon? Achilles? Hercules? Homer? + + 6. Mention two ways in which the physical geography of Greece + influenced the national life and character. + + 7. What was the nature of the government of Athens after the + expulsion of the Tyrants? + + 8. Name four great battles of the Græco-Persian War, and give + the date of any two of them. + + 9. What states were leaders in the great war between the states + of Greece? What caused the war? What were its chief results? + + 10. Outline the career of conquest of Alexander the Great. + About when did he die? How would his undertaking have been more + difficult if he had turned west instead of east? + + 11. In Greek History what is the significance of the following + names and phrases: Aristides? The Olympian Games? Solon? The + Confederacy of Delos? Delphi? Sophocles? Praxiteles? + + 12. Give the main points in the Greek colonial system. How did + the Roman colonial system differ most conspicuously from the + Greek? + + 13. Give the titles of the principal officers of the Roman + Republic and describe their functions. + + 14. What were the Punic Wars? How many in number? Name two + great generals on each side. + + 15. Mention four causes that led to the fall of the Roman + Republic. Discuss briefly the operation of two of them toward + this result. + + 16. Why did the Emperors persecute the Christians? State the + attitude of Diocletian and Constantine respectively toward the + Christians. + + 17. For what is each of the following emperors most famous: + Marcus Aurelius? Justinian? Nero? + + 18. In Roman History what is the significance of: The Gracchi? + Horace? The Comitia Curiata? Verres? The Battle of Chalons? A + Pyrrhian Victory? Æneas? Alaric? + + 19. What do the following dates mean to you: 800? 1066? 1215? + 1453? + + 20. What do you know of Joan of Arc? + + 21. How did the Feudal System originate? Define Suzerain, + Vassal, Serf. + + 22. What was The Renaissance? By what inventions and + discoveries was it quickened? Through what channel was ancient + science transmitted to modern times? + + 23. Who was Simon de Montfort? + + 24. What changes took place in the condition of the English + peasantry in the fourteenth century? Due to what causes? + + 25. Toward the close of the fifteenth century in England was + the power of Parliament becoming greater or less than it had + been previously? By what right was Henry IV. King of England? + What was the earliest form of parliamentary assembly in English + history? + + +ACADEMIC DUTIES. + +The academic duties of new cadets commence on the 11th day of March. The +academic duties and exercises of the other cadets commence on the 1st +day of September and continue until about the 5th of June. Examinations +of the several classes are held in December and June. At the December +examination cadets, who are found to be proficient in their studies, are +arranged according to merit in each subject. At the June examination they +are similarly arranged and they are also assigned general standing in +the class as determined by their standings in the various subjects. When +a subject of study is completed during a term an examination concluding +the work in that subject is sometimes held. Cadets deficient in studies +at any examination are discharged from the Academy unless for special +reasons the Academic Board recommends otherwise. Cadets exceeding at +any time the maximum number of demerits allowed for six months are +immediately reported to the Academic Board as deficient in conduct and +are discharged. + + +PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. + +All cadets are examined physically in June of each year, and those found +physically disqualified to continue with the course or, in case of the +first class, for commission in the Army, are discharged. + + +VACATIONS AND LEAVES OF ABSENCE. + +Academic duties are suspended from the completion of the June +examinations until the end of August. During this period cadets live in +camp and are engaged in military duties and exercises and in receiving +practical instruction in military and other subjects. Academic duties +are also suspended from the close of the semi-annual examinations, +about December 23rd, until January 2nd, and on the Friday and Saturday +preceding the last Sunday in March. All duties and exercises, as far as +practicable, are suspended on New Year’s Day, February 22nd, May 30th, +July 4th, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. + +Cadets of the first, second and third classes are allowed short leaves of +from four to six days at Christmas, if their conduct during the preceding +six months has been satisfactory. Cadets of the first class, having +satisfactory conduct records, are allowed leaves, not to exceed 75 hours, +at the beginning of the summer encampment and leaves not to exceed 27 +hours at Thanksgiving. Excepting these short leaves for good conduct, +cadets are allowed but one leave of absence during the four years’ +course. As a rule this leave is granted at the end of the first two years +and extends from the middle of June to the 28th of August. + + +PAY OF CADETS. + +The pay of a cadet is $600 per year and one ration per day, or +commutation therefor, at thirty cents per day. The total is $709.50, to +commence with his admission to the Academy. The actual and necessary +traveling expenses of candidates from their homes to the Military Academy +are credited to their accounts _after_ their admission as cadets. + +No cadet is permitted to receive money, or any other supplies, from +his parents, or from any person whomsoever, without the sanction of the +Superintendent. A _most rigid_ observance of this regulation is urged +upon all parents and guardians, as its violations would make distinctions +between cadets which it is the especial desire to avoid; the pay of a +cadet is sufficient, with proper economy, for his support. + +Each cadet must keep himself supplied with the following mentioned +articles, viz.: + +Eight white shirts; two gray shirts; *eight summer undershirts; *six +winter undershirts; *four night shirts; twelve white linen collars; +twelve pairs of white linen cuffs; *eight pairs of summer drawers; +*six pairs of winter drawers; *eight pairs of socks; *twelve pocket +handkerchiefs; one black tie; *twelve towels; two clothes bags, made of +ticking; two pairs of uniform shoes; six pairs of uniform white gloves; +two sets of white belts; *one clothes brush; *one hair-brush; *one +tooth-brush; *one comb; one mattress; one pillow; four pillowcases; six +sheets; two blankets; one quilted bed cover; one chair; one tumbler; *one +trunk; one account book; one wash basin. + +Candidates are authorized to bring with them the articles marked *. + +Cadets are required to wear the prescribed uniform. All articles of their +uniform are of a designated pattern, and are sold to cadets at West Point +at regulated prices. + + +DEPOSIT PRIOR TO ADMISSION. + +Immediately after admission candidates must be provided with an outfit +of uniform, etc., the cost of which is about $160. This sum, or at least +$100 thereof, _must be deposited with the treasurer of the Academy +before the candidate is admitted_. It is best for the candidate to take +with him no more money than he needs for traveling expenses and for his +parents to send the required deposit by draft, payable to the Treasurer, +U. S. Military Academy. The deposit is credited at once to the cadet’s +account. Upon graduation a cadet who has exercised proper economy will +have sufficient money to his credit with the Treasurer of the Academy to +purchase his uniform and equipment as an officer. + + +PROMOTION AFTER GRADUATION. + +The attention of applicants and candidates is called to the provisions of +an Act of Congress approved May 17, 1886, given in the chapter entitled +United States Military Academy. + + +RECITATION SCHEDULE. + +On another page is shown the recitation schedule adopted by the Academic +Board, June 23, 1907, and approved by the War Department, August 10, 1907. + +This schedule was put in effect with the class entering March 1, 1908. +The other classes in the academy on that date continue the old schedule, +with some modifications adopted to facilitate administration of the +departments during the period of transition from the old course of +studies to the new. + +The preliminary term is March 11 to June 10. New cadets are advanced to +the 4th class after passing the June examinations. + +The first term of the regular academic year is September 1 to December +18, inclusive. + +The second term of the regular academic year is January 2 to June 4, +inclusive. + + +DEPARTMENT OF TACTICS. + + +ALL CLASSES. + +New cadets, upon reporting for duty, are given infantry recruit +instruction, with gymnastic and calisthenic exercises, until they join +the battalion. + +Practical instruction is given during the summer encampment, and from +September 1st to November 1st, and from March 15th to June 1st, in +cavalry, artillery and infantry drill regulations, in target practice +with the rifle, revolver, mountain gun and field gun, and in Military +Engineering. + +During the summer encampment, cadets of the third and fourth classes +are also taught swimming and dancing, and those of the first class, the +service of sea-coast artillery and submarine defense at Fort Wright, +N. Y.; all classes participate in exercises in minor tactics, practice +marches, problems and practical field work, in which the employment of +all arms is exemplified. + +Practical instruction in fencing and gymnastic exercises and in boxing +and wrestling is given to the fourth class from October 1st to June 1st, +and to the other classes from November 1st to March 15th. + +Instruction in riding is given to the first class during the encampment +and from September 1st to June 1st, excepting the month of February; +to the second class, from November 1st to March 31st, and to the third +class from November 1st to March 15th and during the summer encampment. +Instruction with English pad saddles is given to the first class, and in +polo to the first and second classes. + +During the winter months map problems for the purpose of instruction +in writing orders, selecting positions from the map, both offensive +and defensive, making dispositions of small forces, selecting best +route for advance and retreat, and for practice of map reading in +general; also lectures upon the methods pursued in company, post and +staff administration as required by Army Regulations, upon uniforms and +equipments, and upon etiquette and customs of the service are given +cadets of the first class. + + +TEXT BOOKS. + + Light Artillery Drill Regulations. U. S. + Cavalry Drill Regulations. U. S. + Infantry Drill Regulations. U. S. + Coast Artillery Drill Regulations. U. S. + A Military Primer of the Service of Security and Information. + Marshall and Simonds. + Elements of Hippology. Marshall. + Coast Artillery Drill Regulations: Position-finding service. + + +BOOKS OF REFERENCE. + + Army Regulations. U.S. + Small Arms Firing Regulations. U. S. + Manual of Instruction in Mountain Guns, etc. U. S. M. A. + Manual of Guard Duty. U. S. + Manual of Pack Transportation. U. S. M. A. + Regulations. U. S. M. A. + Blue Book. U. S.M. A. + Manual of Gymnastic Exercises. Koehler. + Field Service Regulations. U. S. + Horses, Saddles and Bridles. Carter. + + +ISSUED TO FIRST CLASS BEFORE GRADUATION. + + Army Regulations. U. S. + Manual of the Subsistence Department. U. S. + Manual of Quartermaster’s Department. U. S. + Paymaster’s Manual. U. S. + Regulations for the Post Exchange. + Manual of Medical Department. U. S. + Drill Regulations of the Hospital Corps. U. S. + Manual of Courts-Martial. U. S. + Army Register. U. S. + General Orders, No. 169, War Department, series of 1907. + (Uniform Order) with all amendments. + + +DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND MILITARY ENGINEERING. + + +FIRST CLASS. + +The course in civil and military engineering and the art of war is +confined to the first class year. + +The course in civil engineering begins September 1st and is completed +during the first term, which closes with the Christmas holidays. It +comprises brief treatises on the mechanics of civil engineering, framed +and masonry structures, the materials of engineering, water supply and +sewerage. + + +RECITATION SCHEDULE + + ======+=======+====================+====================+================ + Class.| Term. |Periods of Recitat’n| Department. | Subjects and + | | | | Remarks. + ------+-------+--------+-------+---+--------------------+---------------- + New |Prelim-| | | | | + Cadets| inary |A.M. *80|†3 to 6|‡39|Mathematics |Algebra. + | |A.M. 80| 3 to 6| 37|English and History |Geometry. + | |P.M. 60| 3 | 38| ” ” ” |English. + | | | | | | —(Saturdays + | | | | | | A. M.) + | |P.M. 60| 3 | 38| ” ” ” |History. + | | | | | | —(Saturdays + | | | | | | A. M.) + Fourth| First |A.M. 80| 3 to 6| 45|Mathematics |Algebra. + | ” |A.M. 80| 3 to 6| 31| ” |Trigonometry. + | ” |A.M. 80| 3 to 6| 17| ” |Conic Sections. + | ” |P.M. 60| 2 to 3| 38|English and History |English. + | ” |P.M. 60| 2 to 3| 38| ” ” ” |History. + | ” |A.M. 60| 1 | 13|Tactics |Infantry and + | | | | | | Artillery + | | | | | | Drill + | | | | | | regulations. + | | | | | | —(Saturdays.) + | Second|A.M. 80| 3 to 6| 39|Mathematics |Conic Sections. + | ” |A.M. 80| 3 to 6| 22| ” |Solid Analytical + | | | | | | Geometry. + | ” |A.M. 80| 3 to 6| 62| ” |Descriptive + | | | | | | Geometry. + | ” |P.M. 60| 2 to 3| 11|English and History |English. + | | | | | | —(January + | | | | | | only.) + | ” |P.M. 60| 2 to 3| 11| ” ” ” |History. + | | | | | | —(January + | | | | | | only.) + | ” |P.M. 60| 5 | 20|Practical Military |Surveying. + | | | | | Eng. | —(February + | | | | | | only.) + | ” |P.M. 60| 5 | 76|Modern Languages |French.—(March + | | | | | | 1-June 4, + | | | | | | inclusive.) + | ” |A.M. 60| 1 | 15|Tactics |Security and + | | | | | | Information. + | | | | | | —(February 1 + | | | | | | -May 15. + | | | | | | Saturdays.) + Third | First |A.M. 80| 3 to 6| 71|Mathematics |Calculus.—(Has 6 + | | | | | | per week in + | | | | | | Sept. and + | | | | | | Oct., and 3 + | | | | | | per week in + | | | | | | Nov. and Dec.) + | ” |P.M. 120| 2 to 3| 21|Philosophy |Mechanics.—(The + | | | | | | periods of 120 + | | | | | | minutes in + | | | | | | Mechanics are + | | | | | | laboratory + | | | | | | periods, + | | | | | | September and + | | | | | | October.) + | ” |A.M. 80| 3 | 20| ” |Mechanics. + | | | | | | —(November and + | | | | | | December.) + | ” |A.M. 60| 6 | 91|Modern Languages |French. + | ” |P.M. 120| 2 to 3| 38|Drawing |Freehand; Plane + | | | | | | Geometrical. + | Second|A.M. 80| 3 | 24|Mathematics |Calculus. + | ” |A.M. 80| 3 | 63|Philosophy |Mechanics. + | ” |A.M. 60| 6 | 49|Modern Languages |French.—(January + | | | | | | 2-February 28, + | | | | | | inclusive.) + | ” |A.M. 80| 1 to 2| 20| ” ” |French.—(March 1 + | | | | | | -June 4, + | | | | | | inclusive.) + | ” |A.M. 70| 6 | 76|Chemistry |Chemistry; + | | | | | | Heat.—(March 1 + | | | | | | -June 4, + | | | | | | inclusive.) + | ” |P.M. 120|2, 3, 5| 81|Drawing |Descriptive + | | | | | | Geometry; + | | | | | | Topography; + | | | | | | Field Work. + | | | | | | —(5 per week + | | | | | | after March + | | | | | | 15.) + | ” |A.M. 80| 1 to 2| 20| ” |Descriptive + | | | | | | Geometry; + | | | | | | Topography; + | | | | | | Field Work. + | | | | | | —(5 per week + | | | | | | after March + | | | | | | 15.) + Second| First |A.M. 80| 3 | 45|Philosophy |Sound; Light. + | ” |A.M. 70| 6 | 91|Chemistry |Heat; + | | | | | | Mineralogy; + | | | | | | Geology; + | | | | | | Electricity. + | ” |A.M. 60| 2 to 3| 45|Ordnance and Gunnery|Ordnance and + | | | | | | Gunnery. + | ” |P.M. 120| 2 to 3| 38|Drawing |Field Sketching; + | | | | | | Building + | | | | | | Construction; + | | | | | | Projective + | | | | | | Geometry. + | Second|A.M. 80| 3 | 63|Philosophy |Light; + | | | | | | Astronomy. + | ” |A.M. 70| 6 | 49|Chemistry |Electricity. + | | | | | | —(January 2- + | | | | | | February 28, + | | | | | | inclusive.) + | ” |A.M. 60| 3 | 49|Ordnance and Gunnery|Ordnance and + | | | | | | Gunnery.—(To + | | | | | | May 4.) + | ” |A.M. 60| 3 | 38|Modern Languages |Spanish.—(March + | | | | | | 1-June 4, + | | | | | | inclusive.) + | ” |P.M. 60| 3 | 13|Hygiene |Principles of + | | | | | | Hygiene.—(Also + | | | | | | 6 lectures, + | | | | | | P. M.) + | ” |A.M. 60| 3 | 38|Tactics |Cavalry, + | | | | | | Artillery, and + | | | | | | Infantry Drill + | | | | | | Regulations. + | | | | | | —(March 1-June + | | | | | | 4, inclusive.) + | ” |P.M. 120| 2 to 3| 50|Drawing |Building + | | | | | | Construction; + | | | | | | Mechanical and + | | | | | | Engineering + | | | | | | Drawing. + First | First |A.M. 80| 6 | 91|Engineering |Civil and + | | | | | | Military. + | ” | 60| 2 to 3| 45|Law |Elementary; + | | | | | | Constitutional. + | | | | | | —(39 in A. M. + | | | | | | & 2 P. M.’S + | | | | | | per week for + | | | | | | 6 weeks for + | | | | | | half class.) + | ” |P.M. 60| 5 | 70|Modern Languages |Spanish.—(5 per + | | | | | | week, except + | | | | | | half class 2 + | | | | | | P. M.’S per + | | | | | | week for 6 + | | | | | | weeks.) + | Second|A.M. 80| 6 |126|Engineering |Military + | | | | | | Engineering; + | | | | | | Art of War. + | ” | 60| 2 to 3| 73|Law |International; + | | | | | | Military.—(58 + | | | | | | in A. M. & 2 + | | | | | | P. M.’S per + | | | | | | week for 15 + | | | | | | weeks for half + | | | | | | class.) + | ” |P.M. 60| 3 to 4| 75|Modern Languages |Spanish. + | ” |A.M. 60| 3 | 12|Tactics |Hippology. + | | | | | | —(February.) + | ” |P.M. 120| 1 | 15|Tactics |Lectures and + | | | | | | Tactical Map + | | | | | | Problems. + ------+-------+--------+-------+---+--------------------+---------------- + + * Length in minutes. + + † Number per week. + + ‡ Total number. + +The course in military engineering and the art of war begins on January +2nd and closes on the 3rd of June. Military engineering embraces the +study of field and permanent fortifications and siege works. The art of +war embraces the study of the organization of armies, employment of the +different arms in combination, logistics and strategy. To familiarize the +students with its principles, lectures are delivered on military subjects +and the principal operations of about twenty selected campaigns are +studied. During this course the students are taken to the battle-field +of Gettysburg to familiarize them with the effects of topography on the +employment of troops in the field. + + +TEXT BOOKS. + + Civil Engineering. Fiebeger. + Field Fortifications. Fiebeger. + Permanent Fortifications. Fiebeger. + Elements of Strategy. Fiebeger. + Siege Works. Mercur. + Organization and Tactics. Wagner. + Field Service Regulations. U. S. + Campaign of Gettysburg. Fiebeger. + + +BOOKS OF REFERENCE. + + Campaigns and Battles. Department. + Story of Civil War. Ropes. Cambria Steel. + +The department has a well-selected reference library on civil +engineering, military engineering and the art of war. + + +DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY. + + +THIRD AND SECOND CLASSES. + +The course in natural and experimental philosophy begins with the +third academic year. Mechanics is studied during this year, the class +alternating daily by halves. The text used is Gordon’s “Mechanics.” +Many of the principles are illustrated by apparatus in the lecture and +section rooms, and the students are required to repeat and explain these +experiments. The course aims to be as complete as possible with the +limitation that it can be properly covered in a term of about 100 days by +students having a proficient knowledge of the calculus; the treatment is +sufficiently mathematical to furnish a confident basis for advanced work +in the technical staff corps after graduation. + +During the second class year about 100 lessons are allotted to this +department. The first half of this time is devoted to the subjects of +sound and light. The authorized text-book is Gordon’s “Sound and Light.” + +Astronomy is studied in the remainder of the second class year. The texts +used are Young’s “General Astronomy” and Michie and Harlow’s “Practical +Astronomy.” The principal aim of this course, in addition to its +important value in educational development, is to furnish an ample basis +for the establishment of stations in explorations and surveys. + +The class alternates daily by halves throughout the year. + + +TEXT-BOOKS. + + Sound and Light. Gordon. + Mechanics. Gordon. + General Astronomy. Young. + Practical Astronomy. Michie and Harlow. + +Numerous standard works on the general subjects covered by the course are +available for reference. + + +DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS. + + +NEW CADETS, FOURTH AND THIRD CLASSES. + +The course in mathematics begins with the new cadet class upon entrance +in March, and extends through two years. + +In the new cadet class year algebra and geometry are taken on alternate +days for three months. In both these subjects the matter covered by +the entrance examination is reviewed rapidly and, in the case of plane +geometry, very briefly before proceeding with the regular course. An +examination is held in June upon which the class is graded according to +mathematical capacity. + +In the fourth-class year algebra is completed in alternation with +trigonometry. Plane and solid analytical geometry and descriptive +geometry follow. + +In the third-class year a course in the differential and integral +calculus is taken, alternating during the latter portion with the subject +of mechanics in the department of philosophy. The most advanced students +take also a brief course in the theory of errors and method of least +squares. + +The course in algebra covers the entire subject as generally taught in +colleges, but the student is expected to have already mastered elementary +algebra to include the progressions and the solution of the quadratic +equation. The course in elementary geometry includes the books that +relate to the plane and those that relate to space, but the student is +expected to have mastered the former. Plane and spherical trigonometry +includes the complete solution of the plane and spherical triangles. The +course in analytical geometry includes the discussion of the general +equation of the second degree in the plane and in space. + +Descriptive geometry includes, in orthographic projections, the right +line, the plane, ruled surfaces and surfaces of revolution, tangent +planes and intersections of surfaces. It also covers shades and shadows, +perspective, isometric projections and, for the upper part of the class, +spherical projections. + +The course in differential and integral calculus covers the ground of +the usual college text-book, including briefly the subject of ordinary +differential equations. + + +TEXT BOOKS. + + +NEW CADET CLASS. + + Advanced Course in Algebra. Wells. + Elements of Geometry. Phillips and Fisher. + + +FOURTH CLASS. + + Advanced Course in Algebra. Wells. + Quadratics and Beyond. Fisher and Schwatt. + Elements of Plane and Spherical Trigonometry. Crockett. + Logarithmic Tables. Newcomb. + Conic Sections. C. Smith. + Elements of Analytical Geometry (Solid). Smith and Gale. + Descriptive Geometry. Church. + + +THIRD CLASS. + + Differential and Integral Calculus. Granville. + Integral Calculus. D. A. Murray. + Method of Least Squares. Johnson. + + +DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY. + + +THIRD AND SECOND CLASSES. + +This department embraces two branches of physics not included in its +title, namely, heat and electricity. + +The course begins March 1 of the second academic year and extends to +March 1 of the third academic year; exercises, recitations, laboratory +work or lectures take place on all week-days. + +Commencing March 1, the subjects of heat and general chemistry alternate +daily until the completion of the first six chapters of heat, about March +20, after which the chemistry exercises are held daily until the close of +the term, June 1. + +During this term all members of the class whose progress, as shown +by their recitations, warrants it, are given laboratory practice in +chemistry. This practice begins with chemical manipulations and proceeds +in the usual general order of elementary laboratory work. The laboratory +exercises are one hour and fifty minutes long. It is generally possible +to give all parts of the class some laboratory experience: the amount of +this work, however, varies with the aptitude of the student from a few +hours to fifty-five or sixty hours. + +This term closes with an examination upon the essential parts of +the entire course, which all cadets who have not shown a prescribed +proficiency in daily work must take. + +In chemistry the course is a descriptive general one, based upon a +concise statement of the more essential principles of chemistry, +and includes that class of information deemed most important to +nonspecialists, together with an accurate and logical treatment of many +useful applications of chemistry. + +Beginning September 1, the daily exercises alternate between heat and +mineralogy until these subjects are completed, then the daily exercises +alternate between geology and electricity, the geology being completed +by the close of the term, December 23. This term also closes with an +examination, covering the essential parts of the subjects studied during +the term, which all cadets who have not shown a prescribed proficiency in +daily work are required to take. + +Beginning January 1, the remainder of the course in electricity is +completed by the end of February. This mid-winter term involves an +examination, if necessary, as prescribed for the terms ending June 1 and +December 23. + +The course in heat is short, but it is a comprehensive elementary course +intended to embrace what is most applicable to subsequent work at the +Academy and what is most useful in general education. + +The course in geology is a brief but scientific presentation of the +essential elements of this branch of science. + +The mineralogy is an eminently practical course consisting of the +descriptive study and the practical determination of the important +minerals. The lithological and palæontological part of geology is +accompanied in study by the continued practical examination of the +objects described. + +The course in electricity is a brief exposition of the leading electrical +phenomena and their relations to each other. It includes a study of +the general principles of the subject and of the typical machines, +generators, motors and transformers, together with the more important +uses of electricity. The laboratory exercises give experience with a +number of the machines and in the use of a great variety of apparatus +employed in the numerous forms of electric measurements. In this term the +laboratory work is a part of the electrical course and all cadets enter +the laboratory. All laboratory work is performed under the immediate +supervision of an instructor. + + +TEXT BOOKS. + + Elementary Lessons in Heat. Tillman. + Descriptive General Chemistry. Tillman. + Practical Chemistry. (Laboratory Guide.) Clowes. + Elements of Geology. Le Conte. + Important Minerals and Rocks. Tillman. + Elementary Lessons in Electricity and Magnetism. S. P. Thompson. + +During all terms standard works on the respective subjects are available +for reference both to cadets and instructors. + + +DEPARTMENT OF DRAWING. + + +THIRD AND SECOND CLASSES. + +The course in drawing is carried on through the third class and second +class years. + +It begins in the first year course with elementary freehand work from +blocks and objects for the training of the eye and hand, and is followed +by instruction in the nature and use of drawing instruments, papers and +material, construction of practical problems in plane geometry used in +constructive and mechanical drawing. This is followed by the construction +of problems in descriptive geometry covering the theoretical course in +mathematics; the lower part of the class being confined to the practical +problems most useful in mechanical and building construction drawing. +A short course of lettering and handling of flat washes precedes +the general study of topography and map making in which theoretical +instruction is coupled with the execution of conventional signs, +platting, the construction and lettering of a finished map, and practice +in the field in the various elements of military topographical field +sketching. This completes the first year’s course. + +Text-book pamphlets: + + Drawing Instruments and Papers. + The Use of Drawing Instruments, and Geometrical Problems. + Elementary Exercises in Water-color Washes. + Military Topography—Map Reading and Map Making. + Book of Letters and Lettering. + Descriptive Geometry Problems. + +The work of the second year begins with freehand military landscape +sketching in the field; and is followed by memory drawing for the +training of the formal memory, and freehand mechanical and projective +drawing. Practical projective geometry, including axonometric projection, +is then resumed preparatory of the plan, section, and elevation drawing +of a building construction project. In this the student learns the +structural elements of a house and of building construction methods +and design, and the ability to read working drawings. Following this a +mechanical drawing of the plan, section, and elevation of a portion of +a steam engine is constructed, in connection with instruction in the +structure and function of the parts of a steam engine. Finally the class +is separated into groups corresponding to the corps in the Army in which +the standing of cadets indicates that they will graduate, and subjects +of engineering, ordnance, and service building construction drawing are +assigned in accordance therewith. The course concludes with a short +series of lectures on the art and architecture of the world, and a trip +to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, upon which a thesis +is written by each member of the class. + +Text-book pamphlets: + + Framing. + The Steam Engine. + Notes on Building Construction. + + +DEPARTMENT OF MODERN LANGUAGES. + + +FOURTH, THIRD, SECOND, AND FIRST CLASSES. + +The course in modern languages comprises instruction in the French and +Spanish languages. + + +THE FRENCH LANGUAGE. + + +FOURTH AND THIRD CLASSES. + +The requirements of this course are as follows: + +Construction of the language; reading and writing French; dictation: +military terms; translation (written and oral) of English into French and +French into English; conversation; themes. + +Instruction in the French language begins March 1 of the fourth-class +year and is completed June 4 of the third-class year. Examinations +thereon will be held at the June examination, fourth-class year, and at +the December and June examinations of the third-class year. The course +comprises about two hundred and twenty-one lessons. + + +THE SPANISH LANGUAGE. + + +SECOND AND FIRST CLASSES. + +The requirements of this course are as follows: + +Construction of the language; reading and writing Spanish; dictation; +translation (written and oral) of English into Spanish and Spanish into +English; oral recitations and conversation; themes. + +Instruction in the Spanish language begins March 1 of the second-class +year and is completed June 4 of the first-class year. Examinations +thereon will be held at the June examination, second-class year, and at +the December and June examinations of the first-class year. The course +comprises about one hundred and eighty-three lessons. + +The present text-books are: + + +FOURTH CLASS. + +French: + + French Pronunciation. De Peiffer. + Treatise on the Conjugation of French Verbs. Castarède. + Elementary French. Aldrich and Foster. + La Langue Française. Première Partie. Bercy. + Le Petit Parisien. Kron. + + +THIRD CLASS. + +French: + + Martin’s French Verbs. + Elementary French. Aldrich and Foster. + Introductory French Composition, Francois. Guerlac’s Standard French + Authors. + Advanced French Prose Composition, Francois. Potter’s Dix Contes + Modernes. + French Verbs and Prepositions, Idioms, Letters. Cameron’s Tales of + France. + Marchand’s French Idioms. Revue Militaire des Armées Étrangères. + Labiche and Martin’s Voyage de M. Perrichon. Courrier des Etats-Unis + (Sunday edition). + Le Petit Parisien. Kron. + + +SECOND AND FIRST CLASSES. + +Spanish: + + Spanish Verb and Spanish Pronunciation. Traub. + Spanish Grammar. Monsanto and Languellier. + Spanish Grammar. Garner. + El Castellano Actual. Román y Salamero. + Las Novedades. + First Spanish Book. Worman. + Elementary Spanish Reader. Ramsey. + + +BOOKS OF REFERENCE. + +French: + + French Pronouncing Dictionary. Spiers and Surenne. + Military Technical Dictionary. Willcox. + +Spanish: + + New Spanish-English and English-Spanish Dictionary, by Cuyás. Appleton. + + +DEPARTMENT OF LAW. + + +FIRST CLASS. + +The course in law covers the following subjects: + + 1. The elements of law. + 2. Constitutional law. + 3. International law. + 4. Military law. + +To illustrate principles in the text-books cadets are required to recite +on numerous cases from reports. Lectures are also given upon the subjects +taught, so far as the limits of time allotted to this course permit. + + +TEXT BOOKS. + + The Elements of Law. Davis, G. B. + Constitutional Law. Davis, E. G. + International Law. Davis, G. B. + Military Law. Dudley. + + +BOOKS OF REFERENCE. + +There is a reference library in the department of about 2,500 volumes, +accessible to the cadets. + + +DEPARTMENT OF PRACTICAL MILITARY ENGINEERING. + + +FOURTH, THIRD, SECOND AND FIRST CLASSES. + +Cadets of the fourth class receive an elementary course in theoretical +surveying during the month of February. + +During the summer encampment, cadets of the third class receive practical +instruction in the use and adjustment of surveying instruments and in +surveying methods. In this course they apply in the field what has +been taught them in their theoretical course of the preceding spring. +The course includes tie line surveys, made by use of the tape or chain +alone, surveys made with the compass and with the transit, and running +differential level circuits. + +Cadets of the second class receive, during the fall drill season, +instruction in visual signaling, using the flag and the heliograph for +sending and receiving messages. They are also taught to set up and adjust +the heliograph and the acetylene lantern. During the spring period, this +class is instructed in the field methods of electrical communication, and +is given practice in establishing and using buzzer lines under, as nearly +as possible, service conditions. The course also comprises setting up and +operating field wireless telegraph outfits. + +During the summer encampment, cadets of the first class are instructed in +building pile, trestle, and pontoon bridges, in improvising methods of +crossing streams, in making road sketches, both mounted and dismounted, +and in combined position sketching. During the fall course, this class +is given instruction in the construction and operation of appliances +used in field engineering, in the erection of spar and trestle bridges, +and in the use of explosives in military demolitions. The spring course +is devoted to field fortification work, including the construction of +trenches, revetments, obstacles, bomb proofs, and gun pits; posting and +distribution of working parties in the construction of saps, trenches, +parallels, and approaches; and tracing and profiling siege works. + + +TEXT BOOK. + + Theory and Practice of Surveying. Johnson. + + +BOOKS OF REFERENCE. + + The Engineer Field Manual. + Survey Manual. Pence and Ketchum. + + +DEPARTMENT OF ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY. + + +FIRST CLASS. + +The subject of ordnance and gunnery is studied by the cadets of the first +class throughout the academic year. + +The course of instruction covers the principles involved in the +construction and use of war material. It is broadly divided into +three parts: the theoretical, the descriptive, and the practical. The +theoretical part includes the study of the action of explosives, the +study of interior and exterior ballistics, the theories of gun and +carriage construction, and the principles of gunnery. The theoretical +part of the course is not the same for all cadets, those showing the +necessary proficiency taking a special course of 21 lessons in the time +devoted by the remainder of the class to review work. + +The descriptive part of the course covers the processes of manufacture +of powders, guns, projectiles and armor; and describes the small arms, +cannon, machine and rapid-fire guns in use in the United States service, +with the carriages, ammunition and accessory appliances required for +their service. The department is well supplied with models, which are +used in conjunction with the text. + +The practical part of the course covers work with ballistic instruments, +and the operation of machines and appliances used in the fabrication of +modern ordnance, the latter work being in effect a short but valuable +course in manual training. + +In connection with the course, visits are made to Watervliet Arsenal, +where the processes of gun construction are observed, and to the Ordnance +Proving Ground at Sandy Hook, where actual firings from the several +classes of guns are observed, including usually one or more shots against +armor, and where the latest developments in war material are seen. + + +TEXT BOOKS. + + Ordnance and Gunnery. Lissak. + Exterior Ballistics. O’Hern. + Stresses in Wire-Wrapped Guns and in Gun Carriages. Ruggles. + + +BOOKS OF REFERENCE. + + Ballistic Tables. Ingalls. + Mathematical Tables. Newcomb. + Publications of Ordnance Department. U. S. Army. + + +DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY HYGIENE. + + +SECOND CLASS. + +The course in military hygiene for the second class begins on or about +the 15th of April and continues into June. It consists of 6 lectures and +13 recitations for each half of the class, given on alternate days and +ending by a written examination on the subjects treated. + +The course covers the essential points in military hygiene, particular +attention being paid to the following: + +Personal hygiene with special reference to the soldier and his +environment: the hygiene and sanitation of military commands in garrison +and in the field; and the causes and prevention of infectious diseases +and control of epidemics. Also the nature of alcoholic drinks and +narcotics, and special instruction as to their effects upon the human +system. + +During the summer camp, 5 lectures with exercises are given to the first +class on the use of the first aid packet and the treatment of medical and +surgical emergencies. While on the practice march, at the end of each +day, the medical officer on duty with the corps discusses the advantages +and disadvantages of the camp site from the view point of the military +sanitarian and also camp cooking, the water supply, and various other +matters pertaining to camp hygiene and sanitation. + + +TEXT BOOKS. + + The Elements of Military Hygiene. Ashburn. + Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene. Tracy. + + +REFERENCE BOOKS. + + Military Hygiene. Harvard. + Theory and Practice of Military Hygiene. Munson. + Notes on Military Hygiene. Woodhull. + Practical Hygiene. Harrington. + + +DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND HISTORY. + + +NEW CADETS AND FOURTH CLASS. + +English: Essential principles of rhetoric; frequent practice in +various forms of written and oral composition, including personal and +official correspondence and official forms; study of selected literary +masterpieces, and of essentials in the history of English literature and +language. + +History: Political, social and economic history from the end of the +Middle Ages to the present day; study of typical forms of modern national +and municipal governments; fundamental principles of civil government, +historically considered, with special reference to the United States. + + +TEXT BOOKS—ENGLISH. + + English Composition. Henry S. Canby and others. + Golden Treasury, Everyman’s Library Edition. Palgrave. + Shakespeare’s Works. + Tennyson’s Idylls of the King. + Selections from Addison, selections from Macaulay, selections from + Stevenson, and Carlyle’s Heroes and Hero-Worship. + + +TEXT-BOOKS—HISTORY. + + A Political History of Modern Europe. F. Schwill. + The Development of Modern Europe. J. H. Robinson and C. A. Beard. + Readings in Modern European History, Vol. II. Robinson and Beard. + The Development of the State. Dealey. + + +THE LIBRARY. + +Cadets and officers have free access to the library, which comprises some +80,000 books, maps and manuscripts. The collection contains substantially +all standard books on the subjects taught in the Academy and is +especially complete in military subjects. Its card catalogues (about +272,000 cards) are arranged with the special object of saving the time of +the cadets. The library is open on week-days from 8 A. M. to 9:30 P. M.; +on Sundays and holidays from 2 to 6 P. M. + +[Illustration: INTERIOR OF NEW RIDING HALL] + + + + +FOOTNOTES + + +[1] See Appendix. + +[2] This is to be presented to the Adjutant of the Military Academy on +arrival of the appointee, i. e., the candidate, at West Point. + +[3] See Appendix for the circular now used. + +[4] This is to be filled out and mailed to the Secretary of War soon +after its receipt by the candidate. + +[5] See Appendix for the kind used now. + +[6] Then the west end of the present Library Building. A fine stone +Administration Building was later built just south of the old Chapel, +but it is to be torn down and a very fine and large new Administration +Building has been put up still further south. + +[7] See page 62, Note 1. + +[8] Now there is water on the first floor of each division. + +[9] See page 62, Note 2. + +[10] The sink was a low building east of the old guard house, now there +are water closets and bath tubs in the basement of each division. + +[11] Now there is a trunk room in the basement of each division. + +[12] The plebe instructors, or drill masters, are now first-class men. + +[13] See page 62, Note 3. + +[14] In full uniform. + +[15] Then some distance west of Siege Battery and north of the turn in +Professors’ Row. + +[16] See Appendix. + +[17] Now the east end of the grassed plain. The new artillery and cavalry +plain adjoins the village of Highland Falls. + +[18] See page 62, Note 4. + +[19] Cadets are court-martialed for serious offenses only. + +[20] See Appendix. + +[21] Filled up long ago. + +[22] See page 70, Note 1. + +[23] See page 81, Note 1. + +[24] The cadets now have a fine rifle range. + +[25] Rushing into camp was prohibited long ago. + +[26] See page 70, Note 1. + +[27] Now mounted after dress parade. + +[28] See Appendix. + +[29] See Appendix. + +[30] Then taught in the north ground floor room of the old Academic +Building. This room was also used to practice dancing in and for band +concerts on winter evenings. + +[31] See page 122, Note 1. + +[32] See page 122, Note 2. + +[33] See page 122, Note 3. + +[34] See page 122, Note 4. + +[35] They now say “Cadet” instead of “Mister.” + +[36] See page 122, Note 5. + +[37] Now in the new Administration Building. + +[38] Kinsley’s farm is now a part of the post. + +[39] See Appendix and also page 122, Note 1. + +[40] Curtains are now allowed. + +[41] They now come at any time of the year. + +[42] See page 122, Note 1, and for candidates see Appendix. + +[43] Now part of the post—a gift from Mrs. Russell Sage and Mrs. Anna B. +Warner. + +[44] Then just east of Seacoast Battery. + +[45] See Appendix. + +[46] Soon to be torn down to give way to a giant new one now partly built. + +[47] Then a part of the ground floor room of the old Academic Building. + +[48] Then in the south end of the Mess Hall. Mr. Bratt, then caterer of +the Cadet Mess, lived in the north end. + +[49] From songs by the Class of 1897. + +[50] Now called Drill Regulations. + +[51] See Appendix. + +[52] Chevrons are made of gold lace ⅜ inch wide; sewed on dark blue cloth +with ⅜ inch intervals between the bars. + +[53] Worn above the elbows, points up. + +[54] Worn above the elbow, points up. + +[55] Worn below the elbows, points up. + +[56] A life membership costs only ten dollars. Address Secretary of the +Association of Graduates, West Point, N. Y. + +[57] The new Chapel and Chaplain’s quarters on the hill near old Fort +Putnam are now in one large beautiful building that was dedicated in +June, 1910. Graduates have contributed for a handsome memorial window and +Professor Weir’s grand painting, now in the old Chapel, will be put over +this window in the new Chapel. + +[58] Cullum Memorial Hall is now used for hops. + +[59] In the old Academic Building. + +[60] See page 202, Note 1. + +[61] In conformity with the provisions of this section, the Chief of +Staff is now, by direction of the Secretary, charged with the supervision +of matters in the War Department pertaining to the Academy. + +[62] Four of the class of 1880 accepted this offer, and, as there were +not then vacancies enough for the balance, some were first appointed +brevet second lieutenants, and as vacancies occurred they were +commissioned second lieutenants. + +[63] The army is supplied with second lieutenants from four sources, +viz.: First, the Military Academy; second, graduates from other military +schools; third, from meritorious enlisted men, and fourth, from civil +life. + +[64] The Act of 1910 increased this number 25% for six years. The total +number of graduates from 1802 to August 31, 1910, is 4,935. + +[65] Alternates have been appointed since 1877. + +[66] See Appendix. + +[67] The Board before which a candidate is directed to appear will be, +without exception, the one convened at the nearest or most convenient to +his home, or to the school at which he is in regular attendance at the +time of appointment. + +[68] On December 8, 1910, the Adjutant General of the Army wrote to the +author saying “that while it has been decided to admit the next class of +cadets into the Military Academy on the 14th day of June instead of on +the 1st day of March, no change has been made in the date and places of +examination of cadet candidates.” + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT *** + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so +the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. +Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this +license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and +trademark. 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