Guide to West Point, and the U.S. Military Academy

The centre of the room is occupied by a model of the Silver Mine of Valenciana, in Mexico, purchased in the City of Mexico in 1847, by subscription among the officers of the army, whose names are affixed. The upper surface represents the operatives, made of silver amalgam, practising their several divisions of labor, while the sides exhibit the galleries of the mine, with the miners at work. The case contains, besides, many mineral specimens, and models of Aztec idols. The whole is surmounted by an eagle and a portion of drapery taken from over the Vice-President's Chair in the Mexican Senate Chamber.

In the Chapel, east of the Academic building, may be seen a fine picture over the chancel, by Professor Weir, typical of Mars and Minerva. On the west side, the walls present memorial tablets of the general officers of the Revolution, and the guns presented by Congress to Major-General Greene, implanted beside a niche of trophy colors taken from English and Hessian regiments. On the east side are memorial tablets of all the officers of our army who fell in the Mexican War, and trophy guns and colors taken by Generals Scott and Taylor, during their campaigns in the same war.

The Library Building contains temporarily the offices of the Superintendent, Adjutant, Quartermaster, and Treasurer. On the second floor, which is not usually open to visitors, is situated the Lecture-room and apparatus of the department of Philosophy and Astronomy. The dome contains an equatorial telescope, and the flank towers a transit instrument and mural circle. The Library occupies the east end of the building. It contains about 20,000 volumes, chiefly on professional and scientific subjects, and several fine portraits of former Superintendents and Chiefs of the Engineer Department.

The capacious Riding Hall stands on the bank of the river, a little below the Library; and from the interesting exercises therein, it is deservedly regarded as one of the most attractive points at the Military Academy. The hours for riding are from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M., except during the period of the Cadets' encampment, with occasional interruptions, when the evolutions of a squadron are practised on the Plain. The course of instruction embodies running at the heads, running at the ring with poised sabre, exercises with pistols, leaping bars and hurdles, and many other feats which afford little room for monotony or wearisome interest, even among those accustomed to witnessing equestrian displays.

Northward from the Library a path leads down the bank to Kosciuszko's Garden—a shelving terrace overhung with shrubbery, and rendered inviting by a cool spring of water, and a tradition that the patriot Pole, whose name the spot bears, here sought retirement and seclusion. The Monument to "Dade and his Command" tells its own story, and American history has yet to furnish an example of devotion to duty similar to that exhibited by those whose names are here inscribed. A little beyond is seen Battery Knox, whose armament proclaims the tidings on all occasions of national joy or sadness. From this point, the lower pathway, called the "Chain Battery Walk," conducts the visitor through a delightful ramble to Gee's Point and the North Wharf, or by a branch, to the Hotel above. The upper path returns to the road along the crest of the bank, and a few steps brings the tourist to Fort Clinton.

Within the latter, on the extreme angle nearest the river, stands a marble column, sacred to military virtue in the person of Kosciuszko, and forming in itself by reason of the ideas it evokes, a striking contrast to the dark halo of despite and shame that hovers around the name of Arnold, whose apostasy is inseparably connected with the very name of West Point. Thaddeus Kosciuszko was a native of Poland, whose education began at Warsaw and was completed at Paris. Having determined to cast his lot with the Americans, then struggling for liberty, he was furnished by Franklin with letters to Washington, and came to America. He was appointed Aide-de-Camp to Washington, and subsequently commissioned as Colonel of Engineers. Highly distinguished for his courage and skill in the campaign against Burgoyne, and as the directing Engineer at West Point, he returned to Poland at the close of the Revolution, rewarded by the thanks of Congress and the commission of Brevet Brigadier-General, to serve as a General of Division under Poniatowski. In the Polish Insurrection of 1793 he was chosen Generalissimo, with the powers of a Roman Dictator. He immediately issued a decree, authorizing the insurrection, and at once proceeded to unite the Polish divisions, and in a few days the Russians were driven from the Palatinate. Meantime, the Prussians having joined Russia, the rest of the struggle was a continuous resistance against superior forces, until at last, at Maciejowice, on the 10th of October, 1794, he was completely defeated and overwhelmed by the Russians. He fell wounded from his horse, with the bitter wail on his lips, "Finis Polonie." Taken prisoner, and conveyed to a fortress near St. Petersburg, he underwent a long confinement until the accession of Paul I., who, feeling an admiration for his character, restored him to freedom, and presented him with his sword.

"I have no longer occasion for a sword," sadly replied Kosciuszko, "since I have no longer a country." He visited America in 1797, and was triumphantly and warmly welcomed by the grateful people. He returned to Switzerland and resided at Solothurn, where he died on October 15, 1817. His body was interred at Cracow with great pomp in the funeral vaults of the Kings of Poland, between the coffins of Poniatowski and Sobieski. The Senate decreed in his honor the erection of an enormous mound on the Heights of Bronislawad. The gratuitous labor of all classes succeeded in raising this "Mound of Kosciuszko" to the height of 300 feet in three years, and it will remain for ages a noble monument of his country's gratitude. Kosciuszko was never married, and the simple column at West Point, in full view of thousands of travelers, will long serve as a memorial of gratitude from the American nation, and an enduring protest against the destruction of Poland, and the ruin and death of many freedom lovers as noble and virtuous as Kosciuszko himself.

The "Drives" at West Point and its vicinity, although limited in extent by the rugged character of the region, are possessed of infinite variety and beauty, from the constantly changing aspect of river, mountain, and valley. Besides the routes on the Post itself, the road South, along the riverbank to Fort Montgomery, about four miles distant, from its smoothness, easy grades, and the numerous attractive residences by the wayside, affords many present and pleasing after reminiscences of a sojourn at this delightful retreat.

Prominent among these attractions, and scarcely a mile distant from West Point, on the very brink of a precipice towering over the Hudson, stands Cozzens' Hotel, the name of which is inseparably associated with the name of its founder, whose benevolence, geniality, and hospitality is so intimately connected with West Point and the traveling public.

Directly west of the Hotel stands the picturesque little church of the "Holy Innocents," erected by Professor Weir, to commemorate the early decease of two of his children. A little distance below, the village of Highland Falls is situated, on both sides of a mountain stream bearing the name of Buttermilk Falls, derived from the foaming passage of the water over steep rocks into the Hudson below. From this point onward to Fort Montgomery, the occasional expanse of the river, the charming country seats dotting the bank, and the magnificence of the mountains, continually inspires a feeling of happiness and contentment.

Fort Montgomery is situated on the north bank of Pooplopen's Creek, at its junction with the Hudson. It is elevated about 130 feet above the water, and the view from its ruined parapet covers an extent, and surpasses if possible in wildness, the landscape seen from the West Point Hotel. Fort Clinton, similarly elevated, stood directly opposite on the south side of the creek, and both works possess more than ordinary interest from having been the scene of a bloody assault and capture by a British force, under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, in October 1777. The forts were simultaneously carried at the point of the bayonet by overwhelming numbers; the last named, by a column moving up the bank of the river, and the former, by one moving down the valley, between the Dunderberg and Bear Mountain, through which the creek makes its way.

From West Point westward, the road diverges to the Cemetery, overlooking Camptown, where the soldiers are quartered, Washington's Valley, a little beyond, Constitution Island, the Foundry, and the village of Cold Spring. The tasteful monuments, with their military insignia and mournful inscriptions, unveil the attachment of many who fell in Florida, Mexico, Oregon, and in the Rebellion, for the spot protected and consecrated by their Alma Mater. The branch road south, immediately without the first West gate, leads to Fort Putnam, and intersects the river route a little above Cozzens' Hotel. The main road west, known as the "Canterbury Road," leads to Turner's Station, on the Erie Railroad, about fourteen miles distant, passing Long Pond, and the vicinity of many other ponds indicated on the map, most of which afford fine resorts for angling and hunting in the appropriate season. Three miles from West Point a branch from this road leads across the mountain to Canterbury, Cornwall, and Newburg, but the route is so rough as to render it unsuitable for pleasure driving. Just before reaching this point a road extends south through Eagle Valley to Highland Falls, affording a circuit of about seven miles, through a region abounding with new beauties at every turn. The road is in good condition, and the proposed intention of the Cozzens' Brothers to add to the attractions of their Hotel by erecting a mountain retreat at the Round Pond, will doubtless lead to further improvements.

The "Drives" on the east side of the Hudson are easy of access by the steam ferry, and are possessed of even stronger attractions. From the landing the road rises to the "Highland House," and from thence southward as far as Anthony's Nose, the route is one of exquisite beauty. Besides the numerous country seats, nowhere surpassed in elegance, and the thriving farms along the way, the Robinson House, situated at the base of Sugar Loaf Mountain, about one mile below, presents an object of deep and attractive interest. Preserved with all its original features, and as far as possible in the same condition as when it was made the scene of Arnold's treachery—hallowed by the footsteps of Washington and almost every general officer of the Revolution, and rendered impressive from its antiquity and the absence of all evidences of the progress of modern architecture and comfort, the Robinson House has survived, with its umbrageous foliage, for nearly a century, and remains at this day almost the only relic of its former princely proprietor.

From the Highland House northward the road, remarkable for its smoothness and delightful sheltering trees, extends to Indian Falls, some three miles distant. Passing a deep ravine, through which a sequestered tributary of the Hudson flows deep in the forest glade—so deep that, scarce even the Summer's noon-tide sun can force a single ray through the dense shade—the mountain stream after meandering through miles of untrodden woods, and chafing over its rocky bed, suddenly leaps the rocks fifty feet in height into a deep and glassy pool, forming a scene of surpassing beauty. Beyond, the road continues to Cold Spring, passing the Foundry and affording landscape views north and south, all capable of exciting the most pleasurable emotions.

The Military Exercises, everywhere an attractive spectacle to the American public, are at West Point productive of the most lasting and gratifying impressions, from the unrivaled excellence of the Band, the uniform neatness of the Cadets, and the precision with which the most difficult maneuvers are executed by them. The European traveler, accustomed to schools of instruction separate and apart for the education of Engineers, Artillery, Infantry, and Cavalry Officers, witnesses here with astonishment the perfection and familiarity which the Cadets exhibit in the performance of all the duties pertaining to these four branches of military organization. Some of these exercises are daily and continuous throughout the year, others, owing to the severity of the climate, are restricted to the period between the 15th of March and the 1st of November; and during the Encampment, which includes a part of June and the months of July and August, all studies are suspended, while daily practical instruction prevails as in actual field service.

Commencing on the 1st of September and extending over a term of nine months and a half, during which time the Cadets occupy the Barracks and pursue their Academic studies, their military exercises are as follows:

During the Encampment the hours are changed, and are as follows:

For the purpose of military instruction, the Cadets are organized into a battalion of four companies, called A, B, C, and D Companies. These are arranged with reference to stature, and they contain the four Academic or collegiate classes indiscriminately mingled. The companies are officered in the usual way, by selecting the Captains and Lieutenants from the class longest at the Academy; the Sergeants from the next lowest class, and the Corporals from the next in order. "Chevrons," or badges of gold lace, are worn on each arm by these officers to denote their rank, as follows:

These appointments are conferred by the Superintendent as honorary distinctions, and are continuous for one year unless forfeited by misconduct. The discipline and spirit of the Corps is in a great degree dependent upon the Cadet Officers, and while they promptly and cheerfully obey their commands, "off duty" they are equals.

In the exercise of their appointments they are required to report to the authorities infractions of the Regulations on the part of their comrades, but all domineering and captious inclinations are restrained, by what may be termed a popular opinion among the Cadets.

The Corps of Cadets usually numbers about 250, and they are organized as already stated into four companies. Immediately intrusted with their supervision and military instruction is the Commandant of Cadets, who is a Lieutenant-Colonel, and he is assisted by six officers, like himself detailed from the army. This organization prevails for all infantry instruction, and for the maintenance of discipline in camp and barracks. In other branches of military instruction, special arrangements are ordered on the basis of class standing in the several classes.

The Encampment commences at the close of the Annual Examination, about the 20th of June, and the camp is located on the Northeast portion of the Plain. This period, affording as it does the only relaxation from study during the year, and as the time for the realization of the long-cherished expectations of the graduating and furlough classes, to enjoy the pleasures of home and early friendships, is one of unusual interest and hilarity. With the disappearance of these two classes, orders are promulgated to pitch the tents, and march into camp at a stated hour. The latter is preceded by a general stampedeing force of Cadets, conveying from the barracks to the now unoccupied recitation rooms all unnecessary articles of furniture. Gray forms are seen with heads crowned with washstands, chairs, mattresses, and other camp-prohibited articles, working with such vigor that, in two or three hours, the barracks are cleared of all Cadet property save their military accoutrements. Before breakfast the camp is laid out and the tents pitched, and at the appointed hour the battalion, with the Band and with colors unfurled, marches to its Summer home.

The Encampment consists of eight rows of tents, two to each company, opening on four streets parallel to each other, and a broad avenue runs through the centre of the camp. The tents of the Company Officers and of the Army Instructors of Tactics, are situated opposite their respective companies, while the tent of the Commandant of Cadets is placed centrally at the East end of the broad avenue. The Guard tents, five or six in number, are situated in a line a little distance in front of the whole camp. A chain of six or eight sentinels surrounds the camp day and night. The guard consists of three reliefs, which walk post in turn, during the twenty-four hours for which each guard is detailed. This detail is drawn as equitably as possible from the four companies, and guard duty recurs once in from three to five days, making the duty a real hardship to those not inured to it. The subdivisions of the guard require each relief to walk two hours, and then wait four hours before it is again posted. The operation of changing is as follows: When the relief is duly formed and inspected by the Officer of the Guard, it is marched by its Corporal around the line of posts, and after "Taps," each sentinel challenges the longed-for delegation with a fierce, "Who comes there?" as though the enemy were upon him. The reply of the Corporal leads to a further demand for a cabalistic word which, when whispered, so elevates the party in the estimation of the sentinel, that he quickly abandons his vigilant, defiant manner, and quietly yields his post to his successor, whose place in the ranks of the relief is then most cheerfully accepted.

The camp is governed by the same regulations that accompany an army in the field, except in the preparation of meals, which are supplied at the Cadets' Mess throughout the year.

The presence of visitors contributes much to enliven this period of hardship in Cadet life, and the tri-weekly dancing parties on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, notwithstanding their abrupt termination at 10 P.M., affords never to be forgotten reminiscences in after life, of social enjoyment and enlightened intercourse with the fair daughters of America, not a few of whom date back their after career to the bewitching influence which marks this season. The Encampment usually terminates on the 29th of August, when the Cadets return to Barrack-life, and recommence their studies. An illumination of the camp usually takes place on the evening before it is broken up, and the convolutions of a "stag dance" are performed on the Parade-ground, with a fervor and vivacity worthy of imitation in a Camanche war-dance. This curious cross in the terpsichorean art, between the pigeon wing, double shuffle, hoe-down, and the quadrille, is a frequent diversion in the Cadet camp. It is performed by twenty or more Cadets, who gyrate between two rows of candles stuck in the ground, cadencing their movements by the very uncertain sounds of a plebeian fiddle and the low muffled rattle of a drum, accompanied by whimsicalities and contortions unknown save at West Point.

The scene presented during the striking of the tents is quite lively and picturesque. In the early hours of the day all the property of the Cadets, such as blankets, clothing, etc., is carried by them to the rooms they are assigned to in the barracks, leaving in camp only their rifles and their accoutrements. At the appointed hour the "general" beats,

when all spring to their posts, awaiting three taps on the bass drum. At the first tap, all except the corner tent cords are cast loose and the pins are withdrawn; at the second, the corner cords and pins are cast loose, and the tent is gathered around the tent-poles and steadied in an upright position, so that at the third tap all the tents instantly go down in concert, and woe to the "gross" one who fails to complete the prostration at the moment. While the tents are folded and piled by one party, a group enliven the scene by songs descriptive of their eagerness

Then the companies are formed, and taking their stacked arms march to the front on the Parade; the Commandant then, with Band and colors unfurled, marches the battalion to the general Parade, in front of the Superintendent's quarters, and the Encampment is no more.

The Academic Exercises of the Cadets are not devoid of interest even to those who are attracted to the spot by the glittering displays of military life; while to those interested in the progress of education, the peculiarities of the system pursued at West Point seldom fails to increase their belief, that the method here followed might be more generally introduced into the great American collegiate system.

The Corps of Cadets, in accordance with the usual custom, is divided into four classes, and the course of study extends through four years in duration. The classes are numbered inversely according to their entrance into the Academy, as the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Classes, corresponding to the Senior, Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Classes in other institutions. Each class is divided into convenient sections of from twelve to fifteen Cadets, for instruction in its special branches of study, the first Cadet on each section roll being its squad-marcher, and being responsible for its punctual attendance and deportment. The recitation hours are sounded on a bugle, when the sections for the hour are formed at the Barracks, their rolls are called, and they are marched to the Recitation-rooms by their several squad-marchers. The instructor is there waiting their attendance, and after receiving the squad-marcher's report of the absentees, he sends three or more Cadets to the black-board, to discuss the propositions he announces to each; for which purpose they proceed to place their diagrams or analyses on the board. Another is called up on the floor and questioned on the lesson for the day, until one of those at the board is ready. The latter being called on, first enunciates the proposition to be discussed, then gives a condensed analysis of how it should be solved, and then gives the full discussion, delineation, or demonstration with reference to his diagram or analysis. Last of all, and reaching the termination of his subject, the instructor proceeds to question him on the parts slighted or omitted, and upon topics connected with the subject-matter under consideration. It will be seen that the recitation proceeds upon the supposition that the Cadet understands his lesson beforehand, and that the instructor's province is to make sure of the Cadet's thorough and accurate knowledge; to amplify his conceptions, and supply his deficiencies, rather than teach him the subject of the lesson. He also enforces that orderly and lucid exposition and arrangement of the matter, which carries the conviction that the Cadet not only knows his topic, but is able to communicate it to others. He requires accuracy of language, the observance of certain recitation forms, and proprieties in decorum, to a degree far higher than is usually demanded in other institutions. Three sides of the section-room are provided with wall slates or black-boards, and a tray for chalk, wipers, and pointers, extends across the bottom of each. Every Cadet writes his name over his work, and when called upon to recite, assumes the "position of a soldier," until he wishes to refer to his work, when he does so with his pointer. It is a matter of no small magnitude to secure a becoming personal deportment and style in recitation, and to suppress the unmeaning, nervous turnings, rockings, and fumblings, which too often deform the manners of undisciplined students.

The instructor marks each recitation according to his estimate of its quality as referred to a scale of valuation ranging from zero to three, the maximum for a perfect and satisfactory exhibition of knowledge. A weekly report of these daily marks is made to the Superintendent, and exhibited to the Cadets who crowd the hall leading to the Adjutant's office every Monday, to see the official estimate of their performances during the past week. The recitation marks are aggregated for the semi-annual examination in January, and for the annual examination in June, and are mainly decisive of the numerical standing of each Cadet in the different courses of study. Frequent and thorough reviews occur, in which each individual's success is critically observed and considered in making out the standing—a greater weight justly belonging to the final and permanent conquest of a course, than to the earlier recitations. The final examination on the subject also has a material weight.

By combining all these elements, a definite order of arrangement of the members of each class, in each branch of study, is obtained, and from these combined special standings, a general class rank, or order of arrangement according to each individual's merit, is deduced at the close of each annual examination. In determining the standing of the graduating class the special standing of each Cadet in all the branches of study for the four years, including proficiency in discipline, is considered, and possesses a relative weight in deciding the position of each member.

The Annual Examination in June is conducted in the presence of a "Board of Visitors," selected for the purpose by the Secretary of War, and the reports of these Boards, composed of intelligent men of all professions and all political parties, have, for more than forty years, borne favorable testimony to the thoroughness and efficiency of the system of instruction pursued at West Point. The assignment and promotion of the graduating class to corps and regiments in the army, is regulated by the recommendation of the Academic Board, based upon class standing. The highest members only are recommended for the Corps of Engineers, and as the recommendations are almost uniformly adhered to, each Cadet becomes the arbiter of his own destiny, so far as his capacity makes success practicable. He is thus stimulated to good conduct, and the diligent employment of all his mental faculties, by the hope of a choice in the assignments, and of securing after rank, by commission, over his comrades.

How to become a Cadet, is a question not unlikely to arise in the minds of some of the young readers of this volume. The martial aspirant should consider well, before taking any steps toward securing a Cadet appointment, that Cadet life is no mere holiday training—no refined dandyism, but a four years' devotion of mind, body, and heart to discipline and study; more severe, by far, than is required at any other educational institution in the land. But if possessed of an aptitude for mathematical study, of a vigorous realization of the attributes of manhood, and the courage to endure patiently present trials for future good, and finally, if possessed of an ardent desire for intellectual culture, with a view to after usefulness, nowhere can a youth become so well qualified by an educational course to be a man, as by becoming a Cadet at the National Military Academy. The method of procedure to secure an appointment is briefly as follows:

The District of Columbia, and each District of Country entitled to a Member of the House of Representatives in Congress, may secure through him one Cadet appointment. The Cadet so selected should remain four years, but in case he fails to do so, a vacancy arises which the Representative is called upon to fill with a new appointee. Of course, the same thing occurs when the Cadet graduates, and thus the number of Cadets is made equal to the number of Representatives and Delegates in Congress. In addition, every year the President of the United States appoints TEN Cadets, selected at his pleasure from any portion of the country. The appointments by Districts are really made by the Secretary of War, but only on the recommendation of the Member of Congress. An application made to the latter will show whether a vacancy exists—if so, the applicant must plead with him for it. The only other alternative is to secure the favor of being one of the TEN appointed by the President. The official qualifications are herewith appended:

APPOINTMENT AND ADMISSION OF CADETS.

I.—As frequent inquiries are made in regard to the mode of procuring admission into the Military Academy, persons interested in the subject are hereby informed that application may be made at any time (by letter to the Secretary of War) by the applicant himself, his parent, guardian, or any of his friends, that his name may be placed on the register in the office of the Inspector at Washington. The precise age and permanent abode of the applicant, as, also, the number of the Congressional District in which he resides, must be stated, and no application will be considered wherein these instructions are not complied with. No preference is given to applications on account of priority, nor can any information be communicated as to the probable success of an applicant before the appointments are made.

By an act of Congress, the appointment of a person who has served in any capacity in the military or naval service of the so-called Confederate States is prohibited, and, as a general rule, no person will be appointed who has had a brother educated at the Academy.

By provision of law, each Congressional and Territorial District and the District of Columbia is entitled to have one Cadet at the Military Academy, and no more. In addition to these, the appointment annually of a number, not exceeding ten, "at large," not confined to a selection by Congressional Districts, is authorized. The District and Territorial appointments are made upon the nomination of the member of Congress or Delegate representing the District or Territory at the date of appointment, and the law requires that the individual selected shall be an actual resident of the District or Territory, or District of Columbia, from which the appointment purports to be made. The selections "at large" and from the District of Columbia are made by the President.

Appointments are required by law to be made one year in advance of the date of admission—that is to say, about the 1st of July in each year, except in instances where it may be impracticable, from any cause, so to make them. Persons, therefore, receiving appointments have ample time afforded them in which to prepare for a successful examination prior to their admission.

II.—To prevent the disappointment, mortification, and useless expense that might attend the acceptance of a Cadet appointment by a person not possessing the necessary qualifications for admission, and for the instruction and aid of others, the following information is communicated:

Candidates must be over seventeen and under twenty-two years of age at the time of entrance into the Military Academy; no modification of the law in this respect can be made; but any person who has served honorably and faithfully not less than one year as an officer or enlisted man in the army of the United States, either as a Volunteer, or in the Regular service, during the war for the suppression of the Rebellion, shall be eligible for appointment up to the age of twenty-four years. They must be at least five feet in height, and free from any deformity, disease, or infirmity, which would render them unfit for the military service, and from any disorder of an infectious or immoral character. They must be able to read and write well, and perform with facility and accuracy the various operations of the four ground rules of Arithmetic, of reduction, of simple and compound proportion, and of vulgar and decimal fractions. The Arithmetic is to be studied understandingly, and not merely committed to memory. They will also be required to have a knowledge of the elements of English Grammar, of Descriptive Geography, particularly of our own country, and of the history of the United States.

III.—It must be understood that a full compliance with the above conditions will be insisted on; that is to say, the candidate must write a fair and legible hand, and without any material mistakes in spelling such sentences as shall be dictated by the examiners; and he must answer promptly and without errors all their questions in the above-mentioned rules of Arithmetic and in the other branches: failing in any of these particulars, he will be rejected.

IV.—Every candidate will, soon after his arrival at West Point, be subject to a rigid examination by an experienced Medical Board, and should there be found to exist in him any of the following causes of disqualification, to such a degree as will immediately, or in all probability may, at no very distant period, impair his efficiency, he will be rejected:

1. Feeble constitution and muscular tenuity; unsound health from whatever cause; indications of former disease; glandular swellings, or other symptoms of scrofula.

2. Chronic cutaneous affections, especially of the scalp, or any disorder of an infectious character.

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, etc., etc.

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, extenuation, deformity, etc., etc.

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), sarcocele, hydrocele, hemorrhoids, fistulas.

13. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or of both of the inferior extremities on account of varicose veins, fractures, malformation (flat feet, etc.), lameness, contraction, unequal length, bunions, overlying or supernumerary toes, etc., etc.

14. Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices of ulcers likely to break out afresh.

V.—During the months of July and August the Cadets are engaged in military duties and exercises, living in camp. The academic exercises commence the beginning of September. The semi-annual examination takes place in January. At this time the Cadets are rigidly examined in the subjects they have studied, and the new Cadets, if found proficient therein (their conduct having been correct in all respects), will receive the warrant of Cadet, and take such a station in their class as their respective merits, as determined at the examination, may entitle them to. If any have been unable to master the course, they will be pronounced deficient by the Academic Board, and their connection with the Academy will cease.

VI.—It is important that it be clearly understood that this examination, like all subsequent ones, is very thorough—does not permit any evasion or slighting of the course, and exacts a very close and persevering attention to study. The examining officers have no option; they must reject the deficient. The nation sends these young men to the Military Academy, supports and pays them adequately, and opens to them an honorable profession, in the expectation that their best efforts will be given to qualify themselves for the higher duties of the military service. Those who will not, or can not, profit by these generous provisions, should not occupy the places of those who will and can.

VII.—In June there is held the "Annual Examination," which, in its character of searching scrutiny, is like the semi-annual examination in January. Cadets who have failed to make the requisite proficiency, and are not likely to succeed in future, are discharged.

VIII.—It will thus be seen that a person must carry to the Academy a certain degree of preparation; good natural parts; an aptitude for study; industrious habits; perseverance; a disposition to conform to discipline, and correct moral deportment. If deficient in any of these respects, it will be best for young men not to enter the Military Academy, as they will thus avoid the probabilities of disappointment and mortification. Many of those who receive appointments fail, through deficiency in the above particulars, to graduate. But it must not be understood that those who fail to master the scientific course taught at the Military Academy, necessarily incur thereby discredit as regards mental ability, since it is by no means rare for intellects otherwise strong to be averse to mathematical investigation, or study of language.

IX.—The pay of a Cadet is $41.66 per month, with one ration per day, and is considered sufficient, with proper economy, for his support.

MEMORANDUM

INDICATING THE METHOD OF EXAMINING CANDIDATES FOR ADMISSION INTO THE MILITARY ACADEMY.

Candidates must be able to read with facility from any book, giving the proper intonation and pauses, and to write portions that are read aloud for that purpose, spelling the words, and punctuating the sentences properly.

In Arithmetic they must be able to perform with facility examples under the four ground rules, and hence must be familiar with the tables of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; and must be able to perform examples in reduction and vulgar fractions, such as:—

Add 2/3 to 3/4; subtract 2/5 from 5/6.
Multiply 3/4 by 7/8; divide 2/5 by 3/8.

Add together two hundred and thirty-four thousandths (.234), twenty-six thousandths (.026), and three thousandths (.003).

Subtract one hundred and sixty-one ten thousandths (.0161) from twenty-five hundredths (.25).

Multiply or divide twenty-six hundredths (.26) by sixteen thousandths (.016).

They must also be able to change vulgar fractions into decimal fractions, and vice versâ, with examples like the following:—

Change 15/16 into a decimal fraction of the same value.

Change one hundred and two thousandths (.102) into a vulgar fraction of the same value.

In Simple and Compound Proportion, examples of various kinds will be given, and candidates will be expected to understand the principles of the rules which they follow.

In English Grammar candidates will be required to exhibit a familiarity with the nine parts of speech and the rules in relation thereto, and must be able to parse any ordinary sentence which may be given them, and generally they must understand those portions of the subject usually taught in the higher academies and schools throughout the country, comprehended under the heads of Orthography, Etymology, Syntax, and Prosody.

In Descriptive Geography they are to name, locate, and describe the natural grand and political divisions of the earth, and be able to delineate any one of the States or Territories of the American Union, with its principal cities, rivers, lakes, seaports, and mountains.

In History they must be able to name the periods of the discovery and settlement of the North American continent, of the rise and progress of the United States, and of the successive wars and political administrations through which the country has passed.