m
 
 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT 
 
 BY 
 
 LIEUT. HUGH T. REED., U. S. A. 
 
 '( 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 
 Military Science and Tactics, Etc. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 
 
 W
 
 ALL. RIGHTS RESERVED. 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1896, 
 
 BY HUGH T. REED.
 
 Qz&itntzft 
 
 TO THE DEAR GIRLS WHO ADORE THE MILITARY. ONE OF 
 WHOM HAVING PAID THE PENALTY OF HER AD- 
 MIRATION, IS NOW MY SUPERIOR OFFICER,
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 I believe it to be well established that the men- 
 tal habits are fully as strong as the physical hab- 
 its 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 dis- 
 possess 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,
 
 8 PREFACE. 
 
 and when the manuscript was written and in a 
 temporary binding, I loaned it to this young rela- 
 tive, 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 in- 
 differently 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 to my happiest years. 
 
 For valuable data in the "table showing dispo- 
 sition of graduates," I am indebted to Captain 
 Wilber E. Wilder, 4th Cavalry, Adjutant of the 
 Military Academy, and to his efficient clerk, Mr. 
 William Ward, who has had charge of Cadet Rec- 
 ords for forty-five years.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Chapter. Page. 
 
 I. The Appointment 13 
 
 II. The Military Academy 21 
 
 III. The Preparation 35 
 
 IV. The Candidate 41 
 
 V. The Plebe in Camp 81 
 
 VI. The Plebe in Barracks 109 
 
 VII. The Yearling 149 
 
 VIII. The Furloughman 179 
 
 IX. The Graduate 197 
 
 X. Appendix i 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Bird's-eye View of West Point Frontispiece. 
 
 "Might be a Cadet" 11 
 
 Trophy Point 19 
 
 Administration Building 19 
 
 Superintendent's Quarters 19 
 
 Topographical Sketch of West Point 33 
 
 Battery Knox 39 
 
 Sea Coast Battery 39 
 
 Siege Battery 39 
 
 First Classmen 51 
 
 Cadet Room 51 
 
 Furloughmen 51 
 
 The Chapel 51 
 
 Setting up Exercises 61 
 
 Mess Hall 71 
 
 9
 
 10 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 Dining Room 71 
 
 Cadet Barracks 71 
 
 Cadet Tent 83 
 
 Fourth of July Program 89 
 
 Camp McPherson Hop Invitation 95 
 
 "Confirmed Bachelors' " Hop Invitation 101 
 
 The Academic 107 
 
 Theatrical Program 125 
 
 Cadet Warrant 133 
 
 Sedgwick Monument 141 
 
 Cadet Monument 141 
 
 Professors' Row 141 
 
 Camp Geo. H. Thomas Hop Invitation 147 
 
 Inspection in Camp 153 
 
 Light Artillery Drill 153 
 
 Gymnasium 161 
 
 Library 161 
 
 Theatrical Entertainment 163 
 
 Camp Belknap Hop Invitation 181 
 
 Graduating Hop Invitation 191 
 
 Professors' Row 195 
 
 Flirtation Walk 195 
 
 Kosciuszco's Garden 195 
 
 Fourth of July Program , 199 
 
 Camp Thayer Hop Invitation 203 
 
 Cavalry Drill 207 
 
 Battalion Marching from Camp to Barracks 207 
 
 Guard Mounting in Camp 213 
 
 Color Line 213 
 
 Riding Hall 217 
 
 Battle Monument 217 
 
 Ponton Bridge 217 
 
 Concert Program 223 
 
 Inaugural Ball Invitation at Washington, D. C 224-5 
 
 Graduating Hop Invitation 229 
 
 West Point Diploma 233 
 
 Cadets at the World's Fair, Chicago 237
 
 'MIGHT BE A CADET. 
 
 11
 
 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 ques- 
 tions about West Point. I soon learned to indi- 
 cate the site on the map, and I longed to go 
 there, that I might be a cadet and wear brass but- 
 tons. 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 
 
 13
 
 14 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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, lis- 
 tening 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. For- 
 tunately, however, the family moved to "town" 
 when I was fourteen years old. I was then as- 
 sured 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 congres- 
 sional 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.
 
 THE APPOINTMENT. 15 
 
 One day I saw by the paper that the Hon. 
 
 G. W. J n 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. J n'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 anyone 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. J n, and I had five 
 
 brothers and a sister, too! 
 
 About two months after my visit to Mr. J n, 
 
 I received a letter from him, taking it myself
 
 16 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 de- 
 cided to speak to my father, and ask him to 
 read the letter, under promise that he would 
 not talk about West Point with anyone 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. J n 
 
 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. J n 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. J n, and I 
 
 myself answered the letter by return mail. 
 
 About ten days after this I received another let- 
 ter 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:
 
 THE APPOINTMENT. 17 
 
 "I have recommended you, and enclose herewith your con- 
 ditional 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 lcyal and useful to our country." 
 
 THE APPOINTMENT. 
 War Department.* 
 
 Washington, 18 . . 
 
 Sir: You are hereby informed, that the President has con- 
 ditionally 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 
 
 , 18.., for examination. If it he found that you 
 
 possess the qualifications required by law and set forth in 
 the circulart 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 tbe 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 accompany- 
 ing 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 re- 
 quirements, and unless you report for examination at the 
 time specified. 
 
 This is to be presented to the Adjutant of the Military 
 Academy on arrival of the appointee, i. e., the candidate, at 
 West Point. 
 
 tSee Appendix, pages i to xii.
 
 18 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 You are requested to immediately inform the Department 
 of your acceptance or declination of the contemplated ap- 
 pointment upon the above conditions. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 To 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 
 , 18.. 
 
 To the Honorable Secretary of War,* 
 
 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 con- 
 ditions 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) 
 
 This is to be filled out and mailed to the Secretary of War 
 soon after its receipt by the candidate.
 
 THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 21 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 
 
 WEST POINT, the property of the United 
 States, is in the state of New York, on 
 the west bank of the Hudson River and 
 about fifty miles north of New York City. The 
 grounds comprise 2,500 acres, of which about 200 
 acres are a plain, some one hundred and eighty 
 feet above the river, the balance being mountain- 
 ous. A poet has happily said: 
 
 "Where proud and free the Hudson flows, 
 
 Above the Highlands grand, 
 And in its placid bosom shows 
 The charms of Nature's hand." 
 
 General Washington often said that the Na- 
 tional Government should maintain a Military 
 Academy, and in his message to Congress in 1793 
 he recommended the founding of one at West 
 Point, New York. Referring to this subject in 
 1796, he 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 im- 
 pair the energy of its character and both hazard 
 its safety and expose it to great evils when war
 
 22 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 could not be avoided. Besides that, war might 
 not often depend upon its own choice. In pro- 
 portion as the observance of pacific maxims might 
 exempt a nation from the necessity of practicing 
 rules of military art, ought to be the case in pre- 
 serving and transmitting, by proper establish- 
 ments, the knowledge of that art. Whatever argu- 
 ments may be drawn from particular examples, 
 superficially received, a thorough examination of 
 the subject will evince that the art of war is at 
 once comprehensive and complicated, that it de- 
 mands much previous study, and that the posses- 
 sion of it in its most approved and perfect state 
 is of great moment to the security of a nation." 
 
 The result of this and other recommendations 
 was that the United States Military Academy was 
 founded by Act of Congress, approved March 16, 
 1802, and the Military Academy is practically all 
 there is to West Point, and ever since then it has 
 been maintained by annual appropriations of 
 Congress. The expenditures* on the buildings and 
 grounds have already been more than f 4,000,000, 
 and all for the prime object of educating profes- 
 sional soldiers. Up to October 1, 1896, 7,798 
 young men have been admitted to the Military 
 Academy; 3,725, having failed, have been dis- 
 charged; 332, including one from Venezuela, South 
 America, receiving instruction under a joint reso- 
 
 General George W. Cullum graduated at the Academy in 
 1833 and when he died he left about a quarter of a million 
 dollars to the Academy and the Cullum Memorial Hall is now 
 under construct!
 
 THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 23 
 
 lution of Congress, approved December 22, 1892, 
 are now cadets, and the balance, 3,741, have been 
 graduated.* In speaking of the graduates the 
 Hon. Charles S. Fairchild, of New York, has well 
 said that "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." 
 
 The Military Academy is governed by an Aca- 
 demic Board, composed of twelve members, eight 
 of whom are professors holding life appointments 
 as such, while the other four are army officers de- 
 tailed for duty at the Academy. 
 
 THE ACADEMIC BOARD. 
 
 1. Superintendent. 
 
 2. Commandant of Cadets and Instructor of 
 Tactics. 
 
 3. Professor of Natural and Experimental 
 Philosophy. 
 
 4. Professor of Drawing. 
 
 5. Professor of Mathematics. 
 
 6. Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy and 
 Geology. 
 
 7. Professor of Modern Languages. 
 
 8. Professor of Law. 
 
 9. Professor of Civil and Military Engineer- 
 ing. 
 
 *See Appendix, "table showing disposition of candidates.
 
 24 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 10. Professor of History, Geography and 
 Ethics, who is also the Chaplain. 
 
 11. Instructor of Practical Military Engineer- 
 ing. 
 
 12. Instructor of Ordnance and Gunnery. 
 
 The senior assistant in each department of in- 
 struction shall be 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 defi- 
 ciency in every branch of study in that depart- 
 ment; and the instructor of any section under ex- 
 amination or consideration shall be a member of 
 the Academic Board or of a committee of it, for 
 the purpose of examining the section and arrang- 
 ing it in order of merit. 
 
 All deliberations and decisions of the Academic 
 Board and of its committees, and expressions of 
 opinion and votes, individual or collective, of mem- 
 bers thereof shall be confidential. The decisions 
 of the Board are published in orders. 
 
 The following is a list of the members of the 
 Academic Board and their assistants, as it stood 
 on June 1, 1896, to wit: 
 
 SUPERINTENDENT.* 
 Col. O. H. Ernst, Lieut-Colonel, Corps of Engineers. 
 
 MILITARY STAFF.* 
 Capt. Wilber E. Wilder, 4th Cavalry, adjutant of the Mili- 
 
 *These officers are usually changed every four years, part 
 one year and part another,
 
 THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 25 
 
 tary Academy and of the post; recruiting officer; commanding 
 band and detachment of field music. 
 
 Capt. William F. Spurgin, 21st Infantry, treasurer of the 
 Military Academy, and quartermaster and commissary of 
 cadets. 
 
 Capt. John B. Bellinger, Assistant Quartermaster, U. S. A., 
 quartermaster of the Military Academy and of the post; dis- 
 bursing officer. 
 
 First Lieut. Barrington K. West, 6th Cavalry, commissary 
 and treasurer; in charge of post exchange. 
 
 First Lieut. William Wiegel, 11th Infantry, assistant to the 
 quartermaster and officer of police. 
 
 Maj. George H. Torney, Surgeon, U. S. A., surgeon. 
 
 Capt. Charles F. Mason, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A. 
 
 Capt. Charles Willcox, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A 
 
 ACADEMIC STAFF. 
 Professors whose service at the Academy, as professor, ex- 
 ceeds 10 years, have the assimilated rank of colonel, and all 
 other professors the assimilated rank of lieutenant-colonel. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL 
 PHILOSOPHY. 
 
 Peter S. Michie, professor (Feb. 14, 1871). 
 
 Capt. William B. Gordon, Ordnance Dept., assistant pro- 
 fessor.* 
 
 First Lieut. Samuel E. Allen, 5th Artillery; First Lieut. 
 Lucien G. Berry, 4th Artillery, instructors.* 
 
 First Lieut. Samuel D. Freeman, 10th Cavalry, in charge of 
 Observatory and astronomical observations.* 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF DRAWING. 
 
 Charles W. Larned, professor (July 25, 1876). 
 
 First Lieut. Austin H. Brown, 4th Infantry, assistant pro- 
 fessor.* * 
 
 Second Lieut. Charles B. Hagadorn, 23d Infantry; Second 
 Lieut. Horace M. Reeve, 3d Infantry, instructors.* 
 
 Edgar W. Bass, professor (April 17, 1878). 
 
 *These officers are usually changed every four years, part 
 one year and part another.
 
 26 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS. 
 
 fWright P. Edgerton, associate professor (July 1, 1893). 
 
 First Lieut. Daniel B. Devore, 23d Infantry, assistant pro- 
 fessor.* 
 
 First Lieut. John D. Barrette, 3d Artillery; First Lieut. 
 Charles D. Palmer, 3d Artillery; First Lieut. John S. Winn, 
 1st Cavalry; First Lieut. Charles P. Echols, Corps of Engineers; 
 Second Lieut. William O. Johnson, 19th Infantry; Second 
 Lieut. William M. Cruikshank, 1st Artillery; Second Lieut. 
 John H. Rice, 3d Cavalry, instructors.* 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY AND 
 GEOLOGY. 
 
 Samuel E. Tillman, professor (Dec. 21, 1880). 
 
 First Lieut. Richmond P. Davis, 2d Artillery, assistant pro- 
 fessor.* 
 
 First Lieut. Edgar Russel, 5th Artillery; Second Lieut. 
 Palmer E. Pierce, 6th Infantry; Second Lieut. William R. 
 Smith, 1st Artillery, instructors.* 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF TACTICS.* 
 
 Lieut.-Col. Samuel M. Mills, Captain 5th Artillery, com- 
 mandant of cadets and instructor of tactics. 
 
 Capt. James Parker, 4th Cavalry, senior instructor of cav- 
 alry tactics. 
 
 First Lieut. Alexander B. Dyer, 4th Artillery, senior in- 
 structor of artillery tactics. 
 
 First Lieut. Granger Adams, 5th Artillery, assistant in- 
 structor of tactics, commanding company of cadets. 
 
 First Lieut. Wilds P. Richardson, 8th Infantry, senior in- 
 structor of infantry tactics. 
 
 First Lieut. William H. Allaire, 23d Infantry, assistant in- 
 structor of tactics, commanding company of cadets. 
 
 First Lieut. Willard A. Holbrook, 7th Cavalry, assistant 
 instructor of tactics, commanding company of cadets. 
 
 First Lieut. Robert L. Howze, 6th Cavalry, assistant in- 
 structor of tactics, commanding company of cadets. 
 
 tAssociate professor with rank of captain. 
 *These officers are usually changed every four years, part 
 on year and part another.
 
 THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 27 
 
 Second Lieut. Matthew C. Butler, Jr., 5th Cavalry, assist- 
 ant instructor of cavalry tactics. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF MODERN LANGUAGES. 
 
 Edward E. Wood, professor (Oct. 1, 1892). 
 
 First Lieut. Cornells DeW. Willcox, 2d Artillery, assistant 
 professor of the Spanish language.* 
 
 First Lieut. Arthur F. Curtis, 2d Artillery, assistant pro- 
 fessor*of the French language.* 
 
 First Lieut. William S. Biddle, Jr., 14th Infantry; First 
 Lieut. Peter E. Traub, 1st Cavalry; First Lieut. Marcus D. 
 Cronin, 25th Infantry; Second Lieut. Samuel C. Hazzard, 1st 
 Artillery; Second Lieut. Edward B. Cassatt, 4th Cavalry, in- 
 structors 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF LAW. 
 
 George B. Davis, Lieut.-Col. and Deputy Judge Advocate 
 General, U. S. A., professor (Aug. 20, 1895). (By assignment 
 under act of June 6, 1874.) 
 
 First Lieut. James A. Cole, 6th Cavalry, assistant professor.* 
 
 Second Lieut. Walter A. Bethel, 4th Artillery, instructor.* 
 DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND MILITARY ENGINEERING. 
 
 Gustav J. Fiebeger, professor (May 4, 1896). 
 
 First Lieut. Henry C. Newcomer, Corps of Engineers, assist- 
 ant professor.* 
 
 First Lieut. Thomas B. Rees, Corps of Engineers; First 
 Lieut. Francis R. Shunk, Corps of Engineers, instructors.* 
 DEPARTMENT OF PRACTICAL MILITARY ENGINEER- 
 ING.* 
 
 Capt. James L. Lusk, Corps of Engineers, instructor. 
 
 First Lieut. E. Eveleth Winslow, Corps of Engineers; Sec- 
 ond Lieut. Jay J. Morrow, Corps of Engineers, assistant in- 
 structors. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY.* 
 
 Capt. Lawrence L. Bruff, Ordnance Department, instructor. 
 
 First Lieut. Edwin B. Babbitt, Ordnance Department; Sec- 
 ond Lieut. Henry D. Todd, Jr., 3d Artillery, assistant in- 
 structors. 
 
 These officers are usually changed every four years, part 
 one year and part another.
 
 28 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 CHAPLAIN. 
 Rev. Herbert Shipman (April 25, 1896). 
 
 Herman J. Koehler, master of the sword. 
 George Essigke, teacher of music. 
 
 ACADEMIC YEAR. 
 
 The academic year commences on July 1st. 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 shall a cadet be advanced from 
 one class to another, unless prevented by sickness, 
 or authorized absence, from attending at the afore- 
 said examination, in which case a special exam- 
 ination shall be granted him ; but in no case shall 
 a cadet be advanced from one class to another 
 without having passed a satisfactory examina- 
 tion by the Academic Board. 
 
 By reference to the "Table showing the dispo- 
 sition of candidates" (in the Appendix), it may be 
 observed that there was no "academic year" prior 
 to 1812. It was in this year that an Act of Con- 
 gress was approved by the President, requiring 
 all candidates to pass an examination, satisfactory 
 to the "Academic Board," in reading, writing and 
 arithmetic, before being admitted to the Academy. 
 This Act remained in force until 1866, when the 
 law now in operation was enacted. 
 
 Cadets found deficient at the January examina- 
 tions are invariably discharged or permitted to 
 resign, while some of the unfortunates at the June
 
 THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 29 
 
 examinations are turned back, as may be seen from 
 the "table" above referred to. Since 1812 the 
 Course of Study* has been four years, except that 
 in 1854-5 and 6 it was five. 
 
 CLASSIFICATION OF CADETS. 
 
 The number of cadets authorized by law to be at 
 the Academy is 371, but the number present varies 
 between 300 and 350, and they are arranged in 
 four distinct classes, corresponding with the four 
 years of study. The cadets emploj^ed 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. 
 
 BATTALION ORGANIZATION. 
 
 For instruction in infantry tactics and in mili- 
 tary police and discipline, the cadets are organ- 
 ized into a battalion of four companies, under the 
 commandant of cadets, each company being com- 
 manded by an officer of the army. The officers 
 and non-commissioned officers are selected from 
 those cadets who have been most studious, soldier- 
 like in their performance of their duties, and most 
 exemplary in their general deportment. In gen- 
 eral, the officers are taken from the first class; the 
 sergeants from the second class, and the corporals 
 from the third class 
 
 No commissions are issued to cadet captains or 
 lieutenants, and no warrants are issued to cadet 
 
 *See Course of Study in the Appendix.
 
 30 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 sergeants or corporals; the captain named first in 
 the order ranks those named after him, and the 
 same rule applies to lieutenants, sergeants and 
 corporals. One of the sergeants is designated as 
 color-sergeant, and seven of the corporals are des- 
 ignated as color-corporals. 
 
 CADET OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.* 
 
 "A" "B" "C" "D" 
 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 A. G. Lott, 1 G. T. Summerlin, 8 E. R. Heiberg, 4 G. M. Hoffman. 2 
 
 LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 E. L. King, Adjutant. H. Y. Grubbs, Quartermaster. 
 
 G. H. Shelton, 2 S. M. Kochersperger, 1 C. H. McNeil, 4 R. E. Callan, 8 
 
 D. N. Hood, 6 I. Newell, 9 H. F. Jackson, 7 F. W. Lewis, 8 
 
 L. R. Holbrook, 10 C. McK. Saltzman, 9 S. V. McClure, 12 D. E. Nolan. 11 
 
 S. A. Cheney, Sergeant-Major. C. D. Roberts, Quartermaster-Sergeant. 
 
 FIRST SERGEANTS. 
 
 H. S. Morgan, 1 F. H. Pope, 4 J. C. Oakes, 2 P. A. Murphy, 8 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 H. Dorey, 1 M. E. Hanna, 7 L. C. Wolf, 8 J. C. Raymond, 2 
 
 W. D. Connor, 4 F. R. McCoy, 9 R. E. Longan, 8 E. T. Conley, 5 
 
 W. D. Newbill, 10 S. M. Milliken, 12 J. N. Munro, 11 E. O. Sarratt, 8 
 
 H. B. Ferguson, 15 W. S. Valentine, 18 M. C Buckey, 14 C H. Miller. 18 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 M. Craig, 8 G. V. Henry, Jr. 1 R. C. Davis, 4 W. F. Nesbitt, 2 
 
 W. P. Wooten, 7 F. C. Boggs, Jr. 5 E. D. Bricker, 8 C. S. Babcock, 8 
 
 L. W. Jordan, Jr.G. R. Hancock, 9 E. N. Benchley, u J. C. Nicholls, 10 
 
 J. E. Stephens, 18 N. R. Chambliss, Jr. 14 H. L. Newbold, 15 C. S. Smith, 12 
 M. C. Kerth, 19 M. McCloskey, 16 J. B. Gowen, 20 A. E. Williams. 18 
 
 Cadet rank is indicated by chevrons,f as follows: 
 For a Captain, J 4 bars. 
 
 Appointments in force June 1, 1896. The figures indicate 
 relative rank. 
 
 tChevrons are made of gold lace % inch wide; sewed on 
 dark blue cloth with % inch intervals between the bars. 
 
 JWorn above the elbows, points up.
 
 THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 31 
 
 For the Adjutant, t 3 bars and an arc of 3 bars. 
 
 For the Quartermaster, % 3 bars and a tie of 3 
 bars. 
 
 For a Lieutenant, t 3 bars. 
 
 For the Sergeant-Major, % 2 bars and an arc of 2 
 bars. 
 
 For the Quartermaster-Sergeant, Z 2 bars and 
 a tie of 2 bars. 
 
 For a First Sergeant, % 2 bars and a lozenge. 
 
 For the Color-Sergeant, X 2 bars and a star. 
 
 For a Sergeant, t 2 bars. 
 
 For a Color-Corporal, t 2 bars and a star. 
 
 For a Corporal, t 2 bars. 
 
 BOARD OF VISITORS. 
 
 There shall be appointed every year, in the fol- 
 lowing manner, a Board of Visitors to attend the 
 annual examination of the Academy. Seven per- 
 sons shall be appointed by the President, and two 
 Senators and three members of the House of Rep- 
 resentatives shall be designated as visitors by the 
 Vice-President or the President pro tempore of the 
 Senate and the Speaker of the House of Represen- 
 tatives, respectively, at the session of Congress 
 next preceding such examination. [Section 1327, 
 Revised Statutes of the United States.] 
 
 It shall be the duty of the Board of Visitors to 
 -inquire into the actual state of the discipline, in- 
 structions, police administration, fiscal affairs and 
 
 JWorn above the elbows, points up. 
 fWorn below the elbows, points up.
 
 32 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 other concerns of the Academy. The visitors ap- 
 pointed by the President shall report thereon to 
 the Secretary of War, for the information of Con- 
 gress, at the commencement of the session next 
 succeeding such examination, and the Senators 
 and Representatives designated as visitors shall 
 report to Congress, within twenty days after the 
 meeting of the session next succeeding the time 
 of their appointment, their action as such visitors, 
 with their views and recommendations concerning 
 the Academy. [Section 1328, Revised Statutes of 
 the United States.] 
 
 No compensation shall be made to the members 
 of said Board beyond the payment of their expen- 
 ses for board and lodging while at the Academy, 
 and an allowance not exceeding eight cents a mile 
 for traveling, by the shortest mail route, from 
 their respective homes to the Academy, and thence 
 to their homes. [Section 1329, Revised Statutes 
 of the United States.] 
 
 The expenses allowed by section thirteen hun- 
 dred and twenty-nine of the Revised Statutes shall 
 be paid as follows: Each member of the Board of 
 Visitors shall receive not exceeding eight cents per 
 mile traveled, by the most direct route, from his 
 residence to West Point and return, and shall, in 
 addition, receive five dollars per day for expenses 
 during each day of his service at West Point. 
 [Act of Congress, approved March 3, 1877.]
 
 33
 
 THE PREPARATION. 35 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE PREPARATION. 
 
 AFTER examining the papers received from 
 the War Department, I found one that re- 
 quired my father's signature before I my- 
 self 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* 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 Char- 
 ley there with me to prepare him for the Univer- 
 sity of Michigan. We entered the High School 
 
 *See Appendix, pages i to xii.
 
 38 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 early in September. About two weeks afterward 
 the University of Michigan (also at Ann Arbor) 
 opened, and we observed that many of the can- 
 didates for the freshman class seemed no farther 
 advanced than we thought ourselves, so we ap- 
 plied, were examined, and admitted to the Uni- 
 versity. 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 after- 
 ward 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 sopho- 
 mores 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 gradu- 
 ated 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
 
 THE PREPARATION. 37 
 
 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 Hud- 
 son. 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 sun-
 
 38 
 
 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 set. There were not more than half a dozen build- 
 ings 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.
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 41 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 
 "As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined." 
 
 IT WAS about ten o'clock in the morning of June 
 8, 18 , 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 per- 
 son nor conveyance at the dock, I followed the road 
 winding up the hill to the plain. I stopped to ad- 
 mire 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 and reported. I was 
 courteously received and handed the "Instruc- 
 tions 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 Corn- 
 
 *See Appendix, page xiii.
 
 42 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 wall 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 order- 
 ly'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 remem- 
 ber it. I knocked on the door, and heard a com- 
 manding voice say "Come in!" With valise and 
 umbrella in one hand and cap in the other I en- 
 tered. 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.
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 43 
 
 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 shoul- 
 ders. "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 ex- 
 plained how my trunk and I had arrived at differ- 
 ent 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 any- 
 thing? 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'
 
 44 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 civil- 
 ian clothes came out of the next hallway carrying 
 the palms of his hands to the front. "Come here, 
 
 Mr. H rd, and help your room-mate carry his 
 
 trunk upstairs; step lively, now." With that in- 
 troduction Mr. H rd and I took hold of the 
 
 trunk. Just then the tall young Tennessean, whom 
 I knew at Ann Arbor, passed, carrying the palms 
 of 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." H rd and I tugged away and 
 
 finally got the trunk upstairs and into the room 
 
 designated. Candidates H rd and K p had 
 
 already been assigned to the same room. "Stand 
 
 attention, Mr. K p. Don't you know enough 
 
 to stand attention when I enter the room? Palms
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 45 
 
 to the front. Put the trunk over there. Mr. R d 
 
 open your trunk and valise and take out every- 
 thing and make a. list of all you have. Stand at- 
 tention, Mr. H rd. 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. K p'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 
 H d left the room then, and we sat down, pros- 
 trated. 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 H rd and K p had reported the day be- 
 fore, they gave me many pointers, which I appre- 
 ciated. 
 
 The room was good-sized, with two alcoves at 
 the end opposite the window; but, oh! how unin- 
 viting 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, shelv- 
 ing arranged for two cadets, but to be used by 
 three or four candidates, two small iron tables, a
 
 46 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 wash stand, an iron mantel and a steam coil with 
 a marble slab on it. H rd and K p had al- 
 ready carried from the Commissary certain arti- 
 cles for use by all occupants of the room, as fol- 
 lows: 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 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,
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 47 
 
 backs to the front; hair and clothes brushes, 
 combs, shaving materials, such small boxes as 
 are allowed, vials for medicine, 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 inspec- 
 tion. 
 
 Arrangement. Ail 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 neces- 
 sary. 
 
 Soiled Clothes. In clothes bag. 
 
 Shoes. To be kept clean, dusted and arranged 
 in line 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.
 
 48 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 com- 
 municate through windows, or to raise the lower 
 sash more than four inches during "call to quar- 
 ters." 
 
 Names. Uniformly printed to be posted over 
 gun-rack pegs, alcove, clothes-press and on orderly 
 board over wash stand.
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 4d 
 
 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 cleanli- 
 ness and ventilation of the room, and that arti- 
 cles for joint use are in place. 
 
 After having folded and arranged my posses- 
 sions according to the Blue Book, as I understood 
 from a hasty perusal of it, I looked out of the win- 
 dow down into the Area of Barracks, where I saw 
 old cadets passing to and fro. They carried them- 
 selves so very erect that we could not help but ad- 
 mire 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 H d 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. H rd, fill your water 
 
 bucket the first thing every morning. Get the wa- 
 ter from one of the hydrants in the Area. The
 
 SO CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 hast- 
 ened downstairs. The old cadets were gathering in 
 four different groups, while the candidates were 
 
 being put into another one. Cadets H d, 
 
 A n and M n were on the watch for can- 
 didates, 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. II ? 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
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 53 
 
 "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, 
 inarch," 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." Imme- 
 diately 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 w r as 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
 
 54 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 either end. There were tablecloths, but no nap- 
 kins, and one waiter for every two long tables; the 
 waiters did not pass anything, but brought water, 
 bread, etc., when needed. The cadets (and candi- 
 dates) 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 fur- 
 nished 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 (ex- 
 cept the corporals) next, and then fourth classmen, 
 the latter being at the center of the long tables. 
 The corporals were the carvers, and the fourth 
 classmen poured the water. 
 
 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
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 55 
 
 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), and some of the old 
 cadets went there, too. A number of them sur- 
 rounded 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 own quarters, thinking that the 
 safest place to be, but, alas! some of the old cadets 
 called upon them there. While they did not men- 
 tion their names, something like this generally oc- 
 curred : " '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 New- 
 burg? 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 bath- 
 rooms, then in the basement of D Company quar-
 
 56 CADET LIFE AT WEST POIN^ 
 
 ters. 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 hav- 
 ing been troubled with my eyes. 
 
 Upon returning to the barracks we were sent 
 to the Commissary, where each candidate was giv- 
 en 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 addi- 
 tion to what the rest of us got. The books men- 
 tioned above are not now issued to candidates. 
 
 Cadet H d saw to it that candidates rooming 
 
 together were provided with a wash bowl, a mir- 
 ror, two buckets, etc. When all were fitted out we 
 took up our loads and returned with them to Bar- 
 racks, carrying them in our hands or on our shoul- 
 ders, as was most convenient. This trip from the 
 Commissary store to Barracks has been described 
 thus;
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 57 
 
 "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 base- 
 ment 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
 
 58 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 Drill." We "fell in" promptly and were corrected 
 in the manner indicated when we fell in for din- 
 ner. 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 as- 
 signed 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 wasi 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 yon 
 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 in- 
 structor 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 for- 
 ward thirty inches from the right, the sole near 
 the ground, the toe a little depressed, knee straight
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 59 
 
 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, ad- 
 vance the right foot and plant it as above. Con- 
 tinue to advance without crossing the legs or strik- 
 ing 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 fac- 
 ings, 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 al- 
 ready 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
 
 60 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 candi- 
 dates 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 com- 
 mands 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 en- 
 tertained by our cadet instructors by such com- 
 mands 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
 
 SETTING UP EXERCISES. 
 61
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 63 
 
 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 r ' when it is piled ac- 
 cording 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 sooth- 
 ing it was. In a few moments more our room door 
 was opened (for they are never locked), a dark lan- 
 tern 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 in- 
 spections 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 awak- 
 ened 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
 
 64 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 custom- 
 ary half-hour's entertainment before call to quar- 
 ters 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 1, a Tacti- 
 cal 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 our- 
 selves, that is, such part of it as we were not 
 busy entertaining old cadets, and on Sunday morn- 
 ing we had inspection of quarters, and after this 
 inspection we were all marched to church. On
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 65 
 
 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 candi- 
 dates 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 inspec- 
 tion of quarters on Sunday morning, K p be- 
 came 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 ais 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 fel- 
 low-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 les- 
 son in the office, the father turned his palms to the 
 front, put his heels together, and otherwise as- 
 sumed the position of the soldier. 
 
 At the first opportunity I wrote home, but I was
 
 66 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 very careful not to mention the hardships I en- 
 dured, for the reason that I had gone to West Point 
 contrary to my parents' wishes, and consequent- 
 ly 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. Competi- 
 tive examinations required by some Congressmen 
 for appointments were not as common in my day 
 as they are now. Some of my classmates purpose- 
 ly 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. W r e 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 "pre- 
 lim" 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 ex- 
 pected 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
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 67 
 
 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, ex- 
 cepting my own. This I account for from the fact 
 that I was then so much impressed with the im- 
 portance of a graduate of West Point. In my eyes 
 he seemed to be a greater man than the Superin- 
 tendent, 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 fur- 
 loughmen the candidates learned that there were 
 four trunk rooms 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 possi- 
 ble and doing about as I was told. The candidates 
 who talked much or who bragged on what they
 
 68 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT 
 
 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 Satur- 
 day afternoons. And it was difficult at first for 
 candidates to become acquainted with one an- 
 other, as so much of their leisure (?) time was taken 
 up answering questions, standing on chairs, tables 
 and mantels, reading press notices about them- 
 selves, singing, and in fact doing almost every- 
 thing old cadets told them to do. I have heard 
 many cadets when they were "plebes" or "ani- 
 mals," 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 con- 
 trol 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 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
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 69 
 
 coat and hastened to get such as might be for him. 
 Now the policemen deliver mail to the cadets in 
 their rooms. 
 
 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 exam- 
 ined 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. 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 differ- 
 ent 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 ques- 
 tioned by one of them. After finishing with the 
 candidate on questions, No. 1 was called upon to 
 recite, and after he was through, another candi- 
 date was assigned a subject and sent to the board,
 
 70 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 and so on. Some of the candidates were self-pos- 
 sessed, and made good recitations and ready an- 
 swers 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 import- 
 ant it was to me, that I answer the questions, be- 
 cause 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
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 73 
 
 not turn my back to the board and tell what I had 
 put on it; but fortunately I could point to any- 
 thing 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 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 alpha- 
 betical 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 B y be- 
 came the class-marcher, and he marched us over 
 to the Library, where we took the oath of allegi- 
 ance.* We were now assigned to Companies, the 
 
 *See Appendix, page ii.
 
 74 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 re- 
 ported, 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, 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. II d sup- 
 pressed a grin, and then scolded the new cadets 
 for laughing in ranks. Mr. W r chewed to- 
 bacco, and this, too, caused him many unhappy 
 moments, but after having been repeatedly repri- 
 manded 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 CANDIDATE. 75 
 
 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 Regula- 
 tions, that the reports would be read out daily 
 after parade, and be posted the next day in a cer- 
 tain 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 com- 
 munications 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:
 
 76 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 REPORTS. 
 
 Floor not properly swept at A. M. inspection. 
 
 Bedding not properly folded at police inspec- 
 tion. 
 
 Late at dinner formation. 
 
 Calling for articles of food in an unncessarily 
 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. inspec- 
 tion. 
 
 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.
 
 THE CANDIDATE 77 
 
 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 re- 
 ports 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 dis- 
 cipline he himself is reported for the neglect. Ca- 
 dets may write explanations for all reports against 
 them, but they must write an explanation for ab- 
 sence from any duty or from quarters; for com- 
 municating at blackboard in section room; for 
 neglect of study or duty; for disobedience of or- 
 ders ; for failure to register for a bath, and for fail- 
 ure 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 re- 
 ceived, he forwards them to the Superintendent,
 
 78 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 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., , 18. 
 
 Report Bedding not properly folded at police 
 inspection. 
 
 Explanation Some one disarranged my bed- 
 ding after I had piled it. I was at the sink at the 
 time of the inspection, and I readjusted the bed- 
 ding upon my return. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 Cadet , Co. , Class. 
 To the Commandant of Cadets. 
 
 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, 
 aDd he is on Cadet Limits, he is sure to write an
 
 THE CANDIDATE. 7 
 
 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. 
 
 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 den- 
 tist's, he must write an official letter to the Com- 
 mandant of Cadets (or to the Adjutant of the Mili- 
 tary 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 (see appendix, 
 page xi), and he is charged for everything fur- 
 nished him, such as board, washing, wearing ap- 
 parel, bedding, books, gas, policing barracks, pol- 
 ishing 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."
 
 80 
 
 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 As time wore away we felt less fatigue from 
 drill, and found more pleasure in life, and letters 
 home were quite cheerful.
 
 THE PLEBE IN CAMP. 81 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE PLEBE IN CAMP. 
 
 ABOUT two weeks after I reported we were di- 
 rected 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 sort- 
 ed out our camp articles, and each cadet 
 made a bundle of his small things, and used a com- 
 forter 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 bun- 
 dles, 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 para- 
 pet of Fort Clinton as a background, which could 
 be seen over the tops of the white tents as we ap- 
 proached the camp. The tent cords were not fas- 
 tened to pegs in the ground, but to pegs in cross- 
 pieces supported upon posts about four feet
 
 82 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 assign- 
 ment, 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 mir- 
 ror up there on the front pole; that's it. Put the 
 washbowl out there against the platform, bottom
 
 THE PLEBE IN CAMP. 85 
 
 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 per- 
 mitted to fix up their own tents, and in a very 
 short time every tent was ship-shape. The year- 
 lings 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 im- 
 provement "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
 
 86 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 an- 
 swered "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 wheelbar- 
 row, 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," 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
 
 THE PLEBE IN CAMP. 87 
 
 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. 
 
 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 bat- 
 talion 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 every- 
 body 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 dia 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
 
 88 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 re- 
 quests (?) 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.
 
 UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. 
 
 July 5th, 18. 
 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. 
 
 89
 
 THE PLEBE IN CAMP. 91 
 
 Plebe life was very trying, especially on H e 
 
 of my class, and he, being something of a poet, re- 
 duced his thoughts to writing, which he showed 
 to his classmates. They said that he had ex- 
 pressed 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 yearl- 
 ings 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 num- 
 ber 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.
 
 92 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 lodge 
 
 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.
 
 THE PLEBE IN CAMP. 93 
 
 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.
 
 94 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 uni- 
 formed. 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 handker- 
 chiefs 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 bar- 
 rack room. In a few weeks the plebes were ad- 
 mitted 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, pa-
 
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 JlC*N*GERS 
 
 FOR THE FIRST CLASS 
 
 P S BOMUS WS.EDGERLY 8 WARRf< rOUNlAIH 
 T V GREENE OTTO L HEIN DEXTER W PARKER 
 CLARENCE A POSTLEY W R.QUINAN EOWG 8TEVEN6 
 
 FOR THE THIRD CLASS 
 JAMES ALLEN. W H.CARTER. O.T. ELLIOTT. 
 HARRY A.LANOOM. J.A RUCKER W.F.ZEILIN 
 
 West Point 
 Ny.5*July I8-*. 
 
 'Jo
 
 THE PLEBE IN CAMP. 97 
 
 rades, and band practice, there used to be many 
 ladies and other visitors under the trees near the 
 guard tents. The upper classmen seemed to en- 
 joy 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 an- 
 other. 
 
 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 
 alongside of Posts No. 2 and No. 3. Others had 
 been frightened by ghosts, or confused by numer- 
 ous parties approaching at the same time from 
 different directions. Some replies to the chal- 
 lenge 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
 
 98 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 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, ex- 
 cept 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 un- 
 loaded the big six-mule wagons that had followed 
 us. We then pitched the "A" tents that were pro- 
 vided 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
 
 THE PLEBE IN CAMP. 99 
 
 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 free- 
 dom, 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. Be- 
 tween 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.
 
 100 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 moun- 
 tains, 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 Port 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
 
 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, 18. 
 
 101
 
 THE PLEBE IN CAMP. . 103 
 
 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. Some- 
 times the offended cadet must fight a man of his 
 size, and then there are two fights. 
 
 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 help- 
 ing to get the boats in place for the timbers to be 
 laid upon them. 
 
 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 re- 
 members, for it is then the furloughmen return. 
 I can see them now rushing 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
 
 104 . CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 fol- 
 lowing are some of the songs that were so often 
 sung during my cadet days, to-wit : 
 
 Old Black Joe, My Country, 
 
 Dixie, Annie Laurie, 
 
 Marching Through Georgia, Red, White and Blue, 
 
 Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, Home, Sweet Home, 
 
 Hail Columbia, Suanee River, 
 
 Star Spangled Banner, 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 be bring "our godson" up 
 
 To don the Army Blue. 
 
 Chorus
 
 THE PLEBE IN CAMP. 105 
 
 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.
 
 106 
 
 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT 
 
 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.
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 109 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 
 
 THE next morning we took our bundles, buck- 
 ets, and brooms to barracks, and upon re- 
 turning 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 bar- 
 racks, 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 hav- 
 ing 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 per- 
 mitted 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 car- 
 ried them across the plain. Every one obtained 
 at the Commissary the text-books he needed be- 
 fore Christmas, and by night all rooms were in or-
 
 110 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 der. 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 them- 
 selves. 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, 
 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 
 iu 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
 
 THE PLBBE IN BARRACKS. Ill 
 
 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 respect- 
 ful 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 Acad- 
 emy 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 min- 
 utes after reveille; sick call fifteen minutes after 
 reveille; then clean arms or study or take physi- 
 cal exercise; breakfast at 6:15; recreation except 
 for the guard, 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 recita- 
 tions from 2:00 to 4:00; then generally military 
 exercises for about an hour; then about half hour
 
 112 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 recreation, followed by retreat parade at about 
 0:00; 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
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 113 
 
 to ten cadets to the section, the arrangement of 
 upper classmen being made according to class 
 standing,* as determined at the last examination, 
 while the arrangement of the plebes was alpha- 
 betical. 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** for 
 the fourth class were Mathematics and French, and 
 in addition to these we had instruction in Fencing, 
 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 
 
 See Appendix 
 
 **See Appendix page xvii.
 
 114 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 sec- 
 tions 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 bar- 
 racks, first classmen were nearest the Academic 
 Building, next to them were sections of the sec- 
 ond 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 sec- 
 tion-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
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. US 
 
 Was seated on he 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 re- 
 ported, "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 num- 
 ber thus Brown 1. The instructor called up an- 
 other cadet who, after understanding his enuncia- 
 tion, 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
 
 116 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 small- 
 est 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 reci- 
 tations. No communication between cadets is 
 allowed in the section room. When the time ex- 
 pired 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 after-
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 117 
 
 noons 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 ex- 
 cuse a cadet from recitation. A cadet who was 
 sick enough to require it was taken into the hospi- 
 tal, or by the surgeon excused from reciting, but a 
 cadet excused from reciting had to go to and re- 
 main 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 
 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 Thanksgiv- 
 ing, Christmas and New Year's are always accepta- 
 ble days to a cadet, but he generally eats so much 
 turkey then, that he receives a poor mark at recita- 
 tions the next day.
 
 118 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 Not long before examination the instructor se- 
 lects 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 par- 
 tiality 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 "reveil- 
 les," 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 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
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 119 
 
 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 clay, 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 un- 
 buttoned. Of course I reported him for it. The 
 uext 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 sur-
 
 120 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 prised 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 bar- 
 racks and he did not know the orders, so he con- 
 sulted 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 bar- 
 racks are never locked, hence any cadet will 
 promptly report another for stealing and the thief 
 is summarily dealt with by the authorities. 
 
 In barracks sentinels are posted in the eight 
 halls, and they walk post only during meal hours, 
 evening call to quarters, and Sunday call to quar- 
 ters. 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, be- 
 ginning 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 ac-
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 121 
 
 quainted 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 any- 
 thing 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 approach- 
 ing 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 Satur- 
 day afternoon for his fun ; and the Corporal was re- 
 duced to the ranks for allowing his Relief to be 
 improperly relieved. 
 
 Cadets do not salute one another except on oc- 
 casions of ceremony prescribed by the regulations*. 
 Plebes address one another as Jones or Smith, 
 but they say 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
 
 122, CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 Mr. White or Mr. Black. Upper classmen address 
 one another as White and Black, but they say Mr. 
 W T hite 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 speak- 
 ing 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 explana- 
 tions, 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 ex- 
 changed, the military salute being the only recog- 
 nition. 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 Dutch- 
 woman's, near the postoffice (as no permits were
 
 THE PLEBB IN BARRACKS. 123 
 
 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 after- 
 noons we went down "Flirtation Walk," a beauti- 
 ful 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. 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 sea- 
 son had much in store for us. We received boxes 
 of sweetmeats from home, we had a theatrical per- 
 formance 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.
 
 124 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 A PARODY ON HOHENLINDEN. 
 
 At Wesi. 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 riven, 
 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 rolling 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., 18. 
 WEST POINT. 
 
 125
 
 126 CADET LIFE AT 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
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 127 
 
 PART II. 
 
 DARK TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE. 
 
 Othello Cadet Davis 
 
 (Ye Swarthy Moor.) 
 
 Desdemona Cadet McDonald 
 
 (As was gone back on.) 
 
 Prabantio Cadet McGinniss 
 
 Duke.'. Cadet "Doylle" 
 
 Senators, Assassins, Collectors of Internal Revenue, etc., by 
 the Company. 
 
 Music Orchestra
 
 128 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 129 
 
 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 Turn Tootle Turn Tay Solo and Chorus 
 
 Galop Militaire Cadet Band
 
 130 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 De- 
 partments" 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 Bar- 
 racks, 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 rec- 
 ommended 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 PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 131 
 
 The semi-annual examination commenced right 
 after New Years and when the class standing* 
 was announced, about thirty cadets were found 
 deficient, and discharged. At least half the de- 
 ficient 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 rear- 
 ranged 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 re- 
 ceived his "cadet warrant." 
 
 The plebes now began to make the best show 
 they could both about their rooms and in their 
 personal apearance. Those who could do so pro- 
 cured curtains 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. 
 
 See Appendix xx.
 
 132 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 Cadets having a taste for music were permitted 
 to have such musical instruments as banjos, gui- 
 tars 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, Chris- 
 tine Mlsson, 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 pur- 
 pose. 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
 
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 133
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 135 
 
 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 pres- 
 ent on this occasion neglected their duty for not 
 reporting every cadet, for "a button off dress coat 
 in Mess Ilall." About once a month on Saturday 
 evenings during the winter the band gave orches- 
 tra concerts at which cadets could be present. 
 
 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 mourn- 
 ing; 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
 
 136 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT" . 
 
 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 ceme- 
 tery just outside of the north gate overlooking the 
 Hudson at the foot of the highest peak of the High- 
 lands. 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. Dur- 
 ing 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
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 137 
 
 fourth classmen. At a class meeting we selected 
 six hop managers, six being our share for the sum- 
 mer 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 va- 
 cated its quarters and they were put in order for 
 the candidates, who reported in my day between 
 the first and tenth of June; now they do not report 
 until later in June, after the cadets have gone into 
 camp. 
 
 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 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 ca- 
 dets 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
 
 138 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 mid- 
 night. 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 can- 
 non 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 an- 
 other to the left. These two then made noises that 
 attracted the attention of the two engineer senti- 
 nels posted at night on the gravel walk, and sig- 
 naled that our coast was clear. We then rushed 
 across the walk through the Sally Fort and fired 
 that gun in the area. At the same time the can- 
 non balls were rolled along the porches in rear of 
 barracks, then we hastened to our rooms, un- 
 dressed and went to bed to await developments.
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 139 
 
 Oh, what a dandy report that gun made; it shook 
 the barracks and other buildings, too, and shat- 
 tered windows all around. The cannon balls were 
 also a great success, for they made a horrible rum- 
 bling sound. We awoke everybody. Lieutenant 
 
 If 1 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 ques- 
 tioned 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,
 
 140 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 so I staid iii my room and listened to the roll-call, 
 and when I discovered that I was not reported ab- 
 sent I went to bed. Lieutenant M 1 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 ap- 
 pearance, and then the class behaved all right, but 
 it was kept at drill till near breakfast time. Be- 
 fore being dismissed Colonel B k told the in- 
 nocent 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 break- 
 fast, and, of course, I fell in then. Before march- 
 ing to the Mess Hall an order was published con- 
 fining all members of the fourth class, except one 
 who was in the hospital, to the area of the bar- 
 racks until further orders. Some of the class had 
 relatives and friends at the Point, and the confine- 
 ment was hard on them, because cadets in confine- 
 ment 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
 
 SEDGWICK MONUMENT. CADET MONUMENT. 
 
 PROFESSORS' ROW.
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. 143 
 
 with guard-mount (now at 8 o'clock), then oral ex- 
 aminations 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, es- 
 pecially 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 for- 
 gotten. 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 ca- 
 dets had "permits." Not to speak of a hand- 
 some display of fireworks on one evening and the 
 graduating hop on another. During all these fes- 
 tivities, which lasted about three weeks, the cadets 
 and candidates were undergoing rigid examina- 
 tions, and at which many failed. Lists of the suc- 
 cessful 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 B k 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
 
 144 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 last time I had worn or seen it was on the pre- 
 vious 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 1 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 Com- 
 mandant's office. 
 
 Three of my class were turned out over new ca- 
 dets, and others of the class detailed to help drill 
 them, and when the new list of corporals was pub- 
 lished 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 dis- 
 covery that he was the nineteenth cousin of Queen 
 Victoria! 
 
 While in confinement C y wrote a song com- 
 memorating the firing of the gun in the area, and 
 the song was very popular in my day. The follow- 
 ing is my version of it:
 
 THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS. lit 
 
 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.
 
 146 
 
 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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.
 
 
 - -- w r n -'-V 
 
 147
 
 THE YEARLING. 149 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 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 dur- 
 ing the previous year that we needed a rest, 
 and we had it, too, as there was not much re- 
 quired 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 relaltives 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
 
 150 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 bar- 
 racks, 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 W 7 ar from Gee's Point at the big 
 bend of the river to Constitution Island near the 
 village of Cold Springs on the east side of the Hud- 
 son. We used to examine the place near the light- 
 house on Gee's Point, where one end of this chain 
 was fastened and wonder what effect such an ob- 
 struction 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 YEARLING. 151 
 
 the neighboring hills. Then we would visit Bat- 
 tery 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 lit- 
 tle cemetery, that have been erected at salient 
 points about the grounds to heroes who freely sac- 
 rificed 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."
 
 152 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 Lieutenant K g was a popular tactical offi- 
 cer 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 no- 
 ticed 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
 
 INSPECTION IN CAMP. 
 
 LIGHT ARTILLERY DRILL.
 
 THE YEARLING. 155 
 
 way of providing refreshments, they themselves 
 had brought baskets of cake and frnit. Knowing 
 that our quartette could be absent from camp for 
 several hours we picked up the baskets and 
 started. Attached to our boathouse there was an 
 inclined and also a floating dock, all fastened to- 
 gether, 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 un- 
 der 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 re- 
 turn 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
 
 156 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 hos- 
 pital 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 cor- 
 poral 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,* posted our hours of reci- 
 tation 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. When my platoon 
 marched into the hall we were all disappointed, 
 for, instead of finding our horses ready saddled, 
 
 See appendix.
 
 THE YEARLING. 157 
 
 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. 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 dismount- 
 ing 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
 
 158 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 hur- 
 dle, 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 hur- 
 dle, catch another ring and take another head. 
 We were also taught the various platoon move- 
 ments, 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 tacti- 
 cal 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 re-
 
 THE YEARLING. 159 
 
 plied 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 Lieu- 
 tenant 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 on 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
 
 160 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 tim- 
 ber, and after leaving the top it was hard to tell 
 just where we would find our way down. Unfor- 
 tunately, 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 Dutch- 
 woman'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 pa- 
 rade 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 fin- 
 ish a game of billiards he was playing at the offi- 
 cers' mess, and he arrived with the ladies at the 
 North Landing just in time to see the last ferry-
 
 GYMNASIUM. 
 
 LIBRARY.
 
 ^Programme 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Entertainment Given by the 
 U. S. Corps of Cadets, 
 
 NEW YEAR'S EVE., 18.... 
 WEST POINT. 
 
 163
 
 164 CADET LIFE AT 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
 
 THE YEARLING. 165 
 
 PART II. 
 
 Ye Sottl-Stirritig 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 
 
 "Catnille." 
 
 A Tragedy. 
 
 Camille Cadet Casey 
 
 (Tries to wheeden it.) 
 
 Armand Duvall Cadet Goddard 
 
 (The histrionic vender of peanuts.) 
 
 Music , , Orchestra
 
 166 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 PART III. 
 
 Dion Bourcicault's "Speelshakes" Unparalleled Combination 
 Overstrung Electro-Plated Tragedy of 
 
 Les Immortelles de la Classe Von-Bouaute. 
 
 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 over- 
 flowing 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 In- 
 spection. ' 
 
 Music Orchestra
 
 THE YEARLING. 167 
 
 PART IV. 
 
 Minstrels, by the Cadet Baud. 
 
 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
 
 168 , CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 ARTICLES OF WAR. 
 
 ARTICLE I. The managers wish it to be distinctly under- 
 stood 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 jurisdic- 
 tion over all violations of these Articles of Confederation, in- 
 cluding the use of peanuts, taffy, pop-corn or other raging 
 strong drink. 
 
 ART. II. In case of fire, to prevent unnecessary disturb- 
 ance, the audience will be formed in two ranks endwise, the 
 right wing resting on the Chapel steps, the left on the Declara- 
 tion of Independence, bayonets fixed and trimmings to be worn 
 on the outside of the mess hall. Should the danger be immi- 
 nent a small detail, made by the Superintendent on recom- 
 mendation 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 for- 
 ward it to the Secretary of War, who will refer it to the Third 
 Auditor of the Treasury to ascertain how much of the neces- 
 sary appropriation remains unexpended. It will then be ex- 
 posed 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.
 
 THE YEARLING. 169 
 
 boat 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 has- 
 tened 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 Lieu- 
 tenant would be especially careful with me at in- 
 spection, 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 yes- 
 terday?" I replied, "Yes, sir." He then asked: 
 "Did the young ladies get home safely?" and I an- 
 swered, "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
 
 170 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 com- 
 panies 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 bar- 
 racks 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 we 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. En- 
 gineer 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 un- 
 fortunate 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.
 
 THE YEARLING. 111 
 
 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 break- 
 fast 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 ca- 
 det had not provided a lunch for himself and he 
 wished to attend a "fight" at Fort Clinton a class- 
 mate 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 arti- 
 cles of food from the Mess Hall as they could con- 
 ceal 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 rub- 
 ber 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
 
 172 . CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 roommate. 
 
 The paraphrase, by T n of the class of 18, 
 
 gives a good account of "a cadet hash" and the re- 
 sults 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.
 
 THE YEARLING. 173 
 
 "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 ap- 
 pointee. 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.
 
 174 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 him- 
 self. 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 re- 
 peatedly 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
 
 THE YEARLING. 175 
 
 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, unbe- 
 known 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 ar- 
 rived 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 ex- 
 pected, 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
 
 176 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 mean- 
 time 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 can- 
 didates 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 ap- 
 preciate 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 candi- 
 dates 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 Com- 
 missary 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
 
 THE YEARLING. 177 
 
 those who ordered at the Commissary could try 
 them on, while the others had to wait for theirs un- 
 til 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.* 
 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. 
 
 *From songs by the Class of 1897,
 
 178 
 
 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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.
 
 THE FURLOUGHMAN. 179 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 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 unfor- 
 tunates 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 ex- 
 piration 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 dol- 
 lars in addition to the "equipment fund." Four 
 dollars per month is retained from the pay of each
 
 180 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 pres- 
 ent 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 wait- 
 ing for thee to come home. During the war I no- 
 ticed that soldiers always stepped off with the left 
 foot first, and now that thee has been to the Gov- 
 ernment's Military School for two years, thee prob- 
 ably 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 bat- 
 talion of State Militia in camp, and I was request- 
 ed 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 com- 
 manding 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,
 
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 THE FURLOUGHMAN. 183 
 
 the militia of my state was not then as well post- 
 ed on tactics 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 usual- 
 ly 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 Belk- 
 nap," 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 Adju- 
 tant. W T e 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* of the four years. It did not take 
 us long to get down to hard study and drill again 
 
 "See Appendix.
 
 184 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 cus- 
 tom to have a class picture taken upon the chapel 
 steps, and when sitting for this picture furlough- 
 men generally look as "tough" as possible, as may 
 be seen from the picture of the group of furlough- 
 men. 
 
 When marching to and from meals, long be- 
 fore I myself became a second classman, I ob- 
 served 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 1 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 senti- 
 nel; 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 
 guai;d. Neither did I march to and from meals
 
 THE FURLOUGHMAN. 185 
 
 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 call- 
 ers. He always treated them to waffles and 
 maple syrup or to something else equally as deli- 
 cious 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 prop- 
 erty. G r, of my class, had an "Argand burn- 
 er," 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 sev- 
 eral 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. O 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.
 
 186 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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, fig- 
 ures, 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 bet- 
 ter results in water color work the professor occa- 
 sionally directed a cadet to wash out a part of his 
 drawing and begin that part over again. In look- 
 ing 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 profes- 
 sor 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 speci- 
 men of cadet pen and ink work. 
 
 We were kept so busy during this year that the 
 time passed rapidly, notwithstanding many priv- 
 ileges that we had enjoyed were taken away from
 
 THE PURLOUGHMAN. 187 
 
 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.
 
 188 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 bat- 
 tery; the next year with horses at the light bat- 
 tery; 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 bar- 
 rel 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 bar- 
 rel from its post, a feat rarely accomplished, as 
 it is very difficult to strike a small object with a 
 mortar.
 
 THE FURLOUGHMAN. 189 
 
 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, ap- 
 preciating 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 de- 
 merits 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 ac- 
 cept 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
 
 190 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 time, and that was all. "Off Limits" is a serious 
 offense, especially in an old cadet, and besides re- 
 ceiving five or six demerits, I was given six "extras" 
 officially designated as "Saturday afternoon pun- 
 ishments." 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 be- 
 fore 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 ab- 
 sent 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. 
 
 Graduates often wear a modest little button that 
 was adopted many years ago at an Alumni meet- 
 ing at West Point. It is a miniature "bell button"
 
 
 191
 
 THE FURLOUGHMAN. 193 
 
 in shape, with the eye soldered to a circular base 
 piece. The part next to the eye is a gray stone, 
 emblematical of the cadet gray; then there is a 
 gold band for the class motto, then a dark blue 
 stone symbolical of the army blue; then a round 
 piece of gold for the year of graduation. The date 
 piece is fastened on its under side to the eye piece, 
 through holes in the stones. 
 
 The graduating class this year was an unusually 
 large one and fears were entertained that there 
 would not be vacancies enough in the army for all 
 of this class, for the promotion of the meritorious 
 non-commissioned officers from among the enlist- 
 ed men in the army and also for the usual num- 
 ber of appointments as second lieutenants in the 
 army, direct from civil life, members of this class 
 were encouraged to resign immediately upon grad- 
 uation. As only one graduate of this class re- 
 signed his commission as second lieutenant, the 
 number of appointments direct from civil life was 
 materially reduced. 
 
 Ever since the foundation of the Academy the 
 graduates have been promoted to the lowest com- 
 missioned grade in the army, and only eleven of 
 the 3,741 have resigned immediately upon gradu- 
 ation. In 1880 four of the eleven took advantage 
 of an Act of Congress approved June 23, 1879, 
 which provided "That each member of the gradu- 
 ating 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
 
 194 
 
 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 of seven hundred and fifty dollars and mileage 
 to his place of residence; and the acceptance of 
 this gross sum shall render him ineligible to ap- 
 pointment in the army, except in the event of war, 
 until two years after his graduation; and the 
 amount required to defray the expenditure herein 
 provided for shall be paid out of any money in the 
 treasury not otherwise appropriated." The Act of 
 Congress approved May 17, 1886, given in the ap- 
 pendix, is now in force. 

 
 THE GRADUATE. 197 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE GRADUATE. 
 
 A.FTER 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 obliga- 
 tory 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 morn- 
 ing in the pretty little chapel, 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.
 
 198 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 In my day, by special dispensation, twelve 
 cadets of the first class were permitted to take 
 meals at the Misses Thompson, who lived in Gen- 
 eral 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 Thomp- 
 son'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, 18. 
 
 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, 
 
 E. U n, Com'd'g Co. "C." 
 
 Comdt. Cadets. 
 
 Approved: 
 
 T. H. R r, 
 
 Superintendent. 
 
 The father of these old ladies rendered most 
 valuable services to General Washington during 
 the Revolutionary War, and as his family was left
 
 JULY 4 18.... 
 
 ANNIVERSARY 
 
 OP 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. 
 
 199
 
 THE GRADUATE. 201 
 
 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 : "Cathar- 
 ine 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 con- 
 finement 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 per- 
 mission to be with him in rear of the guard tents 
 for half an hour. We could not talk about every- 
 thing 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
 
 202 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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' confine- 
 ment 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 of- 
 fense he was reduced to the ranks. It was not 
 long a*fterward that the young lady saw him carry- 
 ing 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 un- 
 til 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
 
 i) 
 
 *%G 
 
 
 ,0 HARRISON E.S8CCOW- jE ' y, 
 
 f - 'IE. o.J.CRITTEKDEN. J.ft * 6Ff W* 
 
 f. .*66 W? '>'" 
 
 J -I.OALDVKCN. J H.KING "-^* 
 
 tl 
 
 
 a: 
 
 203
 
 THE GRADUATE. 205 
 
 during camp and in barracks on Saturday after- 
 noons the boats were always in demand. Now 
 first classmen only enjoy boating privileges. 
 
 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
 
 206 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 
 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
 
 THE GRADUATE. 209 
 
 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 be- 
 stow 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
 
 210 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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, Lan- 
 ders, Redowa, Polka, Polka-Redowa, Quadrille, 
 chottische 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 its 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.
 
 THE GRADUATE. 211 
 
 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 3 r ou, 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."
 
 212 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 be- 
 fore then, as I would be too busy to see much of 
 them. The fact was I would not get out of con- 
 finement 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 pre- 
 paid to my father, and as he supposed that I had 
 written about it, he did not write. My father

 
 THE GRADUATE. 215 
 
 opened the box and not knowing anything about 
 cactus, he took it cautiously in his hands, with 
 the natural painful results. He dropped the cac- 
 tus, 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, him- 
 self an old graduate of the Academy, caught sev- 
 eral 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 or- 
 chard. 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 attract-
 
 216 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 ing 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. Kins- 
 ley told him that she did not object to any one tak- 
 ing 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." Jewel- 
 ers 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 receiv- 
 ing about twenty samples we held class meetings, 
 and after much discussion part of the class want- 

 
 THE GRADUATE. 219 
 
 ed to adopt one of the designs while the rest want- 
 ed 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 de- 
 cide 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 mem- 
 ber 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, de- 
 cided to add Latin to our course, and that "Omnia 
 pro Patria" should embody the entire course of 
 i Latin for our class, and for fear that we might for-
 
 220 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 get it we adopted it as the motto of our class. We 
 then agreed that the motto, when cut in the set- 
 ting of the class ring, should be put on a ribbon, 
 partially enclosing the last two figures of our grad- 
 uating 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 select- 
 ed the photographer that should make our Class 
 Albums, 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 Janu- 
 ary 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 sev- 
 eral 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 Flir- 
 tation Walk, where trees and bushes covered their 
 retreat. The referee declared the fight off. The 
 principals respected one another's fighting quali- 
 ties and afterward became warm friends. The
 
 THE GRADUATE. 221 
 
 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 , 18. 
 
 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.
 
 222 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 The secretary did this because he was gratified 
 by the conduct and marked improvement and bear- 
 ing 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 relaxa- 
 tion from the close confinement to which they were 
 subjected at the Academy. Furthermore, he de- 
 sired to show the people gathered nt the Capitol 
 from all parts of the country a body of young mili- 
 tary 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 quar- 
 tered at the Ebbitt House, and in the afternoon 
 gave a drill and dress parade before a large audi- 
 ence in front of the Arlington. In the evening we 
 were given the freedom of the city, the Delin- 
 quency 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 undercloth- 
 ing, 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 applaud- 
 ing 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
 
 a (Concert 
 
 BY THE 
 
 ORCHESTRAL BAND 
 
 WILL BE GIVEN IN 
 
 THE LIBRARY, 
 
 THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 18. 
 
 COMMENCING AT 7:30 O'CLOCK, P. M. 
 
 PROGRAMME. 
 (No. 7.) 
 
 No. 1. March, Tannhauser Wagner 
 
 2. Ouverture, Rui Bias 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
 
 * */
 
 lir^J)^^
 
 226 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 bal- 
 ance 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. Sena- 
 tors and Representatives, Foreign Ministers, Pres- 
 idential 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. 
 
 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. Every- 
 body at this grand ball had to present a ticket of 
 admission, except the cadets and midshipmen, 
 whose uniforms admitted them.
 
 THE GRADUATE. 227 
 
 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 refresh- 
 ments. The march up Broadway was amid a con- 
 tinuous 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 Penn- 
 sylvania 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 de- 
 scription. Thousands of persons viewed their 
 drills from the streets and indoors, and all were of 
 the opinion expressed above. If there are any bet- 
 ter 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 re- 
 joicing on the hundredth, fiftieth and twenty-fifth
 
 228 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 nights. On the hundredth night there was a spe- 
 cial 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.
 
 FROM 
 
 PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY IS 
 REOUESTED AT THE FAREWELL H#P 
 
 given to the GRADUAT1N GLASS 
 
 J HANSELL FRENCH 
 
 J. HANSELL FRENCH 
 W"H. WHEELER 
 LOUIS A CRAIG 
 
 LUTHER R. HARE 
 
 ^otnjjuttee. 
 
 C E.SCOTT WOOD 
 
 EDGAR B ROBERTSON 
 
 LOTUS N1LES 
 
 WILLIS WITT1CH. 
 
 WILLIS WITTICH. 
 
 JAS. L.WILSON. 
 
 LUTHER R. HARE .
 
 THE GRADUATE. 231 
 
 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. 
 
 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 offi- 
 cers of that high rank. Military goods dealers and 
 tailors were frequent visitors at the Point on Sat- 
 urday 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,
 
 232 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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 IT 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 stand- 
 ing, and after the first of June he makes applica- 
 tion substantially as follows: 
 
 "'United States Military Academy, 
 West Point, N. Y. 
 
 June , 18 . 
 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."
 
 " 
 
 hmmk?
 
 THE GRADUATE. 235 
 
 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 grad- 
 uating class. The usual salute, review, drills, fire- 
 works 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 dis- 
 charged on the last day. The weather on gradu- 
 ating day was perfect, and at the appointed hour 
 my class was escorted by the Corps of Cadets to the
 
 236 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 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, sur- 
 rounded by our schoolmates, professors, instruc- 
 tors and the many others, listening to the Chap- 
 lain'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 Presi- 
 dent'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, won- 
 dering 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 surround- 
 ings 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.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Appointments, f 
 
 How Made. Each Congressional District and Territory also the 
 District of Columbia is entitled to have one cadet at the academy. 
 Ten are also appointed at large. The appointments (except those at 
 large) are made by the Secretary of War at the request of the repre- 
 sentative, or delegrate. in Congress from the district or territory; and 
 the person appointed must be an actual resident of the district or ter- 
 ritory from which the appointment is made. The appointments at 
 large are specially conferred by the President of the United States. 
 
 Manner of Making Appointments. Applications can be made at 
 any time, by letter to the Secretary of War, to have the name of 
 the applicant placed upon the register that it may be furnished to the 
 proper representative, or delegate, when a vacancy occurs. The 
 application must exhibit the full name, date of birth, and permanent 
 abode of the applicant, with th<? number of the congressional district 
 in which his residence is situated. 
 
 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 annual examination. 
 
 Alternates. The representative, or delegate, in Congress may 
 nominate a legally qualified second candidate to be designated the 
 alternate. The alternate will receive from the War Department a 
 letter of appointment, and will be exam'ned with the regular appointee, 
 and if duly qualified will be admitted to the academy in the event of 
 the failure of the principal to pass the prescribed preliminary 
 examinations. The alternate will not be allowed to defer his report- 
 ing at the place stated till the result of the examination of the regular 
 appointee is known, but must report at the time designated in his 
 
 {Revised to June i, 1896.
 
 CADET LltE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 letter of appointment. The alternate, like the nominee, should be desig- 
 nated as nearly one year in advance of date of admission as possible.* 
 
 ADMISSION OF CADETS. 
 
 Candidates selected by the War Department shall be instructed to 
 appear for mental and physical examination, before Boards of Army 
 Officers to be convened at such places as the War Department may 
 select, on the ist day of March annually (except when that day comes 
 on Sunday, in which case the examination will commence on the fol- 
 lowing Tuesday). The candidates who pass successfully shall be 
 admitted to the Academy in the following June. 
 
 Candidates selected to fill the vacancies unprovided for at the 
 examinations held in March, shall be instructed to report at West 
 Point for mental and physical examination early in June. No can- 
 didate shall be examined at any other time, unless prevented from 
 presenting himself by sickness, or some other unavoidable cause, in 
 which case he shall be examined during the last week in August. 
 
 Immediately after reporting to the Adjutant for admission, 
 and before receiving his warrant of appointment, the candidate is 
 required to sign an engagement for service in the following form, in 
 the presence of the Superintendent, or of some officer deputed by him: 
 
 "I of the State (or Territory) of aged .... years 
 
 and .... 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 Con- 
 stitution of the United States, and bear true allegiance to the National 
 Government; that I will maintain 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 
 
 eighteen hundred and , before me. 
 
 Alternates have been appointed every year since 1877.
 
 APPENDIX. iii 
 
 Qualifications. The age for the admission of cadets to the Acad- 
 emy is between seventeen and twenty-two years. Candidates must be 
 unmarried, at least five feet in height, free from any infectious or im- 
 moral disorder, and generally from any deformity, disease, or infirm- 
 ity which may render them unfit for military service. They must be 
 well versed in reading, in writing including orthography, in arithme-* 
 tic, and 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. 
 
 Character of Examinations.* 
 
 physical examination. 
 
 Every candidate is subjected to a rigid physical examination, and 
 if there is found to exist in him any of the following causes of dis- 
 qualification to such a degree as would immediately or at no very 
 distant period impair his efficiency, he is rejected. 
 
 i. Feeble condition and 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. 
 
 *It is suggested to all candidates for admission to the Military 
 Academy that, before leaving their residence for the place designated, 
 they should cause themselves to be thoroughly examined by a compe- 
 tent physician, and by a teacher or instructor in good standing. By 
 such an examination any serious disqualification or deficiency in men- 
 tal 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 rec- 
 ommended is solely for the convenience and benefit of the candidate 
 himself, and can in no manner affect the decision of the official 
 Examining Boards. 
 
 Note. There being no provision whatever for the payment of the 
 traveling expenses of either accepted or rejected candidates for admis- 
 sion, 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.
 
 iv CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 4. Impaired vision, from whatever cause; inflammatory affec- 
 tions 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 pulmonary disease. 
 
 9. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or both of the supe- 
 rior extremities on account of fractures, especially of the clavicle, 
 contraction of a joint, 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 the spermatic 
 cord (when large), hydrocele, hemorrhoids, fistulas. 
 
 13. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or both of the infer- 
 ior extremities on account of varicose veins, fractures, malformations 
 (flat feet, etc.), lameness, contraction, unequal length, bunions, over- 
 lying or supernumary toes, etc. 
 
 14. Ulcers or unsound cicatrices of ulcers likely to break out 
 afresh. 
 
 ACADEMICAL EXAMINATION. 
 
 Reading. In Reading, candidates must be able to read under- 
 standing^, and with proper accent and emphasis. 
 
 Writing and Orthography. In Writing and Orthography, they 
 must be able, from dictation, to write sentences from standard pieces 
 of English literature, both prose and poetry, sufficient in number to 
 test their qualifications both in handwriting and orthography. They 
 must also be able to write and spell correctly from dictation, a certain 
 number of standard test words. 
 
 Arithmetic. In Arithmetic; they must be able 
 
 1st. To explain,, accurately and clearly, its objects and the mau- 
 ner of writing and reading numbers entire, fractional, compound or 
 denominate. 
 
 2d. To perform with facility and accuracy the various operations 
 of addition, subtraction, multiplication aHd division of whole num- 
 bers, abstract, compound or denominate, giving the rule for each 
 operation, with its reasons, and also for the different methods of prov- 
 ing the accuracy of the work. 
 
 3d. To explain the meaning of reduction its different kinds
 
 APPENDIX. v 
 
 its application to denominate numbers in reducing them from a higher 
 to a lower denomination and the reverse, and to equivalent decimals, 
 to give the rule for each case, and to apply readily these rules to prac- 
 tical examples of each kind. 
 
 4th. To explain the nature of prime numbers, and factors of a 
 number of a common divisor of two or more numbers, particularly 
 of their greatest common divisor with its use, and to give the rule; 
 with its reasons, for obtaining it, also the meaning of a common mul- 
 tiple of several numbers, particularly of their least common multiple 
 and its use, and to give the rule, with its reasons, for obtaining it 
 and to apply each of these rules to examples. 
 
 5th. To explain the nature of fractions, common or vulgar, and 
 decimal to define the various kinds effractions, with the distinguish- 
 ing properties of each to give all the rules for their reduction; par- 
 ticularly from mixed to improper and the reverse from compound or 
 complex to simple to their lowest terms to a common denominator 
 from common to decimal and the reverse; for their addition, sub- 
 traction, multiplication and division, with the reason for each change 
 of rule, and to apply each rule to examples. 
 
 6th. To define the terms ratio and proportion to give the prop- 
 erties of proportion and the rules and their reasons for stating and 
 solving questions in both simple and compound proportion, or single 
 and double rule of three, and to apply each rule to examples. 
 
 7th. The candidates must not only know the principles and rules 
 referred to above, but they are required to possess such a thorough 
 understanding of all the fundamental operations of arithmetic as will 
 enable them to combine the various principles in the solution of any 
 complex problem which can be solved by the methods of arithmetic. 
 In other words, they must possess such a complete knowledge of 
 arithmetic as will enable them to take up at once the higher branches 
 of mathematics without further study of arithmetic. 
 
 8th. It is to be understood that the examination in these branches 
 may be either written or oral, or partly written and partly oral that 
 the definitions and rules must be given fully and accurately, and that 
 the work of all examples, whether upon the blackboard, slate or paper, 
 must be written plainly and in full, and in such a manner as to show 
 clearly the mode of solution. 
 
 The following examples and questions in Arithmetic are a few of 
 those which have been used at past examinations. They are 
 given in order to indicate more clearly what is required, but it
 
 vi CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 should be distinctly understood that entirely different ones are used 
 each year. 
 
 Multiply 4.32 by .00012. 
 
 Explain the reason for placing the decimal point in the answer. 
 [The rule for so doing is not the reason.] 
 
 Reduce t to an equivalent decimal. 
 
 Divide 3380321 by MDCCXCIX, and express the quotient by 
 the Roman system of notation. 
 
 Change .013 to an equivalent fraction whose denominator is 135. 
 
 Find the greatest common divisor of 26^, 28%, and 29^. 
 
 How many men would be required to cultivate a field of 2^ acres in 
 5% days of 10 hours each, if each man completed 77 yards in 9 hours? 
 
 Separate 772% into three numbers, which shall be in the same 
 proportion as 2^, ^, x %. 
 
 5 cubic feet of gold weigh 98.20 times as much as a cubic foot of 
 water; and 2 cubic feet of copper weigh 18 times as much as a cubic 
 foot of water; how many cubic inches of copper will weigh as much 
 as I of a cubic inch of gold? 
 
 Find the least common multiple for the numbers )(, 2,1, 5.25, %. 
 A wins 9 games out of 15 when playing against B, and 16 out of 25 
 when playing against C. How many games out of 118 should C win 
 when playing against B? 
 
 A and B run a race, their rates of running being as 17 to 18. A 
 runs 2J/3 miles in 16 minutes and 48 seconds, and B runs the entire 
 distance in 34 minutes. What was the entire distance? 
 
 A and B can do a piece of work in 4 hours, A and C in 3! hours, 
 B and C in 5} hours. In what time can A do it alone? 
 
 English shillings are coined from a metal which contains 37 parts 
 of silver to 3 parts of alloy: one pound of this metal is coined into 
 66 shillings. The United States silver dollar weighs 412.5 grains, 
 and consists of 9 parts of sih/er to 1 part of alloy. What fraction of 
 the U. S. dollar will contain the same amount of silver as 1 English 
 shilling? 
 
 Give the rules for reducing a decimal of a given denomination to 
 integers of lower denomination. 
 
 What is the effect of dividing the denominator of a fraction by a 
 whole number, and why?
 
 APPENDIX. vii 
 
 Explain the difference between a common fraction and a decimal. 
 
 What is the effect of annexing a cipher to a decimal, and why? 
 
 If the same number be subtracted from both terms of an improper 
 fraction, what will be the effect? Why. 
 
 Give the rule for reducing a common fraction to an equivalent 
 decimal, and explain why the resulting fraction will be equal to the 
 common fraction from which it is obtained. 
 
 Give the rule for dividing one decimal by another, and explain 
 why the decimal point in the quotient is placed where the rule directs. 
 
 Define Reduction, and state the different kinds. 
 
 Grammar. In English Grammar, the candidates must be able 
 
 ist. To define the parts of speech, and give their classes and 
 properties; 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. 
 
 2d. To parse fully and correctly any ordinary sentence, omitting 
 rules, declensions, comparisons and principal parts, but 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 connects, what each adjective and adverb qualifies 
 or limits the construction of each infinitive, and, generally, showing a 
 good knowledge of the function of each word in the sentence. Omis- 
 sions will be taken to indicate ignorance. 
 
 3d. To correct in sentences or extracts any ordinary grammatical 
 errors such as are mentioned and explained in orninary grammars. 
 
 It is not required that any particular grammarian or text-book 
 shall be followed; but rules, definitions, parsing and corrections must 
 be in accordance with common usage and good sense. The examina- 
 tion may be written or oral, or both written and oral. 
 
 Geography. Candidates will be required to pass a satisfactory 
 examination, written or oral, or both, in Geography, particularly of 
 our own country. To give a candidate a clear idea of what is required, 
 the following synopsis is added to show the character and extent of 
 the examination. Questions are likely to be asked involving knowl- 
 edge of: 
 
 ist. Definitions of the geographical circles, of latitude, and longi- 
 tude, of zones and of all the natural divisions of the earth's surface, 
 as islands, seas, capes, etc.
 
 viii CADET LIFE /. T WEST POfNT. 
 
 2d. The continental areas and grand divisions of the water of 
 the earth's surface. 
 
 3d. The grand divisions of the land the large bodies of water 
 which in part or wholly surround them. 
 
 Their principal mountains, location, direction, and extert, the 
 capes from what parts they project and into what parts? 
 
 Their principal peninsulas, location, and by what waters they are 
 embraced? 
 
 The parts connected by peninsulas, if any. 
 
 Their 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. 
 
 Their principal rivers, their sources, 'direction of flow, and the 
 waters into which they empty. 
 
 Their principal lakes, location and extent. 
 
 4th. The political divisions of the grand divisions. 
 
 Their names, locations, boundaries, and capitals; general questions 
 of the same character as indicated in the second section; made appli- 
 cable to each of the countries of each of the grand divisions. 
 
 5th. The United States. 
 
 The candidate should be thoroughly informed as to its general fea- 
 tures, configuration, location, and boundaries (both with respect to 
 neighboring countries and latitude and lognitude); its adjacent oceans, 
 seas, bays, gulfs, sounds, straits, and islands; its mountain ranges, 
 their location and extent; the sources, directions, and terminations of 
 the important rivers and their principal tributaries; the lakes, and, in 
 short, every geographical feature of the country as indicated above. 
 The location and termination of important railroad lines and other 
 means of communication from one part of the country to another should 
 not be omitted. 
 
 The States and Territories are to be accurately located with 
 respect to each other by their boundaries, and as to their order along 
 the Atlantic Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Coast, the Northern 
 frontier, the Mexican frontier, and the Mississippi, Missouri and 
 Ohio Rivers. 
 
 The boundary and other large rivers of each State, as well as all 
 other prominent geographical features should be known. 
 
 The names and locations of their capitals, and other important 
 pities are likewise to be known.
 
 APPENDIX. ix 
 
 In short, the knowledge should be so complete that a clear mental 
 picture of the whole or any part of the United States is impressed on the 
 mind of the candidate. More weight is attached to a knowledge of 
 the geography of the United States than to that of all other countries 
 combined. 
 
 History. The candidate should make himself familiar with so 
 much of the History of the United States as is contained in the ordi- 
 nary school histories. The examination may be written or oral, or 
 partly written and partly oral, and will usually consist of a series of 
 questions similar to the following: 
 
 I. Name the earliest European settlements within the present 
 limits of the United States when, where and by whom made? When 
 did the settlements made by other nations than the English come 
 under the dominion of Great Britian, and of the United States? 
 
 II. What was the difference between the Royal, the Chartered 
 and the Proprietary colonies? How many colonies were there origi- 
 nally in Massachusetts and Connecticut? When were they united? 
 How many in Pennsylvania? When were they separated? 
 
 III. In what wars were the colonies engaged before the Revolu- 
 tion? What were the principal events and results of those of King 
 William, Queen Anne, King George and the French and Indian? 
 
 IV. What were the remote and the immediate causes of the 
 American Revolution? Explain the Navigation Act, Stamp Act, 
 Writs of Assistance. When did the War of the Revolution properly 
 begin? When, where and how did it end? Give the particulars 
 of Arnold's treason? Who were the most prominent generals in this 
 war? Name the most important battles and their results. 
 
 V. The Constitution of the United States why and when was it 
 formed? When was it adopted? 
 
 VI. Give the names of the Presidents of the United States in 
 their order. Give the leading events of the administration of each 
 one; for example, that of 
 
 Washington. Indian War; trouble with France; Jay's treaty; 
 the whisky rebellion, etc. 
 
 Jefferson. War with Tripoli; purchase of Louisiana; the em- 
 bargo, etc. 
 
 Madison. War of 1812; its causes; the principal battles on land 
 and sea; peculiarity of the last battle; when ended, etc. 
 
 Monroe. Indian War; cession of Florida, Missouri Compro- 
 mise, etc.
 
 x CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 Jackson. Black Hawk and Seminole wars; the United States 
 Bank, ; nullication, etc. 
 
 Polk The Mexican War; its causes; principal battles; results 
 of it, etc 
 
 Pierce, Repeal of Missouri Compromise; troubles in Kansas, etc. 
 
 Buchanan Civil War; how begun, etc. 
 
 Lincoln. War of the Rebellion; its causes; its results, social and 
 political; explain doctrine of State Sovereignty; alienation between 
 Northern and Southern States; doctrine of secession; give an account 
 of principal battles. 
 
 Johnson. Fourteenth Amendment; Tenure of Office Bill; John- 
 son's Impeachment. 
 
 Grant. Fifteenth Amendment; Alabama Claims and Treaty of 
 Washington; Electoral Commission. 
 
 Academic Duties. 
 
 The academic duties and exerciges commence on the first of Sep- 
 tember and continne until the first of June. Examinations of the sev- 
 eral classes are held in January and June, and, at the former, such of 
 the new cadets as are found proficient in studies and have been cor- 
 rect in conduct are given the particular standing in their class to 
 which their merits entitle them. After each examination, cadets 
 found deficient in conduct or studies are discharged from the Acad- 
 emy, unless the Academic Board for special reasons in each case 
 should otherwise recommend. Similar examinations are held every 
 January and June during the four years comprising the course of 
 studies 
 
 These examinations are very thorough, and require from the cadet 
 a close and persevering attention to study, without evasion or slightiug 
 of any part of the course, as no relaxation of any kind can be made by 
 the examiners. 
 
 Military Instruction. From the termination of the examination in 
 June to the end of August the cadets live in camp, engaged only 
 in military duties and exercises and receiving practical military 
 instruction. 
 
 Except in extreme cases, cadets are allowed but one leave of 
 absence during the four years' course; as a rule the leave is granted 
 at the end of the first two years' course of study.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Pay of Cadets. 
 
 The pay of a cadet is $540 per year, to commence with his 
 admission to the Academy, and is sufficient, with proper economy, 
 for his support. 1N0 cadet is permitted to receive money, or any 
 other supplies, from his parents, or from any person whomsoever, 
 without the sanction of the Superintendent. 
 
 Each cadet must keep himself supplied with the following men- 
 tioned articles, viz. : 
 
 Two pairs of uniform shoes; *one pair of overshoes (Arctic); *six 
 towels, face; *two towels, bathing; one mattress; one pillow; *two 
 pillow-cases 35-in. by 45-in. ; *four sheets 10/4 by 6/4; *two blankets 
 (white); *one comfortable or quilted bed cover; one wash bowl; *one 
 bottle of indelible ink; *one clothes brush or whisk broom; *one hair- 
 brush; *one tooth-brush; *one nail-brush; *one shaving-brush and 
 mug; *one shoe-brush; *one razor; *one razor strop; *two pairs of 
 white suspenders; *six white shirts; *two night shirts; *six summer 
 under-shirts; *six winter under-shirts; *six pairs of summer drawers; 
 *six pairs of winter drawers; *six pairs of summer socks; *six pairs of 
 winter socks; *six pocket handkerchiefs: *six pairs of cuffs; twelve 
 white linen collars; six pairs of white Berlin gloves; two sets of white 
 belts; one chair; *one pen knife; one account book; *one trunk. 
 
 Candidates are authorized to bring with them the articles marked*; 
 they are however informed that such articles can be purchased at 
 regulated prices from the Cadet Quartermaster's Department at West 
 Point, after their arrival. 
 
 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. 
 
 Expenses of Candidates Prior to Admission. 
 
 The expenses of a candidate for board, washing, lights, &c, after 
 he has reported and prior to admission, will be about $10. Immedi- 
 ately after being admitted to the institution he must be provided with 
 an outfit or uniform, the cost of which will be about $90, making a 
 total sum of $100, which must be deposited with the Treasurer of the 
 Academy before the candidate is admitted. It is best for a candidate 
 to take with him no more money than will defray his traveling ex- 
 penses, and for the parent or guardian to send to ' ' The Treasurer of 
 the U. S. Military Academy" the required deposit of $100. Any
 
 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 deviation from the rule as to the amount or manner of making the de- 
 posit must be explained in writing by the parent or guardian of the 
 candidate to the Superintendent of the Academy. 
 
 Assignment to Corps After Graduation. 
 
 The attention of applicants and candidates is called to the follow- 
 ing provisions of the Act of Congress approved May 17, 1886, to regu- 
 late the promotion of graduates of the United States Military 
 Academy : 
 
 "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." 
 
 General Qualifications. 
 
 A sound body and constitution, suitable preparation, good natural 
 capacity, an aptitude for study, industrious habits, perseverance, and 
 obedient and orderly disposition, and a correct moral deportment are 
 such essential qualifications that candidates knowingly deficient in 
 any of these respects, should not, as many do, subject themselves and 
 their friends to the chances of future mortification and disappointment 
 by accepting appointments at the Academy and entering upon a career 
 which they candot successfully pursue. 
 
 Candidates Failing. 
 
 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 reap- 
 pointed or be appointed to any place in the army before his class 
 shall have left the Academy and received their commissions. [Sec- 
 tion 1325, Revised Statutes United States.]
 
 APPENDIX. xiii 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES* 
 Each candidate on arrival at the Military Academy will 
 i. On reporting to the Adjutant present for examination his 
 letter of appointment. Subsequently he will be called upon to 
 2. Register. 
 
 (I.) Name, clearly and in full; age (in years and months); place 
 of residence (postoffice, county and state); district from w hich ap 
 pointed; where born (state or territory); name and address of parents 
 or guardian; date of birth. 
 
 (II.) Are both parents living, nationality of each, etc.; profes- 
 sion or occupation of parent or guardian; circumstances of parent or 
 guardian, whether affluent, moderate, reduced, or indigent; whether 
 candidate is from the country, town or city; appointment, how ob- 
 tained, whether by competitive examination or direct appointment; 
 if by competitive examination, how many competitors (including self); 
 also whether he has ever previously reported as a candidate at the 
 Military Academy. 
 
 ( Common School. 
 
 Time in years and 
 months of attend- 
 ance at 
 
 Public School . . .. } HighSchool 
 Private School . . . . j gj mmon SchooL 
 
 gh School. 
 Normal School or Academy. 
 College. 
 Time employed in private study within the last 
 
 five years. 
 s Time engaged as teacher. 
 
 3. The candidate will then be sent under charge of an orderly to 
 the Medical Board for physical examination, and upon returning will 
 present to the Adjutant the report of the same. Should this be satis- 
 factory 
 
 4. The candtdate will then be sent to the Treasurer to deposit all 
 the funds in his possession. The memorandum received from the 
 Treasurer will be presented to the adjutant. 
 
 5. The candidate will then he sent to the cadet barracks to report 
 to the officer in charge of new cadets. 
 
 6. It is important that the data called for in registering be given 
 truthfully and as accurately as possible. This information, so far as 
 it relates to the individual candidates, is not for publication, these 
 records being considered confidential. 
 
 This is handed to candidates in the Adjutant's office after their 
 arrival at West Point.
 
 XIV 
 
 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 TABLE SHOWING DISPOSITION OF CANDIDATES. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 APPENDIX. 
 
 TABLE SHOWING DISPOSITION OF CANDIDATES Continued. 
 
 
 73 
 
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 XVI 
 
 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 TABLE SHOWING DISPOSITION OF CANDIDATES - Continued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 , 
 
 fil 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GRADUATED. 
 
 
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 4.... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 5.... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ... 5 
 
 6.... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ... 6 
 
 
 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 
 
 80 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 
 Total . . 
 
 
 
 7,798 
 
 881 
 
 59 
 
 47 
 
 2,964 577 
 
 3,741 
 
 
 
 48 
 
 167 
 
 ..Total 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 APPENDIX. xvii 
 
 COURSE OF STUDY AND BOOKS USED AT THE MILI- 
 TARY ACADEMY4 
 
 First Year. Fourth Class. 
 
 Mathematics: Hours of recitation, 334^; hours of study, 669; 
 total hours, 1,003^. Text books: Davies' Elements of Algebra, Da- 
 vies' Legendre's Geometry, Ludlow's Elements of Trigonometry, 
 Davies' Surveying, Church's Analytical Geometry, Ludlow's Loga- 
 rithmic Tables.* 
 
 Modern Languages: Hours of recitation, 185; hours of study 376; 
 total hours, 555. Text books: Williams' Composition and Rhetoric, 
 Abbott's How to Write Clearly, Meikeljohn's English Language, 
 Smith's Synonyms Discriminated,* Roget's Thesaurus of English 
 Words,* Webster's Dictionary,* De Peiffer's French Pronunciation, 
 Keetels' Analytical and Practical French Grammar, Castarede's Treat- 
 ise on the Conjugation of French Verbs, Roemer's Cours de Lecture 
 et de Traduction Vol. I., Bocher's College Series of French Plays- 
 Vol. II., Spiers' and Surenne's French Pronouncing Dictionary* 
 
 Drill Regulations, U. S. Army: Practical instruction, infantry 
 46 hours; artillery, 35 hours; total hours, 81. Infantry, Practical 
 Instruction in the Schools of the Soldier, Company and Battalion; 
 Siege and Light Artillery, Practical Instruction in the School of the 
 Cannoneer. Blunt's Firing Regulations for Small Arms.* 
 
 Use of Sword, etc. : Practical instruction, 147^ hours. Instruc- 
 tion in Fencing and Bayonet Exercise, and Military Engineering. 
 
 Second Year. Third Class. 
 
 Mathematics: Hours of recitation, 334^; hours of study, 669; 
 total hours, 1,003^. Text books: Church's Analytical Geometry, 
 Church's Descriptive Geometry, with its application to Spherical Pro- 
 jections, Shades, Shadows and Perspective, Bass' Differential Calcu- 
 lus, Church's Integral Calculus, Johnson's Treatise on the Method of 
 Least Squares. 
 
 Modern Languages: Hours of recitation, 223; hours of study, 446; 
 total hours, 669. Textbooks: Borel's Grammaire Francaise, Henne- 
 quin's Lessons in Idiomatic French, Revue Militaire de l'Etranger, 
 the Weekly Figaro, Edgren's Compendious French Grammar, 
 De Peiffer's French Pronunciation,* Spiers' and Surenne's French 
 Pronouncing Dictionary,* Monsanto and Languellier's Spanish Gram- 
 
 |Revised to June 1, 1896. *Books of reference.
 
 xviii CADET LIFE AT WEST POfNT. 
 
 mar, Knapp's Spanish Grammar, Mantilla's Spanish Reader No. 3, 
 Knapp's Spanish Reader, Eco de Madrid, Seoane's Neumann and 
 Baretti's Spanish Dictionary.* 
 
 Drawing: Hours of recitation, 288. Constructive problems in 
 Plane Geometry, point paths, topography and plotting of surveys with 
 lead pencil, pen and ink, and colors, construction of the various prob- 
 lems in Descriptive Geometry, shades and shadows, and linear per- 
 spective and isometric projections, practical surveying in the field. 
 Reed's Topographical Drawing and Sketching, including Photography 
 Applied to Surveying.* 
 
 Drill Regulations, U. S. Army: Practical instruction, infantry ^6 
 hours; artillery, 35 hours; cavalry, 46 hours; total hours, 127. In- 
 fantry, practical instruction in the schools of the soldier, company 
 and battalion; light artillery, practical instruction in the school of the 
 cannoneer; cavalry, practical instruction in the school of the trooper. 
 Blunt's Firing Regulations for Small Arms.* 
 
 Practical Military Engineering: Practical work in July and Aug- 
 ust. Practical instruction in the construction of ponton, spar and 
 trestle bridges. 
 
 Third Year. Second Class. 
 
 Natural and Experimental Philosophy: Hours of recitation, 334% 
 hours; hours of study, 669; total hours, 1,003^. Text books: 
 Michie's Analytical Mechanics, Michie and Harlow's Practical As- 
 tronomy, Young's General Astronomy, Michie's Elements of Wave 
 Motion Relating to Sound and Light. 
 
 Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology: Hours of recitation, 188^; 
 hours of study, 377; total hours, 565^. Text books: Bloxam's 
 Chemistry (8th Edition), Tillman's Elementary Lessons in Heat (2d 
 Edition), Tillman's Essential Principles of Chemistry, Tracy's Anat- 
 omy, Physiology and Hygiene, Thompson's Elementary Lessons in 
 Electricity and Magnetism (new and revised edition), Tillman's Ele- 
 mentary Text Book of Mineralogy, LeConte's Elements of Geology 
 (3d Edition). 
 
 Drawing: Hours of recitation, 185. Free hand drawing and 
 landscape in black and white, mechanical and architectural drawing 
 in ink and colors, constructive details, ordnance constructions. 
 Reed's Topographical Drawing and Sketching, including Photography 
 Applied to Surveying.* 
 
 *Books of reference.
 
 APPENDIX. xix 
 
 Drill Regulations, U. S. Army: Hours of recitation, i8J^; hours 
 of study, 37. Practical instruction: Infantry, 41 hours; artillery, 
 i7 x /2 hours; cavalry, 61 > hours; total hours, 175^. Text books: 
 United States Army Artillery Drill Regulations, Tidball's Manual of 
 Heavy Artillery Service, U. S. A., United States Army Cavalry Drill 
 Regulations, United States Army Infantry Drill Regulations. Infan- 
 try, practical instruction in the schools of the soldier, company and 
 battalion; sea coast artillery, practical instruction in the school of the 
 cannoneer; cavalry, practical instruction in the schools of the 
 trooper, troop and squadron. 
 
 Practical Military Engineering: Practical instruction, 17^ hours. 
 Practical instruction in the construction of ponton bridges, in laying 
 gun platforms, and in the construction of revetments and obstacles; 
 practical and theoretical instruction in military signaling. 
 Fourth Year. First Class. 
 
 Civil and Military Engineering and Science of War: Hours of 
 recitation, 334K; hours of study, 669; total hours, 1,003^. Text 
 books: Wheeler's Civil Engineering, Wheeler's Field Fortifications, 
 Mercur's .Mahan's Permanent Fortifications (Edition of 1887), Mer- 
 cur's Attack of Fortified Places, Mercur's Elements of the Art of War, 
 Mahan's Stereotomy. 
 
 Modern Languages: Hours of recitation, S l A'> hours of study, 
 101; total hours, 151^. Text books; Knapp's Spanish Grammar, 
 Knapp's Spanish Readings, Seoane's Neumann and Baretti's Dic- 
 tionary.* 
 
 Law: Hours of recitation, 92^; hours of study, 185; total hours, 
 277^. Text books: Davis's International Law, Cooley's General 
 Principles of Constitutional Law in the United States, Winthrop's 
 Abridgment of Military Law, General Orders No. 100, A, G. O., 1863. 
 
 History, Geography and Ethics: Hours of recitation, 42; hours of 
 study, 82; total hours, 126. Text books: Swinton's Outlines of the 
 World's History, Labberton's New Historical Atlas and General 
 History.* 
 
 Practical Military Engineering. Hours of practical instruction, 
 24 1. Practical instruction in the construction of ponton, trestle and 
 spar bridges, in the preparation and application of siege materials, 
 and in laying out field and siege works; practical instruction in mili" 
 tary reconnaissances on foot and mounted, in field telegraphy, night 
 signaling, and the use of the heliograph. Ernst's Manual of Practical 
 Military Engineering.* 
 
 *Books of reference.
 
 xx CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. 
 
 Natural and Experimental Philosophy. Practical instruction in 
 camp. Practical instruction in astronomy 
 
 Drill regulations, U. S Army, Hours of instruction, infantry 36 
 hours; artillery, 17^ hours; cavalry, ioi> hours; total hours, 277^. 
 Infantry, practical instruction in the schools of the soldier, company 
 and battalion; cavalry, practical instruction in the schools of the 
 trooper, troop and squadron; artillery, practical instruction in the 
 school of the battery 
 
 Ordnance and Gunnery: Hours of recitation, 92^; hours of study, 
 185; total hours, 277^. Text books: Bruff's Gunpowder and Interior 
 Ballistics, Bruff's Grdnance and Gunnery. Ingall's System of Exterior 
 Ballistics. 
 
 CLASS RANK OR STANDING. 
 
 Class rank or standing is determined by adding together the stand- 
 ing of each cadet in all of the studies_he has been examined in and in 
 discipline, and then the cadet having the highest figure of general 
 merit is first in class rank the next second and so on, as indicated 
 in the following table, to- wit . 
 
 
 
 MERIT IN 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Reed's Four Deck Boards for 
 
 f iTJaJKHHSHSL 
 
 DUPLICATE. 
 CLUB AND 
 CLUB DUPLICATE 
 GAMES OF 
 CINCH 
 
 I REED'S 
 i\ DUPLICATE 
 
 ^mjM :W.' 
 
 EUCHRE gj jg 
 
 E TC. 
 
 15555591 Vm, 
 
 DUPLICATE, 
 
 CLUB AND 
 
 CLUB DUPLICATE 
 
 GAMES OF 
 
 EUCHRE 
 
 Two decks on each side. 
 DUPLICATE, CLUB AND CLUB DUPLICATE 
 
 WHIST 
 
 And Other Games. All Played with Reed Boards. 
 
 The cut shows one side of a board with two decks of 
 cards dealt into hands ready to play. Each board is 
 arranged for four decks, two on a side, and it has Rules for 
 
 duplicate and PROGRESSIVE GAMES printed on it. 
 
 The boards are eleven inches square, cloth bound, light 
 
 and strong, and they are the only boards made to be used 
 
 FOR PLAYING MORE THAN ONE GAME. 
 
 Hence they are the cheapest boards to buy. 
 Four boards make a set, but 
 ANY NUMBER OF BOARDS MAY BE USED. 
 
 The % Sets, % Sets and Sets, are each packed 
 
 IN A HANDSOME CLOTH BOX 
 
 with a set of chips and a package of score sheets (one side 
 ruled for Duplicate Games and the other for Progressive 
 Games.) 
 $1.25 per Board; $2.25 per Board with ( 4 decks) Cards. 
 
 3.50 per Yt Set; 5.50 per ^ Set with ( 8 decks) Cards. 
 
 4.75 per % Set; 7.75 per U Set with (12 decks) Cards. 
 
 6.00 per Set; 10.00 per Set with (16 decks) Cards. 
 
 Chips, 25 cents per set; Score Sheets, 25 cents per pack- 
 age; fine enameled Cards, 25 cents per deck.
 
 JUST OUT ! 
 
 CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT 
 
 BY 
 
 LIEUT. HUGH T. REED, U. S. ARMY. 
 
 HANDSOMELY ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 This book is replete with short stories and infor- 
 mation about 
 
 How to get an appointment to West Point, 
 
 The entrance examination, 
 
 The chances to be admitted and to graduate, 
 
 The course of study, and 
 
 The daily life of the cadets there. 
 
 PRICE LIST: 
 
 Reed's Cadet Life at West Point. Cloth $1.50 
 
 Reed's Military Science and Tactics. Leather 1.50 
 
 Reed's Standard Signal Tactics. Paper 40 
 
 Reed's Broom Tactics. Paper 25 
 
 U. S. Infantry Drill Regulations. Paper 25 
 
 U. S. Infantry Drill Regulations. Leather 75 
 
 U. S. Artillery Drill Regulations. Leather 1.00 
 
 U. S. Cavalry Drill Regulations. Leather 1.25 
 
 Official Manual of Guard Duty. Boards 25 
 
 Gilchrist's Manual for Infantry Officers. Cloth... 1.00 
 
 Hoyne's First Sergeant's Roll Book. Leather 1.00 
 
 Blunt's Firing Regulations for Small Arms. 
 
 Leather 2.25 
 
 Powers' Display Movements. Paper 50 
 
 Reed's Standard Infantry Tactics and Reed's Light 
 Artillery Tactics are out of print, but Reed's Military 
 Science and Tactics contains both of them. 
 
 Books mailed on receipt of price. 
 
 Remit in money orders, drafts, lc or 2c stamps, or 
 currency. 
 
 HUGH T. REED, 
 
 7b State Street, Chicago.
 
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