Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-09-20

ton OF the traitor Arnold.
In 1902 the congress of the United
states passed law to organize and estab-
llsh a Corps Of Engineers all Cadets !:
giving authority to the president to make
promotions IN the same, 50 as that the num-
Der OF the whole corps should at noctime,
exceed tireity officers and cadets. II was
further enacted by the samela law :. that the
said corps, when 50 organized, Shall be
Stationed at Hest Point. in the state of
New-York, and shall constitute a 7niiitar1,
academy"
From this circumscribed beginning, has
sprung one of the nobest institutions of
hich0ur country can boast. For many
years after its establishment, the academy
was scarcely known beyond the narrow IL
mIts OF It's own circle until, among other
measures preparatory to the declaration of
war in 1912, another law was passed. aug
menting the corps of Engineers ;.authoris-
ing an additional number of professors {:
and extending the limit of cadets to t,co
hundred and fGfy. Still, however, some
thing was wanting, to excite the attention.
and awaken the interest of the public, to
this cradle of Mars.
fortunately, the occasion was not dis
tant, which was destined to rouse the ener-
gees OF the nation, and call into active ex-
ercise the latest benefits of the ms tuition.
The namesof Hood, Nc Rec, Doue,Las. and
a host OF youthful warriors, who with the
Valour, skill and confidence of hardS yete-
rams, sprung at once from the peaceful zap
OF science to the rude and stormy field of
war, soon rung with re-echued sound. to
the remotest corner of an admiring cum
try. HEY '0ere pupils Of the military aca-
denny. linen first, did Hest Point be-
come on object o. eager inquiry. Fathers
were anxious to give their sons such an op-
Portunlty OF rising TO renown sand the sons
themselves felt the glow of youthful de
sire, kindle in their bosoiAs, to emulate
the noble examples before them. The Ia
bic OF the secretary of war was now crowd
ed with applications for cadets aoarrants !:
anu, before the commencement of the OK
ercises OF the present year, the limited
number was complete.
To the indclatieable zeal and exertions
OF the late colonel Williams, the public is
indebted. more perhaps than to any other
individual, for tao original establishment
of the military academy. But Cor the or
der, system. regularity and discipI;ne
which pervade every branch of the institu-
uone all pralseis due to The present super
intendant, captain .4tden Partr;dge, of the
corps of engineers. This officer, to cul-
tivated understanding, and extensive sci
entliG requirements, unites zeal for the
improvement of the cadets, which eminent
ly qualities him for so responsible sta
ton. lis stern Justice, rigid inpartiality
and strict discipline, inspire in the cadets
a proper degree ofzeal, while Mt the same
time, lis urbanity of manners. Kindness Of;
deportment, and polite condescension, win
their respectful affections. His frOwn is
deprecated as the severest punishment for
derelIction OF duty his smile is hailed as
the best reward for its observance.
The whole number of cadets is. divided
INTO two companies young men ofthe lar
gest size forming the first, and the smaller
ones the secOnd.-They are governed by
officers appointed, in rotation. from among
themselves. Those who act as commits
stoned officers, hold their stations for |
month-the non-comHlissioned officers for |
week. At the beat of rereiHe, the com
panies parade, and the roll is called af- |
ter which they return to their quarters for
the purpose of cleaning their resp ctive |
chambers, making their beds, and prepar-
ing for breakfast. At half-past7 o'clock
the bugle calls them TO this repast. 70
which tkey march in regular order, and
take their seats at the table with the same
exactness that they would perform mill |
tary mdpgUre. Twelve persons are ap-
pointed from their own body as CAREERS. |
who have command Of the table ceremo- |
MES; and except by these, not a word is
spoken during the meal. When the time
allowed them is elapsed, the order is given
to rise and in an instant the line Of march |
IS resumed, and they return to their quar- !
tiers. At g O'Clock, the studies are com /
menced. Those not immediately en- |
gagged in reciting to some one or other. Of !
the professors, remain in their own cham |
bers. AT half past . or O'Clock the bu-
gle IS again sounded to summon them 70 !
dinner, ON which occasion the same cere- |
monies arc observed as at breakfast. At
2o'clock the studies are resdmed in the |
same manner, and continueduntil the time
TO prepare for the sunset parade. Atthis !
parade they arc put through 4 manual
exercise, and the various euolut'ous of in
tantry all which they perform in STYLE
OF military precision, and with al easy ell
egance and regularity of motion, not sur
passed by the best disciplined soldicrs.-
Before the parade - dismissed the compa-