Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-07-29
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF yISITERS TO THE
MILITARY ACADEMY.
WIS., PoINr, NV YORK.. june III, lsaI.

WEST PoINr, New York, June IL, 1884
To The Secretary ef Udr;
SIR: In compliance with your request the undersgn-
ed have attended, Board V,ers during the gen.
eral examinations at the United States Military Acade-
my jusi concluded, and have Corrected their inquiries
full and Tree Investigation in regard TO the OF in
strucon both military aud scientific, and the internal
police, discipline, and fiscal concerns OF the institution
That these several objects OF inquiry might be attended
TO as thoroughly and successfully possible the Board
at its organic aOn referred the separate
who have presented full reports with regard TO them ac
comPaned by some suggestions Tor the Improvement of
the institution Copies oil these reports are forwarded TO
yon and The Board take the liberty OF referring you
them Tor details, while they confne the Joint report to
Academy.
The dleli Of the Professors, and the sssi,luy and
proficiency OF their pupils tested by examine
on on the several subjects, extending eleven DAYS
aud continued for each dsy eight hours.
The sciences not strictly professional included in these
examinations, were, mathematics taught here from the
elements OF arithmetic TO the profound leorems OF the in
egra cdlculas-natural philosophy, including mechanics
and atronemychemistry, in come xion with nineraogy
and geolgy-std lastly, rhetoric and moral and political
science.
The subjects professional study are civil and military
engineering, and infantry aud artillery tactics, with the
last OF which connected balIistics pyrotecbny
part Of the rstwo years is devoted TO the study of
the French language with which a competent aouusnt.
ance is required OF the Cadets
L.sty, great attention is very properly paid in this
Academy, TO The art Of drawing OF which the practical
applications are so frequent and important in the military
profession.
The subjects combined, certainly constitute an excel.
lent preparatory education tor officers the
examinations proved that they hully sEui-
ly taught Marked inequalities we're indeed observed I'm
the proficiency OF the Cadets and defects remain 10 he
corrected Ia tile organization OF OF the departments
but stIl the exhibition was the whole hi y saii,fc
tory aud gratifying.
Frequent opportunities presented TO tile Board of
witnessing the practical skill Of the corps in infantry and
artillery exercises aud their fine and soldier like appesr
ance in The ranks and The accuracy with which they
cuted their various eyolutous, proved that this essential
part Of the duties OF Military Academy was sedulously
attended TO by bob officers and cadets.
The discipline OF the Dstl uon was carefully examined.
10 It's various bearings, and the Board reason to think
that Is in an excellent slate. The laws seem TO be ex
etuted with stern regard TO the good of the service vet
with Kind aud Paierna feelings and the officers and pro.
iessos are believed TO be generally both beloved aud
specied.
The internal police Of the institution was found 10 he
carefully attended to- The rooms ~ the barracks ooeo
pee oy me eaueis' exhibited gratifying Appearance Of
neatness aj order, while, at the same time they give
rise to regret Of the Inadequate accom,uo,
lion which they offer The table is well supplied
with plain bot good aud wholesome lood In the event
Of sickness which The Board happy 10 find las een
lately OF occurrence, sula 10 and comfortable sc
com,nodsions provided at the hospital with the bee,
medical Attendance.
The Board directed inquiry 10 be instituted with as
much minuieness circumstances would admit the
bsesi concerns Of the institution The result, which will
be lound fully detailed IN Of The reports sent here.
wiih % That the accounts kept In and
iec'oy mahner-hatth the expenditures made In accord
ahce VIVA ms sppfopratons-and that proper eniOn
~ paid TO economy ~ the expenses OF every kind To
prevent oxtavsgdDce IN the cadets there 10 regulation
which prohibits to them the possession or use Of money or
the exp nditure Of IT, except with the coosent o the So,
pef0iendeDt, who stands, with regard To heo In a..
place Of parent and who IL is believed exerri.ss ~
authority with enlightened discretion. '''
The whole ngesigsnonso the Board, lead them 10 the
conclusion that The Military Academy most valuable
aud essential part Of the army establishment OF the Unit
cd States ihst at cost low 10 exceed that Of
'eeond rate m'"oi war Il prepares, end sprosd