Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-07-10
IA REPoRrs or co,MIMI,lIIl.TI.rIEEss.
MILITARY lNSrRucTIoN.
10 PETER v. DAStFr. Eeu
President 81 ne Eoard Of rTs;,ors.
u. $. MurrARY AcAprMY.

President 81 ne Eoard Of TTsitors.
U. $. MurrARY AcAprMy
Hast PANT. Nee l1rk. Jane, 1886
SIR; The Committee. whose attention has been d.
rected by The Board To the Department of Military In
sruc'ion ~ H. Academy, have the honor submit the
result of their inquiries
The great aud leading: objects the Institution being
essentially military IT hccanc question Of interest
TO inc Committee to ascertain tne subjects to be
sraced within the range of tneir investigation Were
theee 10 be determined by their obvious
Importance IN the formation of military character, the
COMMITTEE of opinion tina, their report should
arevew of every branch taught the Academy
thing has come TO their observation that could without
disadvantage be omitted. The appointment OF other
committees, however, renders it obvious such was
not the intention of the Board nd they have ACCORDING
~ limited Their examinations the Departments of En-
g'neerng, Artillery, and Infantry Tactics
ne course OF Engineering is divided into two branch
es, SNii ana Military and, in with the latter
As taught the science of far relates the at
tack and defence OF military Positions and the providing
Oh defensive means for an army operating the field
In the course of Cied Engineering arc taught the
properties, preparation and OF materials
non, elementary parts of buildings and the art of con-
srucuoh generally, including decorative architecture
inc manner OF laying out and constructing roads, the
construction OF The various kinds of bridges the gene
RAJ principles which regulate the removal
that impede the navigation of rivers the survey oca
uon' ana construction of canals and railroads. and the
formation OF artificial, and the Improvement of MAIN
ra harbors This branch is taught the first or arau
ating class by lectures and series of DRAWINGS and
notes prepared by the Professor from the hes,
ues ana autographed at the press belonging TO the lns
luton under the title of" Outlines ofths Course of Girl
hngnsering Drawings, illustrative of the prominent
e4hoit great neatness of execution, as well as much
precision and detail 5g
Next in order comes the course of yI,,ry F,a;y.cr
ing Inns comprises Field and Permanent F0ytfcotions
In the first taught the same class the prncipes
winch regulate the construction of field intrenchmcnts
ne oinetent Kinds oil lines; batteries for various
kinds ofordnance the armament of ntrenohmcnts with
reference to attack and defence; enclosed and De.
tached works; defence of posts aud the construction of
military bridges. Permanent Fertilization includes
complete description of the Bastion Front constructed
according TO the principles of Vauban and
aofti1 Il
ton oil the principal systems of fertilization the con
srucuon and armament Of fortress the hydraulic
works used IN the defence of military POSITIONS mining
the principles of dcfcment and their application 10
works constructed for inland and maritime defence
MILITARY Engineering taught from textbook trans
iated from the french OF Gay de Vernon, by NJ o Con-
nor, and from notes prepared with Judgment and skill
oy The froessor--the whole being amply illustrated by
drawings executed by the Students under the immediate
supervision of instructors
This Department is confded 10 the care of Professor
ID. III. Mahan, to whose professional ability the very
able and satisfactory manner in hich his pups
themselves in the parts of their course at the
oiack board IN presence ofa the Visitors as well as the
committee, afforded the most pleasing and ample tes
mony No changes, either in the course of study or or
ganzatlon, are at present contemplated, are any
deemed necessary by the Committee. They would how
ever suggest to the Board the proPrety Of
tne continuance oil small appropriations of money by
Tor the purpose OF providing the Department
win such works and models the Professor may from
time to time require Models illustrative of the subjects
oil architecture and engineering. facilitate greatly the
abors OF both instructor and pupil are Indispensable
TO thorough instruction.
The Committee next went into an examination of the
department of Artillery; and find that instructions is
given IN Artillery Tactics to the Cadets of the first
during the encampment, which usually commences in
te month oil June, and terminates the first of Sep
tcinber following During this time they are REQUIRED
10 reclte upon system OF field artillery abridged from
ite nand at the time that they tau ght
oil fyrotecnny, mortar exercise target practice with
guns oil various cabres, well as and howit-
zers Cadets of the other classes also taurh the
arm OF heid Artillery, during this suspension Of tue
other academic studies
AZ the commencement of the academic term in The
isli about two months devoted the study of the
theory and practice of Artillery and the fabrication of
Cannon &c; and from month to six weeks in the
SPRING to review of the Subjects preparatory to
the June examination.
1T is thought by the officer at the head Of his d,,
meh mat the time allowed fer recitaons, considering
inc dhculties and importance of the course is suff.
Gent and that much which ght to be studied more
'"o.IouSShly' Is necessarily passed over rapidly.
Artillery n-Europc is considered most important
OF service; and much time and expense devoted
70 us improvement Ia Que country there is
blisiiment provided by law especially for instruction. in
Artillery; and all the education officers in
inns brunch .l is wish, tho exception of the
afllery garrison, obtained this place This
deheichcy would seem to suggest the importance of
placing this department of the Academy upon more on
iarged and permanent basis.
1t also thought by the same officer and approbated
me opinion OF your Committee, that it would be great
~ 10 tue advantage OF this of instruction if
permanent assistant attached to it, If praccable
TINS should be done with as little delay as possible
mas been customary 10 detach several Cadets from the
graduathg class who are detained here during the
campment to aid in hearing Rotations and IN giving
Pracuca instruction; but the opinion of your com
"ittee ths IS obviously objectionable These assistants
are sii cadets IN fceliugs and those whom they in
struct regard them equals and companions Nor ia
Prooahe Acy feel the responsibility that should fin
ence a8 INSTRUCTOR owing their connection with the
department being brief One other circumstance
when induces the committee to urge this point is the
TACT mat IN addition TO his appropriate duties the officer
AZ the mead OF the department is also charged with e
command OF the United States troops on this station
ne supplies oil ordnance furnished for the venr
are good ia quality; sad sccient as to quantity: and
wn enc last year. the department has been amply sup
phea WIN moriar and guns of heavy calibrc gEils
fequsoa for field pieces has been comsiica with
OWING IL IS thought to the circumstance of The ordnance
department not having at its disposal gums of the prouer
cahpIe ana model The field battery now in use is com.
posed OF pieces OF various models their CARRIAGES are
ncSyy ana ht TO manaeuVre by manual force A
ficfuDattery Of night six four Founders mounted M,
light carriages, would facilitate the evoutons and ma
nGuyres, and relieve the Cadets from heavy labor TO
winch they have been heretofore subjected
4 ne twelve Founders OIL hand defective and have
oecn ccndemned hat, possessing others they have
oeen continued "a usc, by using smail charses bat.
teTy OF tourweive Founders aud tive twe ,r yond-
e howtzers would render tie department complete i'm
TINS respect All projectes supplied for practice should
be OF the best quality; without which, there can be no
satisfactory rcsu in target firing: and in consenuence
no confidence on the part Of the Cadets in this branch
OF their course of study
On drills and IN firing IN the field the Cadets e.Ii-
bitcd thorough knowledge the niannuvrcs and cvo
buttons 10 thus imPortnnt Of service and i'm their
drawings ana mathematical demonstrations AZ the black
board they erinced high proficiency in the theory and
PIacucc OF gunDcry Their target Ernn ana accuracy
OF throwing shells very CONNIE ndable ard aed ne
quyoca evidence Of great zeal and ability on the mart Of
the Instructor, os wick be H. eaGtea TO much credit
The committee procecdcd 10 mn examination or Tho