Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-07-10

Of The United states Military .7eaasmy.
Hon LEWIS CAss, SECRETARY Of Har.
sin;-ihc undersigned having attended the General
Examination Of the Cadets of the United States Militia
ry Academy Board of Visitors submit the follow.
ing Report the result of their observations.
The Board directed their inquiries to the of in
strucon both military and scientific, the internal po-
nee discipline, and fiscal concerns of the institution.
In making these inquiries every facility afforded by
ihr Superinte d-nt and members of the Academic Staff
In order that these inquiries might be with
greater advantage, Committees appointed by the
Board with instructions TO inquire especially into the
portion OF the foregoing subjects referred them
lively and to report the result of their obse rvatons
The reports of those Committees which here with
transmitted will convey To you much in de-
TAIL which could not conveniently be embodied in this
report.
As this is prosscdly Military Institution, the a,tcn
ton OF the Board first directed to the course of mi
iiary instruction. Although this branch embraces a
wide field it is intended speak of limited to En-
gneering, Artillery, and Infantry Tactics
Engineering Is divided into two branches Civil and
Military; and IN connection with the latter is taught the
Science of War, far it relates the attack and de-
fence OF military POSITIONS and the providing of defn-
sive means for an army operating in the field.
In The course of Civil Engineering is taught the puo-
Pcrtes, preparations, and of materials OF
strncuon generally including decorative architecture
the manner OF laying out and constructing roads, the
construction of the various kinds of bridges the
principles which regulate the removal of distractions
that impede the navigation OF rivers; the survey loca
lon and construction of canals and raI Dads and the
formation OF artificial, and the improve aen of natural
harbors This branch is taught the first or graduating
class, by lectures and of drawings and notes
prepared by the Professor from IT, best authorities and
Autographed at the press belonging the institutions
under the title of "Outlnes OF the Course of Civil En-
glneerng. Drawings, illustrative of the prominent
parts of the subject, executed by the Cadets; and
'hese exhibit great neatncss OF execution, well
much precision in detail
Mex, in order is the of Military Engineering.
his comprises Field and Permanent Forlication In
the first taught the class the pes which
regulate the construction Of field intrrnchmens the diff
fcrcnt kinds Of lines; batteries for the various kinds of
of intr
ence to the attack and defence enclosed detached
works defence OF posts; and the construction of mi
h,ary bridges permanent fertilization. including
Piete description OF The baston front the attack and
defence OF the same examination OF the princ
pal systems oil fortiicaions; the construction and
ment OF fortress; the hydraulic works in the de-
fence OF military positions; mining the principles of
hlcment and their application works constructed for
inland and maritime defence Military Enyneerug is
taught from text book and from notes prepared With
Judgment and skill, by the Professor; the whole being
amply illustrated by drawings, executed by the students
uhaer the immediate supervision OF instructors.
10 the professional ability Of the Professor to whom
this department conided the very able tory
manner in which his pupils acquitted themselves in the
various parts OF their course at the black board in
presence OF the Visitors afforded the most pleasing and
ample testimony.
No changes, either in the course of study or or
gan'zaton, are at present contemplated, are any
deemed necessary. The Board, however would recon-
mena the continuance OF small appropriations of money
ny Congress Tor the purpose oprovidng the department
WIN such works and models the Professor may from
n
Artillery Tactics, duf1fl 1SIlci, se,,ol.
commences in June and tcrninatrs on Nc FIRST of Sen
.cinocr following During this time, they required
TO recte upon system of Field Artillery at the same
time that they taught of Pyrotechny Nor
tar exercise, and Target practice. with guns of various
caibre, well morlars and howitzcrs Cadets ar IN.
other classes also taught the drill Of Field Artillery
during the suspension of the other academic studies
It's thought by the officer the head this Depart
men that the time allowed for recitation is insufficient
and that much which ought be studied tloronpv is
necessarily, passed over rapidly.
In our country there is no establishment provided BY
law especially FOR instruction in Artillery Athe educa
lion our officers receive in this branch o study with the
exception ofhe mere drill OF artillery garrison obtain.
cd AT this place. This deficiency would seem 10
the Importance of placing this department of lie Sco
DENY upon more enlarged and permanent basis
IS the opinion OF the Board that it would be greatly
{" the advantage OF bIs course of instruction if per
manent assistant we're attached it, instead of the mode
now III use OF detailing Cadets from the graduating class
In 1ion with this subject the Board would re-
marx, That the moving Of ordnance the field by the
bodily eXcftions of the Cadets alone is reoustion
upon them OF great severity and is TIE same time
obnoxious to the objection. that IL keeps the Cade,s or
trely hskcd the only hodc of using the field niece
employed in actual service. The Board would there
fore, suggest the propriety of procuring number of
strucon in Cavalry Tactics
The horses would be used for both purposes and
the number required would exceed forty
Cavalry Tactics have never been taurht AT this Arm
denny Cavalry arm of national defener is con
iesscdiy OF great importance Ii is submitted whether
instructions that branch mpht moi be-
added Ia The course OF instruction at ibis Institution
The Ordnnce Stores furnished for the YEAR are rood
in quality aud sufficient in quantity Some field ni.ccs
ana guns OF different calbrc wanted to render this
department complete which particularly detailed in
the report OF the Committee on this subject.
On drill, and in firing in tie G ID the Cadets bited
thorough knowledge Of the nananyres and evointon
IN TINS important Of services and in their dra WINS
aud mathematical demonstrations at the black board
they evnced high proficiency ia TIE theory nd practice
OF gunHrfy heir target firing and accuracy Of throw
ing shells are very cOnncnsabh. and afFord uneorv
evidence OF great zeal and ability She part Of the in
siruclor, for which he is entitled 10 much credit
The Corps of Cadets organized 40 a Batulios Of In
iantry, exhibits the field perfect knowledge of I'm.
nntry Tactics, and performs al the syolutjopse he ne
and Of the battalion. with acihty and accuracy gki5
appearance IN dress in the conditions Of their AIMS ard
accontrcWents as well rs n soter like hearing is hiohv
gratifying, and deserves mrch ndaton whilst
reflects much credit the experienced officer who com.
mands them
With regard 10 tic course Of study in n,e other
branches which taught sgrecably to She regulations
OF The Institution, the Board well satisfied with The
abilities and zeal Of The professors and their assistants
Besides the branches already mentioned The Cadets of
the hrst or graduating class examined on Mesa
and Political Science, and Nhnofalosy and (sroscy
ON all Of which they exhibited that could onI
be The result Of much aenlon Their part aided BY
sS and Perso on the part Of tie Professors and
their Assistants.
in Moral and Political Scsnec tie FIST class was snb
pced To satisfactory examination The familiarity
they cynccd with the several systss of ethics pro
pounded by dsiing masters al different peyiods
showed That their minds had been cscually decicdo
tie distinguishing characteristics Of these systems and
their relative merits closely compared by them and fami.
larry understood The examinations on the sulicct Of
Government and Constitutional Inv we're bieb1y ora.
Trying, with room it is true for slight shades Of differ.
in oDiDnu; the latter fopc tic