Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-07-16
From the Boston Daily Advcrtiscr.l
West Point.
The attacks which have been made year a

year against the military institution at Yves,
Point, and the attempts which have lccn re.
pcatcdly made to suppress it, on the grounds
that it was useless or that it was expensive
have been triumphanily met by the conduct of
its graduates in regard to the existing war
They have not only formed the life of our rcgu.
lar army, but they have inspired the volunteer
corps with the energy and power which their
military education enabled them to bring to their
country's service. This fact has been exhibited
by every action in which our forces have been
engaged, and has been from time to time set
forth by the newspaper press: but complete
explanation of the services of the " West-point-
crs " is given in the following extract from a
communication published by the N. York Cour-
Ter. The tables annexed to it show that thirty.
seven graduates of West Point have commanded
volunteers in Mexico; sevon more have raised
regiments aud companies, whose services have
not been as yet accepted; and nineteen grad
yates have commands in the regiment of Mount
ed Ricmen and the additional Ten Regiments
raised for the period of the war. Eighteen Ca
diets who left West Point before graduating
have commanded volunteers in Mexico, and
nineteen have commands in the Ten Regiments
and Mounted Rillcmen.
To find such a willing and efficient corps of
officers, besides those remaining in the regular
army, sprnging from an institution whose cX-
pcnscs--as it has been well said--are less than
those o: single irigate aoat, is truly crafty
ing and is the best test of the merits and impor-
lance of that institution. The following is the
principal part of the paper to which we allude:
| First. is TO he noticed the universal good con-
duct Of the officers of the regular army in Mex
leo, more than nine-tcnths Of whom are grad
yates of the military academy; their skiltul
lnannuvring and strict discipline at Pa!o Alto !;
their personal prowess in the hand to hand
struggle at Rcsaca dc Ia Palma their heroic
daring and able combinations amid the iron hail
| from the frownng battlcments of Monterey !;
their chivalric vaor and the almost magical
evolutons of the artillery at Buena Vista, null
tiplying itself whenever danger threatened, dis
persng column after column by its deadly fire,
and at last, as if rooted to the ground, alone,
and without an infantry support, stemming the
headlong charge of the cnemy's reserves and
snaIching victory from their very grasp; their
stern forttudc and patient endurance amid the
wlds of New Mexico and California; their bril-
liant capture of Vera Cruz, by the scientific
operations of a skilfully conducted siege, with
the triiling loss OF GS killed and wounded, in
stead of sacrificing hosts of gallant men in Il
deadly assault. like the British at Bada JOS, where
1921 brave hearts were laid low, of which num-
Der 1861 fell in the single night of the assault :;
ana last. tnONnn nOI III tnc
movement of Ccrro Gordo, where, by desperate
| yalor one bloody blow was struck at the key of
the Mexican position, their flank turned, their
army routed and cut to pieces, the difficult
mountain passes leapcd in day, the strong
castle of Pcrote captured without shot, and
the very capital opened to our blows!
Second The moral restraint OF discipline, as
shown in the regular army'whicl has respected
the persons and property of the enemy, and even
in the hour of victory, has committed no excess
ses-thus stripping wnr of the horrors which too
often disgrace it. With what pride may we
compare our occupation of Vera Cruz, with the
horrid scenes of debauchcry and pillage prac-
tsed BY the British at Badajo..
Third. The value of the Academy in fur
nishing officers, on tine breaking out of a war.
to skiiiuv lead the volunteers, and by disc-
pine, in six or eight months, making them the
rivals Of regular troops, as shown at Monterey
by Davis Mi>sissippians, Mitchell's Buckeyes,
and Blanchard's Louisianians at Sacramento
by Clarks Missouri Artillery and at Bncna
Vista by Nj KEGS Kentucky Infantry, Davis
Mississippi Rifles, ard Narshal's Kentucky
Cavalry-all commanded by graduates of the
Academy.
Fourih The value of even the partial in
struction of those who resigned from the Acad-
emy before graduating and who have done good
man, for instance, of the Missouri Artillery, was
at the Academy two or more years, and stood
very hinh in his class. His knowledge and
talents returned good account at Sacramento
and other places in New Mexico, as did Major
Gilpin also
rim. The patriotism of the graduates, and
those who have resigned from the Academy
who have rendered their services to the govern
mcnt for the war. The lists ] send you show
that about one hundred of those who had re-
signed have returned to the service with tn,
volunteers or the new regiments of regulars
, since the declaration of the war. There ar,
f doubtless many others that have omitted. II
were TO add all who have volunteered to 90, il
wanted, would have to include almost ever,
one who has been educated at West Point an,
since resigned, Among my acquantances
scarce know Il graduate, who has resigned from
[ the army, who has not volunteered his ser
vices.
.Sirh. The advantages of a scientific an
n military education 10 the whole military scryic
+, list, as shown by the Engineers in the con
/, structon and defence of Fort Brown; in skill
y fully slorming the works of Monterey in cap
r turing Vera Cruz by the sure operations of
!, scientifically conducted siege; IN opening road
- and crossing rivers; in strengthening the var
Gus posts upon our bases and lines of operation
9 and in directing attacks upon the vital points {
l. the encmy's line of battle, at Buena Vista an
l, Cerro Gordo 3D. as shown by the Topograpl
e ical Engineers in accommodating positions an
i sketching the features OF the country; Sd, a
y shown by the Ordnance in the perfect prepara
+ ton and preservation of arms and munitions o
{ war; IN, as shown by the Artillery in the ad
!, n mrable n,anauvcring Of batteries, and its accu
d rate and rapid fire every battlefield, in til
>, s,,rp,inu If pntrpnchmcnts or i'm bnmlurliur