Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-09-10

| Pond" and Fort MontgOmerg-Cro Nest-"Ihe Cas-
cGde' and "Indian Fails The Military Acadeang-
| Examination of the Cadets--The Reoieo-BaH at
Cos@enS--Gen, Scott-1Hc Vice PRESIDENT onton
| Dril1-Sappers and MiaerS--Artillery, &c.
WEST POINT June I'd, lS49.
DEAR SIR:--Havng concluded the duties which called
me to this delightful place. avail myself of few hours
leisure TO comply with your request ot down whatever
thought might interest yourself friends Earved here
two days before the time appointed in order give myself
an opportunity to revisit my old hauuts and call back the
| memories OF the past You may laugh at me for my
travagance, but do assert and will maintain, that
through the wide extent of country there place
that can surpass am almost tempted to say, compare
with this in the grace beauty and grandeur OF its varied
scenery mean IN the concerned charm OF land ana water
OF rugged mountains and smiling vaes, OF fearful prec-
pieces rounded slopes OF gray ruins and verdant plains,
OF mlrror3like lakes and glaneng waterfalls OF barren
| rocks and cultivated fields. Would that had the power
to describe it, that it might lie before You like we'll
| lmned drawing.
The plain of West Point is nearly two hundred feet
above the river which, sweeping here in bold curve,
closes it on two Sides while the mountains descending
the very waersedge above and below the plateau,
pete its isolation 1t is the seat of giants chair laying
his feet in the Hudson while he his back against the
mountains. To the NORTH the bright surface of the
river dotted with many snowy sail, which the rocky
heights on either side seem almost overhang is seen
wounded ISLE and beyond this the OF NewbuIgh and
the distant mountains To the west the crumbng ruins
OF old Fort Putnam look down upon the Point as If thew
sui wished TO extend that protection tor which they
originally constructed.
fused above the word Isolation" 1t was appropriate
|
been busy roads have been made through the gorges Of
the mountains and along their dethough rocky passes
where remember scrambling with difficulty and danger,
on foot; well appointed equIpages may be seen, roll
| ing with smoothness that would have delighted Nc
Adam Steamboats, may be almost hourly SEEN stopping
tor moment at the wharf, and then dashpg swiftly on
with their crowds in pursuit OF health or wealth or plea
sure The hotel on the Point is thronged with visitors
during the summer season. while mile below, Cozzens,
the world known landlord, has built palace for the
COMMUNICATION OF the public and, hope his profit
AS il all this were not enough destroy that secluson
wei suited 10 t9ls hstqtl on gigantic work, railroad
on the banks OF the Hudson is in the OF completion
Go give you some idea Of the difficulties encountered
will state that In distance OF about three miles opposite
this place. there are fourteen hundred and seventy feet Of
tunneng tor the most part through solid rock of the
hardest kind On the road there present employed
hltyhye hundred men and four hundred teams, besides
steam drills and pe-d rvers.)
The beautiful sheet of water, known in my time as
the Bloody Pond deriving its name from several hun
dred American dead being thrown into when Fort
Montgomery and neghboring work were surprised by
the British during the Revolution, supplies ice the
New DIRK market under the less eshockng of
| Highland Lake" Apropos OF Fort Montgomery: while
sailing on the river abreast OF it, my boaman without be-
ing aware OF it, made better pun than soe have heard
there on the lett A Nose there ano,ha
Anthony's Nose above West Point but the railroad men
| hare almost bloWn 1T off,"
Even the huge granite rocks along the river cliffs which
we used to sketch in their wild confusion dee ply
inscribed with the of the battles in Mexico the
letters are SO large that they be read from passing
steamboats, and they bid fair be egbe the latest ge
| neratons OF men.
But there are places which have, yet, been left I'M
touched There's the rocky ravine through which used
to climb to the summit OF old Gro Nest fifteen hundred
feet in air whence the noble Hudson visible as far as the
eye could reach seemed silver ribbon, stretched along
carpet OF green There IS the Cascade whose natural
shower bath have often enjoyed and Just below it, the
deep pool where caught the trout of which an
old professor OF mine and disciple Of Waons, this
ing reminded me. Across the river embosomed in the
hills the "lndan Falls" sometimes known in these
degsnerate days as Fanny Kembles Bath from having
been the tayore resort of lady who has been somewhat
noted IN the world. But with mo
and must apply the curb
The Military Academy is in thriving condition. and is
IN every way worthy OF the great country OF which
the pride and the boast So gallany did the graduates do
their devoir in Mexco-so well did their science com
bned with courage fulfil nay supass the expectations of
the friends Of the institution that enemies who had as
sumed so menacing 'front.' have been senced and no
word OF opposition is now heard. Long may it go on,
prospecting and to prosper, verifying the wisdom of its
| founders.
The examination Of the Cadets, severe and searching
it is, has been satisfactory In all the various
branches which have occupied their attention for the year.
the extent and accuracy OF their information has been
marked Whether call was made on their memory for
some long formula, their reasoning powers for de-
monstration- whether principle in mechanics or in
the relations OF the heavenly bodies some chemical anay
Sis or combination was to be explained without scarcely
an excepnon-the responses were prompt and full The
construction OF block house OF regular ortication
the survey OF railroad military
ed equally familiar Nor was their sodiershp less adma
be indicated in the given honor of the Board
| Of Visitors, well subsequent one to Gen Scott,
in their daily parades in the cavalry exercises and in the
drill Of the light artillery which depended the result of
SO many OF the battles OF the late each and all of
these they did credit to themselves and their instructors
In watching the evoutions of the light battery, realized
tor the hst time the almost lightning rapidly OF the ad
vance and retreat, and of the various formations was
told that the amened Duncan had drilled his such
| quickness OF movement that particular OCCASION
when his guns under their Sheds the horses in the
stable, and the harness hanging up he accomplished the
feat OF harnessng up moving his guns hundred yards
forming in battery and firing round in the space of one
minute and halt from the time the first command was
given
Gta L.,
ting class by young Benet of East Florida The chevrons
on his arms told OF his soldershp and good conduct,
while his standing at the head of his class in several
branches, vouched for his capacity and application May
the youngster who takes his place have equal good fortune
During the first week my sooum, Cozzens opened his
magnificent house, which occasion he gave grand
dinner and ball. to which the officers of the Point and the
Board of Visitors wereinyited. The dinner will not de-
scribe, except by saying that was of Cozzens din
ners which will be perfectly ineligible to all who know
! him, twas followed by the ball. Beauty, grace and
mirth and brilliant lights and exquisite music made it all
that could be desired About ten o'clock became known
that General Scott had arrived and afterwards he
entered the saloon Never shall forget his appearance
as he moved up the room. Though evidently suffering
from recent illness, his noble form, rising a head and
shoulders above those who surrounded him. had grace
and of motion seldom in tall; he looked
worthy Of the fame he has Won Many OF the officers pre-
had served under him in Mexico, and his afeconate
greeting to them, as they crowded around him. the cordial
shake OF the hand and the kindly words spoken showed
that he remembered that they had stood together where
death busy and felt that had established new and
closer relation between them marked remembrance OF
persons said to be prerogave of royal Blood never
heard THAI the General traces back to the Stuart the
Guelph but he certainly must possess the quality Judge
b. OF the Board Of Visitors was presented TO him. after
one look he exclaimed, "Why this my old friend with
whom used to play chess thirty years ago. He claimed
at your correspondent OF his Indian young
ser and has been twelve long years since he served
| as sub under the Generals command There were
| several other similar cases
Last week the Vice President stopped here his way
home intending to spend only day he declineda re-
view but his time passed so pleasantly that he remained
two. He is very fine looking man, and much
for the injustice done him in Quincy banner do you
remember those awful looking heads which intended
to represent the President and Vice President the GUM
cy flag, and which democratic candidate ridcued so
much during the meetngO In the best possible TASTE
he called General Scott whose health was still weak
had the honor OF being invited accompany him. and
thought that the General was much grafed by the
tenfion.