The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-30
WESTERN MILITARY INSTITUTE.

BLUE LICK SPRINGS, KY, June q, 1880
To his excellency, j. j. CBITTENpEN:
STR: The undersigned, visiters ppointcd by your
exceency TO attend the annual examination Of the
cadets of the Western Military Institute under the
general superIntendence Of Colonel Thornton r.
Johnson, commencing on the 18th and ending on
the 2lst instant have performed the duty assigned
them; and have the honor, respectfully, to submit
the following brici report of their labor and observa
ton:
Since the removal of the Institute from George
town to Blue Lick Springs, one hundred and sixty
cadets, representing seventeen States and one
Territory, have matrculated, of whom seventeen
are absent on leave, thirteen have been honorably
discharged, seven have been dismissed, and one
hundred and thirty three were in attendance at the
close of the session.
The undersigned attended the examination and
exercises OF the sections and classes as they were
brought before their appropriate Professor the Fac
ulty and spectators, in whose presence they we're
thoroughly and claborately examined in their
course of academic studies and it is with no ordi-
nary degree of pleasure the Board bear testimony
to the prompt and correct answers given by the
Cadets to the questions propounded by the Faculty
and others present. thus atfordng the best evidence
that they are well and thoroughly taught in their
respective departments.
The text books used and the course of instruction
adopted at the Institute are, advised, al
most identical with those of the United States Mill,
tary Academy at West Point, in addition to which.
instruction III the ancient languages is given, which
may be considered fair average of the course of
study Of the colleges of the United States; and
three members OF the Faculty educated at that
school, and the others graduates Of colleges OF
high distinction and well qualified to teach in their
respective departments the Board can
why complete and thorough education cannot
be obtained at the Western Military Institute.
The Cadets instructed in military science,
not so much with view of qualifying them for the
army as of promoting physical development, by
healthful exercise, good habits, subordinaton. and
discipline, and to employ leisure hours which might
be otherwise devoted to coarse amusements or be
idly and uselessly thrown away But military cx-
ercises are never permitted to interfere with the
academic studies of the Cadet.
The Board OF Nisiters have carefully inspected
the quarters of the Cadets and find them neat and
comfortable, the police good, and such in every
respect to merit their entire approbation; and from
personal examination, and all the information
which they have been able to obtain, they have
found the fare prepared for the Cadets to be clean
wholesome, and abundant. They also deemed it
their duty to examine the arms and found them in
such admirable condition that the handling would
not soil white glove.
In concluding this report, the Board of Visiters
beg leave TO add that the location of the institute
at the Blue Lick Springs is well and favorably
known, not only in the Western States, but in the
entire Mississippi valley, that it would be useless to
set forth its advantages, and commend it to public
favor that ground. But they are unwilling to
withhold an expression of their unqualified appro-
lice, and discipline observed and enforced at the
Institute, and their entire confidence in the high
qualifications Of the general and joint Superintend
ent and corps OF Professors to command and teach
in their respective departments; and for these
sons they commend il to public favor and patron
age. Respectfully, p. DUDLEY,
Adjutant General and Er off Chairman.
LUClUS DEShA,
w. G. TALBOT,
JOHN d. NORRIS,
GEORGE w. WILLIAMS,
JOHN S. WILLIAMS,
July 10 Members Board Of Visiiers.