The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-18
WESTERN MILITARY INSTITUTE.


To his exceency, J. J. CBITTESDEN:
SIR: The undcrsi gned, vsiters appointed by your
excellency to attend the annual examination oi the
cadets of the Western Military Institute, under the
general superintendence of Colonel Thornton F.
Johnson commencing the nth and ending on
the 2lst instant have performed the duty assigned
them; and have the honor, respectfully, to submit
the following brief report OF their labor and observa
tion
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 matriculated, OF whom seventeen
are absent on leave, thirteen have been honoraby
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
oyer, Uses of The sections and ciasse. az they were
brongb beiorStheir appropriate Professor, the Fac
nltv and >pectators, in whose presence they were
tbo,ougblv and elaborntely examined in their
conrsc III aca, smic studies and II is with no ordi-
,arr decree Of ,,leasure the Board bear testimony
10 the prompt and correct answers given by the
Cadets TO the questions proPounded oy inc faSulty
and others present thus aording the best evidence
that they are well and Thoroughly taught in thelr
respective departments. .
'fbe text books used and the course Of instruction
adopted at the Institute are, as we arc advised az
Inost identical with those OF the United States NM
tary Academy at West Point, in addition to which,
instruction in the ancient languagesi Ia given, which
may be considered fair average OF the course OF
study OF the colleges Of the United statesi and as
shree members of the Faculty were educated at thai
school and the others are graduates oil coiiegcs Oh
~ ah distinction and well qualified TO teach in their
respective departments, the Board can sec no rea-
500 why a complete and thorough education cannot
be CHAINED at the Western Military Institute
The cadets are instructed in military science,
not 40 much with a view Of qualifying them Tor the
army ms of promoting physical development, by
hcalthful exercise, good habits, subordinsuon, and
discipline, and 20 employ leisure hours, which might
be otherwise devoted 10 coarse amusements or be
idlv a nd uselcaaly thrown away. But military OK
srcises never permitted 70 interfere WIN inc
academic studies OF the Cadet.
The Board Of Yisiters have carefully inspected
the quarters Of the Cadets and find them neat and
comfortable the police good and such as In every
respoct 10 merit their entiro appreciation; and from
personal examination, and all the information
which they have been able 10 obtain. they have
found the are prepared er The Cadets 10 be clean,
wholesome and abundant. They slso deemed II
their duty TO examine the arms, and found them ~
such admirable condition that the handling would
not soil a white glove.
In concluding this report, the Board oil Nlsiters
beg leave TO add that the location Of the institute
at The Blue Lick Springs 10 90 well and fayorably
Ia own not only in the Western States, but in the
entire Mississippi valley that IL would be useless TO
set lor IN it's advantages, and commend IT 10 pubno
favor on that ground But they unwilling 10
withhold an expression Of their unqualified appro-
ation of the course Of study, the good order, po-
lice and disciphne observed and enforced at the
institute and their entire confidence in the high
qualifications Of the general and joint superintend
snt and corps of Professors to command and teach
in their respective departments; and for these rea-
Nons they commend IL 10 public favor and. patron
ace, Respectfully, j. DUDLEY,
Adjutant General and Er OF. Chairaan.
LUCIUs DEsIlA,
w. G.. TALBOT,
JOHN ID. MORRIS,
GEORGE w. WILLIAMS,
JOHN =. WILLIAMS,
I,lvls- Members Board Of Yisifos