Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-11-04
NEW MILITARY DRILL.

The following description of the new drill which ha.
recently been introduced at West Point is from the Bos
ton Evening Gazette the Editor Of which paper was on
Of party Of military gentlemen who visited Vest Pon
on Thursday for the purpose Of witnessing the drill
Some months since Col HAHDEE was sent for from
Washington by the Government and directed to pre-
pare system Of drill which should contain as feature
quicker movements than those laid down in Scott al
many of the officers in the Mexican had found great
dhcuy from the Glow movements Of the heavy infantry
COL Hardee at obeyed his orders and about the
computation ofa system Of tactics and in order fac
tate his intention imported from Paris the drill book
the Chdsseurs de Vincenne This he found to be the
system desired embracing every point which 1t was his
desire to obtain He Immediately commenced the trans
aton of the same which will undoubtedly meet the ap-
proya Of the Government and viii be published in two
i volumes
The drill Of the Sappers and Miners on this plan was
witnessed with great satisfaction The main features are
the rapidiy Of the movements being at o rate of one
hundred and sixtyfve steps to the minute which in the
French service sometimes reach hundred and eighty
steps The flank movements performed in ranks Of
four which distance and affords opportunity for
the double quick time The skrmshing was performed
with remarkable quickness and the rayng in threes
IN company rapidly executed After this parade the
battalion under COL Walker numbering about one hun
dred and sixty cadets went through the on the
same system The gymnastc step adopted is not unlike
the polka sepj which gives pose the body on the
ball Of the foot while the with which the battalion
from portion of the parade ground to the other
executing every infantry manuvre and the small space
/
cavalry In the French service this arm has been found
particularly useful and the aurels the Chasseurs won in
Africa attracted great attention. They are small men,
who by acquiring the habit Of breathing through the
instead OF the mouth enabled 90 this dog rot
long distance We notice in the last despatch of Marshal
rnaud that he regretted the absence of the Chasseurs
in the Crimea.
The introduction of this system into the militia it Is
thought by competent Judges would answer as supple
mental drill the present infantry practice serving to set
men up as soldiers II has been always urged against
our rifle corps that they lacked that steadness which in
1antry soldiers possessed and that the latter could in
three or four drills compete with the former their drill
and often eclipse them. In the regular service on the
field Of battle Of course this seadness is not SO much of
an object but in our militia, where the men are drilled
but little comparatively, such system might be apt if
men commenced their schooling in it, it is very exct
ing, to cause them to contract habits of wavering
Major General EDMANDs of the Massachusetts, Militia
who was also of the party that witnessed the drill
describes it in detail than is done in the preceding
account of one of his eutenants We therefore add the
Generals description of it, as follows:
The exhibition of the system of drill for Rifemen
and Light Infantry given Thursday last by the Cadets at
West Point and the company of Sappers and Miners now
located there was highly interesting and afforded gra
and instruction to numerous suite Of general field
and staf officers of the militia Of several States.
The system has been prepared by Col HAnDEE of the
U s. army and is founded upon the system Of the French
Chdses de Vincennes corps which has rendered itself
famous highly eecua in actual bntte on various
occasions 1t is to the Infantry what light artillery to the
distinguishing feature in the the flank
movements, especially those preparatory skmishng are
made In four ranks the company in line being now form
ed in two ranks, told off by both ranks from
right to left the and the right Of the front
rank and the corresponding files in the rank, consut
ing the four which is the recognised in the drill as bat
tie comrades In extending preparatory skirmishing
these ours move of together and take intervals twenty
pae and when arrived ut the point where their fire
delivered these ours again depoy at five Whenever
menaced by cavalry each four assemblies and facing four
different ways standing back back charge bayone pre-
sent formidable force, especially if skilled in bayonet
drill or exercises if still further the force
is demanded, these fours all rally together
arm used is one on the principle Of the grooved BORE
ike the rifle and will heavy ball with the precision
OF common rifle some five hundred yards and will do
cuon ON an object struck at thirteen hundred yards
The bayone used is in reality sword Gun be used
such independently of the piece.
The step at which this force the march is ha
bitually ut the Of 1856 per minute which may be in
creased occasion requires temporarily per minute
The battalion school is in reality only application Of
this rapid present infantry school The same
orders used and the troops after the execution any
OF these orders, come to the positions in the
fanTy
piece at the cauonary order is brought the fright
der shift (Which is, however, little different from that of
the infantry drill and the four rank formation is in
tne hank the men assuming the shoulder arms
(rif) at the halt and immediately resulnng tho
formation without order to that particular end This
appears to be general in all company well in battalion
movements
"Another feature is that provision is made executing
the whom the troops are in motion without halt
ing The regiment if ordered form column for instance
OF the first company does while in notion
tnues the march unless ordered to halt.
These the principal features they appeared the
writer upon witnessing the drill West Point and without
an opportunity to examine any Of the compilations of the
system It will be apparent therefore, msconcep-
tons may have taken place and distinguishing
overlooked.
The system requires much physical exertion than
even the drill of 1926 for light troops and be carried
out to its extreme point Of effectiveness except regular
shenic training. Still it may be introduced into militia
and the troops gradually be brought to act with much
increased emclency whenever
service appears and executes this drill in public with
sonabe degree of efficiency it will much wonder
the Light Artillery has recently done here"
We learn from the New York papers that Col. DAVIS,
the Secretary of War; expected to be at West Point
yesterday Tuesday for the purpose Of inspecting the
merits Of this system Of field tactics, which it is
stated has been arranged and sanctioned by Board of
enlightened Officers of the Army.
The New YORK OYSTER ExoIrEMENT.-Dr. JAMES r.
CHILroN has analysed number Of the oysters on
sale in New York. and has certified that they entirely
wholesome The report that Mr.. Cornell the cashier Of
bank died from eating poisonous oysters has brought
forth statement from the propretors Of establish
ment in Wall street. in which they say
'sMr. Cornell and FIVE other gentlemen to our
place Friday evening, October 20 and partook be
rally Of oysters and other refreshments These six gem
temen provided at their request with oysters raw
roasted broed stewed fsiod, hesides ale brandy
champagne cabbage and other usual condiments the
amount Of fourteen dollars Mr. Cornell had been i'll for
months and, though improving, still in feeble
health ut the time he partook Of the oysters.
s'As we wish to make merely plain statement Of I
AZ