The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-10
THE MILITARY EXAMINATION.


THE MILITARY KxAMINATIONr
Our West Point Correspondence.
WEST Ponr, June 8, 1864.
Progress of the Examination -Iafantry Drill
7He Course of Ethics at the Military Academy
Ski3nishing on the Plains The Eramnatiow IN
PAilosophy- Fencing Errcises-The Eramina-
tiom in Mineraiogy and Geoiogy-Cauairy Err-
cises in the Riding Hall.
Thus far has pleasant weather smiled upon the
vsiters of West Point and yet nothing has OCCUR
red to interfere with the various field exercises which
take place here before the Board every afternoon,
after academic hours On Monday the examination
Of the third class in mathematics was resumed and
continued throughout the day. The class passed
fine examination, though their course embraces the
very highest branches of one strictly mathematical.
At the conclusion Of the examination for the day,
battalion drill took place upon the plain. The
various evoutons Of this school of the tactics were
performed with the most accurate precision and UNI
equaled rapidity and indeed this last Is one great
characteristic Of the military exercises Of the cadets
There is no wavering, no delay . command once
uttered, and with but single motion throughout
the ranks, it is executed with the speed Of light
ming. The formation Of hollow squares for resisting
charges of cavalry the principal feature OF the
Hrst half hours drill. At each successive formation
at the command from the instructor, two rows Of
brstling bayonets fell to the position Of the CHARGE
forming q barrier which in case Of emergency has
almost ever proved to be the great safety guard Of
the infantry. The marching of the battalion in one
line was most excellent and their other maneuvres
upon the field were performed in manner well wor
thy of their distinguished reputation. Each man
was supplied with cartridges, and the drill was en-
lyened by the very frequent volleys Of musketry
poured forth upon the imaginary enemy.
On Tuesday morning, the examination in mathe-
mates was resumed, and finished early in the day
The first class department Of ethics came next and.
though numbering four sections was hurried through
with before the adjournment Of the Board at five
O'Clock p. M. The necessity for an extended course
of ethical studies at the Military Academy has
always been apparent, and the present one Is but
the skeleton of what it should be. Embracing moth.
ing but Kents Commentaries, Wayland's Moral
Science, and Whately's Logic, it cannot command
its due share Of attention from the cadet and Ia
hurried over as one of the least important of his
studies. The friends of this department have
earnestly strven to add another year to the cadet
probation in order that they might graduate literary
men, well soldiers from the academy; and 1t IS
q question well worthy of the consideration OF Con-
gress, whether it is not strictly their duty, By
making this addition, to send forth to the world
more highly polished scholars than many Of the
mathematical automatons who are now the yearly
graduates. Another year is sadly needed to finish
the course, and the ethical department is by no
means the only one which is crying aloud for reform
in this respect.
On Tuesday afternoon, at five O'clock the corps
formed into two companies, and was drilled upon
the plain as skirmishers. During the greater part
OF the drill the skirmishers were upon full run,
and, though q proper organization was kept up
fhau1c rnd IN no nm.
practised eye scattered heller SHELTER the plain
At times they seemed to be creeping stealthily along
in Indianfle, when of sudden the sharp report OF
a rattling fire would break upon the ear, and the
quick succession of solitary shots would tell too
plainly the neighborhood Of the enemy, and the
nature of the service they were engaged in. Then,
as when in danger, they dropped upon the ground,
pursued, they arose, and slowly retreatng, fired
as they went, until, when too hotly pressd form
ing in circles, they checked by their charged bayo-
nets the close approach Of the foe. Then, though
he had retreated, breaking out again upon full run,
they would appear to harass his rear, until when
charged upon they would give way, seeming once
more to seek safety in the points of their bayonets.
changed their position in the field then, scattering
out once more as skirmishers, the constant firing
which they kept up tended yet more to heghten the
interest of the scene.
On Wednesday morning the examination Of the
second class In philosophy was commenced, and
that of the first and second sections was finished
before one o'clock. The third section was called up
in the afternoon and the examination of the whole
class was finished on Thursday morning. The course
in philosophy, embracing the subjects Of mechanics,
acoustics, optics, astronomy and magnetism, is
longer than any other in the academy and the ex-
animation Of this class could not be expected to be
perfect as that of some others. The new work Of
Professor Bartlett upon the subject of mechanics,
is the only one in which is to be found the applica
ton OF strictly analytical principles to the subject Of
forces and difficult as 1t must necessarily be, It
was for q long time doubted whether it could be
mastered, even in the Military Academy. The ex-
pertinent was made for the first time during the
past year, and the excellent examinations passed
upon this subject have proved to the most sceptcal
that cadets are fully equal to the task.
On Wednesday afternoon the exercises in the first
class in fencing took place in the Fencing Academy.
This class has only received instruction in this &C
complishment during the past year, and as time IL
one great requisite in becoming adept in the use
Of the small sword We could hardly pronounce any
graceful art Of selfdefence. For an officer il is alb
soutely necessary, and 1t is to be regretted that
there is not more time devoted to it. The instruc-
tor de Janon, Is as perfect in his art as well
could be, and, fully capable as he is Of imparting
this knowledge to Others, it is but right that he
should have the proper opportunity of so doing.
The examination Of the first class in mineraloRy
and geology was commenced on Thursday, and con-
tinued throughout the day. The department is un-
der the supervision OF Professor Bailey, favora.
ably known in our own country, but even yet more
so in Europe, as the distinguished American natu-
ralst. The course in mineralogy and geology would
appear to be short in comparison with others in the
academy, but fautless memory Is absolutely re-
quiste for its requirement. The class however, did
credit to their instructor, Brevet Captain Boynton
Of the Artillery, who is another of the youthful he
roes Of the Mexican war detailed on duty at the in
stitution.
Ats O'Clock in the afternoon the sabre exercises
on horseback, Of the first class, under the command
Of Lieut. Sackett, took place in the riding hall. The
class being mounted, was drilled for ten fifteen
minutes at a walk, trot, and finally at breakneck
galop, up and down the hail. to the right and to
the left and down the centre, twisting serpentIike
about the posts which occupy the middle Of the
building. Short posts were then placed upon the
track, and upon these balls Of canvass to repre-
sent mems heads. The exercises consisted in run.
ming at these heads and cutting them of with the