The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-14
Array Intelhgenee.
OK WEST POINT CORRESPONDENTS.


WEST Ponr. N. Y, juno Is, 1864.
Examination of the Fourth Class IN Mathsmaties-
Fsriwx at the Mortar Baftery-Address to the
Graduating Class-E1amination in Imfant'y
Tactics-Ffyrg Artillery Drills, &c.
The examination Of the First Glass Department
OF Mineralogy and Geology having been concluded
on Thursday afternoon last that OF the fourth class
In Mathematics was taken up on Friday morning,
and continued STEADILY until finished ON Saturday
afternoon. The course of this class comprises
Daires' Bourdon's Algebra, as revised; Daires'
IAreudre's Geometry and Tngonometry, and Daires'
Descriptive Geometry. Although not appearing, at
frt sight TO be as extensive course as that Of the
third class yet it gains in importance when we con-
slider that it comprises all the fundamental prnci-
Piles Of mathematics, which are to serve ground
work for the future requirement Of o scientific
education II is needless to say that the Rotations
before the Board of visiters of the various mathe-
NAUTICAL classes Of the Military Academy, are little
less than perfect; and the promptness with which
the cadets place their work upon the board and the
readiness with which they go through their demon
STATIONS, Is truly surprising There is, however,
one fault common to them all, and this is the very
great rapidity Of their utterance. We noticed 1t
throughout all the classes, and only account for
the formation of such habits by reason Of the in
adequacy Of time allotted for the proper hearing Of
the daily rectations Four years are In no way
sufficient for the present course Of studies at the
Military Academy, and 1t therefore follows that
there is crowded within the limits of each year
much more than should be its allotted share of
kal labor. To complete these extended yearly
Eourses the daily lessons must be long, and, though
pa much time possible is devoted to the re ,ita
lions, the instructors are cessary obliged to hurry
El,ar fbr0un orlp In
bring out the principal features of the before
the Dismissal Of their sessions. The habit Of rapid
speaking thus acquired in the academy is unwit
tingly persevered in by the graduate, and it is a
rare occurrence that we meet with officers who have
been able to cure themselves of this defect in their
N)cution.
was formed and marched to the Mortar Battery upon
the plain This battery consists Of six pieces three
of which are technically known ten inch mortars
two as eight inch and the remaining a stone
mortar. The ten inch mortar throws shell ten
inches in diameter, the eight inch eight inches
in diameter, and the stone mortar is employed for
the purpose of firing stones, hand-grenades, and
other missiles Of the same nature. The target for |
the shells is barrel mounted upon high post near
the camp ground, distant about thousand feet
from the battery. Very good line shots are fire.
the charge of powder to the distance, the balls inva
rably fall few feet short of their destination
slightly beyond it. The battery was under the |
command Of Brevet Major Porter, and the firing was
well conducted In rear of the battery is a maya
zine, from which were obtained the cartridges and /
bombshels used on the occasion. The shells and |
hand .grenades fred from the stone mortar were
contained in a species Of basket work, upon the
bursting of which THEY scattered in every direction.
The first shot Of this kind took effect in the small
valley near the battery, known as Execution
duced among the spectators Immediately thereafter,
by the figure of man apparently emerging from the
very spot where the missiles had fallen. 1t proved to
be that of soldier who had lain down under the shade
S,f n troe and while there pnOyiuU n uuipt
was awakened by the sound of stones falling about
him. BY miracle he was uninjured, and slowly
rising he walked coolly away, as self-possessed az
though nothing had happened.
The best shots from the shell mortars were two
from the eight inch; and these being placed in the
proper direction and loaded by the cadets, were fired
the present wife Of a distinguished member Of the
legal profession Of this State, and the former widow
Of of those gallant officers who fell fighting for
their country at the battle Of Buena Vista The
handgrenades fired from the stone-moytar, are q
specie of bomb-shell in miniature whose diameter
cannot vary far from three incher. These can be
thrown by the hand to considerable distance, and
in actual service are found to be very useful when
hurled from the tops ofwalls and houses, upon the
enemy beneath.
On Sunday last, the usual address by Prof.
Sprole TO the members Of the graduating class,
delivered In the chapel. The front seats upon the
middle aisle were occupied by the class, and when,
at the conclusion Of his sermon, Professor Spr0le
especially addressed them, they arose and remained
standing until he had concluded. The annual adj
dress before the Daletic Society will be delivered in
the chapel some evening during the present week by
of the Board of Visitors. The examination Of the
first class in Infantry tactics was commenced upon
Monday morning, and finished at o'clock p. M.
The third class department In French came next In
order and the examination Of the first section was
finished before the afternoon adjournment Of the
Board.
At S o'clock P. NJ. the. mounted cadet
battery. under the command Of Lieutenant Fry,
ofacered by members Of the first class, and manned
BY members Of the third class as cannoneers, went
through the various evoutions Of flying artillery
upon the plain in front of the hotel This battery
consists Of six bronze six FOUNDERS, and presents
very One appearance upon the field. One Of the
pieces however, was disabled shortly after the COM
mencement Of the drill, by the breaking Of the pole
to which its horses were attached, and in conse
quenos the battery forced to be reduced to the
minimum number Of carriages specified by the tao
t,ca. The day, too, was unpropitious as light
ehower had sprung up at the commencement Of the
driu. and continued at intervals throughout its du
ration. The frings from the battery were not as
good g We have frequently noticed them at the
nccuvres could hardly have been more perfect. We
were particularly struck with the rapidity and
eeiA with which the cannoneers dismounted their
pieces and carriages, and then mounted them as be-
fore. In these movements the piece Ia not only re-
moved from its carriage but this latter Is also taken
completely apart, and its various components laid
separately upon the ground At a single command
the carriages were mounted. and at q second the
pieces being lifted from the ground into an upright
position. were raised into their resting places, and
there tightly secured. The cadets Of the first class
acting officers TO the battery, were well mounted
and displayed fine Craftsmanship in the manage
ment OF their restless steeds at every successive dis
charge Of the guns.
The examination Of the third class in French Is
still In progress, and will be finished to-day. Those
pf them who are TO have furlough for the coming
knoampment are making preparations for their de-
barture, and win probably have left by tomorrow
horning. The first class will be relieved during the
litter part Of the week, and the examination IS ex
bected to be finished by Saturday evening" OF Mon
day at the latest. A. b. G.
HoRsx SHOW IN PRovIDKscB.-The arrangements
for the horse show the 2lst and 22d inst contem
plates display Of unusual interest. The quality Of
the horses owned in this vicinity has greatly mpro
we'd within few years, and some Of the finest ami