The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-10-30

AS an Ola podyida Of facts, fancies and spe-
culations, the volume of correspondence which
we publish to-day will prove amusing and in
teresting.
Military Intelligence.
THE NEW RIFLE DRILL AT WEST POINT-INTERESTING
VISIT TO THE MILITARY ACADEMY.
A large number of officers made visit to the United
States Military Academy at West Point last week, to
witness the performance Of the corps of cadets in light
infantry and rife drill very similar to that used by
the celebrated Chasseurs de vncennes.
Brcvet Lieutenant Colonel Haree of the United States
Dragons under the direction of the Secretary OF War;
has recently compiled work. making very essential
changes in the evoluons of that truly American of
the service.
1t will be recollected that this drill had its origin in
this country before the revolutionary war-that it
systematzed during that momentous struggle and that
its efficiency especially demonstrated under the gal
liant Colonel Morgan at Saratoga and throughout the
The attention Of France and England then called
to the utility of the rifle and the drill and England espe
ciay had to realize the Importance Of establish
it of the Of her service, from the severe
I her troops had experienced whenever they met
the deadly rifle of the Yankee.
The Tiraeurs of France had their origin also about
that time, and mistake not Switzerland and other
From time to time, improvements have been made in
the rife the shape of the ball and the system Of drill
The French deserve great credit for the improvements
they have recently made in the latter two and the sys
tenn about to be presented to the people of the
United States, combining, it does, all the important
and useful improvements made in that Of the
vice. may be said to be perfection be at
tanned
As the work will be published, we win not go into
and brevty in the words Of command, rapdity Of
men and effective execution it recommends itself to
the attention and study of military men.
Major Generals G. W. Sanford, First Division New
York State Militia Aaron Ward Second Division, and
B. F. Edmands First Division Massachusetts, Volunteer
Militia Brigadier Generals William Hall, Charles B.
Spcer and Charles Yates, New York State Militia and
Gen. Ward B. Burnett New York Volunteers Colonies
James Page, Philadelphia Thomas F. PEERS New York
M. NJ. Van Buren,, Eleventh Regiment State Militia Thos.
F. Devoe late Of Eighth Regiment, andJas. G. Burnhar
New York Volunteers Majors William N. Richards and
George F. Woodward, Staff First Division Captain
Edward Vincent, Twelfth Regiment Van Buren,,
Eleventh, and Butterheld, Seventy first Regiment
Lieutenant Martin Leary, Philadelphia, with Le Z
tenant Bartlett of the Navy, were among the large
number Of persons who had been invited to witness the
drill and were present that interesting occasio
The day was very fine for the purpose and every hour
occupied by the visitors in witnessing the cadets in
their recitation rooms the fencing hail. the squadron
drill and the rifle drill by company performed by the
Sappers and Miners, to exempfy the drill which
afterwards performed by the whole corps Of cadets
organized battalion of eight companies.
The gallant Colonel Walker, of the eth Infantry Com
mandant Of Cadets commanded the battalion drill First
Lieut. Sackett Of the Dragons the squadron drill and
Lieut. Casey of the Engineers the company rife drill Of
the sappers and Miners.
Colonel Robert E. Lee, the Superintendent Professors
Mahan, Church and Weir Colonies Casey, Hardee and
Walker Majors Porter and Ridgeley Captains Coppee,
wilcott, Leutenants JONES' Coggswe and others,
particularly attentive to the guests who returned home
well satisfied with their visit, and with an unanimous
desire that this efficient admirable drill may be
universally introduced into the infantry and rife corps
Of the militia Of the United States.
We are informed that the Secretary Of War will make
official visit to the academy Tuesday the 31sti
when the battalion drill according to Colonel Hardee's
work. will be exhibited for his inspection; and that
hat drill will be the last of the kind until next spring
The Late Torpedo Explosion at Earle's Hotel.
Although vgilant search has been made by the Chief
and his shadows, and minute inquiry into all the par
cuars Of the curious explosion of the torpedo at arle
still has been arrested and, what is still
unfortunate the affir is wrapped in mystery that
very little clue If any at ALL be obtained rs to who
the manufacturers OF the deadly weapon, by
whom it left in the hotel 1t is presumed however,
that the package sent there by express for nd
vdual who was to call for it, and being done up in
unsuspicous manner was, is the usual custom Of
the porter placed behind the counter Of the bookkeep
er desk to be left there till called for On the carpet
bag Ia small one) which contained the torpedo was with
some difieulty, decphered the name "Graves," which
may yet lead the discovery Of the person for whom
this deadly missile was intended. From the circum
stances connected with this strange and most daboca
affair we are Of the opinion that the torpedo was acct
dentaly set of by the bell boy tossing the bag about
Will endeavoring to ferret out Mr. Dowd's luggage
whose escape most fortunate indeed he was stand
ing within three feet the spot where the explosion took
place. and strange say received but few very slight
injuries The reports of the extent of injury inflicted
both to the building and its occupants greatly
aggerated, and many supposed in the neghborhood Of
| examination Of the premises v4re pleasantly
prsed to find that the injury done to the building was
very slight indeed From examination Of the premises
are fully satisfied that there was not more than
couple Of pounds Of powder in the canister at tho ut
most for il the had been full 1t would, under the
circumstances have blown up the entire building How
ever was quite enough Of the dangerous compound
contained in the bag all the purposes Tor winch
this fendsh and ingeious trap was constructed Inc
boy Peter Noun Is now at the New York Hospital where
no viii undoubtedly under the excellent medical
treatment he is experiencing.