The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-19
Our West Point Correspondence.
WEST PoINT. N. Y. June l6. Ia!

The Firings from the Siege Batery-Eramina.
f'on Of the Fourth Glass an English Studies-Ihe
Firing from the Dock Batfey-Eran,inatioa of
the First Glass in Cavahy Idctics-Address be-
fore the Diaiectic Scciety--7He FIRST Glass Hop.
The examination of the third class in French be-
ing concluded on Tuesday last that of the first class
in artillery came up next in ORDER and occupied the
remainder of the day. The instructor in this depart
ment is Brevet Major Fitz John Porter of the
Fourth Regiment Of Artillery, most thorough tao
tician, and one whose appearance bespeaks him
every inch q soldier. The course in this depart
ment, judging from the text books is much longer
than that of any other course of tactics in the aca
deny, and evidently requires for its mastery men of
more than ordinary scientific attainments. The
Ordinance Manual, works upon field and heavy
artillery, together with I" Thiroux's Instruction
work written in French upon the same, q Kinsleys
Pyrotechny," notes upon gunpowder, percussion
powder, cannon and projectiles, form part of the
course; and it is super1uous to say, that he who
masters these, thereby lays within himself the pro-
per foundation for most skilful artillerist. At IS
o'clock in the afternoon, sample Of the practical
instruction in this department was afforded the
Board of Visiters from the siege battery situated
upon the sidehili between the laboratory and hotel
This battery consists of two twenty pound siege
guns, two eighteen Founders, and two eight inch
howitzers. They are manufactured of iron. and
peering out from behind the Notifications, pre-
sent a most formidable appearance. The target
at which the pieces were aimed is situated across
the small bay here formed by the river, and st
distance of very nearly three quarters of
mile from the battery. The shots were gene
rally very good, though an occasional one
at random seemed fired from the howitzers on the
extreme right. We believe, however, that the use Of
these sort Of guns is intended more for eifectnc
Breaches in walls than for any service in which an
accurate aim is indispensable. The guns are moan
ted upon huge carriages and at every successive fire
these had to he wheeled back from the embrasures
for the purpose of being loaded, and then wheeled
up to them again to be aimed. The various mar ecu.
yTes with these immensely heavy pieces were per-
formed with skill which we hardly expected from
SO youthful collection Of soldiers the cadets aud
reflects the highest credit upon the sturdy will with
which they set about learning the most arduous du-
ties OF their pr )fession.
On Wednesday morning, those members of the
third class who were entitled to leave of absence
for the ensuing encampment, took their departure
from West Point, and as turlough uniform after fur
Tough uniform disappeared beneath the bank on the
way to the river, we could not prevent ourselves
from sorrowully predicting the very gre appear
ance which the battalion presented that evening ut
parade The examination of the fourth class in
English studies, was taken up on Wednesday morn
ing, and steadily acOntinued throughout the day.
rms department Is rather q preparatory one than
otherwise, and the examination of its six sections
being hurried over as quickly possible was finish
ed on Thursday morning On Wednesday afternoon
at five o'clock the firing from the dock battery took
place in presence Of large number of spectators.
This battery is situated Immediately upon the bank
of the river and is composed Of such pieces as are
used for seacoast service. Two targets were fired
at during the drill, the first siege battery target
across the bay, and the second floating one inter
mediate between the battery and the other shore
The shots fired at the floating target were with
shells, and these bursting at the moment they took
effect tore 1t almost completely to pieces. Several
shots were fred which went bounding like ball
across the water, forming species ,f projectile
especially appertaining to this bancho The service.
The firing from this battery was or much greater
interest than that from any other upon tie Point,
and with it were concluded the artillery exercises
before the Board
On Thursday morning, Lieutenant Sockets depart
ment Of the first class in cavalry tactics came p for
examination, and this was finished during the aner
nation possesses but little interest but notwithstand
ing this, it was very well passed. On Thursday
afternoon, at o'clock, the address before the Dia
lectic Society was delivered in the chapel by the
Hon. Sherrard Clemens, of Virginia. This address
was to have been delivered upon Wednesday even
ing, but was postponed on account Of the ncle-
mency fthc weather The gallery Of the chapel was
occupied by the band attached to the Academy,
and the exercises OF the afternoon were enlivened
by music from the orchestra Mr.. Clemens duties
Secretary of the Board of Visitors had prevented
his making the preparation which he desired for the
occasion, and he came forward with the anticipa-
ton of making little else than stump speech. In
this he succeeded very we'll and if while in 10 doing
he may be ever as fortunate We may yet hear OF him
again from the Old Dominion. The Dialectic Soci-
ETY., before which the address was delivered, Is the
only literary one allowed at the academy, and
dates back for many years passed by. Its members
hold their meetings every Saturday evening during
the academy year, in the Dialectic hall, over the
archway in the cadet barracks and the society is in
as 1ourishing condition as 1t well could be without
rival at the Military Academy. The first clsss a~,
ing passed through all their examinaticfc~. ease
hop on Thursday evening to the 'ss,es VI tne pos.'
BY permission Of the authorities the mop was cx-
tended to m;dniqls, and until that time the music
and the dancing were well kept up.
A board of medical officers are ordered to convene
here to day. for the purpose Of examining the gradu-
ates before entering the army, and also the candi
dates for admission into the academy. This medical
examination Is the last which the class have to pass
and expected that they will be relieved from duty
some time during the day. Their diplomas, how
ever yet be delivered to them and this cere-
mony, together with an address by Mr.. Bayard, Of
New Jersey member Of the Board of Visitors, will
take place this afternoon in the chapel. The ex-
animation Of the second claHs in chemistry Is DOW
In prcgtss and IL is supposed that nothing win oe-
cur to interfere with the conclusion OF the sem-an-
nual examination on Saturday. The camp win be
pitched on Monday or Tuesday next, and the corps
win then march into summer quarters A. b. Q.
TEMPERANCE STATE EoMfNATfSG CONTENTION
c.a criroagfp1 that the Iiflrrput tpmuprauca