Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-06-21
Examination at West Point Military
ACadeuv q


During the past two weeks the Board Of
Examiners have been putting the students at
West Point through a very searching ordeal
in the various branches Of study pursued
there, and also in infantry and cavalry tactics.
The New York He1Gld says:
One cannot help feeling a sympathy for the
poor cadets, as each takes MS stand, trembling
aud almost pale with fear, before the tribunal
that is to sit in judgment upon his past, and
decide upon MS future. To the cadet this Is
an august and important tribunal. The ex-
animation is so rigorous and the least error
and hesitancy Is so particularly marked, that
the student however well posted up," is
constantly doubling his own ability TO go
through the ordeal and to this very want Of
confidence, it is observable, sometimes may
be charged the few errors that occur in an
swering the questions.
The military drill Of the students is thus
described by the Herald:
/ The whole corps Of cadets during the last
week have been put through most severe
examination in infantry tactics and cavalry
tactics, in which is embraced the sword eK-
ercise, one Of the most interesting of all
the braches in the examination. Deviating
from the programme of the examination a.
originally marked out and setting apart a
special day for infantry and cavalry drills.
the whole corps, at five O'Clock in the after
noon Of each day during the past week, have
been marshalled into line and examined in the
use of arms and the management of the rein.
These exhibitions have been interesting. and
upon each returning day during the past week
the lady and gentlemen visitors at West
Point have assembled upon the college
grounds TO witness the maneuyering OF
the young soldiers upon the camp grounds
The infantry and cavalry drills were well
worth seeing. Standing in line and hand
ling the musket, the arms Of the long
line of cadets move with precision and
accuracy Of machinery. On the march the
line is perfectly straight, and false motion
could hardly be discovered during the whole
drill
The cavalry exercise was equally interest
ing, and a finer troop could scarcely be found
than these same cadets, hiding on the Camp
OF Mars at West Point The sword exer-
eises, the most interesting of ALL consist Of the
broad sword and the small sword. The first
Is used in the cavalry drill, ard the latter in
the artillery and infantry drill The drill
carried through, each Young gentleman ap-
) pearing to have, in the language of Dumas to
; Claude Melnotte, carte and tierce at his fin
gers ends" These exercises particularly de-
lighted the ladies, and each combatant as
he entered the lists, has his hackers in the au-
dience of spectators, who, occasionally when
the contest became warm between equal foes
appeared to regard the fight with an interest
Ok 70 IL ~. !
the old Romans to have felt when the gladia-
tors armed and equipped, stepped into the
arena. Upon the ends of the foil used is fast
ened button, to prevent injury TO the con-
testants.
The Rev. DIR. Vinton, Of Brooklyn, has
been selected TO deliver the annual address
which will come off at the close Of the ex-
animation and upon the awarding Of the di-
plOmas. The examination will perhaps be
finished next Saturday, or in the early part of
the week following.