Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-06-27

The EXERCISES AT WEST PoINT-The exercises
at West Point prior to the final examination were
very interesting. On Wednesday Of last week the
cavalry exercises took place. letter in one ofou
exchanges thus describes them:
In the afternoon, at halfpast four, about halfi
the graduating class were drilled in the rcinsbaI,
in the presence of large number Of spectators
The hall is new, and quite comnodious being about
two hundred feet long by fifty wide, and is far su.
perior to any riding accommodations which the AGA.
DENY had previous to last year. There are two gal.
leries erected for the accommodation Of the audi
ences. and they are hardly commodious as they
might be, though they arc great convenience
about halfpast four the section to be drilled
appeared, equipped for the exercise, and mounted
on very fine stud of horses provided by the nst.
tuition They first trotted round the course in dou.
BILE line, and then at fast gaop rushed round the
course like a whirlwind, until even the solid stone
building seemed to shake to its foundation. The
wheeling, halt, forming in line, and other movements
were performed with great accuracy, and ELECTED
much admiration.
The next operation was drill in firing and The
sabre exercise--to the unntiatcd most novel and
interesting proceeding. About six feet from the wall
in the centre of the building at either side were
placed standards, bearing resemblance to gallov
the arm of which extended over the space between
the standard and the wall. On this arm was Sus
pended a ring, about two or three feet above The
head of a rider passing under it. In line with this
were placed other standards, with heads made oil
cloth, supposed to represent the heads of soldiers
waiting to have them cut off, Further on were
smaller standards, with cloth caps, supposed like
wise to represent soldiers knecling on the ground
while cloth caps on the ground were supposed to
soldiers lying down. trying to get out Of the eacn
of the sabre. The exercise consisted in riding lu
iously round the course in sections OF four at lhe
After riding round once each of the drangoons woau
level loaded pistol and fire at of the standing
soldiers as he rode furiousy by him; then' return
ing the pistol to the holster, the sabre was draw"
with the rapidty of lightning, and a stroke MADE
for the next man, recovering in time to pose 'ns
sabre, and as they dashed by to carry Oft the ring gu
the point. All this is done with the consumptM"u
less time than it takes to relate it, and Is reaJ
very exciting spectacle. The sabres went throusn
the rings with a precision that would have oet"
slightly disagreeable had they been aimed at mans
eye; and the stuffed heads of the imaginary sou'u'
received thumpings which could only have oet' g."
dured by themselves. Human nature cou'a ~" Nv"
stand such usage, as the 1rishman sa'd' "''D0'
falling. ,
After rather lengthy continuance OF this eI. '
else the order was given to dsmount, ana ID "v
time than it takes to write the word the whole "op
was on terra 6rma At the word unsaddle' '
nimble fingers worked skilfully for minute u.s..
the troop stood by their horses. having s,I
pie blanket in place ola saddle. Attic word ou"a
as many heads as there were Dragons n'g"t "
been seen bobbing in the air,and finally setIe
ly on the top offirm bodies, seated on the oa" and
The previous sabre exercise was then repea'eu ',
the class proved as proficient without saddle OF
rup with them, and the scarecrow men rece'''u''
other terrible pummelling. roae
"Thc grace and ease with which the class ',Ic.
the precision of the craftsmanship, and the sy
GOODNESS displayed throughout the whole Of
hibiton were pronounced exceedingly cre e'" and
and adequate result to the vigorous exerto"
wofal soiling of white pants necessary to the 0p'
ton"