The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-06-30
THE EXERCISES AT WEST POINT

final examination, were very interesting
On Wednesday ofthe last%eek the cavalry
exercises took place. A letter thus de-
| scribes them:
''In the afternoon, at half past four, about
half of the graduating class were drilled in
the riding hall, in the presence of a large
number of spectators. The hall is new,
and quite commodious, being about two
hundred feet long by fifty wide, and is far
superior to any riding accommodations
which the academy had previous to last
year. There are two galleries erected for
the accommodation of the spectators, and
| they are hardly as commodious as they
might be, though they are great con-
venience.
About half-past four the section to be
drilled appeared, equipped for the exercise.
and mounted on very fine stud of horses
provided by the institution. They first
trotted round the course in double line
/ and then at fast gallop rushed round the
course like whrlwind, until even the solid
stone building seemed to shake to its founda-
ton. The wheeling, halt forming in line,
and other movements were performed with
great accuracy, and elected much admira-
| ton.
1.-The next operation was drill in firing
| and the sabre exercise, to the uninitiated ii
most novel and interesting proceeding
About six feet from the wall, in the centre
of the building at either side, were placed
standards, bearing a resemblance to gal
lows, the arm of which extended over the
space between the standard and the wall
On this arm was suspended a ring, about
two or three feet above the head of rider
passing under it. In a line with this Were
placed other standards, with heads made OF
cloth, supposed to present the heads OF
soldiers waiting to have them cut off. Furth-
er on were smaller standards, with cloth
caps, supposed likewise to represent soldiers
kneeling on the ground, while cloth caps
on the ground were supposed to be soldiers
lying down, trying to get out of the reach
of the sabre. The exercise consisted in
riding furiously round the course in sections
of four at time. After riding round once,
each of the dIagoons would level loaded
pistol and fire at one of the standing soldiers
as he rode furiously by him; then return
ing the pistol to the holster, the sabre was
drawn with the rapidity of lightning, and
a stroke made for the next man, recovering
in time to poise the sabre, and as they dash
ed by to carry off the ring on the point.
All this is done with the consumption OF
less time than it takes t. relate it, and is
really a very exciting spectacle. The sabres
went through the rings with a precision
that would have been slightly disagreeable
had they been aimed at a mans eye; and
the stuffed heads Of the imaginary soldiers
received thumpings which could only have
been endured by themselves. Human ma
ture could not stand such usage, as the
Irishman said. without falling.
after rather lengthy continuance Of
this exercise the order was given to dis
mount and in less time than i: takes to
write the word the whole troop was on terra
firma. At the word 'unsaddle,' the nimble
fingers worked skilfully for minute, and
soon the troop stood by their horses, hav-
ing a simple blanket in place of a saddle.
At the word mount as many heads.
there were dragons might have been seen
bobbing in the air, and finally settled quiet
ly ON the top of firm bodies, seated on the
blankets, The previous sabre exercise was
then repeated, and the class proved as pro-
ficient without saddle or stirrup as with
them, and the scarecrow men received
another terrible pummeling.
''The grace and ease with which the
class rode, the precision of the markham
ship, and the perfect GOODNESS displayed
throughout the whole of the exhibition were
pronounced exceedingly creditable, and an
adequate result to the vigorous exertion
and woful soling of white pants necessary
to the operation.'