Newbern weekly progress., 1859-07-26
From Al Flying Correspondents.
WEST POINT, n. Y, July 16, l

r, I left,
Where glittering waters roll and INCREASINGLY
, seeming to peal forth their hoarse anthems nil
gled with the song of the morning stars in prais
: of HIM who said, LET there be light and ther
: was light and it would be idle for me to atteme
to describe to you my regret at being compellt1
10 part from this region full of interest; bi
now our train is fast dashing along like an har
nassed meteor flashing athwart the sky, and sool
we Will be at Rochester, so celebrated for its flour
ing mills; and then to Syracuse, SO noted fol
i's saIt works. and on till weary travail
worn, we reach the city of Albany stopping al
'i.o sii iiouse until A NJ, the 18th inst
when we go on board the good steamer Armenia
for West Point, touching at numerous towns that
dot the banks of the Hudson.
| With regard to the Hudson River so noted for
the picturesque beauty of its banks where gras
slopes, thriving towns, towering mountains, al
overhanging cliffs are seen purpose to be as
brief as possible.
We pass on meeting many vessels, barges and
steamers. At length the Catskill Mountains ap-
pear in the distance, looking like sombre cloud
stretching along the horizon. AS our boat splash
es along leaving a line of foamy track, we near
the Catskill Mountains, and soon is seen the
Mountain House, or Hotel, Twelve miles distant)
placid Lake. This House, It's said stands at an
elevation of eighteen hundred feet above the
river; and from which of course there is a mag
nifcent view-the Hudson appearing like a little
rill meanderng its way round the hills. We pass
the town of Hudson now which stands on bold
promontory sixty feet above the river. We go
on touching at Newbug, which is miles above
West Point, and near which stands the old stone
mansion which was Gen WAsHINGToN's head
quarters at one time, during the Revolution, and
at which place he replied to the letter Of Lewis
Nicola, and other officers, proposing to him to es
tabllsh monarchy, and make himself King. In
his reply it will be remembered, he rebuked the
writer, and treated the proposition with his char
acteristic contempt and scorn of mean action
and asked "What he had ever done to encourage
proposition, filed with the greatest evils that
could befall his Country"
We now see the highlands of the Hudson be-
ginning at Newburg, whose towering hills start
up from the very waters edge, some of which are
clothed by dense forest up to the very top.
We land at West Point, which stands on
promontory 1SS feet above the river, where there
is a level or plateau, of more than mile in cir
cumference, around which stands the Military
Academy buildings, which are arranged in the
very best manner for the accommodation of the
Cadets, who number between $50 and 800, now
encamped on the plane is some S5 tents and who
are under the strictest Army discipline, perform
ing in rotation the duties of sentinels, &c. at all
times, day and night, rain shine The tents
and parade ground is in full view from Roes Ho-
el. The band at West Point is said to be the
best in the United States, And at 5 in the morn
ng cannon is fired, the flag run up, and the
merry drum rattles off the Reveille, when each
nan turns out to his duty with promptness. At
to A. NJ, the breakfast call 'peas upon
rancher," is heard, when they form and march
lown to the mess rooms to breakfast.
At o'clock the drum call is beat for dress pa
ade, when the four companies form a battalion,
PASS inspection, and review, and the sergeants {
make their reports. Then comes the beat off by
he band, and the battalion is dismissed save the
elief guard, numbering about twenty, who pass :
Inspection and are marched in front of the guard 7
ents the old guard being relieved for breakfast.
vt 10 A. M. the bugle call is heard for cavalry I
nd the drum call for artillery practice. These :
aily duties continue for several months. The V
tadets while parade, especially attract univer- t
al admiration, exhibiting such perfect drill and
odierly bearing.
uainted, heard but one complaint, and that is $
the miserable fare provided for them, q sup -
ose by contract,) a remonstrance against which O
ley are prevented from making by, perhaps, S
,lse pride. But it does seem that if salt beef, s
otatoes, stale bread, and what is given to them VI
II good butter and beverage simply named i,
offee day after day for years, tends to aid b
developing the physical and mental qualities O.
food, can't bring much contentment to them,
nd the Department should look to it. ,
For dinner the usual drum call is made and tt
ley march to the mess rooms. At o'clock, p. n
there is parade similar to the morning parade, al
nd at tattoo, past TO- the lights all put out, e.
nd every must be at his quarters post; ii
nd as the night rolls on, every two hours, you'll tt
the call for the turn out of relief guard Such
brief glimpse of West Point, without allusion w w
the various studies, which enables the Cadet, OF
obtain a thorough education. I will here add fa
lat they not allowed to leave the camp with q
ut a written permit, and then not allowed to =, ~
nter any but public room, nor partake of meal N
ith any one. II
With regard to things of additional interest 1 y
ere, first there is the monument, which stands
4 a rising ground near the river, bearing simply
le name of KosCIUsCo, which was caused to be E
aced there by the Cadets in 1928, at cost of P
5 900. On hillock northwest of this is Mon tt
ment erected to the memory of Col E. D. Wood, tt
pupil of West Point, who fell while leading the ol
1arge at the Sorte of Fort Erie, Sept 17th 1914 II
On the opposite side of the parade ground, near W
e river is fluted marble column, around which, OF
hiding spirally is carved wreath of laurel, the m
Dper end held in the beak of eagle that stands F
pom the top with wings extended. This beauti fo
i monument was erected to the memory of Ma tn
+ Dade and his brave command, numbering los, Il
whom 1O5 fell in engagement in Florida, OF
It'll the Seminoles, Dec 28 1885, not one Of this b,