The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-12
gunnery, cavalry, infantry aud rifle tactics,
the use of small arms and the sword exer-

gunnery, cavalry, infantry aud rifle tactics,
the use of small arms and the sword exer-
else.
DISCIPLINE.
The five classes OF cadets are formed into
battalion, and are instructed in school
of the soldier, the company, the battalion
and brigade, and are exercised alternately
in each department of the service. In study
hours they are confined to tie barrack or
tent, and have the daily parades and in
spectionsNas prescribed for all forts and
military posts by the Army regulations.
During the summer months they leave the
barrack for encampment, and at this period
their instruction is chiefly military the
rest of the year they are instructed in bar.
rack duty, recitations of the various
branches Of study, and daily military duties
as required by instructors. So severe is
the course of instruction and discipline that
not more than one.third of those who enter
at each June examination ever graduate |;
but most of those who graduate are enabled
to fill any civil or military station to which
they may be called.
The tactics of artillery, infantry and cav
airy have been much improved during the
past few years, and in the system of Infant-
~ tactics the new manuel of instruction,
commonly called the Shanghai" drill, in
cludes the use of the bayonet skirmish and
sword drill. The course of instruction in
ethics, logic, rhetoric, history and literature
is very extensive and it would be difficult to
make any material addition to the course
without interfering with other and more i'm
portant departments of study.
ARTILLERY PRACTICE.
Of the studies of military science the de-
partment of artillery is deserving of much
notice. Being one of the most elective
branches of our military system, great at
tention is now paid to it, and schools of in
struction are instituted at various points,
for the better improvement of this science
of war. Artillery tactics should be taught
by artillery officers alone, that the theory
and practices should be more intimately
blended by requiring that instruction which
combines both field and garrison service.
ENGINEERING.
The department of civil and military en-
gineering is thorough, searching and credit.
able, and is one Of the most important and
essential departments of military education.
There is an admirable adaptation OF the
whole course Of instruction in this depart
ment to tie want, characteristics and phys
ical peculiarities of military and civil engi-
neering in this country. Here the most mi
mute instruction is given in relation to
American building materials for forts and
all other public works, such as American
stone, timber, metals, mortars, cements &C.,
&C., and also as to American bridges, roads,
masonry, Notifications, railroads, canals,
rivers and sea.coast defences For aiding
in this purpose there are an immense num-
Der of models and drawings of all the great
architectural triumphs of American militia
ry and civil engineering for the use and
investigation of cadets.
The cavalry and infantry drills at West
Point are of great efficiency to the school
of cadets. The cavalry barracks are ample
and commodious, and the riding masters and
instructors of the sword exercise are per-
feet as tacticians and teachers. There is an
excellent riding school connected with the
institution, and the stud of horses used by
the cadets is very fine. As for the infantry
instruction, it cannot be excelled, the West
Point " Shanghai drill being one of the
most efficient and perfect in the world. 1t
has been extensively used in private militia
organizations, and has, in fact, become the
standard infantry drill, in the Union. Ad-
ded to this, the bayonet exercise has been
extensively taught in connection with this
drill and the light Zouave movements which
have so electrified the whole country, and
are now used by large portion of our city
troops at the seat of war.
THE QUARTERS.
The building and quarters for the use of
the cadets and the officers quarters are
ample and in good repair, constant addi-
tions for the comforts of the inmates being
made. The new riding hall needs lighting
with gass, as in the winter months the short
days bring the cavalry exercises to close
at an earlier hour than is practicable. This,
however, is about to be remedied, and sew
eral new buildings are in process of erection
Tor the use of officers connected with the
post.
FINANCES.
The financial affairs of the Academy are
managed very judiciously. The numerous
and necessary checks interposed in the ex-
penditure of such moneys as may be depos-
tied on the admission of cadets, together
with their monthly pay, the requirements of
keeping an accurate, systematized account
of all their expenses, are admirably ca.cu-
lated to secure them from imposition, whilst
they are easily taught the strictest economy
in the management of their funds, since
they are constantly reminded by reference
to their check books of the extent of their
income and the object to which prudence
requires they should appropriate it. The
cadets, by such system, learn habits Of Or
der and economy that become of the utmost
value to them in after life, and one of the
results of this is that. the graduates of West
Point have disbursed millions of the public
money, while in responsible stations, with
scarce an instance of defalcation. The les.
of II, &l,,, -,