The Portland daily press., 1863-06-17
J. s. Military Academy at West Point.

Os 0hhhtusy ASuuCMhy a. svSSs Ohh%
To The Editor Of the Press:
The condition of the country during the
last two years, and the intimate connection of
the above named institution with our army or
ganization, and with military operations in
general, gives unusual interest to everything
relating to it. The knowledge which large
majority of our people have of its plan or its
operations, is very limited.
Having recently visited the Academy in an
official capacity, and spent some days in at
tendance upon its annual examination, thus
enjoying more than average facilities for OBJ
tanning a knowledge of its interior arrange
ments, have thought it worth while to ask
a little space inl your paper for the pupose of
contributing what may be able to the gcner-
la stock of information in regard to it, hoping
thereby that some of the popular prejudice
against the institution may be removed,
than it has been heretofore.
The Military Academy was established by
act of Congress, March 16th 1902, after hav-
ing been repeatedly suggested by Washing
ton, in his Messages to Congress; his expert
ence having demonstrated to him the necessi-
ty of a more thorough scientific and military
education for the officers of the army.
The Academy is under the immediate direc-
ton of the War Department and its govern
ment and instruction are in the hands of a
Superintendent and Commandant of the Post
and an Academic Staff, consisting of eight
Professors and twenty-one Assistant Profess
ors and instructors in the different Depart
ments, including military tactics. The Super
fntendent must be an officer of engineers.
The Professors are appointed from those can
didates best qualified for the several positions,
and hold their places during the pleasure of
the appointing power. Those at present oc-
cupyiDg the chairs in the institution have filed
years, and are gentlemen Of the highest scien-
tifc attachments, deserving, as they receive,
the confidence and esteem of those WHO re-
ceive their instructions.
The Assistant Professors and Instructors in
Tactics are either Captains or Lieutenants in
the regular army, detailed for this service
from the different corps, on account of their
fitness for the places which they occupy, and
which they hold for period not exceeding
-four years at any one time.
The present Superintendent is Col Alexan-
der III. Bowman, of the Engineer Corps, a
graduate of the class of 1925, a model soldier
and gentleman of culture and refinement,
svhose princely hospitality is a theme for adj
miration by all who have been brought in con-
tact with him, and is only excelled by the
genuine politeness and unassuming manners
of his intelligent lady and accomplished
daughter.
The principal buildings are the Academic
Building, as it is termed, the Library, Chapel,
Barracks and Mess Hall. These are all con-
structed of stone, and in the most substantial
manner, and seem to be admirably adapted to
the purposes for which they are used In ad-
dition to these there are large number of
houses for officers, stables for horses, and 9TH
er buildings for various purposes, all of which
are owned by the United States.
A board of visitors, consisting of seventeen
members, is appointed by the President to at
tend the Annual examination in June of each
yaais anu niohc tioiouSu eAdiiilndllou Oh the
institution in all its departments, and report
thereon to the Secretary of War.
One Cadet is appointed from each Congress
ional District and in addition to these. the
President Of the United States appoints ten at
large each year, who are generally the sons of
officers in the military and naval service. The
largest number ever in the Academy, was
y&st prior to the breaking out of the rebellion.
when the corps numbered 27S At the pres
en-. time, owing to the secession of the South
ern States, and the failure of the President to
fill the vacancies occasioned thereby the num-
Der is about two hundred.
From the manner and time Of their admis-
sion, the Cadets are naturally divided into four
classes, one for each year, pursuing prescrib-
ed course of study, graduated, as in our colleg-
es and universities, to their capacities and
probable Advancement from year to year. OF
the course of study, qualifications for adrnis-
sion, &c will give some account hereafter, as
this communication is already sufiicietly ex-
tended. II