The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-30

h.,. entared the academy since its foun-
dst;on in 1909, only g. IA were graduated.
TSa LAT 40 majority Of the 1857 who we're
-. .ae e s.sdnated. broke down under the
strain upon their mental, mora M Pny@-
cal constitutions, and Left not necessarily
in disgrace, but from causes goo numerous
to mention. The Times says:
II reoard to the standard of admission ap.
n,;ed to the class just entermg, and which has
dSws ri Ike Board
s.ors are agreed. They think it entirely too
iow A boy now needs only to be familiar
9th arithmetic and know how to read and
write the English language, to secure admis-
sion. As this is interpreted, he need not write
elegantly nor express himself grammaticallv.
he may simply make pothooks and read pass
ably, understand the four grand rules of arith-
metc, reduction and the rule of three. The
result is imperative, for so soon as the cadet
finds himself confronted with the arts and
sciences OF the world and all therein, he flags.
falters, fzzles and is found" (wanting, un.
derstood.) ~
The general proposes, we understand, that,
IN addition to the present demands, the cadet
shall be qualified In grammer, geography and
the history Of the United States. -Four hun.
dred cadets can be comfortably accommodated
here without increasing any department nm
pleasantly, and now but two hundred and
forty-fve are in the course.
The board have expressed themselves
pleased and surprised at the proficiency of
the corps in military evolutions. Accustomed
to the fancy drill and holiday parade of our
citizen soldiery, or even to the magnificent
marches of the armies of the West and South,
whose successes crown the war of the re.
bellion, they look with astonished ewes at the
machine-like nicity, the intelligent pedaneous
operations of the corps, their manipulations
and evolutions. Daily, since their arrival,
THE PARADE GROUND,
always clean as Dutchmans kitchen floor, is
crowded with fair ladies with immense water
falls and tremendous hoops, with officers from
the army and citizens from all over, who vie
with each other In admiration of the magni-
ficent drilling, the absolute perfection of the
cadets. When Gen. Grant was here he ex-
pressed himself delighted beyond measure ct
the proficiency of the corps, and very highly
pleased at this evidence of the care and atten-
ton paid to this important branch of cadet ed
ucation.
The feature this afternoon, among the many
military attractions, has been battalion drill.
l have heard much of the proficiency of the
West Point Cadets, but never have until now
realized what perfection in military exercises
consisted in.
In the marchings, changings of front, for.
WoIu o41O W Luc IC2Q-uOUUl6 cOluIuQS ClOSoO
In mass, on the centre, and in the formations
OF squares, have never seen In the Army of
the Potomac superior excellence. Col. b. NJ.
Black. Major of the 9TH Infantry, is prince on
parade, and obedient to his commands 245 ca.
diets moved with precision and uniformity
which cannot be surpassed.
Among the crowds brought up daily by the
swift-wheeled Mary Powell. whose beautiful
lines cut the water as swallow does the air,
are
THE UNHAPPY PLEBEs,
or new men, who approach with fear and
trembling the time-honored spot. saw squads
of these unfortunates, this afternoon, on the
parade ground, being put through the ele-
mentary drill by the elder cadets. Meek little
boys, whose chests naturally cave, whose toes
atN turn in, whose awkward hands wander
from the sides of their trousers, and whose red
eyes, dim with constant straining after the
seam in the coat of the boy before him, march
and march, and tramp and tramp, at the win
ofthe trim youth who, relieved from his own
hazing, has ample time to devote to others. In
the process of time these plebes will be kicked
and cuffed, badgered and bamboozled, wet
through and dried up, taken up short and set
down hard, until they are transformed from
uncouth lads into polished gentlemen, and
DOMINIC the regulation cut, will In turn bother
the class which succeeds them.