The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-14
WE ST POINT.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD.

Board Of Military visitOrs-(seneraI Upton's
Observation-Disclosures Drills-Cndets' En-.
WEST PorSr. July IL, 1857.
The members OF the distinguished military board now
in session here to consider the expedency of adopting
General Uptons infantry tactics, the tactics OF the
United States army, to the exclusion OF all other sys
TOMS aborng zcaously in the performance OF their
duties. Their presence with many other prominent off,
of the regular army including Generals Porter and
Hazen, with Colonies Badeau and Emory, of Generals
Grants and Meade's STATS. has awakened lively in
among the throng Of ladies' and gentlemen that
espouse the charming beauties of West Point bet-
ting residence Tho Of tho Secretary OF
this board and selecting officers Of such
prominence few, and can easily be noted Early
last Aueus General Upton psttioned the War Depart
for trial CT his new and Improved system OF tao.
tics by corps of cadets at West Point,
they were the best drilled body OF men in the army
The War Department aaseniei, and in accordance with
an order then ssied sin lar to tho icegraphed you
yesterday converting Tie present board General Ayres
Colones Black and Cz, of the army witnessed at that
lime company drills, and later in tho season battalion
drills by the cadets These officers expressed the great
qualification at the simple and effective movements
eynced by the tactics, and unquaiinedly recommended
their adoption in their report For reasons never fully
understood by the bulk Of the and the great dem
ocra,c public OF the country their adoption at that
period was not agreed TO- and the whole question,
fraught with such momenous importance TO the grand
sarmy OF tho blue" has been in allegiance until this
time, and upon the present military celebrities now
here will rest the responsibilities Of their adoption
rejection The board not long in Incidence. but
working with will and assiduity mauifestly evident
This morning eleven o'clock company Of engineers
now duty here and enlisted men Of the army, with
notice and never before witnesses OF the tactics In
question, ordered TO the beautifully shaded por-
ton OF the plain running front OF tbs academic build
pgs and there with but few and occasional explanations
from General Upton, were drilled for 40 hour In the
| and effectiveness, doing away with all complicated
| manouvres, oil countsrmarching and wheeling into
cuiisr and effective adaptation for skrm,sh-
| ing, struck the board with surprise. They were
sn ss.ry Sat ,sa Of men
less intelligence and ignorant almost OF the existence Of
this system Of tactics should 50 readily comprchspd
with few explanations elected ther wondorment. This
system a. approaches character tho artillery and
cavalry drill Of the army, remarkable for their absence
In Its favor The Board will remain here until the latter
part Of the week, rs tey desire tomorrow to witness
drill the school OF the battalion by General Upton,
but IL Is much feared they will DO compelled 20 finish
| their abors without General Grant as he today was
called 70 wsshns.on BY despatch rom the Assistant
Tho cadets ehcampment commenced this year on
Friday. June 81 Tine camp Is located on the northeast
portion Of the plain This period anordins As u does
the only relaxation from study during the year aud as
the tmo for the realization Of long cherished
pecaions Of furough class to enjoy the pleasures
OF and early frendships ono OF unusual interest
and gayety. With tho disappearance OF this and the
graduating class orders promulgated to pitch tents
and march Into camp ~ stated hour. The latter 10
prscedei by general stampedng force OF cadets con-
veyng from the barracks the then unoccupod recita
| ton rooms all unnecessary furniture. Tho eucnmp-
ment consists OF eight rows OF tents two 10 each COM
pany, opening four parallel streets. and . broad
avenue running through the centre. There are tents
for the officers OF the companies and for the tactical
These situated opposite their respective COM
panes, while the tent OF Colonel Black che commandant
the cadets IL placed ct the end OF the broad street.
The camp is governed by the Same regulations that
accompany army upon the line OF march or In the
field except in preparation Of meals which are supplied
at the hall usual The presence Of many Wis.,
tors contributes greatly enlven this period OF hard
ship In cadet life and being allowed triweekly hops,
although they abruptly terminate ~ halpasf ten Clock
amid the sweet Home, Sweet Home Of Incompatible
Escn they Afford never TO DO forgotten They
lightened intercourse with the fair damscs many OF
whom look back In after Ia sweet remembrance OF
the bewitchng times that cluster around that season
The encampmens usuaily terminates on the 18th or
August when the cadets return 70 the old life OF the
barracks is hours Of hard study The hours OF duty
RsseiIls A. NJ infantry drill, 5K A. NJ; infantry
drill August to August 81, r. W. breakfast roll CALL
A. NJ morning dress parade A. guard mount
ing az A. NJ. !; artillery drill, A. NJ; engineering
drill 10l. A. n band practice, 10 A. NJ drill OF now
cadets II A. NJ, and r. NJ: evening dress parade
sunset; tattoo gh tattoo on party evenings $50
To those Who desire 70 see life as II Is found in an
army the march, TO hear the fierce cry Of scnne 70
observe all tho parapncrnaia Of war, yet 10 nd body
Of accomplished and courteous soldiers, es them visit
The sscsmpment Of 1897 at West Point