The New York herald., 1869-06-08
WEST POINT.
Examination in Ordnance and Gunnery-An
Artillery Drill.

Artillery Drill.
WEST POINT, June 7, 1859.
The graduating class was examined to-day in ord
nance and gunnery, one of the most important
branches of military science taught at the Academy.
Benton is the standard authority on this subject In
the army and his teachings formed the basis for all
the questions put to the class During the heavy
cross questi on fire which the professors brought to
bear upon the various sections, and which may be
said to have beeu in itself practical illustration OF
gunnery-it was, strange to say, evident to every
person present that certain lessons of the
late war had not been lost upon the
authorities at Washington who watch over
the welfare Of West Point, and that
very ancient ideas were not allowed to prevail in
this branch they certainly allowed to 90, to
some extent, in other specialties OF study which
could be mentioned. The manufacture Of gun
powder. Shells cartridges and hundred and one
other agreeable things which are made for the
especial delight and benefit Of mankind in general
and soldiers in particular was explained at great
length during the examination. The explosive prin-
ciples OF gunpowder the different kinds OF artillery
nre used Tor preaching walls, and the advantages
and disadvantages OF certain metals for the manu-
facture Of cannon were also subjects which the
cadets handled with the same ability they gave such
brilliant evidence OF in their examination In eng.
neering few days ago.
The following are the names OF the members OF the
various sections examined today and the subject
upon which each was questioned
riman.-Methods Of forcing proJeeile..
Observation-Disclosures of small arms.
Taylor.-The Schultz cbronoscope.
P. N. Price.-Haies $ rocket
Lye.-Materal for cannon.
SECOND SECTION.
Craycroft-Consructon and use of pendulum bausse.
puval.-Altered Springfield musket.
Bourke.-Field ammunition and Bormann's fuse.
Porter.-Guns in United States service
Augur-seacoast carriages
Harris-Manufac.ure Of gunpowder
Of p9jectile'
Yeaton-seacoast defences and effect Of projecues on
Rawson.- Manufacture of sword blades.
kuse. Different KINDS OF fuses
ossood.-Arm''rOns ,esSs Sresshioadin Sssins gun.
Braden.-Seacoast ammunition and fuses
OF grape, spherical case and canis
ter shot.
Rockwell, c. H.eCassiacaon and employment of srtl-
Robinson, W. w.-Drawing and explanation of artillery
Two more sections to be examined.
ARTILLERY DRILL.
For the special satisfaction OF the Board OF Visit
artillery drill was had this afternoon on the
plains facing the parade ground. Coone, Piper COM
manded the battery, the third class acted as can
nonlers, and certain number OF the first class as
the large number Of visitors from CozZens' and the
West Point Hotel who witnessed it, the most attrac-
opinion OF certain young ladies who managed
every time gun was fired of to shrek
IN the most natural manner possible under
the eXtenuating circumstances, 1t was rather
too 'loudr an exhibition to be thoroughly enjoy
able. The rapidity with which the guns were
loaded and fred and the battery changed from one
position to another was almost Incredible. Such
movements as the charge in line changing fronts,
forming line, advancing, and movement In column,
were spendidlv executed. The principal feature,
however OF the drill was The movement which COM
prised the disnountlng OF the pieces and their cara
ges Their mounting them and firing one round The
dismoUntng was "a complete as corfd be- the guns
being uniasiened and thrown from the carriages and
the carriages themselves laid the ground, after
the wheels had been taken OF. The time occupied
in rearranglng the guns and wheels IN
their proper places and bring one round
was exactly forty seven seconds. Strange
as this may appear-Ior 1t would seem barely pos
sibie that even the wheels OF the cannon could have
been placed on the axles IN such q brief space or
tlme-the class which graduated IN 1865, and which,
members OF the third class, acted as cannoniers
IN the annual exhibition drill in June. 1854, went
through the same movement In the Incredibly short
time OF ia seconds. The guns used in the drill at
that time were the same which were used to-day,
and are known In the service as three-inch ordnance
guns. Although am well aware that the fact IS IN
no way complimentary 10 the cadets who took part
IN the drill to-day, the Board OF Visitors being
altogether too wiling 10 DC delighted at everything
TO be at all useful IN anything, VIII state that the
Board expressed themselves very much gratined at
the results Of the exhibition.