New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-31
WEST POINT.
BREAKING UP OF THE CADETS KNCAMPMENT-
EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR ADMIs'
SION-THE GRAND BALL.

BREAKING UP OF THE CADETS RECAMPMENT-
EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR ADMIs-
sIoN-THE GRAND BALL.
WEST POINT, Aug. 30.-This is the last day
OF the annual Summer encampment, and the usual
monotony OF this mehonored and classical institution
relieved by the lustle and excitement attending its
closing scenes The stolen pleasures and frvotes OF
cadets life are fewer than they were years ago.
Then the discipline rigid and exscting and the
routs and carousas served safety valves to their
exuberant natures Then the tattoo meant an immediate
cessation Of the dance, and abrupt interruption
TO social intercourse. moments delay in any OF the
routine duties helnOus ofense, a repetition OF
which visited with serious consequences
Hence tho many visits TO Benny Havens, and
the frequent midnight carousals, where TO be q
debauchee the browning desire Of ,he petted cons
OF faded aristocracy. Then the professors looked
grave and stern, and sashed and girded martinets
frowDed the cadet that they might the more thor
oughy impress him with the idea that evity at any
time undlgned and unsoldTery. Then II was that
the older cadets e1acted mental servtude from the
fortunate and innocent "pebes" which 40 often broke
the spirit of many promising stripping. But things
have changed here since the Rebellion died The young
idea taught TO shoot untrammeed by dull formalties
The commandant OF the battalion eIacs strict atten
tenton from the cadets while pursuing their studies but
he appeals 10 their and Judgment and does not
exercise the authority OF field marshal The first act
in the OF celebrating the breaking OF camp was at
account OF the ram. This was the "stag.dsnce,"
which drew together quite number OF spectators The
most udcrous and grOtesque costumes in readiness
The candles were lighted and placed on the ground at
dance until they made their last flicker. with.
cred evergreen arbOr was brilliantly illuminated with
varegated lanterns. under which located the band
who made the doeful noise with several inferior
musical instruments. The tune was refrain such az
the mnsrels sing In awakaround, which was anything
but musical. Just the antics began the lightning
flashed. and q few minutes afterward the rain began
falling which caused general stampede In which the
visitors joined The near approach OF midnight
the fear OF carrying their junketng into tho Sabbath
elta q .latnaU 10 affnu
and some time before midnight the only sound heard on
the Point was the dash OF some passing steamers paddle
ing twenty-slX cadets arrived most OF whom were
accompanied by helr anxious parents VINO wished 20 De
appearance OF having been born with silver spoons In
and their nut.brown hands and tawny neoks gave
unmstakabe evidence Of outdoor labor. Several
Of the parents were farmers-.ome OF whom had
come from west OF tho Mississippi River-and as
they oitered around the gymnasium building wheTu he
was pctured IN each anxious face Tie Academic Board
which was 10 examine the new candidates was DIVIDED
into two committees. The first was composed OF inc
Professors Engineering Drawing Spanish aud Ethics
and the Instructor OF Tactics Ordnance ana Gunnery
BY this committee the cadets were examined ia gram
mar, geography, and history. tIhe secona eor r
and Chemistry, and the Instructor OF FIaclcal taty
Engineering which examined the cadets In arithmetic,
reading aud writing including Orthography PREVIOUS
10 th1 examination in the aforementioned branches
each caGet underwent q thorough physical examination
by the Medical Board, which was extremely rigid Ihe
examination before the Academic Board was private.
Gen. Pitcher giving reason that the attendance OF
gpeCtatOrB
by one the new cadets emerged from the gloomy
building which they had entered but few hours
before in trepdatlJn. Their Danched faces Indicated
that the array buttons and gold lace had oyerawed
them but they all felt assured that they had passed
muster The small and uDpTetentOus hotel on the Point
presented lively appearance tins afternoon It's piazza
was crowded with visitors, who had TO wait their turn
Tor seat at the dinner table Mothers, sisters, and
sweethearts OF cadets were crOwdng themselves IN the
very smallest space imaginable. Everybody 10 wonder
ing where everybody s going 70 sleep after the hop
The hOusekeeper state OF frenzy from the fact that
she is importuned all sides for room where ladies
may be enabled arrange their toilet for the hop. Mr.
COZzens suggests the cupOla and insructs the house
keeper inform three ladies that they must share
10 together and DO accommodating. Happy thought;
away the hOusekeepeT her face wreated In smiles
She returns in dsmay there already nve gentlemen
taken possession Of the cupoa Try the bathroom.
gess the landlord. IL tried and found TO be occupied
when the haraesed landlord Immediately retreats The
only the Point which Is In charge OF Charley
Butler the ubiquitous post suffer- DeseRed by the
ladies' every inch OF ribbon and every piece Of taro
with bunting flags. stresmers aud Chinese lanterns with
which decorate the mess To0m where the hop ID TO take
pace SO eager for the dance TO begin the petite
damses-yOu hardly term them wOmen-that they
are dressed supper The hall Is handsomely deco
rated, and the floor is smooth dining table and
the train, the greycOated Cadets in ecstacies
they arrive to their fair partners whose COM
pany they are TO enjoy long after tattoo
THE UNITED STATES EXPRESS COMPANY ROBBED
BY AN AGENT
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 30.-Jacob r. Bear. United
States Express Agent and telegraph operator at
brownsville Nebraska, absconded the night Of the