The New York herald., 1869-05-27
TIE NAVAL ACADEMY.

qr,c President Pleased VITA Iheir Ifo-
nc.ency--An Impromptn Eop.
ANNAPoLIs, Nd, May 25, 1859.
u,ne announcement on Yesterday that the President
,rould visit the Naval Academy to-day was received
with much qualification by both officers and MD
sb,nmen while much attention has always been
,vcn IN the annual examination OF the cadets at the
national Military Institution and the season has
universally been characterized by round OF les
tivity the graduation ana advancement Of the differ
ent classes OF midshpmen appear hitherto TO have
been almost entirely overlooked or neglected. One
NAV imagine then the feeling OF delight which pre-
vailed when 1t became known that the Chief Magis-
trate proposed lending his personal presence to the
examinations now going on.
AZ the close OF Yesterdays term OF duty oil the
classes had completed their tasks in gunnery and
seamanshp. The third and fourth ciasseshad nn-
ished all their studies, the second had almost COM
pleted while the first graduating class had still
number OF studies to be gone with. This class
owing to the intervention Of the practical exercises
1t now certain will not be completely through until
Tuesday next. The proposed visit Of the President
occasloned the setting aside Of the regular class
aminatons and the Inauguration OF the practical
exercises was made the order Of the day.
Atan early hour this morning large number or la.
dies and gentlemen OF the city and from abroad made
their appearance in the Academy grounds to await
III
the interesting programme arranged by the officers
The day was delightful. The sun shone brightly
The grounds embraced within the walls OF the insti
tuition were In their greatest beauty. The trees in
full blossom impaired fragrance 10 the air. The
green grass cheered the eye The placid estuary OF
the Severn, dotted with the white sails OF numerous
small craft, added an appropriate scene TO the sur
rCGndags Of the pmsco ace Ine ne gaes
mOored at the DOCK were IN iull dress. Everything
was Keeping with the Importance OF the occasion.
AS early aS ten O'Clock tho marines on duty at the
yard were marched TO the middle entrance to the
grounds and formed. The mldshipmen, in line about
tie same tine took their position on the parade In
front OF the commandments office. Both marines
aud midshipmen stacked arms, but remained near
by, to be ready TO reform upon the signal OF the ar
rival OF the President.
About hallpast ten Vice Admiral Porter left his
residence ia his private carnage for the depot. 1t
President and party entered the Academy grounds
Tic Adiniral's carriage contained the President,
Mrs. Grant, A. Il. Bone Secretary oi the Navy and
George H. Stuart, of Philadelphia. In a second ear.
rage which followed were Vice Admiral Porter
Commodore Alden, and thomas Balch and J. +.
TrOtt of Philadelphia, friends OF Secretary Borie
Entering the mann gate the marines presented
arms as te parry pasea ence th 70 tne
him aiighted and, after few minutes delay ex-
ehangi 1 civllities with the Board of Visitors,
started directly for the parade. Before reaching
this large number OF officers, 10 fun uniform, who
in waiting TO receive the President were intro
aueed to his Excelency by Admiral Porter. After
thls was accomplished the President, accompanied
py Admiral Porter, Captain n B. Harrison, COM
mandaDt OF midshipmeD, and the Board OF Visitors,
advanced towards the parade grounds, where he
could have better view.
The battalion OF mldshipmen numbering $50, were
formed IN open order, officers TO the front, and
under The charge Of Lieutenant Commander simeon
=. Gillette. As the President advanced the band
performed suitable air, and by command the mid
Eaipmen brought their pieces 10 salute. The ball
the Observatory, set as signal TO the ships drop
rel in aiisrant, from the quiet which had pre-
vailed, the air was filed with the reverberati0ns OF
artillery, the more harmonious notes Of the band,
AND the cheers and waving OF handkerchiefs OF the
spectators who had now gathered on the lawn as
close the sentines would allow. The usual Pres-
dental salute OF twenty-one guns was fred under
fae direction OF Lieutenant COMMANDER Cotlin from
Ihe ship Santee.
These preliminary ceremonies having been CON-
pleted. Lieutenant Commander Gillette Immediately
commenced the practical exercises in Infantry drill
by putting the mdshpmen through the manual OF
arms This feature was perfect In every particular,
and exhibited wonderful precision and readiness in
handling The pieces as well as familiarity with
every execution necessary TO perfect mastershp
Irst carried through by word Of command, after
which the same was executed by tap OF the drum.
The latter was highly interesting.
This portion OF the exercises being completed the
line broke into column by companies and marched
20 the drill grounds the borders OF the bay, where
tne corps again formed In line TO await the arrival
or the Presidential party. The Infantry exercises
were now resumed. embracing the eyoatons OF the
battalion. Inc ground was well adapted for the
pnrpose, and the various maneuvres were per-
formed with equal precision, as In the case OF the
manual Of arms In these exercises tne PRESIDENT and
Board OF Visitors expressed undis2uised surprise at
The proficiency which the mldsllipmen Rad ac-
qured in department so entirely foreign 10 the
duties OF n sailor
Atnalf-past twelve the mldshlpmen were marched
back 70 tie armory 70 lay aside their pieces and to
prepare for field artillery practice During this ~
terInission The President, accompanied by George H.
stuart and others retired 10 the Admiras residence
where they pariOok OF an excellent lunch. AT two
O'Clock the signal gun announced that the exercises
were about 10 De resumed. The President accom-
panied by the Admiral the Secretary OF the Navy
ana Boari of Visitors returned 10 the grounds. on
10 designed
arulery practice were drawn up, with each midship-
man IN ms proper position az he piece These eA-
C udel oaliny and firing and man@uyring the gun 10
Giees every emergency OF an engagement Instead OF
wearing the anne style OF uniform used N the nfan-
Try drl III midsnipmen were now dressed
throughout IA blue, and instead of jackets wore
g. loose blouse whicn gave them greater freedom OF
sciion In ths drill the President evinced special
interest AMI AGAIN gave utterance 20 his satisfaction
the pro1c clcy attained In this useful branch Of
Tic President, having Mrs Admiral Porter on his
Hrin Admiral Porter with Mrs. Grant; the Board Of
Visitors, ana sevefB ladies' aud gentlemen, now re-
paired To the ship Santee 20 witness the heavy art
c.g practice. The Santee IL vessel earring ifly guns,
fwenty-four G2-poundcrs IN each broadside and a
stern and bow gun. The port guns on the spar and
gun dccas were alone used, "a they bore In direc-
;i01 having uunpeded range. TWO targets were
sct n the bay, one NJ distance Of 1000 yards and
ihC second l,i,0 yards from the vessel. The Presi-
dcal ana party we're provided with seats the after
stern ruu had an excellent view OF the line OF nre
suid the targets. The guns on either deck were
pisHeu NitV ttialli7 cdAl sOiiDdiiltn Wy uicilnc1
81 TIE first or graduating class, whlle the nldshp-
1ncn Of the remaining three classes performed the
dulles OF carving powder aud shell, spongng, load
iny and firng. 1he supervision OF the mdshpmen
WAS ~ the hands Of Lieutenant Commander Conin
TIE exercises opened wltnsiarget practice The
frlng a. well the cutting OF the fuses 10 occasion
an explosion OF the shell at the proper moment
displayed the same proficiency as had characterized
al the exercises of the day. 1ne targets were per
iorated by at least dozen shot, and those tba
II.Cd 10 Int the mark were In such close proximity
that an ordinary vessel would have found that vcin
~ someW hat hotter than safety would suggest. Tn
bursting OF the shells was particularly accurate
Alter following the rapid flight OF the ball--a mer
fpeck-a pu OF white smoke, the splashing OF water
and finally loud report, indicated the explosion
ihc shell.
1hc rapid firing envcoped the vessel In smoke, am
thc constant succession OF explosions was perfect
ssafenlnQ. After waiting but a few minutes tn
ladies' on deck retired 10 shore, where the effect q
the firing could be seen without the oeneht oi u