The New York herald., 1869-06-13
WEST POINT.

The Boat Race Between the Graduating
Glass and the Second and Third Classes-
eThe Victory Claimed by the First and Sec-
ond Classes-Genernl Grant Still Bored-He
Loses His Cigars-The Hop.
WEST POINT, June IL, 1869.
The much talked OF three mile boat between
the rs second and third classes took place this af
ternoon, but the champion nag, which is now held
by the graduates was not contended for, and the
contest in consequence only "scrub" race.
Had the AFFAIR come OF last Saturday the dag would
have been up as prize for the winning crew, as
the graduates were at that time in excellent condi.
ton; but, after the postponement, the men had to
.'bone'' pretty hard for the examination, and
were unwilling, while 1t lasted, to put them
selves under the very severe course OF
dieting which each crew is obliged to
submit 10 for a week or so before a race comes on.
Wnen the examination Gnally came to an end the
mothers fathers and sisters and brothers OF the
cadets stopping at the hotels demanded good share
OF their spare tlme and, under the circumstances,
constant practice with the oars was altogether out
OF the question. The crews OF the second and third
classes had also good many difficulties to contend
against For instance, one OF the second class men
pos tvely refused TO put his hand to oar until he
had NAKED" through his examination with flying
colors and the ordeal OF the class did not TO
an end until yesterday the crew to which he be-
longed were unable to practice much as was
desirable. owing TO all these untoward circum-
stances the race would probably have never
come OF all had the President not put in an ap-
pearance, with, OF course, very lively expectation
OF witnessing the contest OF which he had heard
much talk on Friday, therefore, the crews decided
the race should take place this afternoon with the
understanding that the champion nag was not 10 be
contended for. The graduates, be IL known, hold
this nag which was given 10 them last June by the
class OF 1868, who won IL at the race In which "6e''
came In second. 10 was committed to the custody
OF the latter on condition that II Lot wresed from
them within six weeks after the race by OF the
other classes 10 should go 10 the present second
class after the class OF 1859 bad graduated. Such
was the state Of affairs wDen the race came OF this
afternoon. For probably full half hour
BEFORE THE RACE
the road leading to the old dock, just north OF the
regular steamboat landing, was crowded with visit
ors from the various hotels ON their way TO the
'scene OF action the ladies, usual, predominant
ing Private carriages blocked up the way al the
foot OF the hill. near the wharf and the adjoining
eminences along the river side, and the old dock
itself swarmed with cadets every one OF whom felt
az much interest IN the contest though each had
saked his reputation or his life on the success OF
certain boat, while away up In the tree tops adven-
turesome urchns clung 10 seats that swung TO and
fro at every breeze and far above the level OF the
river groups OF people from the near by villages
pcered down upon tile camps bel0W as III wondering
what all the hubbub meant. OF course among the
classes interested In the race there was good deal
OF the same kind of dlsorderly order which prevails
at every race: but, Bohemian versions 10 the con-
trary Notwithstanding there were no slang terms 20
crate on the ear, no oaths no words that would call
the blood OF shame to ladys cheek. Finally, alter
ali the preliminaries had been settled, Colonel Par
sons had been chosen referee and Lieuenants DAVIS
nd Sears judges, the boats were brought up TO the
STAKE boat, Just opposite the 9la docA anu
prepared for action. The colors OF the nrst class
were orange, OF the second class red aud oil tue third
class blue. The nrst class entered naiI lapstreak
shell, 10 feet In length by Inches IN width, with
Auglr r. Z. Carter, Charles Braden, Charles H.
Rea, Arthur s. Hardy (strokel The second class
entered shell ~ feet In length by 20 inches IN
width, with the following crew:-Edward :. Chaplin
bow, Samuel W. Fountain, Henry A. Reed, James
A. Dennison, Y. X. Ward. William ID. Homer
sirokel The third class entered lapstreak shell,
o. feet In length and - inches IN width with the
following crew:-Walace Mott (bowl James X
wasson. Thomas r. Knox, g. 4. Bacon, O. A. wood;
shell (which was allowed thirty seconds by me other
boats, with the following crew:-James b, hiS,sey'
Thomas ). Mumford strckeh Inc average
weight ol the crew oi 'a tSa, nT Tho csew NJ
the sXoared shell OF the third class l4i and OF the
| crew of the four-oared boat, l45 The crews were
all picked men. Injured to rowing by CONSTANT traln-
| ing and tney certainly presented line appearance
! as the boai glIded up alongside the stakeDOal'
,,,,er,, ,,,nutes to six O'Clock al the boats got
into pnsltion the rst class winning the nrst choice
| and selecting the course outside tue stakeDoat OF
! rather BUOY which was placed near the OLD dock;
The ixoared boat othe second class got the second
choice and took the third position from the shore
\ me fouroarcd third class boat taking the inside
cn,irse and the six.oared boat of the third class
taxing the inside position, next to that OF the irst
] rIass Al the word "gon all the boats started to-
| eether the second class shell taking the lead, and
| tho other boats were almost abreast one OF the
] other when they had gone about forty Yards from
The boat landing the FIRST class crew shot ahead and
were fast opening gap between their shell and the
| other boats, when one oar was raised IN the third
class sheh and oil the boats stopped. ON inquiry it
vss asceJIslRsa tbat tRs &svs bsd WVlpspy sgresg