New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-06-07
UkST POINT LIFE.

ppocRFss OF TIE EXAMINAuONs-A CAVALRY DRILL
WEST PoINr, June 6-This has been the
duest most uneyentful day since the beginning OF the
examinations. Programmes had been Land out by many
for visits TO Putnam Cold Spring and other attrac
five spo but the fear Of rain kept the prudent in the
hotel this morning. and the rain itself this afternoon so
there WAS little 10 do except TO loiter about the hotel
with gossip and knitting for the ladies' while the gentle
men smoked and made occasional visits to the Library
10 watch the manner in which the cadets acquitted
themselves. The "plebes" about forgotten. Their
examination is over, and they are settling down 10
the four years work. Those who failed may charge
most OF their errors TO bad grammar and forgotten &C.
Ography. In geography the ignorance manifested was
astonishing One young located the Bay OF Fundy
between Greenland and Labrador, and made 1t eeIe-
braed as the head OF the Gulf Stream. Another youth
probably from the West, informed the Board that the
New-England States were Europe, Asia, Africa, and
Madagascar. II the found" boys eth cherish mill
itary ambition they will have to receive reappontment
or be recommended by the Board for determination IN
September when the vacancies will be filled.
The examination Of the first class resumed this
morning. and at the close Of the day section still re-
manned TO be questioned on the subject OF Engineering
The problems gwen about the same as those
unoded yesterday and did not appear to be so attract
we II one could Judge from the small number Of audi
tors But neither that nor absence OF many OF the
Board Of Visitors affected the work, and many difficult
problems were solved ucdy otherwise, according to
the memory Of the cadet. Some were notca5ly very
clear and prompt in their replies and others sometimes
had 10 ransack their brains for several moments before
the desired answer was brought to light There were
no incidents to break the monotOny except IN the case
Of one cadet who fearful THAI had failed volunteered
an EXPLANATION TO the Board Of Visitors, which had the
effect of making matters worse The examination OF the
sixth section viii be finished tomorrow morning. anu
then Mneraogy and Geology viii be taken up. - -, -
Tata in fhp aft "a
plain before the Secretary OF War and the Board OF VIE
tOrs The spectators seated under under the trees
with perfect arsenal Of umbrellas whlch served 70
keen of rain and sun The dust had been land by the
ram so that aunOyan not added 10 rms most I'M
Interesting OF all drills The cadets OF the hrst class IN
their gray uniforms composed the first squadron under
command OF Capt. Alfred L. Bates For an hour they
showed how near man can approach 10 tEc ypCal CeI
taW by sticking to their horses PACKS IN
all the manuvCTs that cavalry can PERFORM
advancing in line and platoon and column, wheeling
10 the right and left at quick time ana al INC inc u0u0e
quick 70 the satisfaction OF Their COMMANDERS anu 'o
admiration Of the spectators IL even exciting at
times when headlOng char were made the leuStn OF
the plain, each cadet urging his steed Win voice ana
spur TO his fastest pace whe those LOOKING on
every moment some cadet ny over MS hOrse s
head into dust. Occasionally saddle would Sup OF
a grh lOOso and Obge the rider to dsmount WIN I'M
dlguined hast-, but with serious consequences,
exreDt that i'm ne of the furious charges cadet
thrown from his and stunned. He was soon re-
stored however, ana carried TO the hospital :, -,
The hotels are well filled now with more ladies' than
men When the cadets are enjoying their hours or
recreation" they at least most OF tne rush IOr the
hotel and the relations instantly become more evenly
balanced. A book is kept at the WeSJ fOiht hOtei
wherein the passes the cadets registered ana IS
reported that the number OF ladies' may be quito accu
ratey determined by counting the reglstries' Gen
sherman did not to-day and the Point mas Dteh
deprived of the sensation OF ms entry. Among those
WHO have arrived are Senator COuOvcr and wife OF
Florida. Gen. Varnum and Col 7. ID. Ball OF the same
state, and the Hon. II. T. Pierson Of Albany of the
Board Of Visitors Of 1872.