New-York tribune., 1873-06-13
WEST POINT.
MILITARY ACADEMY FESTIVITIES.
LOSE OF THE EXAMISATIoN-sKIRSusH Drill

began, with joyful faces, 70 turn Ia their cavalry
couermnes. the first step toward their freedom from
student discipline. From dress parade. this evening
they will DO virtually through with cadet fo. They
feel happy very happy; studies strict
| confinement to few acres OF ground.
They will DO relieved from duty entirely until
Saturday night. The Academic Board have nothing to
do but to make up the standing which will be
nOunced tomorrow morning. The exercises OF gradua-
ton will take place, II the weather be favorable, nc
m, on the green in front of the library IL not, in the
chapel. The diplomas are to be presented by Gen.
Grant Secretary Belknap will then address the class
| after which Gen. Sherman Is expected 10 add few
words of advice. THIS will close the ceremonies.
This afternoon drill In tho school of the skrmlsher
gwen, in which tho whole battalion participated
The exercises began with review in honor OF Gen.
Sherman, who appeared in full uniform Then followed
the skirmisher eyOlutions First they wero divided
into squads which spread out into lines and then the
firing began After rushing around, shooting they
went, for time, the battalion divided into two
detachments These took opposite sdos Of tho plain
and thundered away at each other with rifle can
non. for half hour Then gradually drove In the
OupOsts Of the other captured their cannon aud sur
rounded them. With this victory the drill ended.
At p. m. the members of the Alumni Association OF
the West Point Military Academy, who have been gath
erng during the present week held their annual meeting
In the chapel. This association Is comparatively
organization, this being fourth annual reunion 1t
has about $50 members, but many OF them are
assigned to distant posts only about twohrds of the
number were present. Any graduate, whether in the
army in civil life is eligible for membership The
President Of the Association Is always the oldest radu
ate who is member AT the meeting in 1872 Gen. Sy-
Thayer remained the President, having filled that
Office the previous year As by his dooease the office was
vacant, Judge r. Parrot OF the Executive Committee
called the meeting to order aud prayer offered by
the Rev. c. c. Parsons, formerly OF the artillery The
hIaiu h, ata of
Simon willard OF the class OF 1915 named for the
position, but declined temporarily in favor or Prof.
Charles Davies Of the class.
Upon taking his seat he welcomed the graduates who
had gathered around the old homestead with mingled
feelings Of and love- Some OF them cadets OF
yesterday, about to enter upon the duties Of
noble prOessOn others, full OF honor behold with Joy
tho old Academic Hall; whilo Others, looking back
through the long vista Of more than half century well
coined them all, the graduates OF 30 classes. To the
graduate q day spent here was volume
OF history, read in the freshest OF personal
recoectons. But these meetings were connecting links
between the past and the future. and while bringing
cordial welcomes TO another they also brought gar
lands OF atectiOnate remembrance to lay reyerenty
upon the graves OF the dead Every year added stri
70 this roll OF honor. Within the past year.
Gen. Sylyanus Thayer he concluded late President,
and for many years superintendent OF the Academy,
has gone to his final rest and taken his place In history.
His life and full account OF his connection with the
Academy have been written by Gen. Cuum his friend
and pupil But he has more enduring and more
precious record. He lives in the Institution ITSELF
and his abOrs will form important part OF its
history He lives also In the profound respect aud al
fectiOnate remembrance the many graduates VINO
grew up under hs and love and duty will transmit
these impressions to future classes. t is not too much
for those who knew him long and well TO say that here
his VIII De permanent rs the granite hills
which surround Us, aud as fresh as the May flowers
which border the riyuets OF the mountains. May peace
and honor rest upon Il, and may the twilight or this life
be the morning rays OF another.
The roll was then read by the Secretary, Lieut. E. H.
Totem 81 members responded 10 their names, among
whom were the following: Gen. Daniel Tyler. Gen. W.
T. sherman, Gen. w. IL. Franklin, Gen. McCalmOnt, Gen.
Hannibal Day. Prof Bartlett NJ G. mncrae, 5las Casey,
Prof Church, Cen T. W. sherman, Gen. {. c. slbley,
Gen. Cass, Gen. M0rel Gen. Ger, Gen. Tower, Rufus
Ingalls,, Gen. WIN. ID. Mhpple GeH Pitcher late super
intendent Of the Academy, aud many others. Gen
those OF the class 1853 rhe necrology OF the past
year was then fead. Inc ioloWmg are the names OF
those graduates who have died within that PERIOD with
Lieut.. Reid T. Stewart, 1871; Gen. syvauus Thayer.
1sO the Rev Dr. Francis vlnton. 1880; f. 3 Mumford.
1856 Con Hartman Bache, 1885, Gen. g. O. Meade 1888;
WntOn. 1922 Gen Edward Johnson 1888; Col G. H. Fry,
1884, Charles NJ ThurstOn, 1914 Lieut. w. j. Sarte, 1867;
1927 Gen f. Il. s. Candy, 1892 Lieut. c. NJ Harris, 1865
Lieut. Arthur Cranston, 1867 Major H. C. Dodge, 1868;
Lieut.. Jacob Amy, 1867 OF these twenty graduates,
hyc-Gen Meade, Dr. NintOn, Gen. CanOyr Gen. PIntOn,
and Gen. ThayeI-were members Of the AssoclduOn.
The Treasuers report then read, ST. l29 81 being
in the treasury. After unimportant business, resolu-
ton was read TO the effect that suitable memorial
should be erected To the memory OF Gen Tayer Daniel
Tyler in secondlng this, made extended remarks. The
resolution was adopted, aud committee appointed TO
collect subscriptions. TIE list OF officers iOr the ensuing
year was then read as follows:
President simon Willard Treasurer Prof H. L. Ken
drck LIZ ID. Secretary, Lieut. f. II. 1Otten Executive
Committee, Judge X. r. ParTOtt, Prof. a. L. Church,
LIZ D., Gen. George W. CuIIum Gen Thomas H. Rugor,
After adiouTnng, the alumni proceeded cottage
OF Gen. Upton, whore lunch provided. Tue dinner
was given at Cozzens's Hotel at p This
trely an informal gathering, no publicity being given
to the proceedings. Gen. Grant was present. The fol-
lowing were the tUdsts:
"The p ,sdont Of the United States" The Army and
Navy" The Volunteer soldiery," "The Dead Of the
past Year" our Academic Friendships" The La
No one was selected TO respond until the toast
read; ono knew beforehand that he was 10 do so.
graduates broke at late hour. though many OF
the younger members left the hall early for the ball
Last evening the guests here were treated to real
Summer night festival First, as soon as II became
dark, the mortar battery was manned. After fow
moments durinS winch nothing c0uld De heard but the
confused sound OF commands and the moving or the
men. rocket shot up into the air immediately mum
Der Of bright fires were lighted showing the cadets at
their positions. Tnen the nllng began. Eacn smell,
aimed at blazing target on the opposite biul could
De watched through its whole course, until 10
exploded After several yoeys, the spectators noticed
that the mOrtars were being turned upon them and
general rush made the slope 20 the plain above.
Here beautiful view was presehleu long row
Of brilliant lights, with the moon shining from the edge
the center a white star was throwing on sparks
IN every direction, while at each END rockets
were ascending 1he battery sent up immense
bombs which broke overhead INTO myrads
Of cUOred The plain covered with spectators
who, uOtWlthstanuiug lntlr expressions OI ucuehl,
lodged all directions 10 avoid the fragments or the
Most OF the rst cadets now at tue hotel
engaged n another imprOmptu hop which lasted until
pfter midnight, they remaining masters OF the situation
until il:l5 by perm ssiOn OF tho Secretary Of War
OF course, the a-absOrbing topic to-day has been the
ball. Snco breakfast the managing committee OF the
second class have been busy with haRs aud other de-
wees for decorations and have transformed the mess
hall into elegant reception room. The ball proper
viii take place here. The officers mess rooms adjoining
are reserved for dressing rooms, connected w the
hall by fag-draped balcony The room in the north
east end OF Academic Hail. under the drawingroom IS
also decorated and here the German will be danced.
This work has been done by the Committee aono its
members J. Hansoli French, c. Il. s, Wood, wills