Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-06-04
Editorial Correspondence.


rupton to the sober and quiet life which this
scedy old city ever knows--thc exercises
and festivities attendant upon what might
properly be denominated Commencement
Week at the Naval Academy. And wheth-
er we judge in respect to the Attachments Of
the graduating class--ihe number and dis
tinguished character Of the visitors drawn
hither by the occasion, or the display Of
beauty and fashion attendant upon its les.
tivities-the present year is in no respect
inferior to any Of its predecessors.
The examinations proper having closed
on Wednesday, Thursday afternoon was
devoted to sham battle between 80 ma.
rines and some 200 mdsbipmen--and as
considerable preparatory drill had been I'M
dcrgouc. the affair created intense interest,
and drew together a vast crowd. The mid
shipmen, in aotilas and boats, rowed eau
tiously up the Severn river to Horse Shoe
Point, then forming line Of battle and
rapidly rowing and firing artillery to clear
the beach, landed and deployed as skirmish-
ers. The marines were awaiting them with a
wcll-extended line of skirmishers stretched
out before the main body. The infantry
and artillery Of the midshpman were
brought to bear upon the marines, who
we're finally compelled to fall back, but
stubbornly contested the ground
Again they rallied upon the brow Of the
hill, and again in the woods below; and
when finally compelled to retreat, the scene
became intensely exciting, as soldiers and
citizens went promiscuously flying down
the hill, and through woods and shrubbery,
the mdshipmen in hot pursuit with ringing
cheers and rafting guns and booming can.
non Little respect was had for rank-as
Admirals Wordsn and Davis, Capt Carter,
and other dignitaries of the institution, we
saw flying as for their lives. At the gov
eminent bridge another stand was made
when the fire upon both sides became
terrific. Lieut. Robinson, who commanded
the marines, then drew in his men, after
which the midshipmen raiued volley upon
volley upon the bridge: and so the battle
ended That the battle might be altogether
a sham, it was deemed prudent that no
captures should be made for the blood of
the mddics is not always kind toward the
marines under the most favorable circum-
stances, and well might trouble be feared
when it was heated. Lieut. Commander
Coffin led the artillery, Lieut. Solely the
infantry, and Commander A. p Cook the
combined attacking force. All parties ac-
quilted themselves with signal credit.
Decoration Day was observed as boli-
day only in the government Offices here.
The loyal soldiers graves exceedingly
few in this section-were decorated with
flowers under the auspices of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
Friday night occurred the annual hop
nor were the crowd in attendance, or the
endless display of gay and costly attire, in
any way interiered with by the dashing
rain of the evening. As usual large dele
cations were in attendance from Washing
ton and Baltimore.
Saturday forenoon the graduating exer-
cises took place. After what is said to
have been an excellent address at the chap
el, by Rear Admiral Davis, of Boston, III
was spoken so low as to be heard only by
those upon the PLATFORM the crowd repair.
ed to the open grounds where preparations
had been made for the service. The mid.
shipmen, under arms and in full uniform
formed 10 front of the crowd, and after O
brief exercise-in which they evinced won
derful proficiency presented those await
ing honors in line in front, surrounded
by their conrad les in hollow square. AT
ter brief, but exceedingly neat and elo
quent address by Secretary Robson, tn,
diplomas were presented and thus, with
mutual cheers and greetings upon all hands
the school year was formally closed.
We cannot forbear to mention that tn,
venerable Rev. Alvah Sabn, formerly o
Georgia, in our own State, but now of Nil
ton we believe, one of the Board of Wis
itors at the academy this year, was present
and discharged the duties of his appoint
meut with much credit, though upwards o
so years of age. Before the address o
Admiral Davis, Father Sabin offered tb
prayer--and it was the same familiar voic
that often heard when n boy.
In coming to New York we travelled
route which was new to us-over tn
New London Northern road, from Brattle
boro to New London, Conn, and thence +
New York by steamer, 1t is most de
lightful route to New York especially i
the summer, and we advise all Vermont
ers, especially from our section of tn
State, to give it trial. The train leavin
Montpelier at 9 A. NJ, reaches New Lor
don about 8 P. NJ, when you can 90 immt
diately aboard magnificent steamer-ol
tain good nights sleep, and reach Ne
York by 7 o'clock the next morning /
good condition for full days work
whereas, the all-rail route lands one in tn
city generally after midnight, to hunt u
quarters, exc out broken night, and ORA
through stupid day thereafter. Co
George A. Merrill is Superintendent {
the New London Northern road, and tn
8 Of itself is conclusive--if not that it is
superior route, at least that it is splendid
managed.
As we came down the Connecticut rive
We noticed au entire new telegraph liz
: being erected, and were informed that it
being extended through to New York, {,
the use and benefit Of the vast crowd
denizens of that heated city who are plal
: ming to spend the coming summer at IL
White Mountains. How we wish OF
Wells River road was finished, that v
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