New-York tribune., 1874-06-13
VEST POINT TACTICS.
EXAMINATION IN ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY-TiiE
IABoRs OF THE GRADUATES ALMOST ENDED
A sKIKNISU DRILL AND SHAM BATTLE.

EXAMINATION IN ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY-TIIE
IABORs OF THE GRADUATES ALMOST ENDED
A sKIRMIsH DRILL AND SHAM BATTLE.
WEST POINT, June 12.-The close OF the
examination OF to-day has probably determined the
future life of of tho members OF the first Glass;
though whether they keep in their military career
or return TO civil life isyet unknown to them or any one
else. All except few members have been examined In
the last subject which comes before them-ordnance
and gunnery-and have only TO wait IN hopeful antici-
ration until some day next week. when their fate Will
be made known. There is In the ual examination some
satisfaction TO the listener IN hearing how the
implements OF war made, and by what
rules the excellent mortar practice OF few
evenings ago was achieved Tho library today presented
very warlRe appearance and there notable con-
trast between the uniformed officers surrounding the
implements Of destruction and the quiet librarian sit
ting among his books Gatng gun stood in one cor
ner with everything necessary for its working near It,
On the table OF the Board of Visitors several rifles
of different makes, while them were samples OF
cartridges bullets. &c. The examination to-day has
been very much through the medium Of the blackboard
One cadet drew q front and sectional view Of ortca-
ton built very eaboratey and then ruthlessly made
a breach in its walls This he did In three different
WAYS ending with which demolished 1t completely.
IIis remarks applied particularly to the effect
unon the wall where II shOnd be hit, and when solid
shot and when shell would be best Another cadet ar
ranged siege battery to do the work. and did the prac-
tcal mart of the destruction as the other had done the
theoretical Then cadet dissected chalk and black
board cannon, divided its body into six or seven
parts, and named each, showing why IL was thicRer
in one place than another and what would be the effect
if the truunions or hinges, as some here called
them, were placed in some other place. Then cadet
wrote, "Ner, sulphur, charcoal" on the Doard as
text and gave condensed treatise the manufacture
and use Of gunpowder. He told what it was made Of
what 1t might be made Of and was not. and led the
listener through all the dangerous operations OF puver
izng mixing, ETC., until he finally, metaphorcally
speaking handed to his examiner samples of powder In
grains perforated cakes, and other forms. He pro-
ceeded still fguratively, to burn some, and told why
some did its work In hurry and made great iuss
about it, while the great cakes took more time ana dd
the work quite effectively. The manufacture OF
cartridges naturally followed, and the cadet to whom
this subject nrusted started out to show how they
were made OF copper thimbles aud powder and lead In
proper proportions. He then took breechoadng rifle
and explained its various parts without, fortunately
being obliged 10 demonstrate its practical utility by
shooting OF the visitors, or even the poor Dat
which was startled from its rest by so much murderous
talk and few the windows screechng to be let out
How TO aim mortars demonstrated by several figures
and few words, and the manufacture OF small arms
were alike well disposed Of Tfen, toward tho last
some one drew magnificent charger upon his board and
fairly loaded il down with harness. put ON the saddle
and bride collar and traces and hitched him to gum
This examination will be certainly finished by tomor-
row. The results OF this final examination OF the first
class Will not be made public until Tuesday, when the
names OF those who have passed and their standing in
the class will be given The diplomas will be pre-
sensd on the following day probably Sy & Lae ns
dress will be made BY Prof. Wayland the President OF
the Board of Visitors.
most exciting io the speciaor OF a ber exercises and
In which they, 10 derive great pleasure lls
is the skrmlsR drill sham fight 1t always brings 70
tue Point" crowds OF country people, Win tneI
%ent contin ies The battle began with the division Of
the battalion. which WAS commanded by Gen. upon,
front and stretched themselves into lo:a line with
other companies rv.;...ox within supporting distance
sn ne eHs an he sr
began to pick of imaginary members OF the lnys
little further to front and did more shooting,
but the still troops seemed to be too heavy Ior
re srehn Ttn M enemy turned the eft Of
line and forced 1t after sharp hight to change Dsses @
iro their ne new base GRADUALLY worked up firing
tme until with erie and yes they CHARGED upon he,n
they again formed in line OF battle not an enemy wa
TO be They allowed TO rest on their lauTes
BATTALION S ie% WA. divided into two detac6ments one
which marched TO the opposite side OF the plain anu
threw out line OF skrmishers. and began firing with
cannon and small arms For fifteen minutes the oa'se a
|
vantage Then the troops on one side drove IN tne
Of the troops the other and victory seemed reaa
70 perch upcn their But desperation made the
| half-vanQushed army courageous and they gaUan!y;
with very slaughter one was seen 70 Ia
except cadet who stumbled over stone, regane1
position aud the cannon r0ared and rnes crackeu
for several longer Then cane the chance oI
tue hitherto half vanQushcd Up rose signal man upon
rock. from amid their ranks, and waved rcd nag VIII
white square in ts center aid creeping up hill III tne
left OF those whom victory had seemed ready 70
| another answered him with like signal Immeu
utely behind him q detachment OF his couIrad5e az
peared seized which very opportuucy
ihere, and opened terrible hre their opponents,
who were forced to withdraw but without the loss OF
man. Following up their advantage, they crept nearer
and nearer until firing and yelling with all the power
Of gunpOwder and lungs charged upon their enemy anu
euded the battle by grand victory Then both psres
| fraternzed and marched from the field together. Al
this time, nut unnOtced in tue grander struggle,
another victory being won, and this was by Tue
non ON officers Of artillery against the in
vsdipg swarm Of small boys who secured she Held Ior
cartridges and the curious SPECTATOR VINO
| siraysd into the face OF danger. Their victory Was
1 ended Y deaperate though b00QIens seylo