New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-04
UEoI rUIHT kAEkCISEo.
THE KxAMNATIoNs-IIGUr BATTERY DIR

THE kxAMfNATTONs-LLGHT BATTERY DRILL
WEST POINT, June 3.-SOmething is to b,
blamed for the nOnappearance OF the throngs Of sight
seers that usually flock to West Point at this
the year. This Is cold chilly windy, cloudy day. nOr
III Tor the earlier weeks OF Spring for full edged
summer 1t dampens all enjoyment and may account
Tor the depressed spirits OF those who like to make the
examination a season Of enjoyment or profit But the
examination must on shine, in the face
Of this southeast wind. which threatens long storm.
The proceedings In the Library today included the
emu pf pe examinaton OF tho first class in engineering
and tho beginning OF the examination OF the second
class In philosophy. In engineering the graduating
class according to those who have merely looking
on or the professors will nothing until all is OVER
have acquitted themselves with great honor. This
subject Ia always tue first TO receive attention. and the
one in winch success Ia desired by the cadets To
rank well In this branch is esteemed high honor and
PROOF ofsuperor merit When the grade OF scholarship
Is determined after tho examination IA over, the Board
recommend O certain number for the Engineer Corps,
Others for the artillery others for the Infantry and the
remainder for the cavalry The number recommended
engineers II always SMALL and the commission always
sought for the preGmnenco in qualifications which it
shows, more than for any attraction IL presents in
ITSELF The favOre branch this is the artillery,
WHICH, Tor some reason not to BIO understood by CIV
ians. furnishes attraction. "mors than tongue can
tell" to the military mind. In this the great desire Is
to be attached the ordnance SERVICE this through
the diminished work at arsenals. and tho abolition Of
one grade Of officers that department has been prac
ticaly confined to the newly commissioned officers The
cadet who loses his chance for prcfermen an artillery
officer will apply for commission In the infantry. or
falling there. must accept tho HobsOns choice OF
cavalry appointment so IL happens that the
color Of the stripes upon officers pantaloons
often shows the standing the class which he WAS
graduaed-yelow for cavalry light blue FOR infanmv,
red for artillery and dark blue tho engineers The
without anv choice at ALI for the bin fer the reduction
OF the army would only have afforded them chance 10
to their connlry's defense. Fortunately at the last
minute clause was inserted which made provision ior
them. -
the afternoon just the rain began to fall
lghtbattery drill was performed This was under
under him selected from the first class the
were from the third class and the drivers from tne
guns, with caissons. each with horses. and
attended by officers also on hors horseback COM nG
move they did. walking, trolling and ealloplng
along the plain. sometimes seemingly tangled IN mex
Ter order again the cloud of dust which followed
them. They rushed mp and down tho plain several
cadet whose horse was not eager fray and took
opportunity to make break for tho stables despite
firing began There would be orderly scramble to
the end OF the plain, sudden stop, guns numbered
and csissons to the rear and then flashes fire. deafen
ing sounds and smoke that covered everything Then
they would Timber again. the imaginary enemy
a little way and stop. and another cannODade would en-
after which they would retreat Tightening on the
with fc shots theyran. Then the calssuns
were left behind, the gunners were mounted upon the
horses instead OF the cassOns and another mock
warfare was carried on. Then, as the rain dropped
faster Secretary Beknap dismissed tho drill and the
few spectators went their quarters or the hotel at
which latter place a good fire provided, on this
third day OF June to temper the chilly air. This ended
the exercises OF the day.
or visitors, there have been none to day Of any
prominence. Secretary Beiknap returned from New
York last evening" aud will probably remain until the
close OF the exercises.