The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-07-05
MISCELLANY.
For THE RECORD.
UP THE HUDSON.
NO. IY.


West Point is chiefly noted as the seat of
the Military Academy, established here in
1902 The land--about two hundred and fifty
acres--was coded to the United States by New
York in 1896 The buildings are two stone
barracks, occupied by two hundred and fifty
cadets.--the limited number large stone
building, for military exercises in the Winter,
aud as depository for models Of fortifica-
tions, Sc. a two-story stone building, with
three towers. for astronomical purposes /; a
chapel, hospital mess-rooms, &C., &C., and
number of dwelling houses for the officers of
the Institution.
The number Of applications for admission
TO the West Point Asesieaaysis so great that
the candidate must feel his claims to be trans
cendent who can calculate upon admission
with any degree of certainty. The ratio of
appointments, think, is about three for ev-
cry Congressional DstIict-in four years. In
selecting candidates for admission, the des-
cendants of Revolutionary officers, and of
those who served in the late wars, are consid-
cred as having peculiar claims to notice.
There is no other distinction between the cam
didates, save their accredited talents and abil-
tiles to be of public service. Tho age of adj
mission is from sixteen to twenty-one.
The months of July and August of each
year are devoted solely to military exercises !;
for which purpose the cadets are organized
into battalion of -four companies, under the
command of the chief instructor of tactics
and bis assistants. The corporals are chosen
from the third class, or cadets who have been
present one year the sergeants from the sec
ond class, who have been present two years
and the commissioned officers, or captains,
lieutenants, g., from the first class, or high
est at the academy.
All the otherscadetsfill the ranks as private
soldiers, although necessarily acquainted with
the duties of officers. In rotation they have
day or night storm or sunshine. The drills
or military exercises. consist in the use Of the
musket, rifle, cannon, mortar, howitzer sa-
bre, and rapier or broad-sword fencing, fir
ing at targets, &c. evolutioDs Of troops in
Guiding those of the line and the prepare
ton and preserving of all kinds of ammun-
tion and materials of war. The personal APP
tcdidnCo VI tIc COi po VI Cdtcto Snbhos idii w
attract admiration, especially when on parade
The cadets return from camp duty to the
barracks ON the last of August, and the re-
manning part of the year is devoted to study.
The ceremony of striking tents and marching
out Of camp is so imposing as to be well worth
AIN effort of the visitor to be present ON that
occasion.
Near the northeast extremity of the
ground, at the projecting point formed by an
abrupt bend Of the river, is a monument of
white marble, consisting of a base and short
column, on the former Of which is the simple
inscription KoscIUsKI. erected by the
Corps of Cadets, 1929" It cost $4,000. An
other monument, on gentle hillock, at the
northwest extremity of the plain, was erected
to the memory of Col. e. d. Wood, pupil
of the institution who fell leading charge at
the sortie Of Fort Erie, on the 18th Of Sep
TENDER, 1914. On the river bank, near the
parade ground, upon lower level is Kosci-
usko's garden, whittier he was accustomed to
retire for study or reflection. Near this spot
is clear .iIing spring, enclosed in marble
reservoir with durable and ornamental steps
leading down from the plain above, with seals
upon projection of the rock for visitors.
Near the steamboat landing isthe rock from
which chain was stretched across the river
during the Revolution. IL was broken by the
Bri isli vessels 10 their passage up the river,
after the capture of Fo,ts Gin aud Mont
gome.y and some links OF 1t, near three II.
l,ng, made of bar iron two inches square, are
At this time West Point was not fortified.
In April. l77S General Gates proceeded up
the river, accompanied by several eminent en-
gineers, to erect such impeuiments a. Should