The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-13
OUR COMING GENERALS.

EXAMINATION OF GRADUATING MILITARY CA
DETs-THEIR PROFICIENCY IN THE SCIENCE
OF PRoJECTILES, LAW AND CAVALRY DRILL.
WEST POINT, June IL, 1875
leaden sky overhung West Point during tho whole
OF to-day, causing the mountain sides to assume
monotonous tint OF green, which was unrccved by
passing shadow The morning was very wot, the rain
fell in torrents al West Point Military Academy, but
not heavily to tho southwark of that point How
ever. during the day the threatening clouds did
send down their showers but blush haze over
spread the landscape, indicating that the atmosphere
had attained high point OF saturation and that pun
OF cold air from the northwest would convert tho
vapor into rain and spoil all the ne display promised
Tor this evening. visited the library Of tho Academy
to-day, wherein sections Of the first graduating class
undergoing their final examination AS entered
section represented at the blackboards by Ave OF
It's members, who demonstrated with many symbols
and diagrams the theory OF tho flight OF projectles in
vacuo and IN air This proved an exceedingly interest
ing exhibition of efficiency in Of the most important
branches Of military study and the whole
crednble to tho cadets examined. OF course some
affected by the blackboard fever, and exhibited
extreme nervousness in their alternately pang and
flushing cheeks, but the good natured and
experienced examiners gave each disorganizcd
youth ample time Tor reconstruction. and
started the trains OF thought by the gentlest OF
ism the moment the right spring was touched the
wheels Of mcmory began to revolvc smoothly and the
result the demonstration Of tho problem or the
PLANTATION OF difficult point OF detail In Its
suuction. With all this there was not the slightest
attempt at giving material assistance TO any OF the
cadets, ana may assure tho readers OF the HERALD
that any young man graduating at tho Academy must
win his way to that success by hard work anu close
application. Among The practical questions put TO
the candidates wcre:-ssThe mode OF manufacture
OF gunpowder and gun cotton" concerning
tho calculations necessary to determine tho
| M n
OF the trajectory and its notifications under varying
cIrcumstanccs! THE force OF projection as deter.
mined by the ballistc and gun pcnduums?" such
questions related 10 the general ami detail conditions
arising in connection with the theory and practice OF
gunnery gwen and answered promptly enough TO
satisfy any ono that tho replies came IRON students
well qualified to make them with intelligence
YOUNG SOLDIERS ExP0UxpiyG LAW.
Another section Of the graduating class examined
during the morning hour In military law, and the con-
stitutonaf relations between the civil and military
! factory 10 know the amount OF care cxer-
ciscd in intoxicating the very safe rule that during
ordinate TO the civil When students OF military col
ege yet uncdged soldiers they apt dcspise
tho itea OF equality Of rights with tho mere citizen
that OF reason and the law there danger that being
the easiest remedy, It may become too popular with
those employed to exercise IT, ana therefore some
the law OF the whole people aside for that
OF tho soldiers But at West Point the teaching
entirely accordance with the constitutional law and
very gratifying TO listen to our future army on
giving lucid expression 70 the lessons Of their pro-
lessons IN this regard.
THE CAVALRY DRILL
The cavalry drill at the riding hall commenced ex-
acty at halipas live O'Clock and witnessed by the
Board OF Visitors and ther friends, besides large
concourse OF fashionably atred ladies' and gentlemen
who were attracted 10 the drill by the novelty Of tho
and their interest in the cadets taking part In IT,
Twenty five handsome horses, equipped with regulation
cavalry saddles led INTO the large hail. and soon
aiierward similar number Of cadets OF the first
class entered the building, armed with sabre and
revolver. At a signal from Captain Beaumont who
directed the drill the cadets who stood in line at their
horses heads sprung into tho saddles and broke OF by
fours TO tho right. In this formation they walked,
trotted and galoppcd their horses, managing their
movements with grace and address Then tho column
formed right by twos, and finally In single de- Tho
party divided into Two sections, which wheeled,
conference.-the and performed number Of very dii-
cult cvolutioDs with great precision and skill
Some OF the horses were what the Ohio democrats
may turn out-rogular boilers. and the cadets had 10
exert all their persuasive powers OF bit and spur 10
keep the unruly brues In place In the line The grand
feature OF tho drill the sabre and pistol drill
Dummy heads OF rubber, somc fixed on posts and
The cadet trooper pistol and rode at full gal
Top NJ tho rubber head firing NJ II when within the
proper distance then, quickly returning the pistol he
drew the sabre and executed the several cuts ~ the
other heads. which exercise developed his proves OF
workmanship as VOL rs horsemanship.
Alter a number OF courses had been run in this in
crestng Tournament, AMI IN which some OF the cadets
displayed remarkable excellence, while others were
and the saddles removed from tho horses. Re.
mounting the barebackcd chargers, the cadets went
through the difficult sabre and pistol exercises without
the sustaining strrup and in addition had 10 leap hur
dies while executing sweeping sabre cut at an India
rubber head. The jumping WAS very good IN some
cases. while In others the concerted action between
or excellence in the school OF the trooper the cadets
and their officers have TO feel proud Of the
proficiency OF tho former tho difhcvh exercise OF
Workmanship required Of tho American cavalry.