The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-13
WEST POINT.

DISTINGUISHED ARRIVALS AT THE POST
BRILLIANT MORTAR PRACTICE DURING THE
KvENING-GoRoEoUs DISPLAY OF ROCKETS
AND BOMBS.
WEST PoISr. June II, 1871
A ripple OF excitement won't round the post this
evening, caused by tho arrival OF tho distinguished
party from Washington. including the Secretary
OF War, General Sherman, General Vincent, General
X Is Macy, Judge Advocate General Dunn,
Colonies Andenried and Poo, OF General shermans
stan. and Lieutenant Green aid to the Secretary OF
War. Accompanying the party were General Han
cock and niece, General Van yliet and wife and the
two daughters Of Secretary McCrary.
MORTAR PRACTICE.
After dark this evening, while the pazzas
crowded with chatting groups OF guests. blue glare
lighting the parade ground caused the eyes OF all TO
turn toward It's source, which proved TO DO dozen
port fires burning upon the little breastworks by the
edge OF the tho OF the big siege bat tory
In minute tho grassy bank above was crowded with
spectators anxious TO witness the mortar practice
which had been announced to take place. Although
the nres burned out quickly the forms OF
cadets could be dimly discerned moving TO
and fro behind the works by the light OF lanterns
swinging from their belts. Away out the dark
waters OF the cove at the foot OF Crow Nest, mile
moro distant, there bazcd by the waters edge red
basket Its light made the darkness OF the mountain
above and tho waters around more by contrast,
and certainly they wero black. for them the sky
bent stariess and inky In It's gloon. A moro pro-
ptous occasion for tho display could not have been
wished tor
But few moments were left the assemblage 10 mark
tho scene. when tho voice OF Lieutenant Morton
OF tho mortars and with wnz rotating ball
OF FIRE mounted almost TO the zenith growing smaller
until II began TO descend no bigger than Inau s haHd
and fell within few feet OF the IRE on the opposite
bank, The target 1t which II was aimed Then came
,a Sars. o. Are ., tho so shell exploded,
The water to The listening OF tho spectators
upon the bank clapping OF hands applnuded tho
precision of the ann. Another and still another shell
was thrown with such accuracy AS almost cxtingushod
the burning mass At which they wcro aimed.
After each shot, ard while The blazing globe was
whzzng across the say, tho conclusion oil air scnt
thousand echoes rcvcrberatng through the mountains
both sides Of the rivor aud when zach missile burst
It's fccbcr report seemed 10 take up the louder sounds
and carry them back again The band began to play
on Tho lawn before tho hotel, but music found no
votaries; all were worshpping at the shrine OF Mars
ROCKETS AND BOMBS.
To add variety TO tho spectacle and also part OF
The drill signal rockets were discharged Mt intervals
Sometimes dozen wcro sent up simultaneously, and,
burning under the inky DOME hlled nl the night with
radiance rs they descended IN splendid anrcan showers
upon the Stygan bosom OF tho river Again they wcro
aimed across the waters and shattered into scntat-
ing arches Of trailing stars few signal bombs were
fired AT intervals during The hour IN which the practice
continued. Whlrling upward like the Of hers until far
above tho mountain, burning spcck, thoy suddenly
flashed INTO a thousand colored globes ana stars,
which slowly foated in undulatng waves OF ire into
obscurty.
SIGNAL BOMBS.
Finally tho target lire faded into obscurty and the
order TO cease firing givcn. Then the muzzes Of
tho murars were turned into shore and signal bombs
shot rapid succession over the heads OF the specta
tors, and, exploding high above tho middle Of tho
parade ground, lung far aud wide their dazzling con
tents OF serpents and many coiorcd stars lighting up
all tho river by their briancy. One pcrverso bomb
burst IN tho trees just over .he assembage and rained
down upon them such showers Of sparks as sent the
ladies pcring and screaming IN all directions No
harm done, however, aud closing vollcy fred
simultaneously from all the mortars ned tho heavens
win transient glory, taking away tho ladies' breath,
and sent them homeward cxhaustlng their vocabu-
AIRY Ol delight.