The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-13
OUR COLLEGES.
Annual Commandments of Column
bia and Roanoke.
PRESIDENT HAYES AT WEST POINT
Standing Of the Graduates at the
Military Academy.
WEST POINT.

WEST POINT.
ARRIVAL OF THE PRESIDENT AND GENERALS
SHERMAN AND sHERIDAN-THE STANDING
OF THE GRADUATING CLASS.
WEST POINT June IL, 1875
The PLAIN newly mown yesterday ana this
morning displayed under the welcome sunshine a
vivid level carpetry Of green plush. The early
trains brought loads Of visitors from north and SOUTH
ana at ten O'Clock the arrival OF Lieutenant General
Sheridan was announced by salute Of fifteen guns
that brought tho ladies the hotel pazzas like
flowers shaken out OF basket and every body at
West Point agog with expectation Tor the day. The
Lieutenant General came in citizens dress and drove
TO the West Point Hotel in open carriage, COM
pany with Gcnerai Forsyth, OF his staff.
soon after the steamer Henry Smith was descried
approaching from down the river, aud before noon
ihc arrived at the dock, bringing the President OF tho
United States the secretary of the General Of the
Army and Attorney General Deveus. The President
was accompanied by Mrs Hayes and mis- son, Webb G.
Hayes. General Sherman's daughter, Miss ELY. had
landed the day before. hne looking cavalry escort.
together with battalion OF artillery, was
drawn up TO meet this distinguished party,
who seated themselves In carriages, and, preceded
by the cavalry, ascended to the plain. There tho
President rs salute OF twenty guns was FREQ while
the cavacade and procession across in front OF
tho Academy buildings and the cadets barracks,
where tho cadets were duly assembled, and the post
band played sHa,l TO the Cniei." The President and
Mrs Hayes rode the back scat OF the rst carriage
with General Sherman and General Sehofeld, the
superintendent OF the Military Academy, on the
In 'front.' In The next carriage Tho Secretary Of
War, Attorney General Devens, General Nell. Com
mandanl ofthe cadets, and tho Presidents son.
considerable throng OF people had assembled
tha hr, hara
party ash,cd at General Schofcld's residence where
the President and his family received guests,
and the military then repaired 10 quarters.
THE AFTERNOON DRILL.
The weather remaining fine people continued 10
arrive on every conveyance, and when the after
noon drill began there were, perhaps Two thou.
sand spectators. The drill selected was the
most dashlng and exciting Of all tho displays
OF the examination weeX-to wit, the light artillery
drill The battery OF SIX three-inch rfed guns with
ten cadets TO each gun, appeared about three T. NJ
and was handled Tor an hour and half with ra-
p.dity and precision that were applaudcd by all the
m,iitary authorities who witnessed tho exercise Tho
gaoplug to aud fro aud wheeling INTO line, the I'M
mo.rng Of hs pieces ana me rapid loading mo
Of command, the glancing OF saDres and the
flashing OF the flags carried by the color
bearers, the quick reversing OF the pieces the
word ana the cannOnade In unexpected directions,
causing spectators to scan2er and ladies put their
hands to their and utter little screams: and,
above ALL the smoke OF tho discharges rising aud half
enveioping the scene OF what DO fancied to be
real conflict OF arms These features OF the light
artillery display rendered II noteworthy ana exhila
rating
Some time after 1t over the cadets appeared on
the parade ground 10 be reviewed by President.
Tue scene now shifted 10 the plateau n front OF
the officers quarters. where all tho digntaros wore
collected, opposite the Superintendents dwelling,
President hayes, Secretary McCrary and the Attor-
ney General being DISTINGUISHED by their citizens
tire. In the military array General Sherman aud
lieutenant General Sheridan, with the members OF
respective STATS VINO ACCOMPANY them, wore
the ordinary uniform win shoulder straps. General
Scnoheld and the whole academy staf wore The lull
uniform from crest TO heel. General Neil, the
cadet commandant, WIS conspicuous by his erect
bearing and iaultess Dress which nevCr ected
in the slightest particular even amid the vlcissitudes
Ut the war; which he Won an honorable distnction
ana nch gained Tor hun tho sobriquet OF "Beau
Neil' in the fighting Sixth corps OF the army OF tue
Potomac. The admirable academy band, though
its members have been reduced one-haIf by the
parsimony OF Congress, made a fine appear.
ance headed by its imposing drum major, and plyod
the ladies' say. "div,nely." Inspired by its
stirring strains aud conscious OF the scrutiny OF
greater number oil officers oil the highest than
had ever before clustered to witness their maneuv-
ers the cadets looked and did their best AT the up
propriato time the President General Schoneld,
tenant General Sheridan and General Augur,
and the Attorney General aud General
Getty walked out Ia couples and reviewed tn Q cadet
line then returned aud resumed their places al the
edge OF tho parade ground; next the Cadets headed
by the banI, marched past In review, the President
uIling his hat to each company commander Ia turn.
A battalion drill was afterward conducted, when
there short internisson previous to tho
evening dress parade, this being the last parade
winch aduating class OF 1878 would take part
The most momentous announcement among the gen.
oral orders read ut The close Of winch pro-
claimed the relative standing OF the members the
various branches OF study ana in oil
merit Tho boys and their friends listened in silence
while the proclamation was made as iollows:-