The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-07-24
TKE CADETS IN THE SADDLE.
How the Boys ct West Point arc Taught
20 Ride.


How tho Boys ct West Point arc Taught
TO Ride.
A letter to the New York Times from
West Point, dated June 10, says: The
drill for to-day was school Of tho SOL
dier, mounted which took place in the
great riding hall. AS the title indicates
the drill is an exhibition of individual
skill in horsemanship. II IL said to be
a great fayorite with the boys, but the
severity of training they have TO undergo
before attaining the degree of skill
thing they never forget. The record of
shoulders, fractured legs, and days spent
raw, attests the fact that there is no
child's play in the teaching Of West
Point. They don't do things here for
fun, and little sympathy is wasted on the
unfortunate youth who in his early eff
forts in the saddle comes TO grief with a
broken bono. Ho is more likely to get
rcprimanded for his awkwardness than
be condoled with. There was great
crowd present at the hall when the drill
began, too large, indeed, to find places in
the galleries Of the place; 80 when these
were full Of ladies, the more agile among
the male spectators climbed upon win
dow slls and the like places, willie other
crowds besegcd each of the four large
doors of the building. This is the one oc-
casion on which the observer might be
justified in supposing that the work done
was good deal for show, because here
it is that the excited spectators applaud
every boy who goes through well. Let
him take every head, and hc is certain
of hearty round of applause. The
comments Of the spectators are often
very amusing. When boys commenced
to use their revolvcrs some one in the
gallery anxiously inquired if they had
"real bullets" in them, and seemed ra-
ther relieved when assured that they did
not, and.there was consequently no danger
of any stray lead finding its way upward.
When the order was given to dis
noun: and mount at speed the area of the
hall was instantly a scene Of gallopng
horses, riders jumping of. others jumping
on-some down in the tan bark /; others
clinging TO the name and bride, despe-
rately struggling to get nstridc; horses
rearing and plunging, and generally n
remarkably lively time for all then the
women began TO utter little screams,
which increased to a general shout when
one of the boys making spring for the
horses back (there were no saddles) went
clear over it and ploughcd up the bark
in the middle Of u rush Of galoping
beasts, to the imminent danger of his
brains. "Why, this.is quite dangerous |"
exclaimed an individual in the gallery,
indignant at the idea of the boys being
made 10 run such risks. The good gem
tleman seemed to suppose that the SER
vices were merely for show. 1t is need
less to say that the boys did well; they
always do; bnt, while none fall below
certain level, there are vast differences
between them above that level. Some
of the boys take wonderfully we'll to the
work, and feel as much ut home cutting
and slashing about on bare. backed
horse as in rocking choir, while to 9TH
ers it never becomes easy. They do the
work, but it is hard. Tho rctunl move
ments of the drill with sabre and pistol
are few. The soldier is started from the
company to make the circuit of the hall.
Putting his horse to gallop, he begins
by firing at head on post. returns
pistol to the holster, draws his sabre
and, at full speed, makes n thrust at an
other head on post, then at one lying
on tho ground, then jumps hurdle, and
in jumping, slashes head from post
beside it, or thrusls at u suspending ring
on level with his own head; and lastly,
makes right thrust at another head on
post. To go through this performance
on horse without saddle, and biz
pair of spurs on ones heels, is not an en-
sy task, and if any one thinks it is ho had
better try it in the nearest riding school.
The different cuts are, ofcourse, as against
infantry or cava!ry.-Nev York Times.