New-York tribune., 1879-06-07
THE VEST POINT EYAMINA1IONS
NOTES AND INCIDENTS.
THE BOARD OF VISITORS - "REMINISCENCES OF
CADET DAYs-A SIAN BATTLE.

HE BOARD OF VISITORS - KEMINlHttNiES Of
CADET DAYs-A SHAM BATTLE.
IPRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUSE.l
WEST POINT, June G.-Last evenings quiet
and darkness marked to the gaiety and
brilliant moonlight OF the night before Only half-a
dozen cadets had permits visit the hotels after
ing parade. After supper the lamps OF the mill
tary band which had come to serenade the Board OF
Visitors shone like glow-wOrms under the trees where
the sat stOOs and rendered. with much
effect selections from popular operas. When the beau
full sunset glow faded from the tops OF Crows Nest and
Breakwater, darkness settled West Point aud
broken only by the few lamps that barely lighted the
carriage roads The barracks with the light shining
through their red curtains, looked cheerful until an
hour before midnight, General Schofed having granted
an extra hour OF lamplight during the examinations
Early in the evening General SchOfed visited the
hotel and Joined the Board of Visitors on the piazza in
social circle marked for couple of hours by intecc
tua halo General SchO1ed who is rather sedate and
reserved in manner, il rare cOnyersatIOnast. He is
the youngest officer to hold the rank Of general in the
regular Army. Officers love TO talk over the time when
they were cadets at West Point and often betray tue
fact that the present slang Of the Academy Is
tradition and not modern invention. When Gen
eral sacket, here, was cadet, the gun
practice took place on tho parade ground,
the TARGET being up beyond the present officers quar-
ters They were firing grapeshOt one day at fence in
the presence OF visitors Several cadets failed to hit the
fence aud when Cadet Sackets turn came 10 aim the
niece instead of drawing bead" on the fence he
aimed al Darrel standing distance from the tar
get and knocked it into hundred pieces, TO the great
amusement OF the spectators. When hl' turn came
round again the officer said Ann at the fence this time
aud II you can do as Well For this froc he was
'sknned by the officer VINO reyenged the barrel with
a large number OF demerits.
The cadets and the Board Visitors divide hero
worship the hour OF the Board President Noah Por
fer would be the most dillcut member for "a stranger
to classify. After appearances. Like genuine New
Enclander he has versatile look as II he could do any
thing he turned his hand or mind TO- Dorman B; Eaton
men, the farmer representing the classical IN
tell etual type and me latter the haadSSne ONE
broadcoh dress and black hair and moustache at the
distance Of three yards looks more like young first
lieutenant than middieaged veteran. General Abbott
though Of the regular Army. en9oses TO appear IN
civilians dress, and does 1t gracefully Eugene Haze Il
so unobtusiye aud quiet In his manners that II IS diff
cult 10 realize that be Il mere. General doraon, of
Georgia, attracts much attention He is tail and
James H. Blount Of Georgia. genial and practical his
manner wins everybody. Senator Wlndom has strk-
Today the examination failed to draw very large
audiences Professor kendrick VINO mas the repu alon
of being father cadet VINO had been graduated
Ume and LEM encouragement by his very
COX such legal topics as the laws OF
war the examination OF witnesses and the con-
it,tion of courtsmartia were under discussion 10.
morrow tbe first Will retire from academic view
with the completion OF the examination III ordnance
There have been great many arrivals OF visitors to-
day. aud the wesi side of inc parade ground was wen
populated durDg the sirmish dri winch began shortly
Strr o'clock The weather threatened spoil tins
cinng spectacle. There heavy shower early in the
morning and three attempts at ram IN the after
noon chilling atmosphere ana clustering northeast
wind coming ON as tue declined to the west. Dur
ing the military spectacle wraps were useful and UNI
brellas AT hand.
FIRST Colonel Seil sent five companies eastward as
skrmishets leaving three companies In reserve. Tho
aaynnce made line, three yards between tho cadets,
Stretching across the plateau. They advanced TO
IN. place where the artillery IL, parted and
opened rafting fire, advancing and retreat
Ing according to order, and finally being rein
forced by the reserve the hring was renewed.
When the battalion reformed they were deployed by
number. showing a different manner OF sklTmlshlng,
tbs first iue lying fat and keeping up fire while three
~ her lines fastened up SUCCESSION and joined III.
Wen the reserve was ordered up the enemy's ranEs
were supposed break aud the word was given to
charge With yells cadets charged to the brow
of the north decy and kept up such arattns fusade
tfat Colonel Nei had some difficulty IN drawing his
warriors OF. ~ ooo --,-. -. -,
President will have nearly 300 cadets to preach
10 ON sunday and what space romans In the imposing
chanel will be filed wlCh visitors. The cadets viii be
asked to gird Oh different kind OF armOr On the first
ree days of week tue three lower classes VIII be
.he1 through with their examinations, and the grand
ball takes place Wednesday evening.