The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-02
THE CIDETS IN THE SiDDEE.
How the BoyG ut West Point are Taught 10
Ride.

How the Boys ut West Point are Taught 10
Ride.
A letter to the New York Times
from West Point, says: The drill for
to-day was the ''schoolof the soldier
mounted" which took place in the great
riding hall. AS TIC title ind icates thedrill
is an exhibition # individual skill in
horscmanship. 1t is said to be a great
ravorite with the boys, but the severity
oftraining they have to undergo before
necessary tOran officer is something
they never forget The record ofbro-
ken arms, strained wrists, dislocatcd
shoulders, fractured legs, and days
spent in the hospital byrcason Of limbs
rubbed raw, a.iests the fact that there
is no chitl'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 carly efforts in The saddle comes
to grief with broken bone. He is
more likely to get rcprimandcd for his
awkWardncSs than be condolcd with.
There was Il great crowd present at the
hall when the drill began, too large,
indeed, to find places in the galleries
of the place; so when these were full
of ladies, the more agile among the
male spectators climbed upon window
siIls and the like places, while other
crowds bcsicgcd each of the four large
doors Of the building. This is the one
occasion Oh which the observer might
be justified in surprising that the work
done was a good deal for show, be-
cause here it is that the excited specta-
tors applaud every boy that goes
through well. Let him take every
head, and lie is certain of hearty
round of applause. The comments of
The spectators arc often very amusing.
When the boys commenced to use their
lcvolvcrs some one in tie gallery anx-
ioHsly inquired if they, had "rcal bull
lrts' in them, and seemed rather re-
licvcu when assured that they did not +,
ana there WAS consequently no danger
ofany stray lead finding its way up
ward. When the order was given to
diSlnount and mount at speed the area
OF the hall was instantly Il scene Gf gal
'oping horses. riders jumping. off, 9th
crs jumping on--somC down in the tan
bark; others clinging to the manc and
bride, desperately struggling to get
astridc; horses rearing and plunying,
and generally II remarkably lively time
for all then the women began to utter
little screams, which increased to q
general shout when one Of the boys
mnkinga IL spring for the horses back
Ohcrc were no saddlcs) went clear
over and ploughcd up tho bark in tie
middle Of IL rush Of gallopiny horses,
To the imminent danger Of his BRAIN.
"Whv this is quite dangcrous!" cx-
claimed an individual in the gallery,
indignant at the idea Of the boys being
made to run such risks. The good
gentleman seemed to suppose that the
services were merely for show. 1t is
needless to say that the boys did well;
they alwayc do; but, while none fall
below certain level, there arc vast
differences between them above that
level. Some of the boys take wonder
fully we'll TO the work, and feel as
much at home cutting and slasl,ing
about on a barc-backcd horse as in II
rochinG-chair, while to others it never
becomes easy. They do the work, but
tits hard. The actual movements of
the drill with sabre and pistol are few.
The soldier is started from the compa-
ny 10 make tho circuit Of the hall.
Putting his horse to IL gallop, he be-
gins by firing ut Il head Oh Il post, rc-
turns his pistol to the holster, draws his
sabre and, at full speed, makes a
thrust at another head ona post, then
at one lying on The ground, then jumps
hurdle, and in jumping, slushcs II
head from Il post beside il, or thrusts
at IL suspcntlin9 ring on level with his
own head; and lastly, makes II right
thrust ut another head on post. 70
go through this performance on horse
without saddle, and big pair of
spurs on ones heels =, is not an easay
task, and if any one thinks it is he had
better try it in tho nearest riding
scool. The different cuts arc, OF
course, as against infantry or cavalry.
--NCtc lorh TImeS.