The New York herald., 1879-07-14
OUR SUMNER RESORTS.
Loiterings Along the Banks Of
the Hudson.
WEST POINT AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
Historical "reminiscences of the
Post and Vicinity.
GATE OF THE ANTHRACITE REGION
Charming Rides Through Romantic and
Beautiful Scenery.
WEST POINT AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
GATE OF THE ANTHRACITE REGION
WEST PorNr, July 10, 1879.

WEST PoINr. July 10, 1879.
1t not wonder that West Point has been elected
the representative of natural beauty in this portion
of America and become one of its most fashionable
| resorts. Forgetting for the moment everything
connected with its historical associations you may
glance around You and at any point Of the compass
discover that which fills the eye and feeds the
imagination of poet and artist. Looking
northward from the piazza Of your hotel
you embrace the loveliest portion of the
Hudson-cties in the far perspective. mountains to
the right and left. the broad sweep OF the river
huggng its way along the base Of huge preci-
pices and bearing on its bosom the commerce that
| flows between the West and the Atlantic Looking to
to the south. east west there is still the same
varying outline Of river and mountain making
beauty spots where Nature builds her shrines and
| vites the worship OF their Creator. Within few
rods of where write the white tents of the cadets
| tell me OF the summer camp. Knots of "plebes"-
| poor victims Of the upper classes-are on
the parade ground undergoing the species Of
| torment which. in military parlance. is yclept
drill" Stiff angular. awkward. with teeth set and
every nerve strung to its utmost tension some
of the young chaps high spirited to dangerous de-
gree if they oose-there they march to and fro
in the baking listening to the insulting remarks
of the fellows of the higher grade who appointed
to put them through the daily ordeal 1t is the old
story of 'man dressed in little brief authority
&C.. but it admirably serves to illustrate
how even West Point gentleman" in
his bread and butter stages, be cruel
to his official interiors within the rules and show
the brutal side of his nature. When they take q
young fellow from his bed and drag him by the
heels across the sward, or make him rub his hands
in the dirt and then on his face and then get down
his knees and 'pray for rain, and then rub his
nose against something that makes 1t bleed. these
superior young gentlemen call it "fun" 1t is their
recreation from study. The poor "plebes" are more
honorable. They bear their insults like martyrs for
they don't dare to make complaint that would
reduce New York roundsman on the police force
to the ranks.
THE PRESENT SEASON AT WEST POINT.
The immediate grounds around US represent the
very essence Of quiet for when the cadets not
engaged in their morning guard mount or evening
dress parade only occasional officer fitting
| the parade ground, or an omnibus emptying half
dozen people nh IRON t 1y Dorc OF @ serve TO re-
the hotels are in number comparatively few. and
when you ask the reason why the melancholy plant
| is-Coney Island and Long Branch! In fact. wher-
ever I have asked an explanation for the
singularly small presence Of guests everywhere in
sient customers seeking the cheap and superior
attractions of the seaside. Later in the season. how
the old september and October hacuss Of West Point
| those who come from Saratoga, Richheld. Sharon
and the interior OF the State will stop here Of
yore to swell the homeward bound tide OF summer
tourists. 1t is in the fall that West Point arrays
itself in its grandest robe Of beauty, for then the
leaves change, and nature is iull OF Kaleidoscope
color. At all times however the locality is replete
with interest for you turn in direction with
| out being reminded Of the past.
THE POST WAS ESTABLISHED.
The old records in the library across the plaza tell
me that the neighboring country for distance Of
uflAavv pirtu
| by Governor Fletcher. Of New York, to Captain
John Evans. of the Royal artillery. and known
Provincial Legislature in l699 and the heirs of the
proprietors disposed of 2l05 to the United
Suggestion that there should be here established
military post, and was occupied as such in 1775.
1t was regarded the keystone OF this section OF
should become the site Of : national military
academy. and although the year 1902 saw
not until 1912 that corps OF engineers
and other officers organized and tho school
endowed with the most attractive features of mill
tary ana literary institution. The academy build
| iugs and parade ground are on plateau about two
hundred feet from the river. You land from ferry
boat that connects with the New York Central Rail-
| road at Garrisons on the opposite side Of the
Hudson. OF. during the day in one Of the
| river steamboats,. After nightsall communi-
cation with the shore IL permitted. Ascending
| the winding road you see hrst the riding school.
recitation rooms, gymnasium, gallery Of paintings
cadets barracks and mess hall The officers cottages
on the western edge of the plateau. are handsome
ana suggestive Of well earned creature comforts. In
terestng objects to the visitor will be found the
collection of old captured cannon the statue of Gen.
era Sedgwick, OF the Sixth corps the water battery
Filtration Walk. leading to Kosciusko's garden,
and the cemetery. where rest the remains of General
| winfield Scott General Robert Anderson and num-
bers of army officers who have fallen in the line of
| duty.
| Thrce-quarters OF mile distant. and nearly six
hundred feet above the river. an eminence which
! commands superb sweep OF the surrounding coun-
80 L..w D,tsa, et,n
| portant and impregnable of American fortifcatons
| during the Revolution Ovenrown 1t is with
Is always one Of the interesting features of soourn
ut West Point especially II Is the most accessible
eninence from which comprehensive view may be
had OF the picturesque neighborhood. About mile
and half south of the Military Academy situated
the edge OF precipice $50 feet above the river is
Cozzens Hotel. famous summer resort. which, with
the West Point Hotel near the parade grounds. re-
ceives the thousands OF visitors who. principally in
June and then in August and September, make their
home here. This house has accommodations for
about four hundred guests. and the West Point Hotel
for about half that number. Within a few yards Of
the house are the beautiful Buttermilk Falls that
tumble into the Hudson great boulders Of
rock for distance OF 100 feet or more. breaking all
the way, as the name suggests, into creamy-like
foam that gows in the moonlight like q cascade of
silver. There are many pretty drives In the neigh.
borhood especially the one to Fort Montgomery. and
several elegant country seats, among which may be
mentioned those OF Mr. j. Perrepont Morgan, OF the
r merly u Minister to france; Messrs Charles and
William Tracy. Mr.. Arthur Bell. Mr.. William
Gregory and Captain s. II. Rowe. On the opposite
side Of the falls the slope of the mountain prep
aratory school for the Military Academy has re-
Gently been erected, aud is quite handsome edhce.
! Its principal Is graduate of West Point and IL is
said that with exception all of his pupils have
successfully passed the academic examination.
GARRIsoN's rHE HUDSON.
Taking the little ferry boat Highlander at the base
of the cliff. or at the West Point dock further up
you may CROSS to Garrison's, q railway station
which receives its name IRON the old family who
have owned and occupied the land hereabouts for
nearly q century. There is nothing OF special in-
t.at hauA Irt
the hotel coaches and been introduced to the lovely
bits of scenery that observable on all siyles.
Reaching magnificent plateau bounded on one side
| by what is called the North and south Redoubts,
and extending from sugar Loaf and Anthony Nose
on the south to Breakneck Mountain on the north,
you find yourself in the very centre of the Highlands
proper and on the grounds OF the Highland House.
one OF the old hotels OF the Hudson aud U popular
family resort. where the children play undisturbed
under the trees and the old folks enjoy their ofu
cum dignfate on the broad piazzas aud lawns. The