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

to Ride.
a letter to the New York Times from
West Point, dated June 10, says: The
drill for to-day was "school of the SOL
dier, mounted,n which took place in the
great riding hall. AS the title indicates
the drill is an exhibition of individual
skill in horsemanship. 1t is said to be
a great favorite with the boys, but the
severity of training they have to undergo
before attaining the degree of skill
deemed necessary for an officer is some.
thing they never forget. The record OF
broken arms, strained wrists, dislocated
shoulders, fractured legs, and days spent
in the hospital by reason of limbs rubbed
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 OIL the
unfortunate youth who in his early ef-
forts in the saddle comes to grief with a
broken bone. He is more likely to get
reprimanded for his awkwardness than
be condoled with. There was a 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 win
dow sills and the like places, while other
crowds besieged 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
eyery boy who goes through we'll. Let
him take every head, and he is certain
of hearty round of applause. The
comments of the spectators are often
very amusing. When boys commenced
to use their revolvers some one in the
gallery anxiously inquired if they had
Hreal bullets" in them, and seemed m.
ther relieved when assured that they did
not, and:there was conseguentlyno danger
of any stray lead finding its way upward.
When the order was given to dis
mount and mount at speed the area OF the
hall was instantly a scene of galloping
horses, riders jumping of, others jumping
on-some down in tie tan bark others
clinging to the name and bride, despe-
rately struggling to get astride; horses
rearing and plunging, and generally a
remarkably lively time for all then the
women began to utter little screams,
which increased to general shout when
one of the boys making spring for the
horses back There were no saddles went
clear over it and ploughed up the bark
in the middle of rush of galloping
beasts, to the imminent danger of his
brains. "Why, thisis quite dangerous !"
exclaimed an individual in the gallery,
indignant at the idea of the boys being
made to run such risks. The good gen.
tleman seemed to suppose that the SER
vices were merely for show. 1t is need
less to say that the boys did we'll; they
always do; but, while none fall below
a 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 at home cutting
and slashing about on 8 bare-backed
horse as in rocking choir, while to 9TH
ers it never becomes easy. They do the
work, but it is hard. The actual 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 a head on post, returns
pistol to the holster, draws his sabre
and, at full speed, makes thrust at an
other head on post, then at one lying
on the ground, then jumps hurdle, and
in jumping, slashes head from post
beside it, or thrusts at a suspending ring
on level with his own head; and lastly,
makes right thrust at another head on
a post. To go through this performance
on horse without saddle, and a big
pair of spurs on ones heels, is not an ca.
sy task, and if any one thinks it is he had
better try it in the nearest riding school.
The different cuts are, ofcourse, as against
infantry or cavalry.-Ne,0 York Times.