New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-11
WEST POINT EXERCISES.
LAST DAYS OF CADET LIFE.


MORTAR FIRING IN THE DARK-REcEPTIoN OF GEN
ERAL SIIERMAN-A HOP GIVEN To TIE CLASS
OF 1882.
IRON SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rmBUNEl
WEST POINT, June 1O.-Brigadier- General
w. b. Hazen and the promise OF storm appeared at the
same moment this morning. Old Probabilities" was
welcomed with noisy salute Of eleven guns The thnn
der OF the woke the fair jewellers who were sill
dreaming Of the hop. Late breakfasts were the rule
among the visitors for the german last night not
concluded until past o'clock; but the Academic Board
was 10 and doing at a seasonabe hour. meeting was
held to consider few deficiencies Of cadets in the third
and fourth classes and to complete tho academic bust
ness Of the year Early in the afternoon excursion
boat arrived and visitors began to pour in from all the
country around
The usual dress parade held this afternoon. was the
last regular drill in which the first class participate
although the members will take part In the parade On
Monday morning, when General Sherman reviews tho
corps.
At SIS this evening the visitors grated by the
picturesque Exhibition that tho Post has afforded
Everybody turned out to witness the night practice with
and the brilliant display OF bombs and rew orks
The earth works the north OF the Post lit mp by
the glare of coOred Bengal lights Pickering shadows
danced across the black muzzes OF tine guns and
showed the gray erect figures OF the cadets On tue
green hillside in the rear aud along me paths
under the cliffs groups OF ladies with their escorts
Watching the rembrandesquc effects OF light and shade
below TO the nOrthward stretched the smooth river its
surface still FURNISHED with silver sheen. while ON
either side lowered the black silent masses OF the
mountains Suddenly tongue Of flame leaped from the
yawnng mIzzle Of the huge mortar and the sinDeriBS
echoes woke INTO life The OF the mortar was nun
dercd back from Grow snest aud Breakneck, s~eHeu
again Stormking, rolled in widening circle OK
muttering rcyerberGuons and slowly and reluc'@htv
died away sulen murlnurs among the distant nus.
An of light penced IN fire against the DARK SAY
the bomb swept through the air IN It's graceful hSh
Then exploded fiery darts and dazzling stars shot OUT
into the night, and all was darkness as before.
The cadets dis urbed the OF CrOwsnest by dropping
few shells s forests and discharged Kissing merry
serpenr and Despanged rockets into high air nluoh 10
the edoaOn OF the beholders, who only wished that
| the display could have lasted longer.
Among the entrees the dinner menu az Cranstons
to-day appeared GdHqtete de pedU FIndeHne and hop
| this evening. Everybody chose the hop This VAS
given In OF graduating class the members OF
| which allowed 10 attend by General Howard on
condition of returning 10 the Post before the begin
ming tho sabbath other cadets allowed 10 DC
present although 10 10 rumOred that two or
three daring young men eluded the vigil
lance OF the guards the south gate and
enjoyed festivities ia citizens clothes. Tue mrm
OF the Board OF Visitors, most Of the officers az the
Post and many OF the guests at last nights hop were
present aud the hop very pleasant affair although
the cadets forced leave hour winch see ned
both themselves and thcr partners decidedly prcna
turo. Mr. CnstOn served elaborate supper Tor The