Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-19
Pidinr at Vest Point.


SO far as the visitors are concerned
fhc exhibition drills are naturally of
moro interest than the examination of
.he poor fellows" who are dragged
me by one before the professors and
Board of Examiners, in order that
est may be made of the thoroughness
i last years instruction. One of the
most exact of these drills took place
nc morning at the riding academy,
ma was watched with great interest
0y the board of visitors, young ladies,
ma officers. The riding hall is large
Jarn-like structure, with two little
alleries from which the riding can
DC seen. The ground is covered with
5awdust, and the scene as thirty-one
f the first-class men went galloping
bout under the command of Captain
Godfrey was "perfect circus" At
Ter mounting their horses the cadets
rode round in single file ami practiced
/ great variety of saber thrusIs and
strokes at imaginary foes. The rid
ing was good, and the slashing was
vigorous and skillful. Then two long
,rames from which iron rings were
suspended, were placed on opposite
sides of the hall, and near the corners,
upon some racks of a suitable height,
were placed some leather heads, which
The riders hacked most viciOusly as
they went galloping around. On the
ground were couple more balls
Then the cadets went dashing around
by twos and threes i'll opposite direc-
lions, trying to pierce the rings with
their sabers, then to draw their pis-
tolls and blow off the unoffending
wooden mans head, and finally to
give the poor ball Oh the ground a
slashing thrust. The sport was most
exciting, and as the heavy horse pis-
tolls were fired off i'll rapid succession,
The 'dear creatures" in the galleries
stopped up their ears and trembled
i'll fright. Some of the riders were
very quick, and would succeed in 60
lug through all the maneuvers i'll rap
I'd succession. The same exercises
were then repeated after two well
padded hurdles had been put up
Some of the balky horses caused con-
siderable amusement.
After the saddle had been taken off
the horses the second part of the pro-
.gramme was begun. At first one :.
half the men walked beside the other
half, who were mounted. Suddenly
the horses broke into gallop, and the
order to mount was given. 1lnmedi-
atcly each horse had two riders. This
practice of leaping on and off Il bare
uack horse was continued for Some
time, to the delight of the audience.
Then the hurdles were brought i'll
again, and the excitement increased.
Each cadet had his horse, and as he
came to the hurdle would leap off,
Jump the hurdle, clinging all the time
| to the horses name, and then leap on
his back again. Many of the cadets
did this very gracefully, and showed
great pluck and skill i'll clinging to
their rather wild chargers. Some
times the horses would refuse tojump,
| and great confusion would follow.
The "ring masters" as they were IA
cctiously called, stood with big whips
in hand, SO as to remind the balky
horse the danger Of stopping.
The cadets then varied the exercise
by jumping off their horses while at
full speed, and then leaped clear over
their backs, and then OH their backs
again. The exercise was, Of course,
very violent, and tile young ladies be-
slowed many expressions ofsympathy
I'll the poor boys" There were some
narrow escapes from accidents, and
; ::uny laughaDlc scenes. AS rule.
however, the riding was excellent,
M showed that the cadets were thor
at;n masters OF Workmanship. Many
: rcssions admiration were heard,
M there was considerable applause
Vac exceptionally daring leafs. A
,,duate 0, West Point is necessari-
Il skIillul ri,tcr, because OF his thor
4.sn training, ali becomes Injured tC
49,, l.aiusiips lie I,ay encounter il
., iuture career III the army.