Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1885-07-08
CADETS AT WEST POINT.
Physical Requirements. Course Of study,
Training. Exercise and school Life.


Training. Exercise and school Life.
ICor Cincinnati Times-stsr.l
Candidates must be unmarried, at
least five feet in height, and free from
any deformty, disease or inirmity
which may render them unfit for mill.
tary service. They must be well versed
in reading, writing Including orthogra-
ply, in arithmetic, and have a knowl-
edge of the elements of the English
grammar, Of descriptive geography, par
ticularly of this country, and OF the his.
tory OF the United States. No provis.
ion whatever is made for the payment
Of the travelling expenses of either ac-
cepted or rejected candidates for admis-
sion TO the academy, but the pay of
cadet is $40 per year, beginning with
his admission to the institution. He
must wear the prescribed uniform, the
cost of the outfit for which is about 800.
The work is very hard. The activities
have no break throughout the entire
year. Work beginning with the first of
September lasts to the end of the year.
After few days consumed in examina-
tons another term begins, which lasts till
May 81. Then come examinations which
last till about the middle Of June, from
whence until Aug. 20 the cadets live in
camp on the plain. During this period
no regular studies are pursued, books
being largely thrown aside TO- practical
work, such as surveying, astronomical
observations, etc. Practical surveying
in the field during the season of camp
ing out aptly supplements the studies in
drawing. The study of military tactics
comprises practical instruction in the
schools of the soldier, company and bat
talon, and in artillery and cavalrj.
With the third year the successful
cadet is advanced to the study of nat.
ural and experimental philosophy,
chemistry, minerology and geology,
freehand drawing and landscape in
black and white, constructive and arch
itectural drawing in ink aud colors,
while tactics are continued and practi-
cal and military engineering added to
The hard work of the period In the
last year the scope of studious pursuit
is enlarged by the addition of civil and
military engineering and the science of
war the Spanish language interna-
tional, constitutional and military law,
outline of the history of the world, and
technical instruction in ordnance and
gunnery and signaling.
Along with these and other subjects
OF book study comes practical instruc-
ton in the construction of pontoon and
spar bridges. In laying out field and
siege works, in astronomy, surveying,
mil GnII al
rapby, signaling, and of course tactics.
AS regards the last named, care is taken
hat each day adds TO the cadets ae-
9uaintance with these throughout the
whole course of four years. From Sep
tembler to the 18th of June, cavalry
drill is practiced at West Point with the
greatest assiduity. The exercises are
carried on in the plain when the
weather is suitable, and during the Sc.
verify riding is TAUGHT in hall erected
for the purpose.
A perfect seat on horseback is Sc
cured TO the possession of every
cadet by the course pursued, which
comprises the performance Of sur
prising feats, as, for example, pick
ing up objects from the ground
when the horse is at full gallop without
alighting. Men are exercised in at
tempts 10 unseat one another while on
horseback, the use of the revolver and
sabre under the same circumstances,
and in other ways serving the object of
making them proficient in the employ
ment OF such instruments of war as are
carried by cavalry in actual service.
Infantry drill is practiced throughout
September; in October, artillery drill.
During the cold weather of November,
December and to March Is the cadets
have target practice under cover. In
the second half Of March infantry drill
prevails. On April | artillery begins
and lasts throughout the ensuing two
calendar months Infantry drill is then
resumed and alternates with artillery
drill to the end Of August.