The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-05-20

the Academic Board. In January following
he Is subjected to another academical exam
ination, and If hs passes this one
successfully he receives a warrant as a cadst,
and is required to Sign articles binding hi n
self to serve the United States eight years
from the time of his admission TO the acad-
envy unless sooner discharged. The age for
the admission to the academy is between
seventeen and twenty-five years. Candi-
dates must be unmarried, at least i've feet in
height. and free from any deformity, disease
or infrmisy which may render them unit
fer military service. They must be well
yersed in reading, writing, including orthog.
raphy, in arithmetic, and have knowledge
OF the elements of the EnElish grammar, of
descriptive geography, particularly OF this
country, and OF the history OF the United
States. No provision Whstever is made for
the payment OF The travelling expenses o.
either accepted OF rejected candidates for
admission to the academy, but the pay of a
cadet is $40 per year, beginning with his I'D.
mission 10 the institution. He muet wear
the prescribed uniform. the cost of the outfit
FOR which il about $50
Are the duties so severe and the stu ties
so hard that more than half of those who en-
ter fail, IS you have s'aledp'
Yes, the work IS very hard. The sctlvi-
ties have no break throughout tho entire
yer Work beginning with toe first of Sap
TENDER lasts 10 the end of the wear. After
few days consumed in examinations another
term begius. which lasts till the 3lst of May.
Then come examinations which last tail
about The middle OF JOne, from whence,
until tie middle OF August, the cadets live
in camp on the plain. Daring this period
no regular studies are Dursued, books being
largely thrown aside for prscflcsl work, such
rs surveying, astronomical observatio1s,
etc. Practical surveying in the field during
tie ser son of camping outaptly supplements
the studies in drawing. The study OF mill.
tsry tactics comprises practical instruction
in the schools of the soldier, company end
battalion, and in artillery and cavalry. With
the third year the successful cadet ia adj
vsnced to the study Of natural and expert
mental philosophy, chemistry, mineralogy
and geology, freehsnd drawing and land
scape in black and white, constructive and
architectural drawing in ink and
coloIS while tactics are continued and practi-
cal military engineering added to the
hard work Of the period. In the past year
the scoDe of studious pursuit is enlarged by
the ADDITION of civil and military engineer
ing and the science of war. the Spanish
language, international, constitutional and
military law, outlines 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 instruction in the construction Of
pontoon and spar bridges. in laying out field
and siege works, in astronomy, surveying,
military reconnoissances, field telegraphY
sign aliRg and of course tactics. AS regards
the last named, care is taken that each day
adds to the cadets acquaintancss with these
throughout the whole course OF four years.
From September to the 10Th Of June cavalry
drill Is practiced at West Point with great
a.siduiiy. The exercises are carried on in
the plain when the weather is suitable, and
during the severity riding is taught IN bal,
erected for the purpose. A perfect seat on
horseback is secured to the possession of
every cadet by the course pursued,
which comprises the performance OF
surprising fests, as for example,
picking up objects from the ground when
the horse is at full gallop without alighting.
Men are exercised in attempts to unseat one
another while on horseback, the use of the
revolver and saber under the same circum-
stances, and in other ways serving the OBJ.
jet of making them proficient in the en-
ployment Of such instruments of war as are
carried by cavalry in actual ser Tice. In.
fantry drill is prscticed throughout Sc tem-
Der; in October, artillery drill. During the
| the cold wta ther Of November, December,
and down to March % the cadets have tar
get pratice under cover. In the second half
OF March infantry drill prevails. On April
1 artillery drill begins and lasts Throughout
| the ensuing two calender months. Infantry
| drill is then resumed, and alteroates with ar.
fillery drill to the end of August"