Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-17

care the duties so severe and The studies
so hard that more than half of those who
enter fan, as you have stated?'
Yes, the work is very hard. The &C
tivities have no break throughout the en-
tire year. Work beginning with Sept. l.
lasts to the end of the year. After a few
days consumed in examinations another
term begins, which lasts till May 81. Then
come examinations which last till about
the middle of June, from whence until
Aug. % the cadets live in camp on the
plain. During this period no regular
studies are pursued, books being largely
thrown aside for practical work, such as
surveying, astronomical observations, etc.
Practical surveying in the field during
the season Of camping out aptly
supplements the studies in drawing
The study of military tactics comprises
practical instruction in the schools of the
soldier, company and battalion, and in
artillery and cavalry. With the third
year the successful cadet Is advanced to
the study of natural and experimental
philosophy, chemistry, mineralogy and
geology, freehand drawing and landscape
in black and white, constructive and
architectural drawing in ink and
cOlOrs, while tactics are continued and
practical military engineering added to the
hard work Of the period. In the last year
the scope of studi0us pursuit Is enlarged
by the addition Of civil and military en0i-
neering and the science of war, the Span
ish language, international, constitutional
and military law, outlines of the history
OF the world, and technical instruction in
ordnance and gnnnery 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 "Reminiscences, field tele-
graphy, signaling and, of course,
tactics. AS regards the laGt named,
care is taken that each dsy adds
To the cadets Acquaintance with these
throughout the whole course of four years.
From September to June 10 cavalry drill
is practiced at West Point with great
assiduity. The exercises are carried on
in the plain when the weather is suitable,
aud during the severity riding is taught
in hall erected for the purpose. A per-
feet seat on horseback is secured 10 the
possession of every cadet by the course
pursued, which comprises the performance
of surprising feats. As. for example.
picking up objects from the ground when
the horse is at fun gallop without alight-
ing. Men are exercised in attempts to
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 employment OF such in
struments Of war as are carried by cav
airy in actual service. Infantry drill IS
practiced throughout September; in Octo-
Der artillery drill. During the cold
weather Of November, December and
down to March IS, the cadets have target
practice under cover. In the second half
OF March infantry drill prevails. On
April 1 artillery begins and lasts through
out the ensuing two calender months.
Infantry drill Is then resumed and alter
mates with artillery drill 10 the end of
August" AUSTIN.