The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-05-13
WEST POINT.
The Life of the CAdef-Hard Work
and Strict Discipline

no OTeak Lor0uRnout me enDrc year.
Work beginning with the 1st Of Sep
tenber lasts TO the end of the year.
After a few days consumed in exam
ination another term begins, which
lasts til the 3ist OF May. Then come
examinations which last TIL about
the middle Of June, from whence un-
I I'll the 18th of August the cadets 1--we
in camp on plain During this Pc
Rod no regular studies are pursued.
books being largely thrown aside
for practical work, such as survey
ing, astronomical observations, &c.
For these purposes the finest instru-
ments are provided. Cadets are ad-
niitted 10 the academy as late IN
the year as September, when the
years studies are begun. The course
lasts four years, dividing the cadets
into as many classes. The fourth
class, or the first years 5 men, study
mathematics, the English language,
French, history, geography and eth
les, and tactics Of artillery and in
fantry, and receive instruction II
fencing and bayonet exercise and
military gymnastics. In the second
year msthematics are q leading feat
ure of the studies. which comprise
also French, topography and plot
ting Of surveys with lead pencils,
pen and ink and colors, eonstruc-
ton OF the various problems in de-
scriptiye geometry, shades and shad-
ows, and linear perspective and $50
metric projections. Practical sur
veying in the field during the sea-
sons Of camping out, sply supple
ments the studies in drawing. The
study Of military tactics comprises
practical instruction in the schools
Of the soldier, company and battal-
lion. and in artillery and cavalry.
With the third year the successful
cadet Is advanced TO the study OF
natural and experimental philoso-
ply, chemistry, mineralogy and ge-
ology. free hand drawing and land
scape in black and white, construct /
i've and architectural drawing in ink !
and colors, while tactics are contin- /
ued. and practical military engineer
ing and the science OF war, the
Spanish language, international,
constitutional and military law, out !
lines OF the history OF the world, !
and technical instructions in ord |
nance. and gunnery, and signaling. |
The reveille call at 8 in the morn
ing rouses him from his bunk. He |
and his mate forthwith prepare the |
room they share IN common, and IN |
half hours time he Is seated al his
breakfast Forty minutes are given \
him IN which 10 make the first meal
OF the day. Guard mounting Is next |
in order, taken in turn. Each days I
guard consists Of thirty privates,
four non-eon onmissioned officers and
the officer in command, al cadets
Al 5 O'Clock one hall the students
are seated in recitation classes, and |
the other engaged in preparation for
them. At half-past nine A. " this
half take their places, leaving those |
who have left the classes at liberty
to pursue their preparations for sec
ond recitation. This begins at IL,
with bali the cadets, as IN the first
recitation, and lasts an hour, when
the remaining students take their
turn for the remaining length Of
time.
After dinner, az sbouttwo O'Clock,
another period ofrecitation Is begun
lasting an hour each for all the stu
dents, who are divided into NO sec
tons, as before. Glasses are resum-
ed at ten minutes past 4, ?. N, and
last until hslfpast ), P. " Parade
Is the event of sunset, and IN fine
weather is attended BY numerous
admirers of the natty young fellows
who take part IN IL This includes
the whole Of the cadets II attend
anee at the academy. supper sue
ceeds the display, and at half-past 9
P n. taps are heard on the drum
the signal for preparation for bed
Each student ihereupon unfolds his
couch and makes ready for the
nights repose. By ten O'Clock eve
~ light Is put out, and silence reigns
over the quarters.
OF the calls at West Point, the bu-
gle summons for recitation al calls
for military formation are made by
means OF the drum and fife. One by
the fife and drum heard every NOR
ming after reveille. Is understood 10
mean By ailing men that they re-
port at the hospital Tor examination,
where they become subjects 20 the 4
rule of E.sculapius.
Every Saturday the cadet Is a.
lowed to wander al his own will
anywhere within the government
lines. Two hops q week during the
warm months Of the year, assist in
forming the gebtlemaniy department
for which the cadet Is Justly eelebra-
ted. and increase his esteem for the
better half OF creation. Light read
ing amid pleasant surroundings is al
his disposal in the library, or at his
pleasure. in his room. The advent
of friends at the post gives him
spell of liberty, never INDUCED,
however, at the expense Of his pro-
gress. Interchange Of calls with 9TH
er cadets Is a pleasure tempered with
prohibitions which are wholesome,
and suggestive to the hesitsnt voter
In the year Of q presidential election. I
The cadet must not smoke, nor are
alcoholic drinks allowed IN rooms
He must not play cards. but chess
and checkers are not interdic.ed-
Many cadets are musical in their
tastes, play on instruments and sing :
Here better than elsewhere may be
added that attendance on Divine
worship once q week Is compulsory.
The superintendent of the acade-
my e the Judge over It's delinquents-
HIS decisions have military sane
ton. and are administered with un-
certainty. What IN the
civilian student would be regarded
as unnoticeable, might be an impor-
iant offence in the military cadet
To omit one button Of the multitu-
dinous fastenings Of his coat, may =
give the cadet a term OF detention I