New-York tribune., 1886-06-05
CLOSING TIE YEAR AT WEST POINT
ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS IN PROGRESS.

THE FIRST CLASS KxAMINED IN MILITARY ENdi-
NEHRING-A SUCCESSFUL BATTALION DRILL.
WEST POINT, June 4.-The weather to-day
has been simply perfect The hills and plain are COW
with the first verdnre OF spring. the rain OF yeser-
day morning laid the dust and gentle breeze from tho
distant Catskils has tempered the suns heat The hand
OF man. too has contributed its finishing touch accent
ing here and there the handiwork of nature. The iron
guns shine with lacquer the brass pieces fairly smile
with polish TO which the fences and railings respond
with such blackness comes OF coal tar bountfuy ap
pied The walks and paths are accurately rounded
their edges cut with distressing straghtness the vs
BILE result OF much mathematical training. One IN
sincvsiy his squarely and the exact
middle in walking lest he be out of keeping with the
surroundings OF the place.
The omnibus from the steamboat landing at the South
Dock wuds up the hill and the plain leaving Its
load OF visitors at the Old yellow hotel at the extreme
northeast of the plateau The usual quiet OF the
place is broken by the crowd OF June visitors who sit
about in groups on its ample piazzas enjoying the
charming views OF plain and river which 1t commands.
bulletin board. conveniently placed near
the main entrance Of the hotel, gives
the official programme OF each days
exercise, and a schedule OF the annual examinations
now in full blast. From it learn that the first class
will be examined to-day in mi iary engineering in the
Library. In Room No. Of the Academic Building the
fOurh class is 10 be examined IN miscellaneous conrse
Of grammar rhetoric and composition, which are here
grouped together under tho comprehensive heading OF
" English"
The Library is n handsome stone building. the most
eastern OF the which closes the southern extremity
Of tie PLAIN. The examination hall is lofty. pleasant
about forty feet sIuare. It's walls are lined win
bookshelves and from It's windows pleasant view OF
river is ganed. Terminated in the distance by the
SHARPLY descending lines OF Anihony's Nose, around
which the turns abruptly TO the eastward Along
the south side OF the ranged the members OF
the Examining Committee OF the Academic Board. In
the centre, a slightly raised platform. sits General
Wesley Merritt. the superintendent On each side III
order OF seniority, are seated the members OF
the Academic Board AL In the full dress
prescribed for such occasions Ivy the Army
Regulations. and before each one IL small taDle coh
tanning books ana newspapers. upon wmch from umr @
,re,r a. t yy.citiinns of ihe cadrts addressed to
them from the Oackhoards at distance OF twenty reel
or more. In front OF the row OF professors are iew OH
also full dress. These are the instructors OF the
under examination. sun further away Is row
O backboArds. in front or each OF winch STANDS c4e
IN his neat gray uniform with white KID gloves and COL
lar, and freshly blackened shoes Some OF them are
Hing their boards win equations ana aIsies ol valou
sizs all regularly docRecd and etterci Others nave
completed Ier work and are awaiting the ordeal o. cA
Soon alter D. H. the Examining Commit, ali ourned
discharged from further atcndancc
the day, however for 1: 10 p. the drum s0u"Ge
and tney began to pour out Of their harrack III very
and to gather III knots, discussing the succet
and failures OF the day. Five minutes later the com
panies formed AZ tap OF drum ana were toiu on
into eight companies Tor battalion orl Ahoth"i
this time from oand and tney moved out upon the
grassy parade three hundred strong to be exercised Ill
the Battalion fore the Board OF Nstors.
Meantime. members OF the board had asseinpled
under front of the super!ntehdents quar-
backed by crowd OF visitors from the surrounu
/ hotels.
To the military spectator this drill Is full OF interest
| The battalion comma tuded by Colonel Hasbiolck
and at the word depoyed, fired by voleys and nles
formed column nj full and half distance, changed from
column OF fOuTs quick and double time. Ihe
OF the cadets Is eXcelent not easy 10 equal
most difficult 10 surpass Their soldiery cIrraSe Dor
testimony the thoroughness of their instruction III all
the detail of the infantry Thc drill closed
aud the corps dismissed O3O. only to reform Ior
dress parade with which the day itly closed.