New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-11
A SMART BATTERY DRILL.
ONE OF THE CHIEF ATTRACTIONS FOB WEST
POINT VISITORS
PHYSICAL EXERCISES AND THEIR RLsuLTs-
THE CADET WAIST - FIREWORKS
STANDING OF THE. CLASS.


STANDING OF THE CLASS.
West Point, n Y, June 10 Cspecsl. Tho exercises
began this morning at 10 o'clock with an exhibition
OF fencing by the fourth class, under the direction OF
the instructor Herman j. Koehler, master OF the
sword. The results may DO considered remarkaole
when IL Is remembered that tho young men whose
ages, on entering, year ago, were nom sixteen TO
twenty-on averaging perhaps nineteen, have begun
and finished the entire course during tho last tveNo'
months. practically since September The programme
Of exercises gives some idea OF the extent OF The
course: Setting up fols assault with fos, horizon
tai bar bayonct side horss, brosdsword assault with
broadsword parallel bars, clubs, long horse, games.
The gymnastio portion will DO shown tomorrow morn'
ing al TO- An Official statement OF measurements
and physical oss elbows the following average gains
by the members Of the class between October and
May. Height o4s inches; weight, o.s4 pounds:
wrist 30 inch fore arm, o.o2 inch; upper ARM
natural, os4 fpch.-bent, oe9 inch; chest, natural
2o4 inches-infatod 2s7 inches; horizontal bar, eS-
trcme test a6o times parallel bars, extreme test,
4o7 times; broad jump, o6s Of foot Tho average
waist has diminished third Of On inch. 1t Is. per-
haps 10 be regretted that these valuable exercises
have to DO entirely dropped Just whom the eadot has
become proficient IN them and learned 10 enjoy them
but during his last three years there is no time for
physical training. However, plenty OF physica VOTE
takes fits place.
Tho day had besn hne, but hot sultry and rather
Threatening by tirnS but the thunderstorm that
seemed imminent held OF untl the light battery drill
was three quarters completed and then passed Oh 10
d smart showcr-not enough 10 interrupt or spoil the
show To most spectators this drill disputes with
the rides and the sldTmish drill for infantry tho
eht TO the place OF honor the chief attraction OF
examination times Ono misses tho beautiful grrcn
turf Of the parade hArmonizng so sgreeably, not less
with the gray Jackets and white trousers ~ tho
battalion than with the various Spiendors presented
by the toilets Of their admirers under the trees.
Naturally the battery has to lose this element OF the
picturesque by being condemned, IN virtue OF Its
wheels and hoofs to drn on the bare and sandy plain
the other side Of the road. Then thsro is only
one class in Il and that neither the peerless first
nor the popular second, but the less regarded third
Just finishing their second year and dreaming OF tho
furlough that Is 10 begin on "Wednesday. The noise
Of the guns scarcely msheS up for these things to
the civilian tof either sea-, but TO tho professional
eye the interest OF the artillery drll IS absorbing
Tho artillerymen OF the garrison Who In view Of Tho
risk Of accidents are wisely required to &C, drivers
had ALREADY hafnesscd the horses TO the guns and
csissons when tho third class cano on the ground.
under their cadet officers, punctually AZ T. Lieu-
tenant GabraIth the Instructor Of Artillery then took
command, and put the company through most OF the
chic; exercises laid down In tho School Of tho Bat
tory.' These included forming line and cohmn,
marching and turning by battery, platoon, Section
or piece; advancing and retiring at a walk, trOt or
gAop changing front, coming into battery. ready for
to the front roar, and firing by plccc, section,
platoon, battery or at WILL" All was very we'll
done quickly, accurately and with apparent case
indced most Of the young srtillcstE seemed 10 BE-
enjoying themselves. Tho accidents that are always
TO be dreEded IN Tits rough and raekehngs exercise
wero fortunately limited IN . slipped trHcsehain or
90. The horSes seemed to b our old friends Of
ihs ride; 90. that would tend 81
explain why they Just Shade too quick
Ia their n1oveucnts-or perhaps lively is better word
for work With the guns IN any case they arc too
limit for battery horses.
This evening at 8 began an hours dri with The
mortars which show 10 advantage az this hour,
when the course OF the fuse begins 60 DO the
shoIl sweeps It's skywari curve Then comes mill
tary pyrotechory' tho orders hsvo it-Ang'ico Ere
works. But fireworks, eith mortars thrown 10. can
no, console the heroine Of the spoony button for the
loss OF her daily evening hop, whrh General Psrht
vas vetoci for tonight Account Of the military ex
eirises. There Il . rumor that The cadets are sad.
but one would not like to DO ungallRnt &c 10 assert
that there DO such . thing ~ too many young
ladies.
heavy shower after ths battery drill cut OF the
dress parade the usual orders read A. undress
parade. Among them the standing Of tho graduating
Announced a folowG.