The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-29
CADETS AT The BIG GUNS.
BOMBARDING CROW'S NEST FROM
VEST POINTS DRILLING GROUND.

WEST POINT June 2S-Of all the drills at the
Military Academy, that of the coast battery Is
tho most picturesque and interesting. The
last drill was on June 3 Tho battery stands
upon low shore facing the Crows Nest. The
day was sultry. Hardly breath OF air was
stirring. The sun beat hot upon the bosom Of
the Hudson. Its rays wore reelected from the
river TO the shore, increasing II possible the
heat 10 tho battery. A firing drill had been
ordered at o'clock. Here Is tho picture:
The great guns stand black and grim, near
the bay washing the feet OF tho dark green
mountain known as the Crows Nest. Storm
King is outlined against the sky beyond it.
To the right, ton miles across the blue water,
tho gllsteninR spires OF NswburRh are seen.
Across tho river towers Mount Taurus and
beyond that Break Neck. as wild, rugged and
ragged as whom Benedict Arnold fled down the
river after hearing Of the capture OF AndrG.
Sloops, lazily drifting with the current, dot
the bosom OF the stream. In the far distance
two tugs are pulling feet Of lumber-laden
canal boats toward tho Tappan Zee. The
heat is intense. Crows sailing over tho west
shore flats emit lazy "caws" and the robins
ROMAN silent In the shade. The hill behind
the battery Is Uttered with sweltering specta-
tors. Among them are many we'll dressed
ladies. They sit beneath the trees, and tho
play of their fans is incossant. Knots OF cadets
OIL CuLy arc seen lower uOW0 tho Slope. All
eagerly await the drill.
Suddenly tho sharp rat-tat-t tat OF q drum Is
heard. 1t comes from the barracks beyond the
osplanade. A moment later q column OF
cadets is in sight. 1t is the firing party. The
boys wear gray jackets and white trousers.
The column moves with the precision OF a ma
chine Down the slope, 1t comes borne by
the elastic step OF youth. In discipline 1t is
perfect. With eyes rigidly to the front it passes
batteries far more dangerous than any coast
ATIA n wal
maidens the fire of whose ewes would make tho
brayest OF men lay down their arms.
breaks into detachments Each detaehment
teen.ineh smooth borSs and the third. nth,
fourth is thrteen.inch mortar. The smooth
bores carry roudd shot Weighing over 400
pounds: Al frown above the earthworks.
Take equipments" shouts the command
The eauipments hang from the guns or are
railway upon wh,9h the bseech rests Is
busy below The excavation is alive with
superintendnG tho move ments around him. He
passes the primer p9uch to cadet and re-
in his own pouch. Two caiefs work the screw
aud give the piece an elevation. and all resume
From battery" shouts the commandment.
crsa means H9ii the gun 6ac back The gunner
again alive. Handspikes are inserted in the
sockets 81 the carriages and The axles are I'M
'Heave." The wheels revolve and the muzzle
Of the monster is drawn within the battery.
rSf to Ike Sfefi ash
seaAet throws an outlying pulley into place. 1t
6en comes the Losd IT rom tho
officer in charge: There Is renewed activity on
azine on the left of the battery. The tompion
ts removed from the muzzle Of each gun and
the piatform. Two cadets SEIZE It and II SWAP
the gun They are hardly through with the lob
6e noed IL are me
out In long tin pals, while the shells and
oPnd sa0 es ri in MP
leys are at work, They creak as the cadets
draw the missiles up to the mu2zles OF the
sion. Everything moves like clockwork. Each
silently and aertly r'''' "lO pef'of'n' lib uu''
When the guns are Loaded the command In
magic and the snout OF each piece peers over
the parapet, All are thrown out Of gear, SO as
der Aim they are raised and lowered by a
ret fd at the breeeh and thrown to the right
sights the piece
The friction primer is inserted in the vent
order. Detachment 10 the rear-march" As
OF a gun the cadets abandon the battery whtIo
the guns are being fired. One cadet to each
gun, however. remains He stands, upon the
earth below his gun, lanyard In hand. facing to |
the rear, right foot forward.
The battery is now ready for work.
II a clear voice the commandment shouts:
Flame streams from the mouth of the great
eninE and the gun is hidden in a CLOUD OF
smoke. 1t was aimed at target painted upon
the smoke rolls to the right those in line with |
the gun see the huge round shot, Weighing $50
ShqsSb S sa RaT oyeE deep cut made by the
A second later it strikes some feet above the
hug huge Csvt white WI target Chipping the rock and
At the same Instant a West Shore express
f train rounds IIo the point Of the mountain and
the order. No: q fire." is given; shot Of the
over the bay and the cut, and lands upon the
target, hundreds Of feet above them.
fire il & The eight inch rifle gun. The cadet
weight forward and pulls the string The gun Ta
cracks like huge rifle. She sends over the
water a solid conlcal shot weighing 1870 pounds:
the shri whistle OF locomotive is hearl.
1 Inc express train emerRes from the cut and
tunnel beneath the Military Academy.
|
thirteen-inrh mortar. She spouts flame like a
Volcano. and vomits shell weighing PIG
pounds. 1t files into the air above the smok-
ing crater and is seen by every eye. In mount
Ing he heavens IT describes a parabola, and
nnally begins to tal! into the depression on the
t2p which gives the mountain its name-Crows
Nest before II disappears it eXulodes. leaving
IN inc air cap OF smoke. which expands |
apd hangs oyer tho nest for minute or more.
nos. ana are eignt-inch rifles The point
get spitefully, and damage its face.
me SIX pieces In this one round have landed
over l.GOO pounds Of iron upon The mounIain |
by the use Of lG4 pounds Of powder. The spec
tators strewn over the hill in tho rear are |
thrilled with admiration and wet with per- pira.
tion. The cadets continue at work. howsyer
without regard to tho heat. Tho gunners sight
their pieces with the utmost care. using their
caps to shield their eyes from the sun. Several
bulPs-eyes are made.
After more rounds are fired sIngly an order
to lire by plaroonS Is given. 1t il done in a |
trim way. Each lanyard Is pulled t. tho fraction |
OF second. aud tho renorts are simultaneo us |
A faint breeze watts tho smoke to the right
and the three huge proIectl es arc seen flying
oyer the cut like small covey OF part