Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-07
ExERCIsEs AT WEST POINT.
in Ordnance and Cunnery
Proceed.

Examinations in Ordnance and Gunnery
Proceed.
The exercises at the West Point Military
Academy yesterday comprised examinations in
ordnance and gunnery Of the first class, which
were concluded. The class began also their
examinations in law, which will probably be
finished today. The third class we're examined
in mathematics. These examinations have
much Less fascination for the army of visitors
than the out-of-door exercises, which the public
are permitted to witness.
Ths entertainment for the public yesterday
consisted Of the cavalry practice within the
doors Of the riding school, and, unlike the ex-
ercises Of Saturday, gave the graduating class
OF cadets the opportunity to show what they
can do in the way of fancy riding and such
riding as one might think necessary should the
young officers have to deal with hostile Indians
mounted
The riding done by the class Saturday was
such a. may be necessary in ordinary charges,
but yesterdays riding was an example of ex-
pert craftsmanship as it is taught at the Military
Academy.
Rain broke up the ball game by the members
OF the lower glasses, but seemed to increase the
attendance at the riding exhibition.
This building Is not large, but was built for
the cadets work rather than for q house of
amusement. Parts Of the hall were reserved for
the board Of visitors and their friends, and the
exercises were in charge Of Capt. Craig. The
riding at the cavalry school is as different from
the fashionable style it is possible to be. The
cadets rode with full-length stirrups, and used
them, when they were not rushing bareback
more as a means of assisting them to sit easily
in their saddles than to stand in. It would be
interesting to see the fashionable horseman try
conclusions with members Of the graduating
class who took part in the exercises yesterday
Buffalo Bill might have held his own. but even
that magnificent rider could not have pickle
up cap OF ring without dismounting from
his horse.
The only subject of criticism in connection
with the riding school is that the highly strung
horses used are not game enough; that is, they
have been used TO do work in the artillery
drills. and they have lost some Of their mettle
But the average man who saw the way the
cadets rode must have concluded thatth horses
were quite clipper enough.
One Of the lsughable things in connection
with the examinations ia that the class in En-
giish had paragraph to correct, and that par
ticulsr paragraph embodied the criticism of the
last board OF visitors upon the neglect Of En-
sllsh IN the department. Of languages, and was a
part Of the boards last report. This is not the
first instance in which the professors have got
in their work upon their critics.
Today the exercises will consist Of a drill by
the field artillery upon the plain. This is an
exercise to which the cadets and their friends
here have been looking forward with eagerness
Cadet CavanAugh Of the state Of Washington,
who will be graduated at the head of the clnss
has chosen the engineers corps, and will be as
signed TO that department. Many of the cadets
prefer that department, apparently, for the
reason that should they resign or be retired
from their service they would find their expert
ence there of value to them in private life in
making fortunes. The man who built the East
river bridge was graduated from West Point al
the head of his class. But most Of the men
who are graduated at the head are seldom heard
from as conspicuous officers Of the army The
white squadron is expected Thursday, and Gen.
| Schofeld is to arrive today