The Monticellonian., 1895-03-01
Entering the U. s. Naval Academy, and First Experiences as a Cadet.

l. It is an early May morniug- all nature is blythe-the air. is rcdolent with the perfumes of flowers and resonant with songs of birds. Three score or more of happy youths. representing near ly every State in the Union, are vending their way 10 the Acade- my; or, to be more definite, 10 the armory: their object, the passing of the entrance examination. They are all bouyant, each believing that he has the elements of suc- cess, and that glorious future lies before him It is useless to attempt to describe the worry and anxiety occasioned by these ex- amlnations;a stating of the re- suits k sufficient.
 ?. Those who successfully pass
 
 ed the mental examination have reported to the examining board of surgeons, and now it is Friday the day of final assizes. The can didates all report 10 the secreta- rvs office to learn their fate. A minority has passed, majority failed, some have failed for want of opportunities, some phys, ically and others for want of ca pacity.
 3. The successful ones look up a certain Mr. Andrew Jackson Nc. Gruder, attorneyat-law, and no. tary public, who administers the oath of office. By solemn oath the Cadet obligates himself to serve in the U. s. Navy a term of eight years, to defend the Consti- tntlon against all enemies, foreign and domestic, to well and faithfullv perform the duties of the office upon which he is about to enter. Having been sworn in, the Cadet reports on board the U. s. P. s. Santee U. s. Prison Ship to Capt. Snow, Commander of Ships. His name is entered on the ships log, and he is given a locker in in which 10 stowe his clothing. His first lesson is to learn to swing and lash a hammock, this IS taught him by veteran jack tar. It behooves the Cadet to learn this lesson well, for until af- ter the summer cruso he has no other bed except hammock swung to the deck above.
 i Friday night the new Ga dets are marched to the gymnasl- um and receive their first instruc- tion in physical culture, by means of the abhorred sitting-up exer. cises; having exercised an hour and half, he is compelled to run mile. At 9:55 ?. m. hammocks arc served out, at 10 is gun fire and everybody must turn in." Next morning reveile comes at six, thirty minutes to lash and stowe your hammock, i, make your toilette, and get in ranks for breakfast formation. After breakfast we are instructed in inc manual of arms and are ex- ercised at infantry drill.
 ,. Sunday morning comes round and we see. for the first time, a battalion formation in full dress. It is sight we'll worth the sec ing, at least to the uninitiated. As we look at the ranks of sol dierly looking youth, scarcely old CT than ourselves, we wonder if we shall ever be as they, and form resolutions to do our utmost and to endure all the austerities of mili- tary discipline. But when we look at the naval officers with their golden epaulettes and shin ing swords we hardly dare to hope that this lot may be ours some day. They are Warwick Castles viewed from afar.
 6. During the month of May we have no studies, only drills, which arc hard enough to make yon sleep soundly from 10 to 6, even though in a hammock. Time flies, the tenth of June, gradua- lion day, when the first class be- come passed mid-shipmen, and each class moves up year; now it Is that we become fourth class