New-York tribune., 1897-06-11
THEIR LAST DRILL AS CADETS.
AN ADDRESS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS BY
THE COMMANDANT.

THE COMMANDANI
West Point. ~ Y, June I0-Owing to the almost
continuous downpour OF rain for the las. four days
a number OF the graduating drills OF the class Of
97 had be omitted The light artillery drill field
pieces which was 10 have taken place last Tues
day supplantcd the skirmish drill and sham battle
to-day At O'Clock this evening the cavalry plain
was alive with caissons, field pieces and gray-coated
cadets. Lieutenant A. b. Dyer one OF the most
efficient drimasters In the service. had charge OF
the six sections and under his ekilful handling
the detail OF the first and second classes put up
splendid exhibition.
The detail was as follows: Officer right platoon
Cadet Fiske; LEFT platoon. Cadet Raymond; centre
platoon, Cadet Srther: chief OF caissons. Cadet
Bawley; gudon Cadet Mccoy first sergeant. Cadet
Dorey chiefs OF section Cadets Valentine. Hanna,
Cheney. Dichmen and Pearce; caisson corporals
Cadets Ferguson, Collins. WOLF. Roberts. 1. a.
Conley and Sarratt.
The Board OF Visitors and about three thousand
spectators enjoyed the drill The heavy firing ratified
the windows in the neighboring houses. The gravel
plain in perfect condition.
A dress parade tonight was tho last one for the
graduating class Just before the battalion Of
cadets retired from the parade ground Colonel S
NJ Mills. the comnandant. called the members Of
the graduating class from the ranks and addrHSsed
them follows:
Gentlemen of the graduating class: congratulate
you the completion Of your course OF studies at
the academy. and cordially welcome you TO the
grade of the commissioned officer l thank the
officers of the class and the other members Of the
class when performing duties Of officers for their
valuable assistance and loyal support in carrying
out the regulations OF the Academy and in aiding
in maintaining the standard OF discipline that pre-
walls in the corps to-day. l fully realize and APP
prcciate how much OF this efficiency Is due TO the
high conception Of duty entertained and enforced
by the cadet officers Of the battalion.
"In separating from you wish to repeat the sug-
gestion which made some five years ago to the
reiterated on many occasions since and as a part
ing advice and that IS all occasions. whether on
duty off duty be particular at all times TO show
the proper respect and Difference TO your superiorS
in RANK. If the superior officer reaxes in his inter-
course from this standard, do not you fail at all
rank and years of service This is erjoined by the
regulations. and II * besides OF the principal
charms of the official and social intercourse that
exists between officers. and should be cultivated
by oil In all particulars of this kind. IL is well 10
remember the tee ,hinys and instructions YOU have
received cadets and 10 follow them.
II wish the greatest amount of JOY and happiness
to YOU all in the various branches Of the service to
which you may be assigned. and l will note with
pleasure and qualification all the success that may
come to each Of you in your honest efforts and
devotion to duty. The class of 1897. / predict, Is
well entitled 70 win these successes as other classes
that have gone before"
Colonel Milss tour Of duty here ends tomorrow,
and he and his family will go abroad.
The last Of the military exercises connected with
segc-nortar drill and military pyrotechnics.
The graduation hop was held In the Academy
building. The members OF the first class will grad
uate tomorrow at ii O'Clock.