Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-09-24
PLEsEs AT WEST POINT.
Enbryo Warriors Are Made TO Amsse
the Y~.rfinc- At the Academy.

Enbryo Warriors Are Made TO Amsse
the yeariines At the Academy.
II the new fourth classmen. or
'plebs." as they are most frequently
called, who entered the military aca-
oemy at West Point short time ago.
think that on account OF the war with
Spain they will not be hazed.
rheir hopes are bound 10 be
rudely shattered. For weeks she
yearlings have been preparing a
warm reception for them. War
or no war. the time-honored custom OF
double stepping and choo,chooing
''plebs" will be faithfully observed
cavalry recruit might just as well hope
70 escape Z blanket tossing as the new
"plebe" TO miss the setting up exer-
cises. which Grant. sherman and Sher-
idan tried in vain 20 dodge. The "plebe'
who has successfully passed the en-
trance examinations first reports 70 the
adjutant. and. after registering. Is sent
10 the assembly room, where cadet off,
GERS are on hand 10 give him a warm
reception. Knock is the advice Civ
en- by the tired looking orderly who
showed him the way. and the new re-
crLit is left 70 his own thoughts The
response 10 his timid tap IS like the
roar OF the reveille gun. Come in
echoes from basement 20 roof The tone
is like the lions roar. Il strikes ter
ror deep down IN the heart OF the new
soldier. who instinc;ively recoiis. and
/ for the first tine wishes himself al
home. The door opens with dozen
cadets who regard him with absolute
indifference. Nobody questions the
new arrival. and he is forced 10 intro
duce himself II is then only his trou-
bles begin. He fnds that in address
ing or answering upper classmen ne
must invariably use the word sir he
also discovers that all questions. how
ever senseiess or ridiculous. must be
answered. Here are few samples.
Where are you from. Mr Dumbjohn o.
"Chicago.~ Say sir. Chicago. sir.
How do you know you are from Chi
cago. Mr. Dumbjohn7" 4 don't know
sir" We'll. you are stupid product
hr. Dumbjohn. Do you know any
thing" Yes. sir" What do yo'
know. sir?~ II IS usually az this poin
he knows nothing. Then corpora
takes the new arrival In charge and hi
lot thenceforward for az least year 8
not a happy one. IN camp the ''plebe
guard is usually tackled by ghosts Of
. dark. stormy nights and tossed int
. Fort Clinton's mOat The new fourt
, clzssmen are drilled continuously
= Whether walking through the compan
: streets. or OF duty" on the plains. IN
! "plebe" must be always at attention
0 In HIS tent work will be found for hiI
{, by the "yearlings" Cleaning gun
: making lemonade and doing geners
a police work leaves little time for hom'
;. sickness. Sitting on a bayonet {
: chewing the side OF a cot or douh
i stepping by the hour are some OF n
q thines a ~plebe" must do 10 suuse u
. Pc classmen. A new amusement va
i, invented last summer by ''yearl.nl
y who has since been discharged.
70 named II the Sammy" race. Tv
= "plebes" are blindfolded. and each
Is furnished with a jug OF molasses ar
ie a spoon. The command Feed" is the
= given and one ''plebe" tries 10 feed Il
" other with the molaSses- by the tin
J. half the stuff is exhausted nearly 6
as the wasps and hornets In camp a
= settled on the ''plebes' uniform
Of drinking in the surplus sugar deposit
e there. The recruits are then release
a. and no time Is lost In trying 10 d.
&C the sweetened blouses. He Is a &c
". tunale "plebe" who manages 20 esca
IL from shfo cworofeo urffhouf az least
: half dozen wasp stings- When
IT "plebe" lie ordered TO laugh he ns1a
D. fins out" palms Of his hands TO [
.. front. and. with his back against tr
smiles pleasantly for an hour. I'll
nd Is regarded as great amusement by
~ upper classmen. Fistic combats m
n. now be looked for between the ''plebs
M nd "YaarIir1n .,--Nax York presa