The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-14

decoration, and the cadets take turn, week
and week about in 'poncing the quarters.
Visiting in quarters is not allowed. There
Is no occasion TO watch them while az
that there is no time for idling. The mill
tary spirit and method are maintained IN
every detail of the work For example:
i he class IS u1vlded INTO sections or not
more than twelve cadets each. The section
rooms are we'll ventilated and furnished
with individual desks and seats. Black
boards line two walls of the room me IN
structor sits on a raised PLATFORM and is
In his place before the section enters the
room. The S-o'clock assembly having been
sounded in the area of the barracks by the
trumpeter and the sections duly formed,
each is marched by it's section marcher 10
the proper room in the academy building.
where ranks are broken, caps hung on
hooks in the hall outside the door, and the
members enter the section room. me last
TO enter is the section marcner VINO stands
in the open door until the members of the
section have passed to their desks, Where
each stands at attention." He then closes
the door. faces the instructor. salutes and
reports, "All are present sir" or cadet
Blank is absent, SIR as the case may be.
the next day is announced. it having been
previously recorded on the blackboard be-
hind the instructors desk; the question is
lesson of the day." The utmost freedom
is permitted for every member of the sec
ton to make known now every dlfilculty ne
has experienced in studying his lesson: The
instructor who is accomplished in his art
will, by judicious explanation or helpful
suggestion, seek to lessen the step by wI;icn
the student may be able to pass from what
he comprehends to that which was before
obscure, the aim being to make the student
feel that the elucidation has in the main
been accomplished by himself. BY this
means the self-reliant faculty is cultivated.
After all the difficulties have been salts
factorily removed, the instructor proceeds
to portion out the lesson of the day and of
the previous day among ten members of the
section, reServing the remaining two for
searching examination by questions. Inc
ten are sent to blackboards. where first they
are required to write their names in the
upper right-hand corner, and then put their
work down in q. neat and orderly manner
and in logical sequence, so that the IN
structor can, by a glancei note their prog
rsS ana nc he Wnea p sdg eadf
the Instructor and assumes the position of
a soldier. This is the general rule, which,
however, is departed from when portion
of the section room time is to be employed
IN working out practical examples or IN
using the apparatus upon the experimental
table; in such cases he is permitted to leave
his blackboard after his work is made ready
for recitation. and when his turn comes to
be called on he resumes his place and posi-
ton.
The manners of the section room are po-
lite. formal and soldierly The instructor ,i or
gins 81 am required to demonstrate the
(here follows the proposition given him.
He then proceeds in a logical manner TO
point out the data he may assume, the sue
cessive steps in his reasoning. and the con-
illusions which legitimateiy follow. If he be
perfect, he will meet the cross examination
of his instructor at every point, and Will
be entitled to the maximum mark on the
lesson of the day. The marks are recorded
in a section book kept by the instructor,
and at the end of the week are transferred
to a weekly report made out by MIN ana
submitted to the superintendent of the acad-
envy through the head of the department:
These reports are open to the inspection of
the cadets on the following saturday, ana
they can then compare their standing with
hot nff mi, 01frl1~o IN fhn
and in different sections.
In assigning subjects for recitation the
general practice followed is to give them
out in such a way as to impress the cadets
that strict impartiality is the rule, and that
each shall have about the same task, the
main thing being to secure from each the
day, and to make the penalty of negligence
SC. severe as to be almost prohibitory; In
chalks are used, so that the drawing will
exhibit neatnesS as well as an intimate
knowledge of the subject. The head of each
department employs the three hours during
which the Rotations continue in visiting
the different sections, so that he may thor
oughly examine at least twice week every
himself well informed of each mans prog
ress, to study the students characters, 10
choleric and presuming He consults freely
with his assistants upon the proper trans
fers from one section to another, and IN
case of nonagreement defers action until
further evidence brings concord of opinion.
When the trumpet sounds recall in the acad-
emy building the instructor disnSses the
section as the last note ceases. 1t is then
formed in the hall by the section marcher
and marched by him to the area of the bar
racks, where it is finally dismissed.
THOROUGHNESS EVERYWHERE.
The more practical instruction in drill,
field and camp duties, infantry, cavalry and
artillery tactics, pontoon and spar bridge
building, is as thoroughly carried on as is
the theoretical instruction already de-
scribed. The limits of space make it neces-
sary to confine the account of this depart
ment to the following extracts from the re-
port of Lieutenant Colonel Mills, comman-
dant of cadets QS96):
The present course designs to give to
the cadet the elements of military edu-
cation, az comprehended in the drill regula-
tons of the three arms of the service and
in the other manuals and lectures referred
to in the theoretical course, and in the
practical work to impress upon him a thor
ough knowledge and appreciate of diSci-
racks and in camp; to educate him in the
important qualities of attention to detail
and of promptness IN all his work; to give
him the physical training necessary for the
work and hardships he may be called upon
to endure; and, in conjunction with the 9TH
er departments. to instill into his mind dur
ing his four years at the academy proper
spirit of subordinatlon and obedience to au-
thority, and to develop his confidence and
capacity IOr command.
THE physical training, so far as it relates
to the work of the gymnasium, aims at the
following results:
Il. To counteract by judicious and we'll
regulated exercise the immense mental
strain which the successful mastery of the
academic course makes necessary.
20. To improve the physical and general
carriage, develop strength, health and en-
durance, and
also self-reliance, self-control, precision and
accuracy.
Zach class spends three of the four sum-
merS in camp, a total of about 30 days
The remainder of the four years, with the
exception of two and one-half months on
furlough at the end of the second year, is
spent in barracks. The companies
rate tents and company streets in camp
and separate tables at meals.
THE tents used in camp are the regula-
ton wall tents with flies. Two cadets live
in each tent, except members of the fourth
class, most of whom live three in a tent
Two cadets live in a room in barracks.
Cadets are allowed in camp only the mini
the climate and season, and consistent with
a neat and soldieriy appearance at all times
The commandant of cadets and the four
assistant instructors of tactics, with an as
sistant surgeon, live in camp
'All regular drills III camp are finished be-
fore d. m. During the academic term the
practical work in the department is done
exception Of portion of the cavalry exer
cises and the military gymnastics. Two
dress parades are held daily in camp, at
troop and retreat, except on Saturday,
when it is replaced by an inspection at p
m. A complete guard is maintained at all