The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-11-24
SPOILED THEIR RAID.
THE CADETS HAD A LAUGH AT THE
OFFICERS EXPENSE.

How a billiard Table Was Struggled
Into the Barracks at West Point
aud the story of Its Accidental
Discovery.
There are many traditions and sto-
ries Of escapades at the Military acade-
my at West Point that are handed
down from class TO class, and one Of
the most interesting Of these is that re-
latlng to the billiard table. Shortly
after the civil war the cadets, always
on the alert for some new scheme for
amusement, decided that they would
like TO have billiard table and ac-
cordingly organized billiard club. a
collection was taken up with which to
purchase a table, and suitable place
was sought in which TO set 1t up. Until
the present steam heating apparatus
was installed in the cadet barracks,
about 30 years or more ago the heat
ing was by means Of furnaces. The
basement Of the sixth division of the
barracks was used for coal bins. the
bins being SO arranged that there was
large one near the center of the
building. which could only be reached
by passing through one of the others.
After considering all available places
this coal bin was finally selected as be
ing the place least liable 90 detection,
for it must he remembered the table
was unauthorized.
The table was bought in New York
and sent to Garrisons, across the river.
for there was no West Shore railroad
In those days. one cold winter night
II was hauled 10y team of oxen across
the river on the ice and up the hill and
was safely slowed away in the coal bin
before morning The table was soon
set up and became 4 source of great
enjoyment TO the cadets. \ keg or
beer was always kept on tap, and
lamps were hung from the ceiling Civ
Ing the room a CHEEKY appearance.
The members Of the club used 10 gath
er there at all hours of the day and
night, when their presence was not re-
qulred elsewhere by their duties, and
sit around smoking, drinking and tell
ing stories while two OF them played
billiards.
The authorities soon became aware
that there was a billiard table some
where in the barracks, for they could
hear the balls clicking together, but
they could not find it. The cadets con-
tinued to enjoy the privileges Of the
billiard club for more than year.
Finally one night soon after mid
night, as two officers were returning
from a convivlal evening at the mess,
they saw two cadets, clad in their nm
derclothing and dressing gowns,
emerge from the north sallypOrt and
disappear down the steps to the area
way in front Of the barracks. Instant
" the thought of the billiard table
flashed through the minds of the two
officers. and they started quietly after
the cadets. On reaching the basement
doorway Of the sixth division the two
cadets entered, and the officers, arriv-
ing a moment later saw them climb
over a pile Of coal and enter an open
door. through which came sounds Of
laughter and conversation and the
clicking Of balls. while the air was Ia
den with fragrant tobacco smoke.
The officers paused for a moment
and held a whispered consultation.
Finally deciding tdat they would tell
the other officers of their discovery and
have all Of them come down the fol-
lowing night and enjoy the fun Of a
raid on the club, they withdrew and
went home. Next day all the officers
at the post were informed Of the dis
coyery, and il was arranged that the
raid should occur at midnight
All might have gone well, and the
officers might have had their little fun,
had it not been that there were three
cadets the previous night instead of
two. The third had forgotten his pipe
and had gone back for it, while the
other two went on and were discover
ed by the officers. The third, coming
along a moment later, saw the officers
and quietly followed. them, observing
all their movements and listening to
their whispered conversation.
When they withdrew, he went in and
told the members Of the club all he had
heard and seen. The cadets at once
realized that 1t was all up with the
club, but they determined to have
laugh at the expense Of the officers.
Accordingly all arrangements were
made before the club adjourned that
night.
The next night the officers met as ar
ranged and crept stealthily down the
areaway and into the sixth division.
Hearing no sound Of clicking balls,
some became skeptical and concluded
the whole thing was a hoax, but never
theless they pushed on and climbed
over the pile of coal Opening the
door, they were greeted with a glow of
light, but still no sound. On entering
they found the room deserted, but
there were the billiard table, an almost
untouched keg of beer, several pounds
Of tobacco, some chairs and lastly a
note on the table, addressed to the Off
GERS on duty at West Point. The note
was to the effect that as the officers Of
the post had been so kind as to permit
the club TO continue its existence for
more than a year 1t desired to present
to them (the officers) the table and all
its appurtenances, as 1t was deemed
expedient to wind up the clubs affairs.
The note was signed '"The Executive
Committee"
The officers, Of course, were much
chagrined at being thus outwitted by
the cadets. Nevertheless the table was