The National tribune., 1901-05-16
10 and THROUGH WEST POINT.
Continued from first page

The Quartermaster advances him a rea,
sonable sum of money, and the fun and
delight that the Cadets obtain in that
short leave is something wonderful. Then
to hard study again, for ''yeariing math
is q terror, until the long-lOoked-fOr June
comes again, and with it furlough. The
tailor from New York has already taken
orders for new cit" suits, and stylish
travelling bags and suit cases are in every
room. The furlough day arrives and the
Cadet receives his leave until Aug. %,
and perhaps also pair Of Serseants
cbevrons to carry home to admiring
friends. ALL the. class go down the river
to New York; then West Point night
at the Herald Square Theater, and the
Glass Dinner at Murray Hill Hotel. The
next morning they depart for home, that
dear old home they have dreamed about
and longed for for two long years. OF
the joys of that home coming and all the
tender associations of furlough we may
not tell.
The 9th of August the class reassem-
bles in New York, and they take the boat
looking crowd. With much enforced gay
ETY. they destroy each others ''cit." hats,
and are then photographed, presenting a
most disreputable appearance. Probably
the class has been photographed dozen
times previously, but this occasion of the
cit" hats is always memorable one.
AS Second Glass men they are trusted
and allowed many privileges such as TAX
ing the horses and riding over the ad-
joining country; the First Sergeants may
burn their lights until 1870 p. m.
The next two years are full Of hard
study, but the men are now well settled
into their places and begin to calculate
their rank in the graduation class; as to
who will win the prize of the Engineer
rryhn will ha aFUNaf - tho
class tail-ender is called.
When June comes around again the
Second Glass advance to the dignity of
First Class men, and assume the posi-
ton of Lords of the Academy" The
late Sergeants are now Cadet Captains
and LieutenantS, and are looked upon with
awe by the newcomers.
During the last year this class do most
everything. They dig rife-pits and lay out
forts; construct pontoon bridges; mount
and dismount heavy artillery; plan at
tacks and arrange defenses; ride over the
country and make maps of the same, and
all the time they are "boning" hard at
civil and military engineering, modern
languages, law, history, geography, and
ethics, natural and experimental philos-
ophy, practical military engineering, drill
regulations, infantry, artillery and cavalry
ordnance and gunnery, signaling, until one
wonders how one head can contain it all.
The magnificent physical training of the
past four years now stands them in hand,
otherwise many would break down. But
the. authorities at West Point know their
business; all the concentrated information
and experience of years is represented in
the West Point Faculty when they turn
out man as graduate nothing on earth
of his kind can compare with him. Phys
ically, mentally, morally and socially, the
West Pointer is king over and above all
Of &c With thi4 nrOnd
consciousness the First ClaSsman greets
Graduation Week, the goal of all his four
long years Of hard work. For 10 days
the time is given up to examinations, mil
itary exhibitions and receptions to dis
tinguished visitors. The Board of Wis
itOrs come and look WISE" listen to reel
tations that they do not comprehend; they
| make recommendations that are never
acted upon, praise every body, take many
good drinks at the Officers Club, make a
report, draw their pay, and are never
again heard from. The old-fashioned
West Point Hotel is filed to overhowing
with admiring relatives.
The wonders of the First Glass Ride
at Cavalry Riding Hall and the noise and
dash of light battery drill on the artillery
plain have been gone through with, and
the evening before the last day the band
plays the assembly for the Last Retreat
Parade. Marching to the tune of the
'Dashing White Sergeant" the battalion
forms in line; the strains of Home,
Sweet Home" float out, and many an
eye moistens: the band goes down the line
playing ''The Girl Left Behind Me-
and she is there, thousand strengthen
back to the right, and the "Star-SpangIed
Banner" rolls out grandly, and everyone
uncovers.
A short drill, and the Cadet Adjutant
gives that command that comes but once
in lifetime to the soldier: First Glass
men to the front and center!" and all
First Glass men advance in line to the
Commandant, who congratulates them on
their success and gives them kindly words
of advice. The battalion is dismissed and
marches past with port arms" the last
salute of the Corps to their departing
comrades, who stand with uncovered
heads, and many an eye is wet as the
gray ranks go swinging by.
The next day, under the beautiful eIms
in front of the chapel, the graduating ex-
ercises are concluded. Everything is done
to make it a most impressive ceremony
and to honor the graduates. With music,
prayer, oratory, and all pomp and cere-
mony, the graduates receive the coveted
diploma, most elaborate and impressive
document. From that moment they are
officers of the United States Army.
Three months leave is granted to them,
and during that time they are assigned to
the various branches of the service ac-
cording to their standing on the list. Hav-
ing traced their successful course from
appointment to graduation and assign
ment, we will leave them.
tThe end)
For Service Pension Bill.