Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-07-03
Norwich Not One of These Colleges.

Incoming reports Of army inspectors of
colleges are said to show generally un-
satisfactory state of affairs so far as the
military training of the students is con-
cerned. and the inspector general is about
TO send a circular letter to the heads of
the colleges demanding remedial meas
ures
Report OF Frederick 5. Foltz, Special In
Spector.
Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont,
May 20, 1903.
To the Inspector General Department of
the East Governors Island. New York
Harbor.
Sir: In compliance with the instructions
contained in your letter of the eth instant.
! have the honor to submit the following
report of an inspection made (per $ o.
l& C. :. Hdqr of the East of the Norwich
University of Mortified, VT.
found the military professor, Captain
H. ". Hovey Path Infantry, eminently
suited to his position. see Efficiency re-
port herewith.
The attitude of the college authorities
toward the military department leaves
nothing to be desired; the president is a
retired commander in the navy.
The appearance and bearing Of the ca
diets at the review and inspection. and
soldierlY feeling, an esprit de corps. and
discipline that was highly creditable to
the cadets themselves as we'll as to their
superiors
The uniforms were neat, well fitting
and well cared for: every collar was of
uniform shape, hair was neatly cut. and
gloves and shoes clean.
The arms were in perfect condition. as
also the equipments; the leather highly
polished. and brasses bright; all cared for
by the cadet.
There were but two absentees from the
drill, one with an arm injured al base ball,
and one. the cadet major. who was in
Washington. undergoing an examination
for a commission in the marine corps
The drill included the battalion drill in
close and extended order the manual.
setting up drill and Butts calisthenic eN-
ercise with the rifle, also bayonet eXer-
else; it was all given. under the command
of the cadet officers, with a snap and
precision that would have been creditable
to any organization, and up to the stand
ard of an exhibition drill. The officers
and y. c. officers showed that they un-
derstood their duties, and were in the
habit of performing them; and the pri-
Yates gave attention and prompt obedi-
ence.
The cadets, with the exception of three
only, live in barracks 1.-TWO in room
and care for their own rooms; they are
marched to recitations and to meals
they are confined TO their rooms al study
hours, and nave a regular guard on duty
in the barracks. with an officer of the day
and have their regular military roll calls
AT a fire drill which | witnessed. a line
of buckets was formed and water thrown
in IA seconds, while in less than two min
utes. all the cadets on the third floor
some %. had slid down the two ropes pro
Vided at each end of the building, and had
taken their places, with the water pail:
from their rooms, in the bucket line.
The discipline is firm, tempered by q
rigid system by which privileges can be
earned; the course is systematic and wei
laid out and a full use is made of the
limited facilities available, l invite atten
ton to the three pamphlets enclosed
the catalogue, the regulation and the
general and standing orders. Though
the corps numbers only 60 men, (the full
number of the students attending the col
lcge) and though the buildings are no
what they should be, an examination o
these regulations and orders will SHOW
the military spirit of the institution.
The requirements of G. O. "a are com
Piled with as far as it has been possible
with the limited equipment; for the de
tails see the questions, and answers o
Captain Hovey herewith.
If it be thought that the tone of thi
report is enthusiastic, that is as l lnten'
it. | consider that this little college, wit
its small numbers and resources is givin
an immense return to the government 70
the use of its cadet rifles and the service
Of Captain Hovey as professor, and give
evidence of a military pride and ambition
that will repay cultivation.
II il were possible to do something 70
this school as a mark of appreciation
would be productive of much good tn
issue to il of breech loading mountain
guns. or Of the magazine Springfield rifle
Krag with 26 in. barrel has made eX
lerimentally recently would certainly b
appreciated, and If ii can be aided in an
other way the effect will doubtless be
increase the size and scope of the schoo
In view of what | have seen at this III
stitution ! have the honor to invite espe
clal attention to the names of the thre
students who may be mentioned this yea
as most distinguished in the military dc
partment as they should he well equippe
in training as well as in knowledge.
Captain Hovey is to be congratulate
upon the results of his efforts and shoul
receive any assistance that can properl
he given him.
Very respectfully,
F. S. FOLTZ
Captain "a Cavalry,
Il 81 aDfF.