The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1903-06-11
GLoNes AT CULVER.
incidents Of the Military Academy Com.
mencement-MimicW Warfare on the
Shores OF Lake Maxinkuckee.

There is no boom of evening gun to
stir the echoes on Lake Maxinxuckee
now. Culver Military academy has
ended its gay and attractive CON-
mencement program and closed for
the summer.
A Culver commencement is an elab.
crate affair. For five days in a mill
tary or social way there is something
doing. Every sort of drill has been
In progress. One hour it is artillery
drill; the cadet cannoneers serve their
pieces as nimbly as cats. Now they
simulate going into action. "With
blank cartridges. load" ''Readyl"
''Fire." There is the click of breech
blocks, the squirting flames, and deaf
euing roar. Now cannoneer falls
wounded, and then another, and an.
other, and the duties of all these are
still performed by the few that re.
main.
Over On the range we hear the
sharp, distinctive crack of the ball
cartridge. Competitive target prac-
tice is in progress.
Several signal squads are wigwag-
ging messages with their red and
white flags. A detachment across the
parade ground is receiving instruction
in litter drill and first aid to the
woundad.
After bit we see marching to the
cavalry stables a squad of 1.-the, mus
cular youngsters clad in khaki riding
breeches and loose blue shirts. Di-
rectly we are to see a daring exhibit
ton of blanket riding that has gained
for the youthful members of the Gull
yer Black Horse troop the reputation
of being the most remarkable boy
riders in the world.
Each year new and daring stunts
have been added, and this commence.
ment the exhibition has been unusu-
ally fine. In addition to the riding
standing. the vaulting. mounting and
dismounting of galloping horses, and
the spectacular Graeco- Roman riding,
there has been riding standing with
folded arms, with back turned to the
horses heads. riding with feet pointed
skyward and but shoulder and hand
resting on the horse, dlsmounting be-
tween two flying horses and mounting
to stand with foot on either undu-
lating back. These and many other
startling feats have entertained the
hundreds of Culver visitors during the
past week, bringing from the crowded
riding hall galleries alternately the
hush of excited suspense, and the
deafening clatter of enthusiastic APP
plause.
The afternoons this year were oc-
cupied with the splendid drills of the
infantry battalion, and the pleasing
Butts manual. This latter is beau
tlful series of exercises in which the
cadets, without word of command,
gracefully lunge to left or right, to
front or rear, swinging their rifles in
perfect rhythm to catchy airs from
the band.
Thursday afternoon the cadets en-
gagged in mimicry Of war. giving
realistic and thrilling sham battle.
The battle opened with surprise at
tack On the outpost, which fell slowly
back under hot fire. A section of
heavy field artillery was pushed for
ward to cover the retreat, which, un-
der hot cannonade, was withdrawn
under cover OF an exciting cavalry
charge. The battle was then opened
IN earnest with thunder of cannon
aiding. The bursting of shells was SIM
ulated by bombs placed in trees and
buried In the earth, and exploded by
electricity at each shot from the field
pieces. The advance was taken up by
rushes with alternate volleys; the lit.
ter-bearers bore the wounded to the
rear; then came the buzz and rattle of
rapid fire. and then witha wild whoop
and yell the final charge and the Ca
diets In blue shirts drove back their
pro tenn enemies, the cadets in khaki.
She Caused . Sensation.
Tho nfhar nirit OF q roconfion In