The Cairo bulletin., 1906-07-29


opportunity for its practical work
After the first or senior class has been
graduated and the new second class
has gone off to enjoy its tenweeks
vacation, the only one to which a
cadet is entitled during the four years
course at the academy, the new hrs;
and third year classes march from the
barracks TO the camp near by. whe g
they are Joined about July BY the
new fourth year class. and the sum
mer work then begins In earnest
For ten weeks they are in camp,
spending all of their time in the open
air. living as near as possible the
routine life of the soldier in the field.
and becoming acquainted with much
which will fall to their lot as officers.
From seven o'clock in the morning
until one in the afternoon each hour
is filed with some duty for every
cadet. In general it may be said that
the greater portion of this time Is de-
voted to the prescribed drills and eX-
ercises of the various arms of the
service.
AS a general rule, Ii may be said
that at all drills and exercises the men
Of the lower classes perform the duties
which in service fall to the lot of the
enlisted men. while those OF the first
class exercise the functions Of officers.
In the equitaton ring, or "bullpen.
as It is more Familiarity known, the
cadets of the first class take the final
degree in horsemanship.
In the target practice the course fol-
lowed is the same as that prescribed
for the officers and enlisted men Of
the army. A cadet team was sent TO
the last national competition at Sea
Girt. ~ j.. to compete in the matches
In the national match this team Sc
cured twenty-fourth place among the
81 teams representing the finest mill
tary shots in the country.
It is In the infantry work that the
cadet gets the greater part Of his prac-
tical field experience. The country
around the post Is heavily wooded and
broken. II Is therefore admirably
adapted for dismounted scouting. pa
trolling. advance guard and outpost
work and is correspondingly imprac-
ticable for mounted work. Once
week the entire morning is devoted
to the establishment of an outpost sys-
TEN. and the whole battalion PARTED.
pates in the work.
This work leads naturally 10 the
more extended field work. when the
cadets cross the river and strike into
the hills for five days OF strenuous
life in the field. Then for the frs; I
lime these young men. who win some 4
lay command regiments. perhaps arm 1
es. find themselves travelling With the /
Held allowance OF baggage. and. what
S more TO the point. they are carry /
ng that. Each cadet carries the reg /
ilation equipment Of the infantry OF 1
.avalry soldier. consisting Of blanket |
oil. hayersack. Canteen. mess equip
nent. tin cup. rife or saber and am
belt. In the roll and haveT-
ack are his blanket. shelter tent.
,Oncho. an extra pair Of shoes. extra
Underwear. mess equipment and toilet
rticles.
For once bell buttons and white
are left behind.
Each morning at $3.50 o'clock they
reep from their shelter tents. make
heir simple toilets and line up sol.
Ter fashion, mess pan and tin cup in
and. for breakfast. After breakfast
hey pack their kitchen equipment
nd stores in the company wagons.
lean up the camp ground ami PR.
are 10 strike their tents. At $50
NJ. with camp broken and secure
= rolled up and on their shoulders.
hey are in ranks and ready for the
ork Of the day. consisting Of a prob
I'M in minor tactics. or. in other
-Jris. Of msnoeuvers planned and ex-
-uted for the purpose OF dem0nstrat-
x the normal methods by which
odles Of troops would be handled in
etual warfare III typical engagements