Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-08-09
INSTITUTE AGAIN IN
THE HIGHEST PLACE
virginia's Noted Military School
Receives Praise
FROM U. S. ARMY OFFICER
Is Listed Next to West Point in
Military Efficiency

Listed next to West Point in |
efficiency" is the report
once more made by the United |
States Army officer who conducted
this years inspection Of the Virginia
Military Institute. The report OF
Captain B. I. Simmons OF the gen
eral staff, the inspecting officer, has
Just been issued.
Glass A distinguished" says
Captain Simmons OF the famous
school. He states that the Institute
is essentially military, with a high
degree of Importance attached to
military instruction by the faculty.
the cadets being required to be con-
stantly in uniform. The military
spirit, he finds, is excellent, as is
the zeal with which military duty is
performed. The training, he says,
is fully sufficient to qualify the av-
erage graduate for q lieutenant Of
volunteers.
The general appearance at inspec-
ton, continues Captain Simmons,
was excellent, and the cadets
themselves are neat, intelligent,
soldierlY in bearing and impressed
me very favorably."
The report is especially gratifying
to Superintendent K. W. Nichols.
Commandant S. R. Gleaves and the
members OF the Board OF Visitors,
especially in view of the fact that
the number at this year inspection
was unusually small, due to the dis
missal OF practically an entire class.
1t is stated that AUTHORIZATIONS this
year will be sufficient to fill the bar
racks to capacity.
Details OF the inspection are as
| follows:
Il inspected 1879 cadets, organized
as a battalion Of four companies.
The band is composed OF civilians.
The review was excellent. The
march in review in quick time was
excellent; in double time, very good
The clothing and rifles we're in ex-
cellent condition.
The cadets are we'll set up, and
are military in appearance and con-
duct. During my two days stay al
the Institute l saw no failure on the
part of a cadet to properly salute an
officer.
'Sentinels walk post dav anC
night. Those inspected we're very
we'll instructed.
Quarters, dining hall, kitchen
etc.. were in very good condition.
Signaling with buzzer, flag anC
} Photograph. excellent.
: Battalion and company close am
extended order drills, bayonet exer
cises, rifle drill. squad drills b.
non -commissioned officers. guar
= mounting, battalion pa; sde an
pitching wall and shelter tents. eH
a cellent.
, Advance and rear guard dut
a and patroling are understood.
J Litter drill and first aid to tn
injured, excellent.
p The field exercise, involving d,
j Tense Of position covering detil,
: advance guard, outposts, patrolin!
forcing a defile. attacking of pos
ton and practical work by sign
= detachment was had. The work
i the cadets in these exercises W,
= very good. Correct written repor
were sent in by the patrols. Ne
sages were sent by the buzzer ar
telephone. Excellent position ar
road sketches and road reports we
made by cadets. These sketch,
we're later traced for blue printin
" "All cadets have had CALLER
practice and range practice at 2
yards. "
10 Gen. John r. Castleman. veter;
10 Of the Southern COnfederacy and
D. the Spanish-American war, If