Year: 1874

PREPARATIONS FOR THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
MENrs OF THE BOARD OF vIsIToRs-ARRIVL
OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.


WEST POINT June with the exception
Of the shock and cloud Of gunpowder which heralded
the arrival OF the Secretary OF War this morning west
Point has been quiet and uneyentul to-day as
though the next few days were to witness only the
coming of the second cousins Of the fourth class
But It is probably the calm which precedes tho storm,
for the examination will begin tomorrow and occupy
the attention Of every One-cades examiners iriends
and the members the Board Of Visorsfor the next
two weeks.


In the examination this year there Is slight depar
ture from the previous routine. Generally the gradual
ing class have occupied the time Of their instructors to
the exclusion Of the other classes Now they VIII be al
lowed time for rest between the examinations in the diff
ferent departments while lower class will be Ques-
toned In branch General Order No 90 Issued on
Saturday. prescibes this order. Beginning tomorrow
at m. and continuing, six hours each day, until the
whole Is finished the examination will be in the follow
ing order: First class In Department OF Engineering;
second class in Philosophy first class in Mneraogy and
Geology; third class in Mathematics; first class
in Ethics and Law; third class In Span
ish /; first class in Ordnance and Gunnery.
This last finishes the work of the first class and the other
classes follow with French drawing. Chemistry and
and Tactics Each class for convenience In handling Is
divided into sections the number differing In depart





into Ave sections with Cadets Murray. Symons and Ma
comb at the head OF the first section. In Mineralogy
there are six sections, Cadets Symons, Macomo ana NUT
ray leading the first section There only four sections
in Ethics and Law and here the same three cadets lead
section frst but in different order-Macomb, Symons
and Murray. In Ordnance and Gunnery with four sec
tons symons and Macomb lead Murray being here the
fifth. One section at time is examined the others
being held readiness aud sent in the examiners call
for them During all this time study is kept up and re-
citations the discretion OF heads Of departments


The Board Of Visitors annually appointed to be pres


nt the examination and to inspect the general work
ing OF the Academy is not yet complete. They are all
here except the Hon. Robert 8. Hale who is detained
Washington BY business and is expected here on Fri
day morning TN. must be very easy ana pleasant Ss
have been visiting TO day the build gs AT c1eu 70 te
post Their headquarters are at the west Point Hoei,
there special accommodations Tor them In the
way Of consultauonrooms, private dining &c.
An organization was effected this afternoon SO tGey
lege elected President, and the Rev A. b. Eendig
OF Iowa seeTey b yr The he s Since
the arrival of Mr. Belknap who, with his wife and pr-
wary w salute OF Is guns he
the Board under his and been OF service TO


In St the per-
pleXity and selfcongrauatl0n OF their examination,
and are no longer seen wandering amessly around the
grounds. Those who allowed to visit the hotel ap-
pear be preoccupied with full sense OF their dgned
which they passing from quiet civil life to one Of
martial yigor. inasmuch in the matter OF uniform
yet only attained the blue undress cap Tner
drills have begun, however, and twice each day, morn.
ing and evening they initiated into the mysteries OF
less other commands by cadets of the fourth class
They sure to be well drilled for it wouf DO very
absurd to expect that their teachers have forgotten
their training last and that they do not long
to show how much they appreciated II, even though
they their sentiments others than those who
put them "in form" But their pupils do not appear
to appreciate highly the fact that somewhat
exercise Is necessary to produce the needed
suppleness OF limb, well as mind. Otherwise, the
"plebes" have a comparatively easy time for the
present they don't have to take part IN guard mount
ing dress parade, any OF the outdoor exercises
with which the Board Of Visitors is to be made
acquainted.


There was no exhibition OF cadet proficiency
in drill this afternoon beyond the regular dress
parade. There will be a special dress parade
TO. morrow afternoon, with review OF the bat
TALON under of Gen. Upton, in honor Of the
era order reference tothe examination. the following
exercises will take place, days TO be hereafter desg
mated: school OF tho battalion, skrmshng, light bat
terry siege battery, sea-cOast battery ana mortar
battery drills, school Ohe mounted soldier and cavalry
exercise, the laying Of p0noon bridges. military signal
and teegraphy laboratory practice and use OF the
sword and bayonet.


on Saturday the hotel was more than crowded. and
Mr. CoZzens found hard work to feed all his guests
but ged 10 satisfy all in some way. There are
great many here Many Of the members OF the
Board brought their families with them. and the
gray uniforms the cadets. tho cadets Themselves
has already begun They on the ground early, for
cadets have little time to spare until after tue eX
animation. Among other visitors to-day was the Rev.
Dr. Adams Of New-York, who Is here with his grand
child