The academic year begins July 1st, and continues till about
June 20th the following year. As soon after this as
practicable depending upon what time the examination is
finished the corps moves into camp, with the exception of
the second class, who go on furlough instead.
Between the 20th of August and the 1st of September, the "Seps,"
or those candidates who were unable to do so in the spring
previous, report. Before the 1st they have been examined and
the deficient ones dismissed. On the 1st, unless that be
Sunday, academic duties begin. The classes are arranged into
a number of sections, according to their class rank, as
determined at the previous annual examination, or according
to rank in some particular study for instance, for
instruction in engineering the first class is arranged
according to merit in philosophy, and not according to
general merit or class rank. The fourth, or "plebe" class,
however, is arranged alphabetically since they as yet have
no class rank.
The first class study, during the first term, engineering
law, and ordnance and gunnery. They recite on civil
engineering from 8 to 11 A.M. daily, on ordnance and gunnery
from 2 to 4 P.M., alternating with law.
The second class have natural and experimental philosophy
from 8 to 11 A.M. daily, and chemistry, alternating with
riding, from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.; also drawing in pencil from
2 to 4 P.M. For instruction in this department the class is
divided into two as nearly equal parts as practicable, which
alternate in attendance at the Drawing Academy.
The third class have pure mathematics, analytical Geometry,
descriptive geometry, and the principles of shades, shadows,
and perspective, from 8 to 11 A.M. daily. They also have
French from 11 A.M., till 1 P.M., alternating with Spanish.
The entire class attend drawing daily till November 1st,
when it is divided into two equal parts or platoons, which
attend drawing and riding on alternate clays. Riding!
"Yearling riding!" I must advert to that before I go
further. First let me describe it. A platoon of yearlings,
twenty, thirty, forty perhaps; as many horses; a spacious
riding hall, with galleries that seat but too many
mischievous young ladies, and whose interior is well
supplied with tan bark, make up the principal objects in the
play. Nay, I omit the most important characters, the
Instructor and the necessary number of enlisted, men.
Act I.
Scene I.
Area of barracks. At guard house door stands an orderly,
with drum in hands. In the area a number of cadets, some in
every day attire, others dressed ą la cavalier. These ą la
cavalier fellows are going to take their first lesson in
riding. About four fifths of them were never on a horse in
their lives, and hence what dire expectations hover over
their ordinarily placid heads! They have heard from the
upper classmen what trials the novice experiences in his
first efforts, and they do not go to the riding hall without
some dread. Four o clock and ten minutes. The drum is
beaten.
Officer of the Day. Form your platoon! Right, face! Call
your roll!
Section Marcher. Bejay! Barnes! Du Furing! Swikeheimer! Du
Flicket, etc.
Platoon (answering to their names). Here! Here re-re!
ho-o-o! hi-i-i! har-ar-ar! Heer-r!
Section Marcher (facing about salutes). All are present,
sir!
Officer of the Day (returning salute). March off your
platoon, sir!
Section Marcher (facing about). Left face! forward. March!
(Curtain falls.)
Act II.
Scene I.
The riding hall, a large, spacious, rectangular structure,
door on each side and at each end, floor well covered with
tan bark, spacious gallery over each side door, staircases
outside leading to them. Galleries are occupied, one by
ladies, and, perhaps a number of gentlemen, and the other by
enlisted men usually. In the centre of the hall are a number
of horses, each equipped with a surcingle, blanket, and
watering bridle. A soldier stands at the head of each one of
them. As curtain rises enter platoon by side door, and
marches around the left flank of the line of horses and as
far forward as necessary.
Section Marcher. Platoon, halt! left, face! (Saluting
Instructor) All are present, sir!
Instructor (saluting). The Section Marcher will take his
place on the left.
He then gives all necessary instruction.
"To mount the trooper the Instructor first causes him to
stand to horse by the command Stand to horse! At this
command " Well, see "Cavalry Tactics."
We've got the trooper mounted now. After some further
explanation the Instructor forms them into a column of files
by the commands:
"By file, by the right (or left) flank. March!"
They are now going around the hall at a walk, a slow, snail
like pace, but what figures some of them present! Still all
goes on quite well. The Instructor is speaking:
"To trot," says he, "raise the hands" ("yearlings" use both
hands) "slightly. This is to apprise the horse that you want
his attention. Then lower the hands slightly, and at the
same time gently press the horse with the legs until he
takes the gait desired. As soon as he does, relax the
pressure." A long pause. The occupants of the galleries are
looking anxiously on. They know what is coming next. They
have seen these drills over and over again. And so each
trooper awaits anxiously the next command. Alas! It comes!
"Trot!"
What peals of laughter from that cruel gallery! But why? Ah!
See there that trooper struggling in the tan bark while a
soldier pursues his steed. He is not hurt. He gets up,
brushes away the tan bark, remounts and starts off again.
But there, he s off again! He s continually falling off or
jumping off purposely (?). What confusion! There comes one
at a full gallop, sticking on as best he can; but there, the
poor fellow is off. The horses are running away. The
troopers are dropping off everywhere in the hall. No one is
hurt. Alas! they pressed too hard to keep on, and instead of
relaxing the pressure at the desired gait, the trot, they
kept on pressing, the horse taking the trot, the gallop, the
run, and the trooper, alas! the dust. Again they had the
reins too long, and instead of holding on by the flat of the
thighs with their feet parallel to the horse, we see them
making all sorts of angles. But that gallery! that gallery!
how I used to wish it wasn't there! The very sight of a lady
under such circumstances is most embarrassing.
Fair ones, why will you thus torture the "yearlings" by your
at other times so desirable presence?
The fourth class have pure mathematics, and algebra, daily
from 8 to 11 A.M., and French also, daily, from 2 to 4 P.M.
Beginning on October 15th, or as near that time as
practicable, they have fencing, and the use of the bayonet
and small sword.
During the month of September cadets of all classes, or the
battalion, are instructed in the infantry tactics in the
"School of the Battalion." Near the end of the month it is
customary to excuse the officers of the first class from
these drills, and to detail privates to perform their duties
for one drill only at a time. The other classes are in
ranks, or the line of file closers, according as they are
sergeants, guides, or privates.
During October the several classes receive practical
instruction as follows: The first class in military
engineering, the manner of making and recording the details
of a military reconnaissance, and field sketching; the
second class in siege and sea coast artillery, and military
signaling and telegraphy. The class is divided into two
parts, composed of the odd and even numbers, which attend
drills on alternate days that is, artillery one day and
signaling the next; the third class in light or field
artillery, and the theory and principles of "target
practice." Sometimes this latter is given during camp, as is
most convenient. Sometimes, also, they receive instruction
in ordnance. This, however, is generally deferred till they
become first classmen.
For further instruction of the first class the following
part of the personnel of a light battery is detailed from
that class, viz.: three chiefs of platoon, one chief of
caissons, one guidon, and six chiefs of section. Each member
of the class is detailed for each of these offices in his
proper order.
The fourth class receives instruction in field artillery at
the "foot batteries." This instruction is limited to the
nomenclature and manual of the piece. Here, also, to assist
the instructor, a chief of piece for each piece is detailed.
They are required to correct all errors made by the plebes,
and sometimes even to drill them. Hence a knowledge of
tactics is indispensable, and the means of fixing such
knowledge in the mind is afforded.
Sometimes also two first classmen are required to assist at
the siege or sea coast batteries.
Every day throughout the year a guard is mounted. It
consists of two officers of the guard sometimes only one one
sergeant, three corporals or more and twenty four privates
sometimes, also, eighteen or twenty-one in camp, and
twenty-seven in barracks. Every day, also, there is one
officer of the day detailed from the first class.
The weather permitting, we have "dress parade" daily. When
unfavorable, on account of snow, rain, or severe cold, we
have "undress parade" that is, parade without arms and in
undress or fatigue uniform, the object being to get us all
together to publish the orders, etc., for the morrow. After
November 1st we usually have "undress parade," and then
"supper mess parade." Between these two ceremonies the
cadets amuse themselves at the gymnasium, dancing or
skating, or "spooneying," or at the library; generally, I
think the upper classmen at any rate at the library. After
supper we have recreation and then study. And thus we "live
and do" till January.
The semi-annual examination begins January 1st, or as soon
thereafter as practicable. The plebes are examined first,
and started in their new studies as soon as possible. After
the plebes the other classes are examined in the order of
their rank that is, first class, second class, and third
class and of the importance of their studies, engineering
being first, then philosophy, and mathematics, etc.
The examination being over, the deficient ones, after
receiving orders from the Secretary of War, are dismissed.
Studies are then resumed as follows:
For the first class military engineering, ordnance, and
gunnery, constitutional law, military law, rules of
evidence, practice of courts martial, mineralogy, and
geology, strategy, and grand tactics, and the throwing and
dismantling of pontoon bridges. For the second class,
acoustics and optics, astronomy, analytical mechanics in
review; infantry, artillery, and cavalry tactics; drawing,
riding, and signalling. For the third class, calculus,
surveying, geometry, and riding. Immediately after the
examination the entire third class receive instruction in
mechanical drawing before they begin their other
mathematical studies. For the fourth class the studies are
plane geometry, trigonometry, descriptive geometry, and
fencing, including the use of the small sword, broad sword,
and bayonet.
Parades, guard duty, etc., remain as previously described
until about the middle of March usually. At that time the
ordinary routine of drills, dress parades, etc., is resumed;
but drills in this order, viz., from March 15th to April 1st
instruction in the school of the company; in artillery
tactics, as before described during April; and in infantry
tactics, in the "School of the Battalion," during May. The
annual examination takes place in June. The following diary,
made for the purpose of insertion here, will best explain
what generally occurs during the month:
Memoranda.
Thursday, June 1, 1876. Resumed white pants at 5.10
P.M. Received Board of Visitors by a review at 5.10 P.M.
Examination begun at 9 A.M. First class, engineering. Salute
of fifteen guns at meridian to Board of Visitors.
Friday, June 2. First class, engineering finished.
Second class, philosophy commenced. Siege battery drill at
5.10 P.M.
Saturday, June 3. Second class, philosophy continued.
Monday, June 5. Light battery at 5.10 P.M. A yearling
lost his "white continuations." Plebes went to parade.
Tuesday, June 6. Fourth class, entire in French.
Examination written. Second class, philosophy finished.
First class, mineralogy and geology begun. Third class,
mathematics begun. Battalion drill at 5.10 P.M.
Wednesday, June 7. Second class turned out, marched
to sea coast battery at 11 A.M. Three detachments selected.
Rest marched back and dismissed. Cavalry drill at 5.10 P.M.
Six second classmen turned out. Plebes put in battalion.
Thursday, June 8. Plebes put on guard. Pontoon
bridging, 5.10 P. M.
Friday, June 9. Battalion skirmish drill 5.10 P.M.
Deployed to front at double time. Second, fourth, and
seventh companies reserve. Almost all maneuvers at double
time. Deployed by numbers and charged. Marched in in line,
band on right. Broke into column of companies to the left,
changed direction to the right, obliqued to the left, moved
forward and formed "front into line, faced to the rear."
Arms inspected, ammunition returned. Dismissed.
Saturday, June 10. Third class, mathematics finished. Miss
Philips sang to cadets in mess hall after supper. First
class, ordnance begun.
Sunday, June 11. Graduating sermon by Hon. , of
Princeton, N. J., closing "hime," "When shall we meet
again?" Graduating dinner at 2 P.M.
Monday, June 12. Detail from first class to ride in
hall. Use of sabre and pistol on horseback. First class,
ordnance finished. Law begun.
Tuesday, June 13. First class finished. Board divided
into committees. Second class, chemistry begun. Graduating
parade. Corps cheered by graduates after parade. Hop in
evening; also German; whole continuing till 3 A.M. Rumor has
it two first classmen, Slocum and Guilfoyle, are "found" in
ordnance and engineering.
Wednesday, June 14. Fourth class, mathematics begun.
Salute seventeen guns at 10 A.M. in honor of arrival at post
of General Sherman and Colonel Poe of his staff. Graduating
exercises from 11 A.M. till near 1 P.M. Addresses to
graduates. Mortar practice and fireworks at night.
This ended the "gala" days at West Point in 76.
Thursday, June 15. Usual routine of duties resumed.
Company drills in the afternoon from 5.10 to 6.10 P.M.
Rather unusual, but we re going to the Centennial. Rumor has
it we encamp Saturday the 17th for ten days.
Friday, June 16. Dom Pedro, emperador de la Brasil
estaba recibiado para un "review" a las cuatro horas y
quarenta y cinco minutos. El embarcó por la ciudad de Nueva
York inmediatemente Second class, chemistry finished. Third
class, French begun.
Saturday, June 17. Third class, French finished.
Third class, Spanish begun. "Camp rumor" not true.
Monday, June 19. Moved into camp, aligned tent floors
at 5 A. M. in the rain. Required by order to move in effects
at 9 A. M., and to march in and pitch tents at 12 M. Rained
in torrents. Marched in, etc., at 9 A.M. Effects moved in
afterwards. Rain ceased by 12 M. Marched in. Second class,
tactics finished. Third class, Spanish finished.
Ordinarily as soon as the examination is over the third
class take advantage of the two months furlough allowed
them, while other classes go into camp. This encampment
begins June 17th, or a day or two earlier or later,
according to circumstances. This brings me to the end of the
first year. I have described camp life, and also, I observe,
each of the remaining years of cadet life. On July 1st the
plebes become the fourth class; the original fourth the
third; the third, now on furlough, the second; and the
second the first. I have given in an earlier part of my
narrative the studies, etc., of these several classes.
The plebe, or fourth class of the previous year, are now
become yearlings, and are therefore in their "yearling
camp." At the end of every month an extract from the class
and conduct report of each cadet is sent to his parents or
guardian for their information. I insert a copy of one of
these monthly reports.
United States Military Academy,
West Point, N. Y., March 26, 1875.
Extract from the Class and Conduct Reports of the Military
Academy for the month of February, 1875, furnished for the
information of Parents and Guardians,
Third Class Composed of 83 Members.
Cadet Henry O. Flipper
Was, in Mathematics, No. 48
French, No. 48
Spanish, No. 37
Drawing, No. 40
His demerit for the month is 2, and since the commencement
of the academic half year, 23.
Robt. H. Hall,
Captain 10th Infantry,
Adjutant Military Academy.
Regulations For The Military
Academy.
Par. 71. When any Cadet shall have a total of numbers
[of demerit] thus recorded, exceeding one hundred in six
months, he shall be declared deficient in discipline.
Par. 153. No Cadet shall apply for, or receive money,
or any other supplies from his parents, or from any person
whomsoever, without permission of the Superintendent.
Note. The attention of Parents and Guardians is
invited to the foregoing Regulations. The permission
referred to in paragraph 153 must be obtained before the
shipment to the cadet of the supplies desired.
Henry Ossian Flipper, The Colored Cadet at West Point, 1878