The fourth cla.s.s 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 cla.s.ses, 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 cla.s.s from these drills, and to detail privates to perform their duties for one drill only at a time. The other cla.s.ses are in ranks, or the line of file-closers, according as they are sergeants, guides, or privates.

During October the several cla.s.ses receive practical instruction as follows: The first cla.s.s in military engineering, the manner of making and recording the details of a military reconnoissance, and field sketching; the second cla.s.s in siege and sea-coast artillery, and military signalling and telegraphy.

The cla.s.s is divided into two parts, composed of the odd and even numbers, which attend drills on alternate days--that is, artillery one day and signalling the next; the third cla.s.s 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-cla.s.smen.

For further instruction of the first cla.s.s the following part of the personnel of a light battery is detailed from that cla.s.s, viz.: three chiefs of platoon, one chief of caissons, one guidon, and six chiefs of section. Each member of the cla.s.s is detailed for each of these offices in his proper order.

The fourth cla.s.s receives instruction in field artillery at the "foot batteries." This instruction is limited to the nomenclature and manual of the piece. Here, also, to a.s.sist 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-cla.s.smen are required to a.s.sist 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 cla.s.s.

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 cla.s.smen 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 cla.s.ses are examined in the order of their rank--that is, first cla.s.s, second cla.s.s, and third cla.s.s--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 cla.s.s military engineering, ordnance, and gunnery, const.i.tutional 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 cla.s.s, acoustics and optics, astronomy, a.n.a.lytical mechanics in review; infantry, artillery, and cavalry tactics; drawing, riding, and signalling.

For the third cla.s.s, calculus, surveying, geometry, and riding. Immediately after the examination the entire third cla.s.s receive instruction in mechanical drawing before they begin their other mathematical studies. For the fourth cla.s.s 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 cla.s.s, engineering. Salute of fifteen guns at meridian to Board of Visitors.

Friday, June 2.--First cla.s.s, engineering finished.

Second cla.s.s, philosophy commenced. Siege battery drill at 5.10 P.M.

Sat.u.r.day, June 3.--Second cla.s.s, 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 cla.s.s, entire in French.

Examination written. Second cla.s.s, philosophy finished. First cla.s.s, mineralogy and geology begun. Third cla.s.s, mathematics begun. Battalion drill at 5.10 P.M.

Wednesday, June 7.--Second cla.s.s 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-cla.s.smen 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 manoeuvres 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.

Sat.u.r.day, June 10.--Third cla.s.s, mathematics finished.

Miss Philips sang to cadets in mess hall after supper.

First cla.s.s, 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 cla.s.s to ride in hall. Use of sabre and pistol on horseback. First cla.s.s, ordnance finished. Law begun.

Tuesday, June 13.--First cla.s.s finished. Board divided into committees. Second cla.s.s, 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-cla.s.smen, Sloc.u.m and Guilfoyle, are "found" in ordnance and engineering.

Wednesday, June 14.--Fourth cla.s.s, 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 Sat.u.r.day 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 embarco por la ciudad de Nueva York inmediatemente Second cla.s.s, chemistry finished. Third cla.s.s, French begun.

Sat.u.r.day, June 17.--Third cla.s.s, French finished.

Third cla.s.s, 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 cla.s.s, tactics finished. Third cla.s.s, Spanish finished.

Ordinarily as soon as the examination is over the third cla.s.s take advantage of the two months'

furlough allowed them, while other cla.s.ses go into camp. This encampment begins June 17th, or a day or two earlier or later, according to circ.u.mstances.

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 cla.s.s; 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 cla.s.ses.

The plebe, or fourth cla.s.s 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 cla.s.s 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 Cla.s.s and Conduct Reports of the MILITARY ACADEMY for the month of February, 1875, furnished for the information of Parents and Guardians,

THIRD CLa.s.s--Composed of 83 Members.

Cadet Henry O. Flipper