THE SPIRIT OF WEST POINT
On a fine bright morning about the middle of June, every year, the
Corps of Cadets wakes up to find that Battle Monument and vicinity have
been completely transformed. The Quartermaster’s men have canopied a
portion of the monument’s platform with beautiful brand-new flags,
and placed under them comfortable wicker chairs for the President,
the Secretary of War, the various generals, and other dignitaries who
usually honor West Point with their presence on this graduation day.
On the front edge of the platform is a rostrum, flag bedecked, for the
speaker of the occasion, and spread over the green lawn are rows and
rows of seats that await the coming of the cadets. Promptly at ten
o’clock, the Corps swings across the parade ground to take its place
for the final ceremonies that mark the separation of another class from
its midst.
This is the day of days in the life of each man of the graduation
class. His four years are at last completed and he is about to be given
the great prize for which he has so ardently striven--a commission
in the Army. As he takes his seat in front of the platform, he is a
little nervous in spite of the joy at having achieved his ambition. He
realizes that he is about to sever the ties that have held him fast for
the last four years and to bid farewell to a portion of his life that
is finished. A little tug comes at his heart-strings but it quickly
vanishes as he listens to the eloquent words of the chief speaker,
oftentimes the President, unfolding to his receptive imagination the
duties and honors that await him in his new life as an officer. And
when the President reminds him of West Point, of her traditions, of the
advantages that he has been lovingly given, and of what is expected
of him in the Army, there comes to his eyes a moisture from pride and
gratitude. Into his mind rapidly crowd a thousand and one recollections
of his associations at the Academy. He knows now that he must leave the
Corps behind, that he must renounce the delightful camaraderie of its
members, and give up the beautiful surroundings wherein he has grown in
body, mind, and soul.
It is true that he can no longer wear the “gray,” or take away with
him his friends, or the buildings, but he does take away with him
something that is finer than all of these. One can see it in his face
and in his bearing. He goes forth, his heart armed with the triple
brass of Duty, Honor, Country, and his soul filled with the Spirit
of West Point. All of his nature has been elevated and benefited
by this indefinable essence. It forever connects him with hundreds
of other men in all parts of our country and identifies him with an
institution whose very name, WEST POINT, no matter where seen or heard,
thrills him with pleasure. This name connotes the details of the most
impressionable period of his life. Even the words themselves seem to
have a distinction and personality that no other words possess. They
are flavored with romance and make one think of something fresh and
crisp and clean, something almost hallowed. They are themselves clothed
with the spirit of the place under whose influence and power he will
forever remain.
He leaves the Academy to join the great fraternity of West Pointers in
the Service, animated by the same spirit. With them, he is this year
(1917) called upon by the President to train for war a large army of
his fellow citizens, and prepare them to meet an enemy schooled in the
art of war by disciplined leaders. West Point sends him forth to this
task, rich in knowledge. His Alma Mater is confident that he will train
these men of the new Army in the fundamentals of their profession and
that he will inspire them with his ideals of courage and of honor, and
imbue them with the Spirit of West Point.
[Illustration:
_Photo White Studio_
Graduation--President Wilson Addressing the Graduating Class
“We’ll bid farewell to Cadet grey and don the Army blue”]
In the training of the National Army, he will have all sorts of men
under his command, but the spirit of the Academy will make him patient
and kind with the stupid, lend a hand to the weak, give a word of cheer
to the down-hearted (there will be plenty of them), and instill
into all the ideal of duty. The kind of discipline that he himself
received at West Point will be theirs. He will teach them to bear
uncomplainingly their burdens, to be loyal and obedient, to care for
their health, and to march and to fight with a spirit that knows not
weariness or depression. Then when these men shall be sufficiently
trained, he will go with them to France, in the wake of the first
division of Regulars led by a gallant West Pointer, Major-General
John J. Pershing. Here he will appreciate as never before the value
of a great moral force like the spirit of West Point. It will aid
him in overcoming the obstacles in his path and in those of his men,
especially when the heroics of war and the novelty of being abroad have
ceased to interest them, and they find themselves in the trenches in
No Man’s Land. They will be drenched by the rain and burnt by the sun;
they will have to endure the vermin, the mud, and the dust. They will
be driven nearly mad by the shrieking and bursting of the shells, they
will see their comrades killed and wounded, and perhaps they too will
suffer the same fate, but they will not flinch; because he who leads
them will have given them something of his spirit--a part of himself
that West Point made. He must be the prop upon which they may lean,
if need be, and his spirit the reservoir upon which they may draw for
refreshment. And should he be called upon to pay the supreme sacrifice,
he will leave them the Spirit of West Point to carry them to victory,
while he goes to join the ghostly assemblage of his fellow West
Pointers, standing bareheaded to salute him, as he has stood many times
in the presence of the living Corps.
The Corps! Bareheaded salute it,
With eyes up, thanking our God
That we of the Corps are treading,
Where they of the Corps have trod--
They are here in ghostly assemblage,
The men of the Corps long dead,
And our hearts are standing attention,
While we wait for their passing tread.
We, sons of today, we salute you,
You sons of its earlier day,
We follow, close order behind you
Where you have pointed the way;
The long gray line of us stretches
Through the years of a century told,
And the last man feels to his marrow
The grip of your far-off hold.
Grip hands with us now, though we see not,
Grip hands with us, strengthen our hearts,
As the long line stiffens and straightens,
With the thrill that your presence imparts.
Grip hands, though it be from the shadows,
While we swear, as you did of yore,
Or living or dying to honor
The Corps, and the Corps, and the Corps.
APPENDIX
(From the Official Register of the United States Military
Academy--1916)
WAR DEPARTMENT
Information Relative to the Appointment and Admission
of Cadets to the United States
Military Academy
(1916 Edition. Revised Annually.)
[Communications relating to matters connected with the Military
Academy should be addressed to The Adjutant General
of the Army, Washington, D. C.]
THE CORPS OF CADETS
The Act of Congress approved May 4, 1916, provides as follows:
“That the Corps of Cadets at the United States Military Academy shall
hereafter consist of two for each Congressional district, two from each
Territory, four from the District of Columbia, two from natives of
Porto Rico, four from each State at large, and eighty from the United
States at large, twenty of whom shall be selected from among the honor
graduates of educational institutions having officers of the Regular
Army detailed as professors of military science and tactics under
existing law or any law hereafter enacted for the detail of officers
of the Regular Army to such institutions, and which institutions are
designated as ’honor schools’ upon the determination of their relative
standing at the last preceding annual inspection regularly made by the
War Department. They shall be appointed by the President and shall,
with the exception of the eighty appointed from the United States
at large, be actual residents of the Congressional or Territorial
district, or of the District of Columbia, or of the island of Porto
Rico, or of the States, respectively, from which they purport to be
appointed: _Provided_, That so much of the Act of Congress approved
March fourth, nineteen hundred and fifteen (Thirty-eighth Statutes
at Large, page eleven hundred and twenty-eight), as provides for
the admission of a successor to any cadet who shall have finished
three years of his course at the academy be, and the same is hereby,
repealed: _Provided further_: That the appointment of each member of
the present Corps of Cadets is validated and confirmed.
“Sec. 2. That the President is hereby authorized to appoint cadets to
the United States Military Academy from among enlisted men in number
as nearly equal as practicable of the Regular Army and the National
Guard between the ages of nineteen and twenty-two years who have served
as enlisted men not less than one year, to be selected under such
regulations as the President may prescribe: _Provided_, That the total
number so selected shall not exceed one hundred and eighty at any one
time.
“Sec. 3. That, under such regulations as the President shall prescribe,
the increase in the number of cadets provided for by this Act shall be
divided into four annual increments, which shall be as nearly equal as
practicable and be equitably distributed among the sources from which
appointments are authorized.”
=Annual Increments.=--States at large, 21; Congressional districts,
92; Alaska, District of Columbia, Hawaii and Porto Rico, combined, 1
each year to the source longest without an appointment, and, when the
periods are equal, the choice to be by lot; Honor Schools, 5; Regular
Army, 23 in 1916, 22 in 1917, 23 in 1918, and 22 in 1919; National
Guard, 22 in 1916, 23 in 1917, 22 in 1918, and 23 in 1919.
APPOINTMENTS
=How Made.=--The appointments from a Congressional district are made
upon the recommendation of the Representative in Congress from that
district, and those from a State at large upon the recommendations
of the Senators of the State. Similarly, the appointments from
a Territory are made upon the recommendation of the Delegate in
Congress. The appointments from the District of Columbia are made
upon the recommendation of the Commissioners of the District. Each
person appointed must be an actual resident of the State, District, or
Territory from which the appointment is made.
The appointments from the United States at large are made by the
President of the United States upon his own selection. The cadets from
Porto Rico, who must be natives of that island, are appointed by the
President on the recommendation of the Resident Commissioner.
The appointments from among the honor graduates of educational
institutions designated as “honor schools” will be made upon the
recommendation of the heads of the respective schools.
The appointments from among the enlisted men of the National Guard will
be made upon the recommendation of the Governors of the respective
States and Territories.
The appointments from among the enlisted men of the regular army will
be made upon the recommendation of the Commanding Generals of the
Territorial Departments.
The Secretary of War is authorized to permit not exceeding four
Filipinos, to be designated, one for each class, by the Governor
General of the Philippine Islands, to receive instruction at the United
States Military Academy at West Point: _Provided_, That the Filipinos
undergoing instruction, shall receive the same pay, allowances,
and emoluments as are authorized by law for cadets at the Military
Academy appointed from the United States, to be paid out of the same
appropriations: _And provided further_, That said Filipinos undergoing
instruction on graduation shall be eligible only to commissions in
the Philippine Scouts. And the provisions of section 1321, Revised
Statutes, are modified in the case of Filipinos undergoing instruction,
so as to require them to engage to serve for eight years, unless sooner
discharged, in the Philippine Scouts.
=Date of Appointments.=--Appointments are required by law to be made
_one year in advance_ of the date of admission, except in cases where,
by reason of death or other cause, a vacancy occurs which cannot be
provided for by such appointment in advance. These vacancies are filled
in time for the next examination.
=Candidates.=--For each vacancy from a State at large, or Congressional
or Territorial district, _three candidates_ should be nominated, one of
the candidates to be named as _principal_, one as _first alternate_,
and one as _second alternate_. The first alternate, if qualified,
will be admitted in the event of failure of the principal; the second
alternate, if qualified, will be admitted in the event of the failure
of the principal and the first alternate.
For vacancies in the cadetships allotted to the honor graduates of the
“honor schools,” _one candidate_ may be nominated each year before
September 1st from each school. In case the total number of candidates
so nominated is not equal to three times the number of vacancies, the
War Department will assign additional appointments among the schools to
complete this total.
For vacancies in the cadetships allotted to the enlisted men of
the National Guard, the candidates will be apportioned as near as
practicable among the States, Districts, and Territories according to
their enlisted strength. With the exception of the candidates from
the District of Columbia, they will be selected by the Governors from
successful competitors in a _preliminary examination_ held between
January 1st and January 15th of each year, such examination to be of
a scope and nature similar to the regular examination for entrance to
the United States Military Academy. The candidates from the National
Guard of the District of Columbia will be similarly selected by the
Commanding General of that organization.
The candidates nominated for the cadetships allotted to the enlisted
men of the regular army shall not exceed three times the number of
existing vacancies and shall be equitably distributed among the
Territorial Departments by the War Department. If the number of
applications in any Department exceed the share allotted to it by the
War Department, the candidates in such Department will be chosen from
the successful competitors in a _preliminary examination_ held between
January 1st and January 15th, such examination to be of a scope and
nature similar to the regular examination for entrance to the United
States Military Academy.[6]
Each candidate designated to take the regular examination for admission
to the United States Military Academy will receive from the War
Department a letter of appointment, and he must appear for examination
at the time and place designated therein.[7]
Fitness for admission will be determined as prescribed in the
Regulations, United States Military Academy.
REGULAR EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES
Examinations of candidates will be competitive in the following
classes, and will be the regular examination for entrance to the United
States Military Academy:
(1) Candidates from the United States at Large, other than honor
graduates of honor schools.
(2) Candidates from the United States at Large, who are honor graduates
of honor schools.
(3) Candidates from the enlisted men of the National Guard.
(4) Candidates from the enlisted men of the Regular Army.
The Filipino candidates selected for appointment, unless otherwise
notified by the War Department, shall appear for mental and physical
examination on the second Tuesday in January of each year before a
board of Army officers to be convened at such place in the Philippine
Islands as the commanding general of the Philippine Department may
designate.
=Admission by Examinations.=--On the third Tuesday in March of each
year candidates selected for appointment shall appear for mental and
physical examination before boards of Army officers to be convened at
such places as the War Department may designate.
Each candidate must show by examination that he is well versed in
algebra, to include quadratic equations and progressions, and in plane
geometry, English grammar, composition and literature, descriptive and
physical geography, and general and United States history, as explained
in the circular of notification.
=Admission by Certificate.=--The Academic Board will consider and _may
accept_ in lieu of the regular mental examination:
(1) A properly attested certificate (Form I) that the candidate is
a regularly enrolled student in good standing without condition in
a university, college, or technical school accredited by the United
States Military Academy, provided that the entrance requirements of the
course he is pursuing require proficiency in subjects amounting to not
less than 14 units of the list given below.
If attendance at college extends over a semester, a full record of
academic work at the college, giving subjects taken and grades
attained in each, must accompany the certificate; if attendance at
college extends over less than a semester and the candidate was
admitted to college by certificate, a certificate (Form II) from the
preparatory school giving a full record of studies taken and grades
attained must accompany the college certificate. If a scrutiny of
the certificate submitted shows low grades, the certificate will be
rejected.
A certificate indicating enrollment in or admission to an institution
at any other time than that specified in the college register for
regular admission or enrollment will be not accepted.
(2) A properly attested certificate (Form II) that the candidate has
graduated from a preparatory school or public high school accredited by
the United States Military Academy, provided that he has in his school
work shown proficiency in subjects amounting to not less than 14 units
of the list given below.
If a scrutiny of the certificate submitted shows evidence of low grades
or of graduation at an irregular date, the certificate will be rejected.
(3) A properly attested certificate (Form III) from the College
Entrance Examination Board that the candidate has shown proficiency in
the examinations set by the board in subjects amounting to 14 units
from the list given below. If a scrutiny of the certificate submitted
shows low grades, the certificate will be rejected.
* * * * *
The list of subjects and the corresponding weights in units is as
follows:
(_a_) REQUIRED.
_Every certificate must show evidence of proficiency in the following
subjects._
Units.
Mathematics, A1 1
Mathematics, A2 ½
Mathematics, C 1
English, A 2
English, B 1
Units.
History, A }
History, B }
History, C } any two 2
History, D }
-----
7½
(_b_) OPTIONAL.
_The remaining 6½ units may be supplied from among the following
subjects, and no others._
Units.
Mathematics, B ½
Mathematics, D ½
Mathematics, E ½
Mathematics, F ½
History, A } Any not submitted 1
History, B } among 1
History, C } required subjects 1
History, D } 1
Latin, 1 1
Latin, 2 1
Latin, 3 2
Latin, 4 1
Latin, 5 1
Greek, A1 ½
Greek, A2 ½
Greek, B 1
Greek, C 1
Greek, F 1
French, A 2
French, B Either one 1
French, BC but not both 2
German, A 2
German, B Either one 1
German, BC but not both 2
Spanish 2
Physics 1
Chemistry 1
Biology 1
Botany 1
Physiology 1
Physical geography 1
Drawing 1
-----
35
The definition of unit and of the ground covered by the designated
subjects is that of the College Entrance Examination Board. Credits
must correspond to the unit values of the respective subjects. Greater
credit than indicated will not be allowed; less credit will be
understood as evidence that the entire subject has not been completed.
Certificates should be submitted not later than February 15th. A
certificate received between February 15th and the examination will
receive consideration, but in view of the short time left to the
Academic Board to investigate its value, no assurance will be given
that such certificate can be acted on in time to exempt the candidate
from the mental examination.
Candidates who submit certificates on a date which does not allow the
Academic Board sufficient time to investigate its value and notify
them regarding the final action thereon prior to the day set for the
examination, should proceed with the regular examination.
Candidates who are informed that their certificates have been accepted
must present themselves at the regular time and place as herein
prescribed, for physical examination.
A certificate which is accepted as satisfactory for one examination
will be regarded as satisfactory for any other examination which may be
set for entrance with the same class.
Any certificate accepted for one class, and presented for a succeeding
class, should be accompanied with a full statement of the candidate’s
educational work in the interim, and both certificate and statement
will be subject to careful scrutiny by the Academic Board. (Par. 65,
Regs., U. S. M. A.)
All necessary papers, =including a set of blank certificate forms=, are
furnished to each duly nominated candidate by The Adjutant General of
the Army.
_Note._--Certificates will be accepted only from candidates appointed
from States at large, Congressional districts, Territories, and the
District of Columbia.
Certificates may be accepted for admission of candidates from the
Regular Army and National Guard in the same manner as they are accepted
for candidates nominated by Congressmen, except that acceptable
certificates entitle the candidate to appointment only in case the
authorized number of vacancies for that year are not filled by the
regular examination.
=Date of Admission.=--Candidates who fully conform to the requirements
set forth in the preceding paragraphs, and who report in person to
the Superintendent before 10:30 A.M. the second day, Sunday excepted,
following the date of regular graduation, shall be admitted as cadets
of the United States Military Academy, and shall receive their warrants
as soon as practicable.
_Engagement to Serve._--Immediately after reporting to the
Superintendent for admission and before receiving their warrants of
appointment candidates are required to sign in the presence of the
Superintendent, or of some officer deputed by him, engagements for
service in the following form:
I, ---- ----, of the State (or Territory) of ----, aged ---- years,
---- months, do hereby engage (with consent of my parent or guardian)
that from the date of my admission as a cadet of the United States
Military Academy I will serve in the Army of the United States for
eight years unless sooner discharged by competent authority.
In the presence of ---- ----.
In the case of the Filipino cadets the engagement shall be made to
serve in the Philippine Scouts. (See Sec. 1321, R. S.)
_Oath of Allegiance._--Each cadet shall, previous to his admission to
the academy, take and subscribe an oath or affirmation in the following
form:
I, ---- ----, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of
the United States and bear true allegiance to the National Government;
that I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States
paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty I may owe
to any State, county, or country whatsoever, and that I will at all
times obey the legal orders of my superior officers and the rules and
articles governing the Armies of the United States. (Sec. 1320, R. S.)
Sworn to and subscribed at ---- this -- day of ----, nineteen hundred
and --, before me.
=Qualifications.=--No candidate shall be admitted who is under 17 or
over 22 years of age or less than 5 feet 4 inches in height at the age
of 17, or 5 feet 5 inches in height at the age of 18 and upward, or
who is deformed or afflicted with any disease or infirmity which would
render him unfit for the military service or who has, at the time of
presenting himself, any disorder of an infectious or immoral character.
Candidates must be unmarried.
Each candidate must on reporting at West Point present a certificate
showing successful vaccination within one year; or a certificate of two
vaccinations made at least a month apart, within three months.
_Note._--Candidates are eligible for admission from the day they are 17
until the day they become 22 years of age, on which latter day they are
not eligible.
Each candidate designated as principal or alternate for appointment as
cadet at the Military Academy should ascertain as soon as practicable
whether or not he has any physical defect that would disqualify him for
admission to the academy or any that should be corrected by treatment
previous to presenting himself for examination. For this purpose
he should immediately cause himself to be examined by his family
physician, and, if he desires, also by an Army surgeon at the nearest
military post. Such an examination should enable the candidate to
decide whether to devote the time and possible expense which may be
necessary for preparation for the entrance examination or to relinquish
his appointment.
The presentation by a candidate of his letter of conditional
appointment, or the presentation by a _prospective_ candidate of a
letter signed by a Member of Congress stating that the bearer is to be
a candidate for cadet appointment and requesting that he be physically
examined, will be sufficient authority for an Army surgeon at any
military post to make the desired physical examination. Upon completion
of this examination, the Army surgeon will inform the candidate of the
result, and, in case a disability be found, whether such disability
is believed to be permanent and disqualifying for military service or
whether it is believed to be of a temporary or curable nature. The
examination is to be regarded as preliminary only, and in no manner to
affect the decision of the regular medical examining board.
CHARACTER OF EXAMINATIONS
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
The physical examination is conducted under the following instructions
prepared by the Surgeon General of the Army: Candidates who, upon
reporting, present evidence that they have been excused from the mental
examination under the provisions of the certificate privilege, or as
the result of having qualified mentally at a previous examination, are
usually examined physically as soon as possible after reporting and are
not required to wait until the schedule of mental examinations has been
completed. The physical examination of all candidates taking the mental
examination begins on the fourth day and is continued daily until
completed.
Hearing must be normal in both ears.
Vision as determined by the official test types must not fall below
20/40 in either eye. If below 20/20, it must be correctable to 20/20 by
proper glasses.
In the record of all examinations the acuity of vision without glasses,
and also with glasses when the acuity is less than 20/20, will be given
for each eye separately; in the latter case the correction will also be
noted.
Hyperopia with vision less than 20/20 and myopia or astigmatism,
either hyperopic or myopic, with vision less than 20/40, are causes for
rejection.
Squint uncorrectable by glasses (not prisms) is a cause for rejection.
Color blindness, red, green, or violet, is cause for rejection.
The foregoing requirements apply to eyes from disease, either acute or
chronic. All lesions of the fundus, except those due to simple myopia,
lesions not progressive in character, whether old or of recent origin,
are causes for rejection.
A certificate from a competent oculist may be accepted at the option of
the examining board, as evidence of freedom from lesions of the fundus.
_Teeth._--A candidate must have at least 12 of the 20 double teeth in
serviceable condition, so placed that 6 of them are “opposed” by 6
others. Where not all of the third molars have erupted and there are
none opposed, 8 serviceable double teeth must be present, so placed
that 4 are opposed by 4 others. Where there are two opposed third
molars, the requirements will be at least 6 double teeth opposed by
6 others. Well crowned teeth are considered as good teeth. Teeth
containing large cavities or exposed nerves are considered as cause
for rejection, but a candidate with unsound teeth may be accepted
subject to the condition of having cavities filled and teeth put in
satisfactory shape before the date set for his entrance to West Point.
The following are causes of disqualification if found to exist to such
a degree as would immediately or at no very distant period impair the
efficiency of the candidate:
1. Feeble constitution; unsound health from whatever cause;
indications of former disease, glandular swellings, or other
symptoms of scrofula.
2. Chronic cutaneous affections, especially of the scalp.
3. Severe injuries of the bones of the head; convulsions.
4. Impaired vision, from whatever cause; inflammatory affections
of the eyelids; immobility or irregularity of the iris; fistula
lachrymalis, etc.
5. Deafness; copious discharge from the ears.
6. Impediment of speech.
7. Want of due capacity of the chest, and any other indication of a
liability to a pulmonic disease.
8. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or both of the superior
extremities on account of fractures, especially of the clavicle,
contraction of a joint, deformity, etc.
9. An unusual excurvature or incurvature of the spine.
10. Hernia.
11. A varicose state of the veins of the scrotum or spermatic cord
(when large), hydrocele, hemorrhoids, fistulas.
12. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or both of the
inferior extremities on account of varicose veins, fractures,
malformation (flat feet, etc.), lameness, contraction, unequal
length, bunions, overlying or supernumerary toes, etc.
13. Ulcers or unsound cicatrices of ulcers likely to break out
afresh.
The requirements of the following tables of physical proportions are
_minimum for growing youths_ and are for the guidance of medical
officers in connection with the other data of the examination, a
consideration of all of which should determine the candidate’s physical
eligibility. Mere fulfilment of the requirements of the standard tables
does not determine eligibility, while on the other hand no departure
below the standard should be allowed unless upon the unanimous
recommendation of the medical examining board for excellent reasons
clearly stated in each case.
The physical requirements should be those of the age at the birthday
nearest the time of the examination. Fractions greater than one-half
inch will be considered as an additional inch of height, but candidates
17 years old must be at least 64 inches, and those 18 years and upward
at least 65 inches in height.
TABLE FOR PHYSICAL PROPORTION FOR HEIGHT, WEIGHT, AND CHEST MEASUREMENT
=========+===========+===========+===============+============
_Age._ | _Height_, | _Weight_, |_Chest_ | _Chest_
| _inches_. | _pounds_. |_measurement_--| _mobility_,
| | |_expiration_, | _inches_.
| | |_inches_. |
---------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------
{| 64 | 110 | 29 | 2
{| 65 | 112 | 29¼ | 2
{| 66 | 114 | 29½ | 2
{| 67 | 116 | 29¾ | 2
17 yrs. {| 68 | 119 | 30 | 2½
{| 69 | 122 | 30¼ | 2½
{| 70 | 125 | 30½ | 2½
{| 71 | 128 | 30¾ | 2½
---------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------
{| 65 | 117 | 30¼ | 2
{| 66 | 119 | 30½ | 2
{| 67 | 121 | 30¾ | 2
{| 68 | 124 | 31 | 2½
18 yrs. {| 69 | 127 | 31¼ | 2½
{| 70 | 130 | 31½ | 2½
{| 71 | 133 | 31¾ | 2½
{| 72 | 136 | 32 | 3
---------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------
{| 65 | 121 | 30¾ | 2
{| 66 | 123 | 31 | 2
{| 67 | 125 | 31¼ | 2
{| 68 | 129 | 31½ | 2½
19 yrs. {| 69 | 133 | 31¾ | 2½
{| 70 | 137 | 32 | 2½
{| 71 | 141 | 32¼ | 2½
{| 72 | 145 | 32½ | 3
{| 73 | 149 | 32¾ | 3
---------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------
{| 65 | 122 | 31 | 2
{| 66 | 124 | 31¼ | 2
{| 67 | 126 | 31½ | 2
{| 68 | 130 | 31¾ | 2½
{| 69 | 134 | 32 | 2½
20 yrs. {| 70 | 138 | 32¼ | 2½
{| 71 | 142 | 32½ | 2½
{| 72 | 146 | 32¾ | 3
{| 73 | 150 | 33 | 3
{| 74 | 154 | 33¼ | 3½
---------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------
{| 65 | 123 | 31¼ | 2
{| 66 | 125 | 31½ | 2
{| 67 | 127 | 31¾ | 2
{| 68 | 132 | 32 | 2½
{| 69 | 137 | 32¾ | 2½
21 yrs. {| 70 | 142 | 32½ | 2½
{| 71 | 147 | 32¾ | 2½
{| 72 | 152 | 33 | 3
{| 73 | 157 | 33¼ | 3
{| 74 | 162 | 33½ | 3½
{| 75 | 167 | 33¾ | 3½
---------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------
{| 65 | 125 | 31½ | 2
{| 66 | 127 | 31¾ | 2
{| 67 | 129 | 32 | 2
{| 68 | 134 | 32¼ | 2½
{| 69 | 139 | 32½ | 2½
{| 70 | 144 | 32¾ | 2½
22 yrs. {| 71 | 149 | 33 | 2½
{| 72 | 154 | 33¼ | 3
{| 73 | 159 | 33½ | 3
{| 74 | 164 | 33¾ | 3½
{| 75 | 169 | 34 | 3½
{| 76 | 174 | 34¼ | 4
---------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------
The following is a list of the Army posts at which the examination is
usually held:
Fort Banks, Mass.
Fort Slocum, N. Y.
Washington Barracks, D. C.
Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, La.
Fort Shafter, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Columbus Barracks, Ohio.
Fort Williams, Maine.
Fort St. Michaels, Alaska.
Fort Sill, Okla.
Fort Leavenworth, Kans.
Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
Fort Ethan Allen, Vt.
Fort Dade, Fla.
Fort Logan H. Roots, Ark.
Fort Logan, Colo.
Fort Sam Houston, Tex.
Presidio of San Francisco, Cal.
Corozal, Canal Zone.
Fort McPherson, Ga.
Fort Snelling, Minn.
Fort Sheridan, Ill.
Vancouver Barracks, Wash.
Fort Bliss, Texas.
Fort Wm. H. Seward, Alaska.
Fort Rosecrans, Cal.
MENTAL EXAMINATION
The examination takes place as follows, viz.:
1st Day.--Blank for personal and school history to be filled out
by all who report for examination, 11 a.m. to 12,
noon, 1 hour.
History, 1 to 5 p.m., 4 hours.
2d Day.--Algebra, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 4 hours.
Geography, 2 to 5 p.m., 3 hours.
3d Day.--Geometry, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 4 hours.
English Grammar, Composition, and Literature, 1:30 to
5:30 p.m., 4 hours.
Every candidate who reports is required to fill out, in the most
careful manner, the personal and school history sheet and the autograph
and official notification address blanks. The fact that a candidate may
be reporting for the physical examination only, does not by any means
exempt him from accomplishing these blanks, as the information they
contain is vitally necessary for the permanent and statistical records
of the Military Academy.
The candidate is given all assistance needed to insure the proper
filling out of these papers.
* * * * *
=Algebra.=--Candidates will be required to pass a satisfactory
examination in that portion of _algebra_ which includes the following
range of subjects: Definitions and notation; the fundamental laws; the
fundamental operations, viz.: Addition, subtraction, multiplication,
and division; factoring; highest common factor; lowest common multiple;
fractions, simple and complex; simple or linear equations with one
unknown quantity; simultaneous simple or linear equations with two
or more unknown quantities; graphical representation and solution
of linear equations with two unknowns; involution, including the
formation of the squares and cubes of polynomials; binomial theorem
with positive integral exponents; evolution, including the extraction
of the square and cube roots of polynomials and of numbers; theory of
exponents, radicals, including reduction and fundamental operations,
rationalization, equations involving radicals; operations with
imaginary numbers; quadratic equations; equations of quadratic form;
simultaneous quadratic equations; ratio and proportion; arithmetical
and geometrical progressions. Candidates will be required to solve
problems involving any of the principles or methods contained in the
foregoing subjects.
The following questions were used at a recent examination:
1. (_a_) Simplify [(_x_ - _y_)^2 + 6_xy_] - [(_x_^2 + 2_xy_) -
{_x_^2 - [2_xy_ - (4_xy_ - _y_^2)]} - (-_x_^2 - 2_xy_)].
(_b_) Factor (1) _a_^9_b_^9 + 64_c_^6 (2) _x_^2 - _y_^2 - 2_y_ - 1
(3) _x_^3 - 3_x_^2 + 4.
2. Solve [sqrt]((4/_x_^2) + 5) - [sqrt]((4/_x_^2) - 5) = 2. Prove
that your answers are correct.
3. How many terms will there be in the expansion of (_a_^{⅒} +
_b_^{⅕}×15) by the binomial formula?
Write the 6th term in the simplest form. What other term will have
the same coefficient?
Write down this term and simplify it.
4. A number of workmen, who receive the same wages, earn together
a certain sum. Had there been 7 more workmen, and had each one
received 25 cents more, their joint earnings would have increased
by $18.65. Had there been 4 fewer workmen, and had each one
received 15 cents less, their joint earnings would have decreased
by $9.20. How many workmen are there, and how much does each one
receive?
5. (_a_) Find the value of 5_x_^3 + 2_x_^2 - 3_x_ - 1 when _x_ = 1
- [sqrt](-4)
(_b_) Simplify (5×[sqrt](_x_^{4/3})^{-3/2}
6. Two trains run toward each other from A and B, respectively, and
meet at a point which is 15 miles farther from A than it is from B.
After the trains meet, it takes the first train 2⅔ hours to run to
B, and the second 3⅜ hours to run to A. How far is it from A to B?
{ (1/_a_ + 1/_b_)_x_ + (1/_a_ - 1/_b_)_y_ = 4
7. Solve {
{ _x_/(_a_ + _b_) + _y_/(_a_ - _b_) = 2
8. (_a_) Deduce a test for finding when the roots of the equation
_ax_^2 + _bx_ + _c_ = 0 are: 1º real and unequal; 2º real and
equal; 3º imaginary; 4º numerically equal with contrary signs.
(_b_) Apply the tests to find the nature of the roots of the
equations
1º 3_x_^2 + 4_x_ - 10 = 0
2º 5_x_^2 + 6 = 0
9. Given a square whose side is 2. The middle points of its
adjacent sides are joined by straight lines forming a second
square inscribed in the first. In the same manner, a third square
is inscribed in the second, a fourth in the third, and so on
indefinitely. Find the sum of the perimeters of all the squares.
Substitute for any of the above.--A person has $6,500, which he
divides into two portions and lends at different rates of interest,
so that the two portions produce equal returns. If the first
portion had been lent at the second rate of interest, it would have
produced $180; and if the second portion had been lent at the first
rate of interest, it would have produced $245. Find the rates of
interest.
* * * * *
=Plane Geometry.=--Candidates will be required to give accurate
definitions of the terms used in _plane geometry_, to demonstrate any
proposition of plane geometry as given in the ordinary text-books and
to solve simple geometrical problems either by a construction or by an
application of algebra.
The following questions were used at a recent examination:
1. Theorem: The three medians of any triangle intersect in a common
point which is at two-thirds of the distance from each vertex to
the middle of the opposite side.
2. Theorem: If two triangles have their three sides respectively
equal, the triangles are equal in all respects.
3. (_a_) How many circles can be drawn tangent to three given
straight lines? (_b_) Problem: To draw a circle through a given
point and tangent to two given straight lines.
4. Theorem: If two parallel right lines be divided into
corresponding parts, proportional each to each, and straight lines
be drawn through the corresponding points of division, these
straight lines will pass through a common point.
5. Exercise: Find the locus of all points, the sum of the squares
of the distances of any one of which from two fixed points is equal
to a given square.
6. Problem: Given two circles, to construct a third circle
equivalent to their difference.
7. Exercise: If the radius of a circle is 5, find the area of the
segment subtended by the side of a regular hexagon.
8. Theorem: The areas of two triangles which have an angle of
the one equal to an angle of the other, are to each other as the
products of the sides including those angles.
9. Problem: Through a given point on one side of a triangle to draw
a right line which shall divide the triangle into two equivalent
areas.
Substitute for any one of the above.--(_a_) Define _commensurable
quantities_; _incommensurable quantities_. Give example of each.
(_b_) Theorem: In the same circle or equal circles, two angles at
the centre have the same ratio as their intercepted arcs (whether
commensurable or incommensurable).
* * * * *
=English Grammar.=--Candidates must have a good knowledge of _English
grammar_; they must be able to define the terms used therein; to
define the parts of speech; to give inflections, including declension,
conjugation, and comparison; to give the corresponding masculine and
feminine gender nouns; to give and apply the ordinary rules of syntax.
They must be able to parse correctly any ordinary sentence; giving
the subject of each verb, the governing of each objective case, the
word for which each pronoun stands or to which it refers, the words
between which each preposition shows the relation, precisely what each
conjunction and each relative pronoun connects, what each adjective and
adverb qualifies or limits, the construction of each infinitive, and
generally to show a good knowledge of the function of each word in the
sentence.
They must be able to correct in sentences or extracts any ordinary
grammatical errors.
It is not required that any particular textbook shall be followed; but
the definitions, parsing, and corrections must be in accordance with
good usage and common sense.
The following questions indicate the character of the examination:
1. (_a_) He comes, the herald of a noisy world. (_b_) Next anger
rushed, his eyes on fire. (_c_) Get on your nightgown, lest
occasion call us and show us to be watchers. (_d_) Hark! Hark!
the lark at heaven’s gate sings. (_e_) Why do you stay so long,
my lords of France? (_f_) Go you before to Gloucester with these
letters. (_g_) Society has been called the happiness of life. (_h_)
The guardsman defended himself bravely. (_i_) They that reverence
too much old times are but a scorn to the new. (_j_) I will bring
you certain news from Shrewsbury.
In the above sentences pick out the following grammatical
constructions. (Indicate the number of the sentence and write the
word or words which answer the question.)
Imperative mood. Abstract noun. Transitive verb. Two relative
pronouns. Noun in apposition. Verb in subjunctive mood. Adverb of
manner. Relative pronoun. Indirect object. Interjection.
2. Write a simple sentence containing a compound subject. Write a
simple sentence containing a compound predicate. Write a complex
sentence containing an adjective clause. Write a complex sentence
containing an adverbial clause of manner. Write a sentence
containing a preposition with a compound object. Write a sentence
containing an adverb clause of time. Write a sentence containing a
noun (or substitute) clause used as the subject of the sentence.
Write a complex sentence containing an adverb clause of place.
Write a sentence containing an adjective phrase, and an adverb
phrase. Write a sentence containing a verb in the passive voice.
3. Write sentences containing the following: The preterite (or
past) tense (active voice) of the verb “choose.” The perfect tense
(active voice) of the verb “swim.” The pluperfect (or past perfect)
tense (active voice) of the verb “burst.” The future perfect tense
(active voice) of the verb “eat.” The perfect tense (active voice)
of the verb “know.” The present participle of the verb “lie.” The
perfect infinite of the verb “study.” The perfect participle of
the verb “knock.” The future tense, passive voice, of the verb
“defeat.” The future perfect tense, passive voice, of the verb
“pay.”
4. In the passage below, indicate the gender of all the nouns and
pronouns by the following device: Underscore once those that are
masculine; twice those that are feminine; thrice all those that are
neither.
“The bride kissed the goblet, the knight took it up.
He quaffed off the wine, and he threw down the cup,
She looked down to blush, and she looked up to sigh,
With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye.
He took her soft hand ere her mother could bar,--
‘Now tread we a measure!’ said young Lochinvar.
So stately her form and so lovely her face,
That never a hall such a galliard did grace;
While her mother did fret, and her father did fume,
And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume;
And the bride-maidens whispered, ‘‘Twere better by far,
To have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar.’”
5. Write sentences containing the following: An auxiliary verb.
The comparative of “recent.” The superlative of “bad.” The plural
of “lily.” The masculine of “witch.” An intransitive verb. A
collective noun. The comparative of “lazy.” The plural of “shelf.”
The plural of “ruby.”
6. Parse the words in italics in the following sentences: “Some
soils, _like_ the rocky tract _called_ the Estabrooke Country in
_my_ neighbourhood, is so suited to the apple, that it will grow
_faster_ in _them without any_ care, _than_ it _will_ in many
places with any amount of _care_.”--Henry D. Thoreau.
7. Correct all errors in the following: The man who committed the
murder was hung. Who can this letter be from? It is me that he
fears. The red rose smells sweetly, but the yellow one does not
smell so good. He asked if either of the men could identify their
own clothing.
8. Punctuate and capitalize the following: it was old dr parr who
said or sighed in his last illness oh if i can only live till
strawberries come the old scholar imagined that if he could weather
it till then the berries would carry him through no doubt he had
turned from the drugs and the nostrums or from the hateful food
to the memory of the pungent penetrating and unspeakably fresh
quality of the strawberry with the deepest longing the strawberry
is always the hope of the invalid and sometimes no doubt his
salvation it is the first and finest relish among the fruits and
well merits dr botelers memorable saying that doubtless god could
have made a better berry but doubtless god never did john burroughs.
* * * * *
=English Composition and English Literature.=--Candidate will be
required:
1. By the writing of short themes on subjects chosen by themselves
within limits set by the examination paper, to prove (_a_) their
ability to spell, capitalize, and punctuate, and (_b_) their mastery of
the elementary principles of composition, including paragraphing and
sentence structure.
2. To give evidence of intelligent acquaintance with three plays of
Shakespeare--one comedy, one history, and one tragedy--_The Merchant of
Venice_, _Henry V_, and _Macbeth_ being especially recommended.
3. To exhibit a fair knowledge of the history of English literature and
of the names of the most prominent authors, and of the names of their
principal works.
The general character and scope of the examination are indicated by the
following:
1. In a few paragraphs (about 250 words) tell the most important
facts about the life and works of any _one_ of the following
authors: Robert Burns, John Milton, John Keats, Edgar Allan Poe,
Alfred Tennyson, Charles Dickens.
2. In a paragraph (about 250 words) discuss the Victorian period in
English literature, paying attention to the following points: (_a_)
the characteristics of the literature, (_b_) the chief writers,
both in prose and poetry.
3. In a few paragraphs (about 250 words) discuss the Puritan period
in English literature, telling what is meant by the term, the
object and results of the Puritan movement, the chief writers with
their works, and the main characteristics of the literature.
4. Elective question (may be chosen in place of either 2 or
3). Write a few paragraphs (250 words) on the characteristics
and importance of the works of the Concord writers, Emerson,
Hawthorne, and Thoreau, mentioning the chief works of each.
5. Write two compositions of about 200 words each selecting your
subjects from the following list: (_a_) The story of the chase.
(Lady of the Lake--Scott.) (_b_) Silas Marner’s Early Life. (Silas
Marner--George Eliot.) (_c_) The Story of Jessica. (Merchant of
Venice--Shakespeare.) (_d_) The Character of Brutus. (Julius
Caesar--Shakespeare.) (_e_) The Story of Ida and the Prince. (The
Princess--Tennyson.) (_f_) The Trial of Rebecca. (Ivanhoe--Scott.)
(_g_) The Murder of Duncan. (Macbeth--Shakespeare.) (_h_) Character
Sketch of the Ancient Mariner. (The Ancient Mariner--Coleridge.)
(_i_) Threshing Day on a Western Farm. (_j_) The Village Drug
Store. (_k_) Along the Wharves in a Seaport Town. (_l_) An
Irrigated Farm. (_m_) A Cotton Mill. (_n_) An Accident.
* * * * *
=Geography.=--Candidates will be required to pass a satisfactory
examination in _descriptive geography_ and the elements of _physical
geography_. A preponderance of weight is attached to a knowledge of the
geography of the United States.
In descriptive geography of the United States, candidates should be
thoroughly informed as to its general features and boundaries; adjacent
oceans, seas, bays, gulfs, sounds, straits, and islands; lakes, the
location and extent of mountain ranges; the sources, directions, and
terminations of the important rivers, the names of their principal
tributaries, and at what points, if any, these rivers break through
highlands on their way to the ocean; the water routes of communication
from one part of the country to another; the location and termination
of important railroad lines; the boundaries of the several States and
Territories and their order along the coasts, frontiers, and principal
rivers; the location and boundaries of the island possessions; and the
names and locations of the capitals and other important cities of the
several States, Territories, and island possessions.
In short, the knowledge should be so complete that a clear mental
picture of the whole of the United States is impressed on the mind of
the candidate.
In descriptive geography of other countries, candidates should be
familiar with the continental areas and grand divisions of water; the
earth’s surface; the large bodies of water which in part or wholly
surround the grand divisions of the land; the capes, from what part
they project and into what waters; the principal peninsulas, location,
and by what waters embraced; the parts connected by an isthmus; the
principal islands, locations, and surrounding waters; the seas, gulfs,
and bays, the coasts they indent, and the waters to which they are
subordinate; the straits, the lands they separate, and the waters
they connect; the locations of the principal lakes, the locations,
boundaries, capitals and principal cities of the political divisions of
the world.
In physical geography, candidates should be familiar with the relief
of the earth’s surface; the principal mountain systems, the river
systems and watersheds; the coastal and lake plains; and the influence
of climate, soil, mineral deposits, and other physical features on
the resources, industries, commercial relations, and development of a
country and its people, especially of the United States.
The following questions indicate the character of the examination:
1. Define. (_a_) Geography, (_b_) Physical Geography, (_c_) strait,
(_d_) isthmus, (_e_) isotherm.
2. In respect of climate, into what zones is the earth’s surface
divided? Name the circles separating these zones from one another.
In what zone are the Philippines?
3. (_a_) What and where is the International Date Line? (_b_) In
going from San Francisco to Manila is a day lost or gained? Give
reasons for answer.
4. How many “times” has the United States! What are they?
5. What waters surround the United States?
6. Is it possible to go from Duluth to Detroit by water? If so,
what bodies of water would be passed through?
7. Name the larger islands of the Philippines, and of the Hawaiian
Group, respectively. On what island is Manila? Honolulu? Iloilo?
8. Name two great coal regions of the United States.
9. What is (_a_) the most northern State of the United States?
(_b_) the most southern? (_c_) the most eastern? (_d_) the most
western?
10. Which of the United States has the longest coast line?
11. Where is the Mohawk Valley?
12. Bound--Michigan, Kentucky, Connecticut.
13. Locate accurately the following cities--El Paso, Albany,
Zamboanga, Panama, San Antonio, Kalamazoo.
14. Name the transcontinental railways west of the Mississippi in
order from north to south.
15. Name the countries of Central America. Which one of these
borders on Mexico?
16. Name in order, beginning at the Isthmus of Panama, the
countries of South America that touch on the Caribbean Sea and the
Atlantic Ocean.
17. The meridian through Atlanta, Georgia, intersects what South
American Republics? Is the continent of South America, as a whole,
east or west of the United States?
18. What two countries of South America have no sea coast?
19. A vessel goes from London, England, to San Francisco by the
Suez Canal. Through what waters does it pass?
20. What waters connect the Black Sea with the Mediterranean? The
Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea?
21. Where does the Danube rise? through what countries does it
flow? and where does it empty?
22. What three rivers flow north into the Arctic from Siberia?
23. What mountains lie between France and Spain? Between Tibet and
India?
24. Name in order in a clockwise direction the countries bordering
on the Mediterranean.
25. Where is--Mount Shasta, Popocatepetl, Chimborazo, Everest, Apo,
Fujiyama, Blanc, Mayon.
26. Where and what is--Mukden, Valdivostok, Liberia, Melilla, The
Celebes.
27.--Locate--Elba, Saint Thomas, Cape Race, Hankow, Formosa, Bonin
Islands, Juraez, Zanzibar, Colon, Volga River, Elbe River, Cebu,
Seville, Andalusia, Zaragoza, Macedonia, Nepaul, Bogota, Beirut,
Malta, Macao, Dublin.
28. Name the capitals respectively of--Afghanistan, Portugal,
Nebraska, Vermont, French Indo-China, Philippine Islands,
Montenegro, Georgia, Oregon, Roumania, Persia, Florida, Java.
* * * * *
=History.=--Candidates must be thoroughly familiar with such material
as is contained in good high school textbooks on the subject (_a_) of
the History of the United States, and (_b_) of the History of Europe
from the Fall of Constantinople (1453) to the outbreak of the French
Revolution (1789).
In history of the United States, the examination will include questions
concerning early discoveries and settlements; the forms of government
in the Colonies; the causes, leading events, and results of wars;
important events in the political and economic history of the Nation
since its foundation.
In history of Europe from 1453 to 1789, special emphasis will be laid
upon the political and social development in France, Prussia, and
England.
The following questions indicate the character of the examination:
European History (1453-1789).
1. Describe political conditions during the latter half of the
fifteenth century in what is now Germany.
2. What countries were ruled by Charles V of Spain at the height of
his power?
3. Why was Luther summoned to the Diet of Worms? What was done at
this Diet?
4. Who was Melanchthon? What was the Religious Peace of Augsburg?
What was its importance?
5. What was the Council of Trent? Over how long a period did its
meetings extend? What were the important acts of this Council?
6. What ruler was instrumental in separating England from Roman
Catholic influence? How was this separation accomplished? Describe
two acts of Parliament important in this connection.
7. Outline the causes of Elizabeth’s quarrel with Mary Queen of
Scots. State its political importance and its results.
8. Under what circumstances during Elizabeth’s reign did England
come into conflict with Spain? What event marked the crisis of this
conflict?
9. State the nature, causes, dates, and leaders of the Puritan
Reformation.
10. Describe the important acts of Parliament passed in the reign
of Charles II to regulate the religious situation.
11. Describe the court and court life in France in the time of
Louis XIV. Name five prominent men connected with Louis XIV’s court.
12. What part did Gustavus Adolphus and Richelieu play in the
Thirty Years’ War? How may we reconcile Richelieu’s political acts
with his religious convictions?
13. What nations were engaged in the War of the Spanish Succession?
What issues were at stake? What were the important provisions of
the Peace of Utrecht (1713)?
14. What was the revolution of 1688 in England? How was it
accomplished?
15. What is meant by the cabinet system of government? Account for
the advance of cabinet government in the reigns of George I and
George II.
16. For what qualities and what acts was the Great Elector
(Frederick William of Prussia) noted?
17. State the cause and the result of the first war between
Frederick the Great and Maria Theresa. Name two famous battles of
the Seven Years’ War in which Frederick the Great was victorious.
18. State the results of the Seven Years’ War for France according
to the provisions of the Treaty of Paris (1763).
19. Why were Frederick the Great, Catherine II of Russia, and
Joseph II of Austria called “enlightened despots”? Describe the
work of any one of these rulers.
20. Outline two of the fundamental causes for the unrest in France
during the early years of the reign of Louis XVI.
* * * * *
1. State concisely the achievements of--(_a_) De Narvaez; (_b_) De
Soto; (_c_) Hudson; (_d_) La Salle.
2. (_a_) Where and when was the first permanent English settlement
in America made? (_b_) What arrangement was made for the government
of this settlement?
3. (_a_) When and where did the first colonial assembly in America
meet? (_b_) What was Bacon’s Rebellion? (_c_) When and where was
the first permanent English settlement in New England established?
4. (_a_) What brought the first settlers to Maryland? (_b_) Who was
their leader?
5. (_a_) What was the immediate cause of the Revolutionary War?
(_b_) What were “writs of assistance”? (_c_) What was the “Mutiny
Act”?
6. (_a_) When and where did the first Continental Congress meet?
(_b_) What was accomplished by this Congress? (_c_) Name the
original thirteen colonies.
7. (_a_) Who were the principal leaders in the two battles of
Saratoga? (_b_) What were the effects on the American people of
these battles? (_c_) What was the Wyoming Massacre?
8. (_a_) What European country was the first to acknowledge the
American independence? (_b_) In what ways did this country aid in
bringing the Revolutionary War to a successful close?
9. State the significance of the following in United States
history: (_a_) Shays’ Rebellion; (_b_) Steuben; (_c_) Alien and
sedition laws; (_d_) Kosciusko.
10. (_a_) What were the causes of the war with England in 1812?
(_b_) What treaty ended this struggle? (_c_) Who was President of
the United States during this war?
11. By what means, from whom, and during whose Presidency were
the following territories obtained for the United States? (_a_)
Louisiana, (_b_) Florida, (_c_) Alaska.
12. (_a_) What was the “Spoils System”? (_b_) What was the
Nullification ordinance passed by South Carolina in 1832?
13. Discuss briefly the nature and importance of the following:
(_a_) The Wilmot Proviso. (_b_) The Dred Scott Decision. (_c_) The
Fugitive Slave Law.
14. Name the commanders and the results of the following battles:
(_a_) Vicksburg, (_b_) Fredericksburg, (_c_) Cold Harbor.
15. Name the Presidents of the United States who have had a second
term of office.
16. (_a_) What various causes underlay the declaration of war
against Spain? (_b_) What important battles on land and sea were
fought during the Spanish-American War? (_c_) What treaty ended
this war and what territory was ceded to the United States as a
result of it?
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
All cadets are examined physically in May of each year, and those
found physically disqualified to continue with the course, or, in case
of the first class, for commission in the Army, are discharged.
VACATIONS AND LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Academic duties are suspended from the completion of the June
examinations until the end of August. During this period cadets live in
camp and are engaged in military duties and exercises and in receiving
practical instruction in military and other subjects. Academic duties
are also suspended from December 24th until January 2d, except for
those undergoing examination. All duties and exercises, as far as
practicable, are suspended on New Year’s Day, February 22d, May 30th,
July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Cadets of the first, second, and third classes not undergoing
examination are allowed short leaves at Christmas, if their conduct
during the preceding year has been satisfactory. Excepting these short
leaves for good conduct, cadets are allowed but one leave of absence
during the four years’ course. This leave is granted to those cadets
who have successfully completed the third-class course of study, and
extends from the middle of June to the 28th of August.
PAY OF CADETS
The pay of a cadet is $600 per year and one ration per day, or
commutation therefor at 30 cents per day. The total is $746.00 to
commence with his admission to the academy. The actual and necessary
traveling expenses of candidates from their homes to the Military
Academy are credited to their accounts _after_ their admission as
cadets.
No cadet is permitted to receive money, or any other supplies, from
his parents, or from any person whomsoever, without the sanction of
the Superintendent. A _most rigid_ observance of this regulation is
urged upon all parents and guardians, as its violation would make
distinctions between cadets which it is the especial desire to avoid;
the pay of a cadet is sufficient for his support.
Candidates are authorized to bring with them the following articles:
Hairbrush, nailbrush, toothbrush, shoebrush, comb, 8 drawers (summer),
12 handkerchiefs (white), 4 nightshirts or pajamas, 8 socks (black
cotton), 6 bath towels, 6 face towels, 1 trunk, 8 undershirts (summer),
whisk broom, shaving mug, winter underwear, and athletic uniforms,
shoes, and goods.
Cadets are required to wear the prescribed uniform. All articles of
their uniform are of a designated pattern, and are sold to cadets at
West Point at regulated prices.
DEPOSIT PRIOR TO ADMISSION
Immediately after admission candidates must be provided with an outfit
of uniform, etc., the cost of which is about $160. This sum, or at
least $100 thereof, _must be deposited with the treasurer of the
academy before the candidate is admitted_. It is best for the candidate
to take with him no more money than he needs for traveling expenses and
for his parents to send the required deposit by draft, payable to the
Treasurer, United States Military Academy. The deposit is credited at
once to the cadet’s account. Upon graduation a cadet who has exercised
proper economy will have sufficient money to his credit with the
treasurer of the academy to purchase his uniform and equipment as an
officer.
PROMOTION AFTER GRADUATION
The attention of applicants and candidates is called to the following
provisions of an Act of Congress approved May 17, 1886, to regulate the
promotion of graduates of the United States Military Academy:
That when any cadet of the United States Military Academy has gone
through all its classes and received a regular diploma from the
academic staff, he may be promoted and commissioned as a second
lieutenant in any arm or corps of the Army in which there may be a
vacancy and the duties of which he may have been judged competent to
perform; and in case there shall not at the time be a vacancy in such
arm or corps he may, at the discretion of the President, be promoted
and commissioned in it as an additional second lieutenant, with the
usual pay and allowances of a second lieutenant, until a vacancy shall
happen.
ACADEMIC DUTIES
There axe two terms of academic instruction: September 1-December
23, and January 2-June 4. A semiannual examination is held December
26-31, and an annual examination June 5-12. At the December examination
cadets, who are found to be proficient in subjects they have completed
during the preceding term are arranged according to merit in each
subject. At the June examination they are similarly arranged and they
are also assigned general standing in the class as determined by their
standings in the various subjects. When a subject of study is completed
during a term an examination concluding the work in that subject is
sometimes held. Cadets deficient in studies at any examination are
discharged from the academy unless for special reasons the academic
board recommends otherwise. Cadets exceeding at any time the maximum
number of demerits allowed for six months are reported to the academic
board as deficient in conduct.
THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR
First term, September 1-December 23.
Second term, January 2-June 4.
Semiannual examination, December 26-31.
Annual examination, June 5-12.
DEPARTMENT OF TACTICS
ALL CLASSES
New cadets, upon reporting for duty, are given infantry recruit
instruction, with gymnastic and calisthenic exercises, until they join
the battalion.
Practical instruction is given during the summer encampment, and from
September 1st to November 1st, and from March 15th to June 1st, in
infantry, artillery and cavalry drill regulations, in target practice
with the rifle, revolver, mountain gun and field gun, and in military
engineering.
During the summer encampment, cadets of the third and fourth classes
are also taught swimming and dancing, and those of the first
class, the service of seacoast artillery and submarine defense at
fortifications. The first, third, and fourth classes participate in
exercises in minor tactics, practice marches, problems and practical
field work, in which the employment of all arms is exemplified.
Practical instruction in fencing and gymnastic exercises and in boxing
and wrestling is given to the fourth class from October 1st to June
1st, and to the other classes from November 1st to March 15th.
Instruction in riding is given to the first class during the encampment
and from September 1st to June 1st, excepting the month of February;
to the second and third classes, from November 1st to March 15th and
also to the third class during the summer encampment. Instruction with
English pad saddles is given to the first class, and in polo to the
first and second classes.
During the academic season recitations in hippology are held for the
first class and in drill regulations for the second, third, and fourth
classes. Instruction is also given in writing orders and in solving
problems involving the disposition of small forces.
Previous to graduation, lectures are given the first class upon
uniforms and equipments, and upon etiquette and customs of the service.
TEXTBOOKS
Infantry Drill Regulations, U. S. Army.
Field Artillery Regulations, U. S. Army.
Mountain Artillery Drill Regulations, U. S. Army.
Cavalry Drill Regulations, U. S. Army.
Elements of Hippology. Marshall.
Coast Artillery Drill Regulations, U. S. Army.
BOOKS OF REFERENCE
U. S. Army Regulations.
Field Service Regulations, U. S. Army.
Small Arms Firing Manual, U. S. Army.
Drill Regulations for Machine Gun, Infantry.
Drill Regulations for Machine Gun, Cavalry.
Manual of Interior Guard Duty, U. S. Army.
Manual of Physical Training, U. S. Army.
Regulations for Field Maneuvers, U. S. Army.
Manual of Instruction for Pack Transportation.
Regulations, U. S. M. A.
ISSUED TO FIRST CLASS BEFORE GRADUATION
U. S. Army Regulations.
Regulations for the Uniform of the U. S. Army.
Manual of Courts-Martial, U. S. A.
Army Register, U. S.
Engineer Field Manual.
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND MILITARY ENGINEERING
FIRST CLASS
The course in civil and military engineering and the art of war is
confined to the first-class year.
The course in civil engineering begins September 1st and is completed
during the first term, which closes with the Christmas holidays. It
comprises brief treatises on the mechanics of civil engineering, framed
and masonry structures, the materials of engineering, water supply, and
sewerage.
The course in military engineering and the art of war begins on January
2nd and closes on the 3rd of June. Military engineering embraces the
study of field and permanent fortifications and siege works. The art
of war embraces the study of the organization of armies, employment
of the different arms in combination, logistics, and strategy. To
familiarize the students with its principles, lectures are delivered on
military subjects and the principal operations of about twenty selected
campaigns are studied. During this course the students are taken to
the battlefield of Gettysburg to familiarize them with the effects of
topography on the employment of troops in the field.
TEXTBOOKS
Civil Engineering. Fiebeger.
Field Fortifications. Fiebeger.
Permanent Fortifications. Fiebeger.
Elements of Strategy. Fiebeger.
Army Organization. Fiebeger.
Siege Works. Mercur.
Field Service Regulations, U. S.
Campaign of Gettysburg. Fiebeger.
BOOKS OF REFERENCE
Campaigns and Battles. Department.
Story of the Civil War. Ropes. Cambria Steel.
The department has a well selected reference library on civil
engineering, military engineering, and the art of war.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY
SECOND CLASS
The course in natural and experimental philosophy begins with and
continues throughout the third academic year. Mechanics is studied
during the first term. The text used is Gordon’s _Mechanics_. Many of
the principles are illustrated by apparatus in the lecture and section
rooms, and the students are required to repeat and explain these
experiments. The course aims to be as complete as possible with the
limitation that it can be properly covered in a term of about 90 to 100
days by students having a proficient knowledge of the calculus; the
treatment is sufficiently mathematical to furnish a confident basis for
advanced work in the technical staff after graduation.
During the second term about 120 lessons are allotted to this
department. The first half of this time is devoted to the subjects of
sound and light. The authorized textbook is Gordon’s _Sound and Light_.
Astronomy is studied in the remainder of the second term. The text used
are Young’s _General Astronomy_ and Michie and Harlow’s _Practical
Astronomy_. The principal aim of this course, in addition to its
important value in educational development, is to furnish an ample
basis for the establishment of stations in explorations and surveys.
The class attends daily throughout the year, except eight days, during
which half the class attends daily.
TEXTBOOKS
Sound and Light. Gordon.
Mechanics. Gordon.
General Astronomy. Young.
Practical Astronomy. Michie and Harlow.
Numerous standard works on the general subjects covered by the course
are available for reference.
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
THIRD AND FOURTH CLASSES
The course in mathematics begins with the fourth-class year and
continues through the third-class year.
In the fourth-class year, algebra is completed in alternation; first
with geometry, then with trigonometry. Plane analytical geometry is
begun.
In the third-class year, plane and solid analytical geometry and
descriptive geometry are completed in alternation. The calculus and
least squares finish the course.
The course in algebra covers the entire subject as generally taught
in colleges, but the student is expected to have already mastered
elementary algebra to include the progressions and the solution of the
quadratic equation. The course in elementary geometry includes the
books that relate to the plane and those that relate to space, but the
student is expected to have mastered the former. Plane and spherical
trigonometry includes the complete solution of the plane and spherical
triangles. The course in analytical geometry includes the discussion
of the general equation of the second degree in the plane and the
particular forms of the equation of the second degree in space.
Descriptive geometry includes the orthographic projections of the right
line, the plane, ruled surfaces and surfaces of revolution, tangent
planes and intersections of surfaces. It also takes the subjects of
shades and shadows, perspective, isometric projections and spherical
projections.
The course in differential and integral calculus covers the ground of
the usual college textbook, including briefly the subject of ordinary
differential equations.
TEXTBOOKS
Elements of Geometry. Phillips and Fisher.
Advanced Course in Algebra. Wells.
Quadratics and Beyond. Fisher and Schwatt.
Elements of Plane and Spherical Trigonometry. Crockett.
Logarithmic Tables. Newcomb.
Conic Sections, Coördinate Geometry. C. Smith.
Coördinate Geometry. Fine and Thompson.
Elements of Analytical Geometry (Solid). Smith and Gale.
Descriptive Geometry. Church.
Linear Perspective. Pillsbury.
Differential and Integral Calculus. Granville.
Integral Calculus. D. A. Murray.
Differential Equations. D. A. Murray.
Method of Least Squares. Johnson.
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY
SECOND CLASS
This department embraces two branches of physics not included in its
title, namely heat and electricity.
The course begins September 1st of the third academic year and extends
throughout this year; exercises, recitations, laboratory work or
lectures take place on all week days.
Commencing September 1st, general chemistry, alternating with lessons
in heat, occupy the time until the close of the term in December,
recitations or other exercises being had daily.
During this term all members of the class whose progress, as shown
by their recitations, warrants it, are given laboratory practice
in chemistry. This practice begins with chemical manipulations and
proceeds in the usual general order of elementary laboratory work.
The laboratory exercises are one hour and fifty minutes long. It is
generally possible to give all parts of the class some laboratory
experience; the amount of this work, however, varies with the aptitude
of the student from a few hours to forty-five or fifty hours.
This term closes with an examination upon the essential parts of
the entire course, which all cadets who have not shown a required
proficiency in daily work must take.
In chemistry the course is a descriptive general one, based upon
a concise statement of the more essential principles of chemistry,
and includes that class of information deemed most important to
non-specialists, together with an accurate and logical treatment of
many useful applications of chemistry.
The course in heat is short, but it is a comprehensive elementary
course intended to embrace what is most applicable to subsequent work
at the academy and what is most useful in general education.
Beginning January 2d the daily exercises alternate between geology,
mineralogy, and electricity. This term also closes with an examination,
covering the essential parts of the subjects studied during the term,
which all cadets who have not shown a required proficiency in daily
work must take.
The course in geology is a brief but scientific presentation of the
essential elements of this branch of science.
The mineralogy is an eminently practical course consisting of the
descriptive study and the practical determination of the important
minerals. The lithological and palæontological part of geology is
accompanied in study by the continued practical examination of the
objects described.
The course in electricity is a brief exposition of the leading
electrical phenomena and their relations to each other. It includes
a study of the general principles of the subject and of the typical
machines, generators, motors and transformers, together with the more
important uses of electricity. The laboratory exercises give experience
with a number of the machines and in the use of a great variety of
apparatus employed in the numerous forms of electric measurements. In
this term the laboratory work is a part of the electrical course and
all cadets enter the laboratory. All laboratory work is performed under
the immediate supervision of an instructor.
TEXTBOOKS
Elementary Lessons in Heat. Tillman.
Descriptive General Chemistry. Tillman.
Practical Chemistry. (Laboratory Guide.) Clowes.
Elements of Geology. Le Conte.
Important Minerals and Rocks. Tillman.
Elements of Electricity. Robinson.
During all terms standard works on the respective subjects are
available for reference both to cadets and instructors.
DEPARTMENT OF DRAWING
THIRD AND SECOND CLASSES
The course in drawing extends through the third- and second-class
years, attendance on alternate afternoons for a period of two hours
during the full academic year.
The order of instruction is as follows:
_Third Class Year_
1. Use of drawing instruments.
2. Problems in plane geometry.
3. Problems in descriptive geometry.
4. Lettering. Exercises in this subject continue throughout the
course.
5. Building construction drawing.
6. Isometric and oblique projection.
_Second Class Year_
1. Elementary problems in third angle projection.
2. Machine drawing, third angle projection.
3. Assembly and working drawings from models.
4. Topographical sketching and drawing.
Instruction is mainly through a loose-leaf system of printed
instruction sheets covering the various drawings and phases of the
work. These are supplemented by short section-room lectures and
blackboard illustrations when necessary. Personal instruction is given
when needed.
DEPARTMENT OF MODERN LANGUAGES
THIRD, SECOND, AND FIRST CLASSES
The course in modern languages comprises instruction in French and in
Spanish.
FRENCH
THIRD CLASS
Instruction is given in reading, in composition, and in conversation.
The course opens September 1st, and continues until June 4th, some 219
lessons in all.
SPANISH
SECOND AND FIRST CLASSES
Instruction is given in reading, in composition, and in conversation,
to which special attention is paid.
The course opens October 4th, of the second-class year and closes June
4th of the first-class year, 176 lessons all told.
The present textbooks are:
THIRD CLASS
French:--Martin’s French Verbs.
Grammar. Essentials of French, François.
Elements of French Pronunciation, Jacobs. Bercy’s La Langue
Française.
Introductory French Prose Composition, François. Mérimée’s Colomba.
About’s Roi des Montagnes.
Marchand’s French Idioms. L’Illustration. Lecture pour Tous.
Labiche and Martin’s Voyage de M. Perrichon.
Daudet’s Lettres de Mon Moulin.
Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac.
Pattou’s Causeries en France.
French Conversation Exercises. Military Reading.
Dupont’s En Campagne.
SECOND AND FIRST CLASS
Spanish:--Spanish Grammar, Olmsted and Gordon. A Spanish Reader,
Bramby.
Crawford’s Spanish Composition.
A Trip to South America--Waxman.
Por Esos Mundos, monthly, published in Madrid.
“A B C,” Spanish Daily Newspaper.
Spanish Conversation and Idioms, Department of Modern Languages, U.
S. M. A.
Scientific and Technical Spanish Reader, Willcox.
Lecturas Modernas--Charles Alfred Downer.
BOOKS OF REFERENCE
French:--Cassell’s French Dictionary.
Military Technical Dictionary. Willcox.
Spanish:--New Spanish-English and English-Spanish Dictionary, by
Cuyás. Appleton.
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
FIRST CLASS
The course in law, which is carried throughout the entire first-class
year, embraces the following subjects:
1. Elementary Law.
2. Constitutional Law.
3. International Law.
4. Military Law.
5. The Law of War.
The quiz method of instruction is employed in the section room. The
authorized textbooks are supplemented from time to time by means of
lectures, and important principles are emphasized by requiring an
examination and analysis of a considerable number of leading cases.
Some time is also devoted to library work, with a view to familiarizing
students with the use of a law library in the solution of practical
questions. The purpose in view in the course is to give the student an
elementary knowledge of the fundamental principles of law, with special
emphasis upon those subjects a knowledge of which is essential to the
proper understanding of his obligations and duties as a citizen and as
an officer of the Army.
TEXTBOOKS
Elements of Law. Davis, G. B.
International Law. Davis, G. B.
Constitutional Law. Davis, E. G.
Military Law. Dudley.
BOOKS OF REFERENCE
The department has a law library of about 2,500 volumes, accessible to
cadets.
DEPARTMENT OF PRACTICAL MILITARY ENGINEERING, MILITARY SIGNALING AND
TELEGRAPHY
FOURTH, THIRD, AND FIRST CLASSES
_Fourth Class._--This class is given an elementary course in the theory
and practice of surveying, instruction in this subject alternating
with mathematics during the last 66 recitation days of the academic
year. From May 1st to June 4th the entire morning is devoted to
practical instruction in the methods of surveying and in the use and
adjustment of instruments. During this period cadets apply in the
field the principles and methods taught them in their theoretical
study of the subject. The course includes instruction in the use of
chains and tapes, in profile and differential leveling and in earthwork
computations, in the use of compass, plane table, transit and stadia
with special reference to the employment of these instruments in
military topographic surveying. The slide rule used to facilitate the
work of computation, and the principles upon which it is based are
discussed during the theoretical course.
_Third Class._--During the period of the summer encampment the
cadets of this class receive practical instruction in military field
engineering and military signaling. The course in field engineering
comprises knots and lashings, rowing, construction of floating bridges
with wooden pontoons, canvas pontoons and rafts, and instruction in
military camp expedients. The course in signaling is limited to visual
means only, including the flag, the heliograph, and the acetylene
lantern. The International Morse Code is applied in the transmission of
short messages both plain and cypher.
Simple exercises in topographic and hydrographic surveying are also
given.
_First Class._--During the summer months cadets of the first class are
instructed in military reconnaissance and map making. This work follows
close upon the fundamental instruction in the same subject given in
the Department of Drawing, extends the instruction in sketching to
include road and position sketching, mounted and on foot, individual
and combined. Demonstrations and limited instruction are given in the
various processes of map reproduction.
In the fall instruction is given in all classes of improvised bridges
and stream crossing, the use of cordage and tackle, erection of
derricks, flagpoles, etc., and the use of explosives in military
demolitions.
The spring course is on field fortification work including the
principles of locating, tracing, and profiling field works, the
construction of trenches, revetments, obstacles, head cover, splinter
and bomb proofs. This instruction is arranged in a progressive series
of exercises, resulting finally in the construction of a section of a
simple infantry redoubt.
Military signaling is taught this class in both the fall and spring
periods; the work covers the construction and operation of field-wire
and buzzer lines and the radio-communication equipment.
TEXTBOOKS
Theory and Practice of Surveying (17th Edition).--Johnson--Smith.
BOOKS OF REFERENCE
Plane Surveying. Tracy.
The Engineer Field Manual. Office of the Chief of Engineers, U. S.
A.
Signal Book, U. S. Army. Office of Chief Signal Officer, U. S. A.
The Slide Rule. Alexander. The Slide Rule. Clark.
DEPARTMENT OF ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY
FIRST CLASS
The subject of ordnance and gunnery is studied by the cadets of the
first class throughout the academic year.
The course of instruction covers the principles involved in the
construction and use of war material. It is broadly divided into
three parts: the theoretical, the descriptive, and the practical. The
theoretical part includes the study of the action of explosives, the
study of interior and exterior ballistics, the theories of gun and
carriage construction, and the principles of gunnery. The theoretical
part of the course is not the same for all cadets, those showing the
necessary proficiency taking a special course in the time devoted by
the remainder of the class to review work.
The descriptive part of the course covers the processes of manufacture
of powders, guns, projectiles, and armor; and describes the small
arms, cannon, machine and rapid-fire guns in use in the United States
service, with the carriages, ammunition and accessory appliances
required for their service. The department is well supplied with
models, which are used in conjunction with the text.
The practical part of the course covers the operation of machines and
appliances used in the fabrication of modern ordnance, the latter work
being in effect a short but valuable course in manual training.
In connection with the course, visits are made to Watervliet Arsenal,
where the process of gun construction is observed, and to the Ordnance
Proving Ground at Sandy Hook, where actual firings from the several
classes of guns are observed, including usually one or more shots
against armor, and where the latest developments in war material are
seen.
TEXTBOOKS
Ordnance and Gunnery. Lissak.
Exterior Ballistics. O’Hern.
Stresses in Wire-Wrapped Guns and in Gun Carriages. Ruggles.
BOOKS OF REFERENCE
Ballistic Tables. Ingalls.
Mathematical Tables. Newcomb.
Publications of Ordnance Department. U. S. Army.
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY HYGIENE
THIRD CLASS
The course in military hygiene begins with the second academic year and
consists of 13 recitations and 6 demonstrations.
The textbook used is Keefer’s _Military Hygiene_; the instruction
covers the essentials in the care of troops from the point of view of
the line officer, particular attention being given to personal hygiene,
transmissible diseases, post and camp sanitation, clothing, and the
effects of alcohol and other narcotics.
Practical demonstration in the field is given of the methods of
construction and operation of the various camp sanitary appliances such
as latrines, water sterilizers, incinerators, etc.
Instruction in first-aid is given to cadets in small groups by
practical demonstrations in the treatment of wounds, hemorrhage,
fractures, drowning, poisoning, and other emergencies.
During the summer practice march, practical instruction is given in
camp sanitation.
TEXTBOOKS
A Textbook of Military Hygiene and Sanitation. Keefer.
REFERENCE BOOKS
Military Hygiene. Havard.
Elements of Military Hygiene. Ashburn.
Practical Hygiene. Harrington.
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND HISTORY
FOURTH CLASS
The course in English and History begins with the fourth class in
September and continues throughout the academic year, the whole class
attending daily except Saturday. The class is divided into two parts,
which alternate in reciting English and History.
In English, the course of instruction is planned to inculcate the
essential principles of rhetoric, both by study of the textbook and
by frequent practice in the various forms of composition (including
practice in personal and official correspondence), to create an
intelligent appreciation of the best in English Literature by the study
of selected literary masterpieces, and to impart a knowledge of the
important facts in the history of English literature and language by
the study of a textbook and by lectures.
In History, the course of instruction is planned to acquaint the
student with the political, social, and economic history of Europe from
the beginning of the French Revolution to the present day, to make him
familiar with the fundamental principles of civil government, with
special reference to the United States, and to give him knowledge of
various typical forms of modern national and municipal governments.
TEXTBOOKS--ENGLISH
English Composition in Theory and Practice (new and revised
edition). Henry S. Canby and others.
Leading English Poets, Ed. by Holt.
Shakespeare’s Works.
History of English Literature, by W. J. Long.
The Major Dramas of Sheridan.
Selections from Addison.
Selections from the Prose of Macaulay.
Selections from Stevenson.
TEXTBOOKS--HISTORY
The Development of Modern Europe, Vol. I. By J. H. Robinson and C.
A. Beard.
Europe since 1815. C. D. Hazen.
Introduction to the Study of Government. Holt.
THE LIBRARY
Cadets and officers have free access to the library, which comprises
over 95,000 books, maps, and manuscripts. The collection contains
substantially all standard books on the subjects taught in the Academy
and is especially complete in military subjects. Its card catalogues
(about 338,000 cards) are arranged with the special object of saving
the time of cadets. The library is open on week-days from 8 A.M. to
7:30 P.M.; Saturdays from 8 A.M. to 9:30 P.M.; on Sundays and Holidays
from 2 to 6 P.M.
(A. O., M. A., July, ’16.)
SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
===================================================================================================================
| | | TERM OF SERVICE |
NO.| NAME. | ARMY RANK WHEN APPOINTED. +-------------------+-------------------+ REMARKS.
| | | FROM | TO |
---+------------------------+------------------------------------+-------------------+-------------------+----------
1 | JONATHAN WILLIAMS | Major, Corps of Engineers | April 15, 1802 | [8]June 20, 1803 | Resigned.
2 | JONATHAN WILLIAMS | Lieut. Colonel, Corps of Engineers | [8]April 19, 1805 | July 31, 1812 | Resigned.
3 | JOSEPH G. SWIFT | Colonel, Corps of Engineers | July 31, 1812 | Mar. 24, 1814 | Relieved.
4 | ALDEN PARTRIDGE | Captain, Corps of Engineers | Jan’y 3, 1815 | July 28, 1817 | Relieved.
5 | SYLVANUS THAYER | Captain, Corps of Engineers | July 28, 1817 | July 1, 1833 | Relieved.
6 | RENÉ W. DERUSSY | Major, Corps of Engineers | July 1, 1833 | Sept. 1, 1838 | Relieved.
7 | RICHARD DELAFIELD | Major, Corps of Engineers | Sept. 1, 1838 | Aug. 15, 1845 | Relieved.
8 | HENRY BREWERTON | Captain, Corps of Engineers | Aug. 15, 1845 | Sept. 1, 1852 | Relieved.
9 | ROBERT E. LEE | Captain, Corps of Engineers | Sept. 1, 1852 | Mar. 31, 1855 | Relieved.
10 | JOHN G. BARNARD | Captain, Corps of Engineers | Mar. 31, 1855 | Sept. 8, 1856 | Relieved.
11 | RICHARD DELAFIELD | Major, Corps of Engineers | Sept. 8, 1856 | [9]Jan’y 23, 1861 | Relieved.
12 | PETER G. T. BEAUREGARD | Captain, Corps of Engineers |[9]Jan’y 23, 1861 | Jan’y 28, 1861 | Relieved.
13 | RICHARD DELAFIELD | Major, Corps of Engineers | Jan’y 28, 1861 | Mar. 1, 1861 | Relieved.
14 | ALEXANDER H. BOWMAN | Major, Corps of Engineers | Mar. 1, 1861 | July 8, 1864 | Relieved.
15 | ZEALOUS B. TOWER | Major, Corps of Engineers | July 8, 1864 | Sept. 8, 1864 | Relieved.
16 | GEORGE W. CULLUM | Lieut. Colonel, Corps of Engineers | Sept, 8, 1864 | Aug. 28, 1866 | Relieved.
17 | THOMAS G. PITCHER | Colonel 44th Infantry | Aug. 28, 1866 | Sept. 1, 1871 | Relieved.
18 | THOMAS H. RUGER | Colonel 18th Infantry | Sept. 1, 1871 | Sept. 1, 1876 | Relieved.
19 | JOHN M. SCHOFIELD | Major General, U. S. Army | Sept. 1, 1876 | Jan’y 21, 1881 | Relieved.
20 | OLIVER O. HOWARD | Brigadier General, U. S. Army | Jan’y 21, 1881 | Sept. 1, 1882 | Relieved.
21 | WESLEY MERRITT | Colonel 5th Cavalry | Sept. 1, 1882 | July 1, 1887 | Relieved.
22 | JOHN G. PARKE | Colonel, Corps of Engineers | Aug. 28, 1887 | June 24, 1889 | Relieved.
23 | JOHN M. WILSON | Lieut. Colonel, Corps of Engineers | Aug. 26, 1889 | Mar. 31, 1893 | Relieved.
24 | OSWALD ERNEST | Major, Corps of Engineers | Mar. 31, 1893 | Aug. 21, 1898 | Relieved.
25 | ALBERT L. MILLS | 1st Lieutenant, 1st Cavalry | Aug. 22, 1898 | Aug. 31, 1906 | Relieved.
26 | HUGH L. SCOTT | Major, 14th Cavalry | Aug. 31, 1906 | Aug. 31, 1910 | Relieved.
27 | THOMAS H. BARRY | Major General, U. S. Army | Aug. 31, 1910 | Aug. 31, 1912 | Relieved.
28 | CLARENCE P. TOWNSLEY | Colonel, Coast Artillery Corps | Aug. 31, 1912 | June 30, 1916 | Relieved.
29 | JOHN BIDDLE | Colonel, Corps of Engineers | July 1, 1916 | |
---+------------------------+------------------------------------+-------------------+-------------------+----------
NOTE.--The selection of the Superintendents of the Military Academy
was confined to the Corps of Engineers from the establishment of
the Institution, March 16, 1802, till the passage of the law of
July 13, 1866, which opened it to the entire Army. By the Act of
June 12, 1858, the local rank of Colonel was conferred upon the
Superintendent.
A DICTIONARY OF CADET SLANG
A. B., _n._ Area Bird, term used to designate one who regularly
walks the area.
B. A., _n._ Busted aristocrat. Title given to a cadet officer who
has been deprived of his chevrons.
B-ache, _n._ An official explanation of a report.
B-ache, _v._ To submit an explanation, to talk.
Beast, _n._ Name given to new cadets during their first few weeks
at M. A.
Beast Barracks, _n._ Designation for the period of time a man is a
beast: the first three weeks when he is quartered in barracks.
Bird, _n._ See A. B.
B. J., _a._ Literally means “bold before June”; as applied to a
fourth classman who is impertinent and fresh.
Black Book, _n._ Regulations, U. S. M. A.
Blasé, _a._ Indifferent. Syn. B. J.
Bone, _v._ To study.
---- check book. To be economical.
---- dis. To try to avoid getting demerits.
---- efficiency. To be military for no apparent reason.
---- files. To strive for class standing.
---- make. To strive for chevrons.
---- muck. To endeavor to increase in brawn.
---- tenths. To study hard for a better mark.
Boodle, _n._ General term used to designate all eatables,
contraband.
Boodler’s, _n_. The confectioner’s.
Bootlick, _v._ To curry favor obsequiously, to praise.
Bootlick, _n._ A “stand in.”
Bootlick Alley, _n._ A street passing in front of the officers’
tents in camp (off limits to plebes).
Brace, _n._ Term applied to muscular efforts of fourth classmen to
look military.
Brace, _v._ To assume an excessive military position. Obsolete.
B. S., _n._ Loquaciousness; superfluity of talk.
B. S., _v._ To be loquacious.
Buck, _n._ Cadet in ranks; one who has no chevrons.
Bugle, _v._ To stand at the board all the period to escape
reciting. (Not applicable to first-class year).
Bump, _v._ To deprive cadet officer of chevrons.
Butt, _n._ The remainder of anything, as the butt of a skag; of a
month.
Cit., _n._ A Civilian.
Cits., _n._ Civilian clothing.
Clean Sleeve, _n._ A cadet who has never worn chevrons.
Com., _n._ Commandant of Cadets.
Con., _n._ Confinement.
Corp., _n._ Corporal.
Crawl, _v._ To correct or rebuke someone (especially fourth
classmen) in a severe manner.
Crawling, _n._ A rebuke.
Deadbeat, _n._ An easy job; one who deadbeats.
Deadbeat, _v._ To avoid some distasteful duty.
Dis., _n._ Discipline.
Dissy, _a._ Lacking in demerits.
Div., _n._ A division of barracks.
Doughboys, _n._ The infantry.
Drag, _v._ To escort a lady; to pull a man out of bed; to pull off
a pair of white trousers.
Drag, _n._ A puff of skag.
Femme, _n._ A member of the fair sex.
Fess, _v._ To fail.
Fess, _n._ A failure.
File, _n._ A member of the male sex; one of the successive grades
in military rank.
Find, _v._ To find deficient and discharge.
Flirtation, _n._ Flirtation Walk.
Formation, _n._ Any military function or military gathering.
Fried Egg, _n._ The crest of the U. S. M. A. used on the cap and
full dress hat.
Gig, _v._ To report for a delinquency.
Gig List, _n._ The delinquency list.
Goat, _n._ A low ranking man in any subject.
Grind, _n._ A joke.
West Point Grind, _n._ A practical joke of the kind in which the
victim sees no humor.
Gross, _a._ Lacking in intelligence.
Growley, _n._ Tomato catsup.
Growley, _v._ To blush.
Gum, _v._ To make a mistake.
Gumstick, _n._ One who is in the habit of gumming it.
Hell Cats, _n._ The U. S. M. A. detachment of field music.
Hell Dodgers, _n._ Active members of the Y. M. C. A.
Hive, _v._ To understand; to discover.
Hivey, _a._ Smart, brainy, able to understand things.
Ignorance and Gummery, _n._ Ordnance and Gunnery.
Juliet, _n._ A cadet who enters in July.
Laundry Spike, _n._ An especially long pin used by the laundry; a
girl who works in the laundry.
Limits, _n._ The boundary beyond which a cadet may not go.
L. P., _n._ A person who is undesirable.
L. P., _v._ To give an undesirable task to anyone.
Make, _n._ A cadet officer.
Max, _n._ A perfect mark.
Max, _v._ To finish a job in a perfect manner.
Missouri National, _n._ A tune supposed to bring rain.
Muck, _n._ Muscle.
O. C., _n._ The Officer in Charge.
O. D., _n._ The Officer of the Day.
O. G., _n._ The Officer of the Guard.
--oid. A suffix added to a noun or a verb to denote the agent by
which the action in the noun or verb is accomplished, _i. e._
Ridoid--one who rides; Hopoid--one who attends hops.
P., _n._ A Professor.
P. C. S., _n._ Previous condition of servitude. Occupation before
entering.
P. D., _n._ Pennsylvania Dutchman.
Pipe, _v._ To look forward to anything; to build castles in the air.
Plebe, _n._ A fourth classman.
Plebeskin, _n._ A flannel blouse issued to new cadets. Very badly
fitting.
Plebeskin, _n._ A report for hazing.
P. M. E., n. Practical Military Engineering.
Podunk, _n._ A cadet’s home town. A name applied to any small town
to denote its insignificance; a local newspaper.
Police, _v._ To discard; to relegate to the scrap pile; to throw
from a horse’s back; to clean up, as to police a room.
Poop, _v._ To memorize verbatim.
Poop, _n._ One who memorizes by heart.
Poop Deck, _n._ The balcony of the south cadet guard house, used by
the officer in charge.
Pred., _n._ Predecessor; a cadet’s forerunner in office.
P. S., _v._ To spoon on the post.
Quill, _n._ A person addicted to reporting cadets on every
opportunity; subject matter for a report.
Recognize, _v._ To admit a fourth classman to the upperclass status.
Reverse, _n._ A position of disfavor, as to get a reverse on the
tac.
Run-it-on, _v._ To take advantage of.
Scavenge, _v._ To acquire something that someone else no longer
wants or has thrown away.
Skag, _n._ A cigarette.
Skin, _n._ A report for delinquency.
Skin, _v._ To report a delinquent.
Skin list, _n._ The delinquency list.
Slug, _n._ A disagreeable duty; an award of special punishment for
some major offense.
Soirée, _n._ An unpleasant task or duty.
Soirée, _v._ To cause inconvenience or annoyance.
Speck, _v._ To commit to memory.
Speck, _n._ One who commits to memory.
Slum, _n._ Mess Hall stew (unknown ingredients).
Soundoff, _n._ A voice capable of being heard at long range.
Sound off, _v._ To bellow; to use the voice to the limit of its
capacity.
Spoon, _v._ To court, amuse, entertain, or converse with a femme.
Spoony Up, _v._ To make neat or attractive.
Step Out, _v._ To hurry.
Sub-div., _n._ A subdivision of barracks: a cadet officer in charge
of a subdivision.
Supe, _n._ The Superintendent.
Tac, _n._ A Tactical Officer.
T. D., _n._ The Department of Tactics.
Tarbucket, _n._ The full dress hat.
Tenth, _n._ The smallest division of the West Point system of
marking.
Tie Up, _v._ To get a thing gloriously mixed up.
Turnback, _n._ A cadet who has been turned back to join the next
succeeding class.
Walri, _n._ One who cannot swim.
Writ, _n._ A written review recitation.
Yearling, _n._ A third classman.
[1] Fort Clinton was originally named Fort Arnold in honor of Benedict
Arnold, but after his defection its name was changed. It stood in
the N. E. corner of the Plain at West Point.
[2] Fort Putnam was named for Colonel Rufus Putnam whose regiment,
the Fifth Massachusetts, commenced it and did much toward putting it
in shape.
[3] The Sterling Iron Works are still in operation at Sterlington,
N. Y., on the Erie R. R., where the remains of the Revolutionary
furnace are still standing.
[4] The Robinson House was situated on the eastern shore of the Hudson
about two miles below West Point. It was built in 1750 by Beverly
Robinson, a man of note and wealth. He had been a personal friend of
Washington until the Revolution separated them, when he went to New
York and raised a regiment known as the “Loyal American” for service
under the British. He assisted Arnold and André in their negotiations.
At the close of the Revolution, Robinson went to England. This house
was destroyed by fire, March 17, 1892.
[5] “Fess” means a complete failure at a recitation. It is an
abbreviation of “confess.”
[6] In the Philippine Department the preliminary examination will be
held between December 1st and December 15th.
[7] The board before which a candidate is directed to appear will be
the one convened at the place nearest or most convenient to his home,
or to the school at which he is in regular attendance at the time of
appointment.
[8] Major Williams resigned June 20, 1803, on a point of command, and
pending its settlement until April 19, 1805, when he again returned to
service as Chief Engineer, no permanent Superintendent of the Military
Academy was appointed, the command devolving upon the senior officer of
the Corps of Engineers present for duty.
[9] Bvt. Major P. G. T. Beauregard, Corps of Engineers, by order of
John B. Floyd, Secretary of War, relieved Colonel Delafield, Jan.
23, 1861, from the superintendency of the Military Academy, but was
himself displaced five days later, Jan. 28, 1861, by direction of the
succeeding Secretary of War, Joseph Holt, the command again devolving
upon Colonel Delafield.
[Transcriber’s Note:
TOC entry “VIII.—Growing Muscles 174” changed to read “VIII.—Growing
Muscles 194” to match actual page.
Obvious printer errors corrected silently.
Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original.]
End of Project Gutenberg's West Point, by Robert Charlwood (Jr.) Richardson