[Illustration]
United States Military Academy
West Point, New York
_Jan. 10th, 1911._
_Dear Reed_:
_I have delayed sending back the proof sheets of the third edition of
your “Cadet Life at West Point” because I wanted to read them. This I
have finally found time to accomplish, but I really have not the time
to write out my views on the book as I would like to do for you can
appreciate my situation when I tell you that we leave here on the 17th
inst. and the house is completely torn up._
_I think, however, that in addition to having written a very interesting
book you have given the public one full of valuable information,
particularly useful to young men who contemplate entering this academy.
The book recalls many pleasant incidents of our own cadet life and
conditions now are very little changed from our day, especially as we are
to return to the four-year course with entrance for the new class back to
June again._
_With best wishes for the New Year_,
_Sincerely_,
_Fred H Sibley_
Colonel Sibley was the Commandant of Cadets from February 1, 1909, to
January 17, 1911.
PRESS COMMENTS ON CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT
Dedicated to the dear girls who adore the military.
“Entertaining personal reminiscences.”—_Cleveland Plain Dealer._
“Most charming book.”—_The_ (Philadelphia) _Keystone_.
“Especially entertaining to lads with military aspirations.”—(Boston)
_Waverly Magazine_.
“Parents and sisters too come under its spell.”—(Chicago) _Quarterly Book
Review_.
“The various troubles cadets have are clearly described.”—_Cincinnati
Commercial Tribune._
“The reader soon becomes interested.”—_Richmond_ (Ind.) _Palladium_.
“Complete description of the life of a cadet.”—_The_ (Chicago) _Medical
Standard_.
“Through the trying days of plebedom.”—_Indianapolis Journal._
“Until he finally doffs the cadet gray and dons the army blue.”—_Chicago
Tribune._
“The story is told in a very interesting way.”—(New York) _American
Stationer_.
“Whether you’re young or old, girl or boy,
Reed’s ‘Cadet Life’ is a book to enjoy;
It is full of facts, mixed with fun,
That gives great pleasure to everyone.”
“A very spirited and interesting book.”—(New York) _Scientific American_.
“Stories, poems and accounts of graduation hops and other
amusements.”—The (New York) _Publishers’ Weekly_.
“Also contains statistics which are of sufficient value alone to warrant
publication.”—_Chicago Journal._
“Charming in its personality.”—_Army and Navy Journal._
“Answers many questions one would like to ask.”—_Chicago Inter-Ocean._
“In such a happy vein as to charm American readers of all ages.”—_Army
and Navy Register._
“A pleasing style.”—(New York) _Review of Reviews_.
“The best description of cadet life and also of the workings of the
academy.”—WM. WARD, _clerk in charge (for the last 60 years) of Cadet
Records at West Point_.
“Nothing quite like it in this country.”—(London, Eng.) _Army and Navy
Gazette_.
“A complete book.”—(Orchard Lake, Mich.) _Adjutant_.
“Interesting reading.”—_Chicago Times-Herald._
“About West Point, how to get there, etc.”—_Indianapolis News._
“Just the thing.”—(Atlanta, Ga.) _Southern Star_.
“Of value to guardsmen.”—_The_ (Columbus, O.) _National Guardsman_.
“Interesting reading even for laymen.”—(New York) _Godey’s Magazine_.
“Should be in both normal school and village libraries.”—_Cortland_ (New
York) _Evening Standard_.
Handsome cloth. 12mo. 315 pages. Illustrated. $1.50
[Illustration: THE AUTHOR]
CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT
BY
COL. HUGH T. REED, LIEUT. U. S. ARMY,
_Late Inspector General of Indiana_.
AUTHOR OF
_Military Science and Tactics, Etc._
ILLUSTRATED
THIRD EDITION.
RICHMOND, INDIANA:
IRVIN REED & SON.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
COPYRIGHT, 1896 AND 1911, BY HUGH T. REED.
Dedicated
_TO THE DEAR GIRLS WHO ADORE THE MILITARY, ONE OF WHOM HAVING PAID THE
PENALTY OF HER ADMIRATION, IS NOW MY SUPERIOR OFFICER._
PREFACE
I believe it to be well established that the mental habits are fully
as strong as the physical habits of man. That is, thought moves in
grooves day after day and day after day as walks in life do. The habit
of retrospectant thought fastened itself upon me several years ago, and
the habit confined itself largely and almost irresistibly to my life at
West Point. My reflections became almost realisms; I was to all intents
and purposes oblivious of the intervening years; oblivious of accumulated
griefs and sorrows, of successes and of contemporaneous ambitions—I was
indeed a boy again, and at West Point, living over and over and over
again all the scenes leading up to and creating my life at the Nation’s
Military School.
In one of these moods, it occurred to me, entirely for my own
gratification, and possibly to dispossess myself of the habit of thinking
upon the subject, to write a little sketch of those days. I became
interested in the work, and the pages grew in number as memory served me
with inspiration for my narrative, until I had at last completed what
might be called a volume of reminiscences.
As an amusement for him, I read chapter after chapter, as it was written,
to a favorite nephew, and when the manuscript was written and in a
temporary binding, I loaned it to this young relative, who, in turn,
with my consent, loaned it to friends of his, and it was read by these
youngsters and passed from hand to hand. I could not help but realize
the interest that was taken by these young readers in what I had so
carelessly and indifferently written, but at the same time, I should
never have undertaken the publication of my notes if my nephew had not
attended a military school and bombarded me with appeals to send him the
old manuscript, so that his comrades might read about life at West Point.
The old manuscript wouldn’t do, so I edited what I had written, re-wrote
some of the pages, added a few lines here and there, and finally
concluded to publish it without the least expectation that it will
interest very many persons, or bring me any material reward.
I have tried to write it naturally and without any attempt at literary
excellence, and beg most respectfully to offer it to the public as a
grateful tribute of my happiest years.
For valuable data I am indebted to Colonel Charles W. Larned, Lieutenant
Colonel F. W. Sibley, Commandant of Cadets, Captains W. E. Wilder, F. W.
Coe and O. J. Charles, Adjutants, Lieut. M. B. Stewart, Tactical Officer,
Dr. E. S. Holden, Librarian, and Mr. William Ward, in charge of Cadet
Records from 1851 to 1911, all of the Military Academy, and to Lieutenant
Charles Braden, editor of Cullum’s Biographical Register of West Point
Graduates.
INDEX.
Chapter. Page.
I. The Appointment 13
II. The Preparation 21
III. The Candidate 27
IV. The Plebe in Camp 65
V. The Plebe in Barracks 87
VI. The Yearling 125
VII. The Furloughman 153
VIII. The Graduate 179
IX. The United States Military Academy 259
X. The Appendix 287
ILLUSTRATIONS.
The Author Frontispiece
Might Be a Cadet 15
Topographical Sketch of West Point 25
Setting-up Exercises 41
Hop Invitation—Camp McPherson 63
Hop Invitation—I. O. C. B. 81
Cadet Warrant 111
Hop Invitation—Camp Geo. H. Thomas 123
Hop Invitation—Camp Belknap 151
Graduating Hop Invitation—Class of 1872 163
Cadet Captain’s Chevron 175
Bell Button for Civilian Coats 176
Badge 176
Hop Invitation—Camp Thayer 177
Inaugural Ball Invitation 198-9
Graduating Hop Invitation—Class of 1873 203
Bird’s Eye View of West Point as It May Be in 1912 209
Diploma 211
Bird’s Eye View of West Point in 1902 213
West Point in 1848 215
West Point in 1825 217
Guard Mount in Camp 219
Color Line 219
Seal of the United States Military Academy 221
Cadet Hospital 221
Superintendent’s Quarters 221
Battery Knox 223
Sea Coast Battery 223
Siege Battery 223
The Academic Building 225
Mess Hall 227
Dining Room 227
South Cadet Barracks 227
Cavalry Drill 229
Battalion Marching from Camp to Barracks 229
Cadet Tent 231
Group of First Classmen 233
Group of Furloughmen 233
The Old Cadet Chapel 233
Cadet Room 233
Professors’ Row 235
Flirtation Walk 235
Kosciuszco’s Garden 235
The Old Riding Hall 237
Battle Monument 237
Ponton Bridge 237
Cadet Camp—World’s Fair, 1893 239
Officers’ Quarters Above Old North Gate in 1910 241
Officers’ Quarters Below Old South Gate in 1910 241
Bachelor Officers’ Quarters in 1910 241
The New Cadet Chapel in 1910 243
The North Cadet Barracks in 1910 243
The Old Washington Headquarters 245
Officers’ Mess in 1910 245
Cullum Memorial Hall 245
Coat of Arms of the United States Military Academy 247
Library 247
Siege Battery Drill in 1910 249
Artillery and Cavalry Group in 1910 249
The New Gymnasium in 1910 249
Proposed Staff Quarters 251
Headquarters Building 251
Inspection in Camp 253
Light Artillery Drill 253
Sedgwick’s Monument 255
Professors’ Row 255
Cadet Monument 255
Looking East from the New Chapel in 1910 257
Perspective View from River on the East 257
Interior of New Riding Hall 315
CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT
CHAPTER I.
THE APPOINTMENT.
I was not more than eight years old when I first heard about West Point,
and then I was told that it was Uncle Sam’s Military School; that the
young men there were called cadets; that they were soldiers, and that
they wore pretty uniforms with brass buttons on them. The impression
made upon me at the time was such that I never tired talking and asking
questions about West Point. I soon learned to indicate the site on the
map, and I longed to go there, that I might be a cadet and wear brass
buttons. I talked about it so much that my good mother made me a coat
generous with brass buttons. I called it my cadet coat, and wore it
constantly. Ah! for the day I should be a big boy and be a real cadet.
With a wooden gun I played soldier, and when the war broke out and the
soldiers camped in our old fair grounds, I was in their camp at every
opportunity. The camp was about half-way between our home farm and
father’s store in town, and many is the time I have been scolded for
being so much at the camp. My only regret at that time was that I was not
old enough to enlist, for I loved to watch the drills and linger around
the camp-fires, listening to stories of the war.
I learned a good deal from the soldiers about West Point. They told me
that I could not go there until I was seventeen years old, and not then
unless I was appointed as a cadet by my congressman. They also told me
that I must be a good boy at school and study hard, for the reason that
after securing the appointment I would have to pass a rigid examination
at West Point before admission. This was bad news to me, because we
farm boys never attended school longer than four or five months in
a year. Fortunately, however, the family moved to “town” when I was
fourteen years old. I was then assured that I would have my wish, and I
never missed a day at school. I was so anxious to learn rapidly that I
overtaxed my eyes, and was in a dark room for nearly a year. Still I did
not give up hope, and when my eyesight permitted I returned to school
again.
I found out that there could be only one cadet at a time at West Point
from the same congressional district, and also that there was then a
young man there from my district; still I had hopes of getting there
myself before I got too old, that is, over twenty-one.[1] Then there was
no book published about West Point, and magazines and newspapers never
described it.
[Illustration: “MIGHT BE A CADET.”]
One day I saw by the paper that the Hon. G. W. Julian was at home on a
short visit, and I knew that he was my congressman; hence I wanted to go
at once to see him. I confided in my mother and obtained her permission
to be absent from school that afternoon. So I saddled old John, my
favorite horse, and rode six miles to Mr. Julian’s house. He was at home,
and was very kind to me. He asked my father’s name, and also my name and
age, and he made a note of my address, saying that he might write to
me from Washington. He also said that there would be a vacancy at West
Point, from his district, the next year in June, and that he would make
the appointment soon; that I was the first young man to apply for the
place, but if any one who had served in the war applied for the cadetship
within the next few weeks he would appoint him—that such a person could
be just under twenty-four years of age. Nevertheless, if no old soldier
applied, he would appoint me, as he knew my father well. He then said
that if he did appoint me I must be a good student the next year, and
prepare for the examination at West Point. Upon my return home I did
not talk about West Point any more, nor did I speak to any one except
my mother about having seen Mr. Julian, and I had five brothers and a
sister, too!
About two months after my visit to Mr. Julian, I received a letter from
him, taking it myself from the postoffice, but alas! the writing was such
that I could not read it, although there were but eight words in it, so
I hastened with it to my mother, but she could not read it, either. Then
as I must confide in another person, I decided to speak to my father, and
ask him to read the letter, under promise that he would not talk about
West Point with any one except my mother and myself. He read the letter
at once, and said that the writing was all right, but that the letter did
not mean anything, as Mr. Julian had probably written the same to other
boys. I did not believe this, and was surer than ever of obtaining the
appointment. Many years have passed since then, but the words of that
letter are still fresh in my memory. They are:
“Please inform me in reply your exact age.”
I wanted my father to write Mr. Julian in my behalf, but he declined to
do so, saying that he did not want me to go to West Point. I then got him
to promise not to write “that” to Mr. Julian, and I myself answered the
letter by return mail.
About ten days after this I received another letter from the congressman,
a great large one, in a long envelope, and all I could read of that was
“I have recommended you”; but that was enough, as the appointment itself
was enclosed, and I could read it, and I was a happy boy. I ran home to
show the appointment to my mother, and then to the store to show it to
my father, and also to get him to read the letter to me, which was as
follows:
“I have recommended you, and enclose herewith your conditional
appointment as a cadet to West Point, together with certain
other papers from the War Department. I shall now expect you to
prepare yourself for the examination next June, and I hope you
will graduate with high honors, and that afterwards you will be
loyal and useful to your country.”
THE APPOINTMENT.
War Department.[2]
Washington, ________ 1868.
Sir: You are hereby informed, that the President has
conditionally selected you for appointment as Cadet of the
United States Military Academy, at West Point, New York.
Should you desire the appointment, you will report in person
to the Superintendent of the Academy on the ____ day of
________, 1869, for examination. If it be found that you
possess the qualifications required by law and set forth in the
circular[3] herewith, you will be admitted, with pay from date
of admission, and your warrant of appointment will be delivered
to you.
Should you be found deficient in studies at the semi-annual
or annual examinations, or should your conduct reports be
unfavorable, you will be discharged from the military service,
unless otherwise recommended for special reasons by the
Academic Board, but will receive an allowance for traveling
expenses to your home.
Your attention is particularly directed to the accompanying
circular, and it is to be distinctly understood that this
notification confers upon you no right to enter the Military
Academy unless your qualifications agree fully with its
requirements, and unless you report for examination at the time
specified.
You are requested to immediately inform the Department of your
acceptance or declination of the contemplated appointment upon
the above conditions.
Very respectfully,
____________
Secretary of War.
To ____________
* * * * *
____________, 1868.
To the Honorable Secretary of War,[4] Washington, D. C.
Sir: I hereby respectfully acknowledge the receipt of your
notification of my contemplated appointment as a Cadet of the
United States Military Academy, with the appended circular, and
inform you of my acceptance of the same upon the conditions
named.
I certify, on honor, that I was born at ________, in the
County of ________, State of ________, on the ____ day of
________, 18__, and that I have been an actual resident of the
Congressional District of ________ for __ years and __ months.
(Signature of appointee) ____________
I hereby assent to the acceptance by my ________ of his
conditional appointment as Cadet in the military service, and
he has my full permission to sign articles binding himself to
serve the United States eight years, unless sooner discharged.
I also certify, on honor, that the above statements are true
and correct in every particular.
(Signature of parent or guardian) ____________
CHAPTER II.
THE PREPARATION.
After examining the papers received from the War Department, I found one
that required my father’s signature before I myself could accept the
appointment. My parents both objected to my leaving home, and therefore
did not wish me to go to West Point. I argued that I wanted to go to
college somewhere, and why not let me go where Uncle Sam paid the bills.
At last I won my mother on my side, and then my father, seeing that my
heart was so fixed, signed the paper requiring his signature, and mailed
it to the Honorable Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. This done, I let
the secret out, and all of my boy friends wanted to know how I had gotten
the appointment. I told part, but I did not tell just how I did get it.
After seeing the kind of examination[5] I would have to pass at West
Point the next year, my father decided to send me to the High School at
Ann Arbor, Mich., and to send my brother Charley there with me to prepare
him for the University of Michigan. We entered the High School early in
September. About two weeks afterward the University of Michigan (also at
Ann Arbor) opened, and we observed that many of the candidates for the
freshman class seemed no farther advanced than we thought ourselves, so
we applied, were examined, and admitted to the University. I thought that
if I failed at West Point I could return and graduate at the University
in three instead of four years.
There was a tall young man from Tennessee, who entered the High School
with us, and afterward entered the University, too. He, like myself, had
an appointment to West Point, and was going there the next June, so we
became friends at once, and he and I agreed to study after Christmas for
the West Point examination. After the sophomores quit hazing, all went
well with us, and the year soon passed. I left Ann Arbor on the last day
of April to return home via Lakes Huron and Michigan, and went to Detroit
to take the first steamer of the season around the lakes to Chicago. Upon
arriving in Detroit, I heard that there was to be a muster and inspection
of a regiment of United States troops out at Fort Wayne, a short ride
from Detroit, and as I was to be a soldier, I went to see the sight. As I
looked at the troops (the First U. S. Infantry), I thought that I would
like to be an officer of that regiment when I graduated from West Point,
and singularly enough my wish was gratified. I remained so long at Fort
Wayne that the boat had departed when I returned to Detroit, so I took
train and overtook the boat at Port Huron. While there I went to see Fort
Gratiot, and strange to say, that was subsequently my first army station.
When the steamer stopped at Mackinaw I visited the fort that was there at
that time.
After my return home I reviewed the studies I was to be examined on in
a few weeks, and then started east. I promised my father if I failed to
pass the examination that I would return home at once. Arriving in the
great city of New York, I took passage on the day steamer “Mary Powell,”
and was charmed with the scenery along the Hudson. The first stop was at
the south landing at West Point. I was on the upper deck at the time,
and after seeing my trunk put ashore, I walked leisurely downstairs to
disembark and to my great surprise the boat was fifty feet or more from
shore when I got down. I thought that all steamers made long stops,
for the only other boat that I had ever been on stopped for many hours
every time she landed. The captain would not let me off, and said that I
could get off at Cornwall and take a down boat the same evening. I was
satisfied and went on the upper deck again and saw the passengers who had
landed get into the West Point Hotel ’bus. All the trunks except mine
were put on the top of the ’bus, and it was then driven up the hill,
leaving my trunk all alone on the dock.
When the steamer stopped at Cornwall I this time promptly stepped ashore.
It was about sunset. There were not more than half a dozen buildings in
sight, and not a soul at the dock, and I was the only passenger landing
at that point. I went to one of the houses and inquired the location of
the hotel, and I was informed that it was not open, as it was too early
for summer visitors. I then asked what time the down boat was due, and
was informed that it would be along soon, but that it would not stop. The
West Shore Railroad was not built at that time, and as there was no stage
line over the mountains nor ferry on the river, I began to fear that I
could not get away by the tenth of June, the last day for me to report.
This bothered me more than the hotel accommodations, but I soon found
obliging people and arranged for my lodging and breakfast, and also to be
rowed to my destination the next day.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: Topographical Sketch of WEST POINT]
CHAPTER III.
THE CANDIDATE.
“As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined.”
It was about ten o’clock in the morning of June 8, 1869, when I stepped
from a rowboat on the dock near the Sea Coast Battery at West Point.
The weather was perfect, and my heart was light and free. As there was
neither any person nor conveyance at the dock, I followed the road
winding up the hill to the plain. I stopped to admire the scenery. In
front I beheld a level green plain of one hundred acres or more with
massive buildings peeping through the large elm trees that fringe two
sides of the plain; on either side were high hills; in my rear rolled the
majestic Hudson between the Highlands, with Siege Battery at my feet. As
I gazed around it was to me then, as it is to me now, the most beautiful
of places.
I found my way to the Adjutant’s office in the Administration Building[6]
and reported. I was courteously received and handed the “Instructions
to Candidates” to read. I stated the fact of my trunk having been put
ashore on the south dock and of the Mary Powell carrying me to Cornwall
the previous evening, and I was told that my trunk had undoubtedly been
taken to the hotel, as there was then (and now is) but one hotel at the
Point. And I was also informed that my trunk would be sent to the Cadet
Barracks. After I had complied with the instructions, an orderly, at the
sound of a bell, entered and was directed to escort me to the barracks.
In going through the area we passed some cadets and I overheard such
remarks as “He’ll learn to button his coat.” At the orderly’s suggestion
I buttoned my coat. He took me into a hall, said “This is the door,”
laid down my valise, and left me. The door was the first one on the
right of the eighth division—how well I remember it! I knocked on the
door, and heard a commanding voice say “Come in!”[7] With valise and
umbrella in one hand and cap in the other, I entered. There were two
cadets in the room, seated near a table, and before I had a chance to
speak, I was greeted about as follows: “Leave your things in the hall.
Don’t you know better than to bring them in here?” I stepped into the
hall, left the door open, and while looking for a suitable place to put
my things (for there was neither a hook nor a table), one of these two
cadets cried out: “Lay them on the floor and come in, and don’t be all
day about it, either. Move lively, I say. Shut the door. Stand there.
Come to attention. Put your heels together, turn out your toes, put your
hands by your side, palms to the front, fingers closed, little fingers
on the seams of the trousers, head up, chin in, shoulders thrown back,
chest out, draw in your belly, and keep your eyes on this tack.” While
one cadet was giving commands with great rapidity, the other one fixed
my feet, hands, head and shoulders. “What’s your name? Put a Mr. before
it. How do you spell it? What’s your first name? Spell it. What’s your
middle name? Have none? What state are you from? What part? Put a sir
on every answer. Where’s your trunk? Don’t know? Didn’t you bring one?
Put on a sir; how often do you want me to speak about it?” I explained
how my trunk and I had arrived at different times. “You’re too slow.
You’ll never get along here. Keep your eyes on that tack; turn the palms
of your hands squarely to the front. Did you bring all of the articles
marked ‘thus’? You don’t know what they are? Put on a sir, I tell you.
Didn’t you get a circular telling what articles you should bring? Didn’t
you read it? Now answer me; did you bring the articles marked ‘thus’?
Well, why didn’t you say so at first? Keep your eyes on that tack.” A
wagon drove up and put a trunk on the porch near the window. “About face!
Turn around the other way. Don’t you know anything? Is that your trunk?
It is, is it? Now, let’s see you ‘about face’ properly. Steady. At the
word ‘about’ turn on the left heel, turning the left toe to the front,
carrying the right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to and three
inches from the left heel, the feet perpendicular to each other. Don’t
look at your feet. Head up. Stand at ‘attention’ till I give the command.
Now, ‘about’ (one of the cadets fixed my feet); at the word ‘face,’ turn
on both heels, raise the toe a little, face to the rear, when the face
is nearly completed, raise the right foot and replace it by the left.
Now, ‘face.’ Ah! turn on both heels. Fix your eyes on that tack again.
Draw in your belly. Throw back your shoulders and stand up like a man.
Now, ‘left, face.’ Don’t you know your left hand from your right? Face
that door; open it. Ah! why don’t you step off with the left foot first?
Pick up your things, follow me, and move lively.” My back was nearly
broken, and I was glad to get out of that room. After going a few steps
on the broad porch on the area side of barracks, a young man in civilian
clothes came out of the next hallway carrying the palms of his hands to
the front. “Come here, Mr. Howard, and help your room-mate carry his
trunk upstairs; step lively, now.” With that introduction Mr. Howard and
I took hold of the trunk. Just then the tall young Tennesseean, whom I
knew at Ann Arbor, passed, carrying the palms of his hands to the front.
We exchanged knowing winks, but did not venture to speak. “What’s the
matter with you? Don’t be all day carrying that trunk upstairs.” Howard
and I tugged away and finally got the trunk upstairs and into the room
designated. Candidates Howard and Knapp had already been assigned to the
same room. “Stand attention, Mr. Knapp. Don’t you know enough to stand
attention when I enter the room? Palms to the front. Put the trunk over
there. Mr. R⸺d, open your trunk and valise and take out everything and
make a list of all you have. Stand attention, Mr. Howard. Take out your
things first and make a list afterward. Put the small articles on this
part of the clothes-press, hang your clothes on those pegs and put your
bedding over there. Study the regulations. Fold your things properly,
put them in their places, and the next time I come in I want to see
everything in place. What did you bring that umbrella for? You will never
need it here. Mr. R⸺d, post your name over there on the ‘alcove,’ put it
on the ‘Orderly Board’ under Mr. Knapp’s name, and put it there on the
clothes-press. Whenever you hear the command, ‘Candidates, turn out,’
button your coats, hasten downstairs and ‘fall in’ in the Area.” Cadet
Hood left the room then, and we sat down, prostrated. Then we proceeded
to get acquainted with one another, and on comparing notes we found that
each one of us had had about the same reception. As Howard and Knapp had
reported the day before, they gave me many pointers, which I appreciated.
The room was good-sized, with two alcoves at the end opposite the window;
but, oh! how uninviting it seemed. No bed, no carpet, no curtains,
and not even shades. The furniture that was in the room consisted of
a clothes-press, that is, shelving arranged for two cadets, but to be
used by three or four candidates, two small iron tables, a wash stand,
an iron mantel and a steam coil with a marble slab on it. H⸺rd and K⸺p
had already carried from the Commissary certain articles for use by all
occupants of the room, as follows: A looking-glass, a wash basin, a water
bucket, a cocoanut dipper, a slop bucket and a broom. They had also
obtained such other articles as were required for their personal use,
such as a chair and a pillow.
The following extract from the “Blue Book” shows the arrangement of
rooms, etc.
White Helmet.—On the clothes-press.
Dress Hat.—On the gun-rack shelf.
Cartridge Box and Bayonet or Sword.—On pegs near gun-rack.
Caps and Sabres.—On pegs near gun-rack.
Rifle.—In gun-rack.
Spurs.—On peg with sabre.
Bedstead.—In alcove against side wall of room, head against rear wall.
Bedding.—Mattress, folded once; blankets, comforter and sheets, folded
separately, so that the folds shall be the width of the pillow, and all
piled against the head of the bedstead, thus: mattress, sheets, pillow,
blankets and comforter; the end of the pile next to the alcove partition
to be in line with the side of the bedstead; this end and the front of
the pile to be vertical.
Clothes-Press.—Books on top against the wall, backs to the front; hair
and clothes brushes, combs, shaving materials, such small boxes as are
allowed, vials for medicines, etc., on top shelf; belts, collars, gloves,
handkerchiefs, socks, etc., on second shelf from the top; sheets, pillow
cases, shirts, drawers, pants, etc., on the other shelves.
Text-Books.—Those in daily use may be upon the tables, except during
Sunday morning inspection.
Arrangement.—All articles of the same kind to be neatly placed in one
pile, folded edges to the front and even with front edge of the shelves.
Nothing to be between these piles and the back of the press, unless want
of room renders it necessary.
Soiled Clothes.—In clothes bag.
Shoes.—To be kept clean, dusted and arranged in line, toes to the front,
along the side near the foot of the bed. Shoe brush in the fireplace.
Woolen Clothing, Dressing Gown and Clothes Bag.—On pegs in alcove,
arranged as follows: Overcoat, dressing gown, uniform coats, jackets,
gray pants, clothes bag and night clothes.
Broom.—Behind the door.
Candle Box.—In fireplace.
Tables.—Against the wall under gas jet or near the window when the room
is dark.
Chairs.—From 8 a. m. to 10 p. m. against the tables when not in use.
Mirror.—At center of mantel.
Wash Stand.—In front of and against alcove partition.
Wash Basin.—Inverted on top of wash stand.
Water Bucket.—Near to and on side of wash stand opposite the door.
Dipper.—In water bucket.
Slop Bucket.—Near to and on side of wash stand nearest the door.
Curtains.—Regulation only allowed.
Calendar.—A small, plain one may be placed on the wall over the gas
fixture.
Clock.—A small plain one may be kept on the mantel.
Bath Towel.—May be hung in the alcove.
Trunks, Pictures, Splashers, Writing Desks, Etc.—Prohibited. There is a
storeroom for trunks.
Floor.—To be kept clean and free from grease spots or stains.
Heating Apparatus.—To be kept clean and free from scratches.
Windows.—Cadets are forbidden to sit at the windows with feet on
the woodwork, or to appear before windows improperly dressed, or to
communicate through windows, or to raise the lower sash more than four
inches during “call to quarters.”
Names.—Uniformly printed to be posted over gun-rack pegs, alcove,
clothes-press and on orderly board over wash stand.
Hours of Recitation.—To be on the mantel on either side of the mirror.
Academic Regulations, Articles of War and the Blue Book.—To be kept on
the mantel.
Laundry.—All clothes sent to the wash to be plainly marked with owner’s
name.
Room Orderly.—Is responsible for the cleanliness and ventilation of the
room, and that articles for joint use are in place.
After having folded and arranged my possessions according to the Blue
Book, as I understood from a hasty perusal of it, I looked out of the
window down into the Area of Barracks, where I saw old cadets passing to
and fro. They carried themselves so very erect that we could not help
but admire them and wish that we too were as straight and walked as well
as they. We observed what small waists they had, and we wondered if they
laced. Another thing we observed was that the cadets looked so much
alike. I had unbuttoned my coat while arranging my effects, and forgot to
button it again, when I heard a quick walk in the hall and then a sharp,
firm, single rap on the door. We all sprang promptly to attention, palms
to the front. Cadet Hood entered and began: “Button your coat, Mr. R⸺d.”
He moved several piles on the clothes-press and disarranged my bedding,
too, saying, “Not folded properly. Why don’t you study the Blue Book? Mr.
Howard, fill your water bucket the first thing every morning. Get the
water from one of the hydrants[8] in the Area. The floor is very dirty;
sweep it properly, invert your wash bowl, and don’t let me have occasion
to speak about these things again.”
The first call for dinner sounded and then we heard, “Candidates, turn
out promptly.” We hastened downstairs. The old cadets were gathering in
four different groups, while the candidates were being put into another
one. Cadets Hood, Allen and Macfarlan were on the watch for candidates,
and they began thus:
“Button that coat. Get down here lively. ‘Fall in.’ Fall in in the rear;
don’t you know better than to get in front of anybody? Palms to the
front. Fix your eyes on the seam of the coat collar of the man in front
of you, and at the second call, face to the left.” Some of the candidates
faced one way and some another, but we were soon straightened out, and
then, “Eyes to the front! What do you mean gazing about in ranks? Each
candidate, as his name is called, will answer ‘Here’ in a clear and
audible tone of voice.” The roll of the candidates was then called. “Why
don’t you answer, Mr. H⸺? Well, then, speak up so that you can be heard.
Mr. ⸺, don’t shout,” and so on till the last name was called. We were
told how to “count fours,” and after the command came something like
this: “Stop counting. Try it over. Count fours. Steady, Mr. ⸺; wait till
the man on your right counts. Eyes to the front. Why don’t you count,
Mr. ⸺! Speak out. Eyes to the front,” and so on. We were now told how
to “wheel by fours,” and at the command, “March,” to step off with the
left foot first. There was a great time after the command, “Fours right,
march,” was given. The cadets on duty over us were kept busy shouting at
and pulling in place, first one candidate and then another, but after
a fashion we got started and followed the cadets to the Mess Hall, and
those on duty over us were kept busy all the way correcting mistakes made
by the candidates.
While en route to dinner we were directed to remove our caps just before
entering the Mess Hall and to put them on again just after leaving it.
Of course we made blunders, and were gently (?) corrected for them. Upon
entering the hall we were directed to certain tables, but told not to
sit down until the command, “Candidates, take seats,” was given. When
each one found a place behind an iron stool (that in my day resembled an
hour glass in shape), the command, “A Company, take seats,” was given,
and then the members of A Company all sat down promptly; then came “B
Company, take seats,” “C Company, take seats,” “D Company, take seats,”
and then “Candidates, take seats.” Immediately after the last command
something like this came: “Sit down promptly. Do you want to be all day
about it? Eat your dinner, and don’t leave the table until the command,
‘Candidates, rise.’”
Dinner was on the table, and there were a good many tables in the big
hall. Each table had seats for twenty-two persons, ten on a side and
one at either end. There were tablecloths, but no napkins, and one
waiter for every two long tables; the waiters did not pass anything, but
brought water, bread, etc., when needed. The cadets (and candidates) at
the ends of the tables did the carving, while those at the center of
the long tables poured the water. At supper and breakfast there were no
tablecloths. Tablecloths and napkins are now furnished for all meals, and
there are cane seat chairs instead of the old iron stools. The tables
of the cadets were divided crosswise in the center by an imaginary line
into two parts, and each part was called a table. The cadets had seats
according to rank, and they always sat in the same seats. First classmen
sat near the end called the head of the table, second classmen next,
third classmen (except the corporals) next, and then fourth classmen,
the latter being at the center of the long tables. The corporals at the
ends of the tables were the carvers, and the fourth classmen poured the
water.[9]
After dinner we were marched back to barracks, and before being dismissed
the candidates were informed that they could do as they pleased until the
bugle sounded “Call to quarters” at 2 o’clock, and then they must repair
promptly to quarters, that is, to their own rooms in the barracks. All
the time that we were in ranks the usual volleys were fired at us, such
as: “Eyes to the front. Head erect and chin in.” After we were dismissed
we were constantly reminded to “carry palms of the hands to the front,”
notwithstanding the fact that we had been told to go where we pleased
for a whole half hour. Some of the candidates went to the sink (i. e.,
water closet),[10] and some of the old cadets went there, too. A number
of them surrounded a poor candidate, called him a plebe or an animal,
and fired dozens of questions at him at once. The madder the plebe got
the more fun it was for the old cadets. As the candidates were not
acquainted with one another, and as they dreaded to meet the old cadets,
they naturally drifted to their quarters, thinking that the safest place
to be, but, alas! some of the old cadets called upon them there. While
they did not mention their names, something like this generally occurred:
“‘Shun, squad. Come to attention, plebes. Palms to the front. What’s your
name? Spell it; spell it backwards. What state are you from? Who’s your
predecessor?’ Say ‘Mr. ⸺.’ Do you think you can pass the ‘prelim’? Where
is Newburg? Don’t know? How do you expect to get in here if you don’t
know where Newburg is? Climb up on that mantel and be lively about it,
too. Now move your arms and say ‘Caw, caw.’ Stop that laughing. Eyes to
the front.” And so on, till the old cadets would slip out in time to go
to their rooms for “Call to quarters.”
At two o’clock came the call, “Candidates, turn out promptly,” and every
candidate turned out and “fell in.” A number were sent back for towels,
and upon returning to the Area were sent to the bathrooms, then in the
basement of D Company quarters. After bathing, some were sent to the
Cadet Hospital for physical examination, and were there told to strip to
the skin, then called one at a time before three Army Surgeons, in full
uniform, who examined the lungs, eyes, ears, teeth and feet, made the
candidates hop first on one foot, then on the other, raise their hands
high above the head, cough, bend over forward, etc. When my turn came I
did not mention anything about ever having been troubled with my eyes.
Upon returning to the barracks we were sent to the Commissary, where each
candidate was given the articles necessary for his own immediate use.
As near as I now remember, I got a chair, a pillow, a piece of soap, an
arithmetic, a slate, a copybook, a quire of “uniform” paper, a history, a
grammar and a geography. Other candidates who, like myself, had brought
the articles marked “Thus*” received the same as I, while those who had
not brought them got two blankets in addition to what the rest of us got.
The books mentioned above are not now issued to candidates. Cadet H⸺d saw
to it that candidates rooming together were provided with a wash bowl, a
mirror, two buckets, etc. When all were fitted out we took up our loads
and returned with them to Barracks, carrying them in our hands or on our
shoulders, as was most convenient. This trip from the Commissary store
across the grassy plain to Barracks has been described thus:
[Illustration: SETTING UP EXERCISES.
The setting up exercises are now taught by the Instructor of Military
Gymnastics and Physical Culture.]
“Examinations being completed,
The ‘found’ having fled evermore,
Then with fear and a sigh
And blood in the eye,
Candidates hasten to the store.
“‘Give me my things,’ in joy a plebe exclaims,
Then the storekeeper puts on a smile,
But dispels the illusion
And causes confusion
By throwing his goods in a pile.
“Slowly he carries them across the plain,
With buckets and broom in the rear;
But hard is the task,
He has reason to ask
If his future abode is quite clear.
“The looking-glass breaks, the pails rattle loud,
And the sound echoes from afar;
Plebe cries in disgust,
‘Let me get up and dust,
I want to go home to my ma.’”
Upon returning to Barracks we were ordered to our rooms, and then to the
shoeblacks, at that time in the basement of B Company quarters, to have
our shoes cleaned and polished, and told to go there, at certain hours,
as often as necessary to keep our shoes in proper order. Candidates whose
hair was considered too long by Cadet H⸺d were sent to the barber’s, at
that time in the basement of C Company quarters. Candidates who had to
shave were directed to shave themselves, as the barber was not permitted
to do anything but cut hair.
At 4:15 p. m. we were turned out for “Squad Drill.” We “fell in”
promptly and were corrected in the manner indicated when we fell in
for dinner. Even now I seem to hear Cadets A⸺n, H⸺d and M⸺n shouting
themselves hoarse at us poor, stupid candidates. There were about twenty
“yearlings,” classmates of Cadets A⸺n and H⸺d, standing around our line,
waiting to get a chance at the candidates, so as to compete with them
and with one another for “Corporal’s chevrons.” We were separated into
squads of four or five to the squad, and a cadet instructor assigned to
drill each squad. Cadet H⸺d had the squad I was in. After all details
were adjusted, the command, “March off your Squads” was given, and then
Babylon was let loose; the candidates could hear the commands of all of
the instructors, and they did not know the voice of their own, hence
there was much confusion. Some of the instructors acted as if they wanted
to terrorize the candidates in their squads, and shouted: “Eyes to the
front. Pay attention to me. What do you mean by listening to others?
Palms to the front,” and so on, for ten or fifteen minutes, and then we
were given a brief “rest.”
Then we were taught how to march and the instructor began thus: “At the
word ‘forward’ throw the weight of the body upon the right leg, the left
knee straight. At the word ‘march’ move the left leg smartly, without
jerk, carry the left foot forward thirty inches from the right, the sole
near the ground, the toe a little depressed, knee straight and slightly
turned out. At the same time throw the weight of the body forward (eyes
to the front), and plant the foot without shock, weight of the body
resting upon it; next, in like manner, advance the right foot and plant
it as above. Continue to advance without crossing the legs or striking
one against the other, keeping the face direct to the front. Now,
‘forward, common time, march.’ Depress the toe, so that it strikes the
ground at the same time as the heel. (Palms of the hands squarely to the
front. Head up.) When I count ‘one,’ plant the left foot, ‘two,’ plant
the right, ‘three,’ plant the left again, ‘four,’ plant the right again,
and so on. Now, ‘One,’ ‘two,’ ‘three,’ ‘four,’” etc. “Bring your feet
down together. Depress your toes,” and so on.
We were taught many things, such as the facings, the exercises, rests,
etc. “In place, rest,” was the most acceptable, but half the pleasure of
that was taken away from the candidates by being often told to “keep one
heel in place.” That first hour at squad drill is not soon forgotten. My
every muscle was sore and I ached all over. Just before we were dismissed
we were informed that we could go anywhere we pleased on Cadet Limits, so
long as we were back a little before sunset, in time for dress parade.
This seemed a great privilege, but wherever candidates went some old
cadets were already there, and greeted them with “Depress your toes,
plebes. Palms to the front. Are you going to be all summer learning how
to march? Squad halt. Right hand salute. What’s your name? Can you sing,
dance or play on the piano? Come here ‘Dad,’ and see this ‘animal.’” And
a thousand and one other equally pleasant sayings.
Dress parade came and went, but the candidates did not participate in the
ceremony out on the grassy plain. They were kept in the Area, and their
positions alternated between “Attention” and “Parade, Rest.” When the
“Retreat Gun” was fired many of them jumped half out of ranks, and then
were gently (?) informed that they were a fine lot of soldiers. “What do
you mean by leaving ranks before you are dismissed?” When we had half a
chance we enjoyed the music of the band, but it was very hard to hear it
and our instructor’s commands at the same time. Soon after parade we fell
in again and marched to supper. On the way to and from the Mess Hall we
were constantly entertained by our cadet instructors by such commands
as, “Eyes to the front,” “Depress your toes,” and “Palms to the front.”
Before being dismissed after supper we were informed that we had half an
hour before “Call to quarters,” and that during that half hour we could
do as we pleased. But that half hour passed just as the other half hours
had passed, that is, by the candidates furnishing amusement for the old
cadets.
Upon going to our rooms at the signal of “Call to quarters,” Cadet H⸺d
called to say that if we expected to pass our preliminary examination
we had better “bone up” for it; he also informed us that we could not
retire until after “Tattoo.” A cadet’s bed is “made down,” when it is
ready to get into, and it is “made up” when it is piled according to
regulations and not ready for use. We were too tired to talk. At 9:30 we
were turned out to Tattoo. After Tattoo I folded each blanket lengthwise
and laid it on the floor, then spread the sheets and comforter on the
blankets, undressed and got in bed, leaving H⸺rd, the room orderly, to
turn out the gas. Our bones did not fit the hard floor very well, but
we soon fell asleep. “Taps” sounded at 10 p. m., and, oh, how sweet and
soothing it was. In a few moments more our room door was opened (for
they are never locked), a dark lantern flashed in our faces and the door
closed again. The same thing was repeated once more during the night, but
this time by an officer of the army, called by the cadets a “Tactical
Officer.” These inspections were made to make sure that our lights were
out and that we were in bed. We slept in the alcoves, heads near the wall
farthest from the door. H⸺rd, K⸺p and I, when fast asleep, were suddenly
awakened. We had been “yanked,” that is, some old cadets had come into
our room, seized our blankets, and with a quick jerk carried us some
distance from the wall, and then ran out of the room. We fell asleep once
more and slept soundly until we were awakened by the “Reveille Gun” that
is fired at sunrise and followed by the beating off of “Reveille.” This
music was very pretty, too, but we could not half appreciate it, as we
had to get up at once, fall in and begin another day. After reveille we
made up our beds. H⸺rd swept out and brought a bucket of fresh water.
Cadet H⸺d inspected our quarters twenty minutes after reveille, and said,
“Mr. H⸺rd, your wash bowl is not inverted, and your floor not half swept.
Attend to them at once.”
We had another hour’s drill before breakfast (omitted now), which made
us very hungry. Sick call sounded soon after this drill, but while the
candidates were all half sick, it was not medicine they wanted, so none
of them went to the hospital. Breakfast was at seven o’clock, and after
it the candidates furnished the cadets with the customary half-hour’s
entertainment before call to quarters sounded. Cadet H⸺d again cautioned
us to “bone up” when he inspected quarters about nine o’clock, and said:
“The mantel is dusty, and the floor very dirty.” Captain H⸺t, a Tactical
Officer of the Army, also inspected us before noon, but he did not say
anything. While I had then been only a day at West Point, so much had
happened that it seemed an age.
About a week passed with much the same routine as for the first day,
except that we had Saturday afternoon, after inspection, to ourselves,
that is, such part of it as we were not busy entertaining old cadets,
and on Sunday morning we had inspection of quarters, and after this
inspection we were all marched to church. On Sunday afternoon we were
permitted to make down and air, or use, our beds, and to enjoy lying
on the soft side of the boards again. The candidates were all marched
to the Episcopal Church, “the” church there at that day. In due time
the Catholics and Methodists attended their own churches, but all
cadets, except Jewish ones, had to attend some church once a week. After
inspection of quarters on Sunday morning, K⸺p became room orderly for the
next week. It was then his duty to sweep and dust the room and to carry
the water needed for himself, H⸺rd and me. The dirt was swept into the
hall to one side of the door, and left there. A policeman, that is, the
janitor, swept the halls, carried out the waste water and scrubbed room
and hall floors, when necessary. It is wonderful how soon we learned many
things, such as to button our coats and spring to attention, palms to the
front, at the sound of footsteps in our hall. At first we made mistakes,
but we soon learned to distinguish the footsteps of our instructors from
those of our fellow-candidates.
There was a story in my day of a gentleman who went with his son when the
latter reported as a candidate, and that while Cadets H⸺d and A⸺n were
putting the son through his first lesson in the office, the father turned
his palms to the front, put his heels together, and otherwise assumed the
position of the soldier.
At the first opportunity I wrote home, but I was very careful not to
mention the hardships I endured, for the reason that I had gone to West
Point contrary to my parents’ wishes, and consequently I was determined
to get through if I could. This reminds me, there were young men in
my class whose parents had sent them there against the wishes of the
candidates themselves, and many of these young men did not want to stay.
Competitive examinations required by some Congressmen for appointments
were not as common in my day as they are now. Some of my classmates
purposely failed on the preliminary examination and West Point is no
place for a young man unless the young man himself wants to go there.
One day Mr. B⸺dy, my predecessor, sent for me to go to his quarters. I
did not know what new trials were in store for me, as I had never been
in any old cadet’s quarters. Mr. B⸺dy invited me to sit down, which I
did for the first time in an old cadet’s presence. We talked for a few
moments about people we both knew at our native places. He then gave me
his “white pants” (about twenty pairs), and said he hoped I would pass
the “prelim” so as to be able to wear them, and that I would graduate
higher than he would.
The “graduating ball” that year was on the night of June 14th, but as
candidates were not expected to attend it, none were present. The next
day the graduating class received their diplomas, discarded cadet gray,
put on “Cit” clothes, said good-byes and left the Point, to return no
more as cadets. We did not know much of the graduating class, but I now
remember the names of more men in that class than in any other at the
Academy, excepting my own. This I account for from the fact that I was
then so much impressed with the importance of a graduate of West Point.
In my eyes he seemed to be a greater man than the Superintendent, in fact
there was no comparison.
There was a change made on graduating day among the cadet officers. At
the next drill Cadet H⸺d appeared with pretty gold lace chevrons on his
coat. He wore them on the sleeves of his dress coat, below the elbow,
and he was proud to have everybody know that he was a “Corporal” now. I
promptly congratulated him, and he said, “Thank you, Mr. R⸺d,” instead
of reprimanding me for speaking without having been first spoken to. In
a few days more the new second class men put on “Cit” clothes, and left
on furlough. It seemed strange to me that these cadets seemed just as
anxious to take off the cadet gray as the candidates were to put it on.
Before the departure of the graduates and furloughmen the candidates
learned that there were four trunk rooms[11] in the angle of Barracks,
one for the cadets of each company. They learned this by carrying trunks
from there to the rooms of the graduates and furloughmen. I soon learned
that I got along the easiest by saying as little as possible and doing
about as I was told. The candidates who talked much or who bragged on
what they knew, especially about military matters, had the hardest time.
These poor fellows were called “too fresh,” or “rapid,” and, as the
cadets expressed it, they had to be “taken down.”
It was a common thing for old cadets to enjoy a call upon candidates
after supper and on Saturday afternoons. And it was difficult at first
for candidates to become acquainted with one another, as so much of their
leisure (?) time was taken up answering questions, standing on chairs,
tables and mantels, reading press notices about themselves, singing, and
in fact doing almost everything old cadets told them to do. I have heard
many cadets when they were “plebes” or “animals,” declare that they would
not do so and so, but they always did as they were told, and they were
quick about it, too. It is strange what control old cadets have over
“plebes.” They never laid hands on candidates except when they yanked
them.
We soon discovered that the cadets who found especial delight in being
in the society of plebes were generally “yearlings,” that is, those
who had themselves been plebes only the year before. But “yearling”
instructors[12] seldom deviled plebes in their own squads.
Mail arrived every day, and was sorted over, that for the cadets and
plebes in each division was dropped on the floor in the halls near the
entrances and the word mail called out in a loud tone of voice. Every one
expecting mail buttoned up his coat and hastened to get such as might be
for him. Now the policemen deliver mail to the cadets in their rooms.[13]
In a few days more the candidates were sent in sections of about a
dozen to the section for their preliminary or entrance examination. The
section I was in was sent to a room having tables, chairs and writing
materials, and we were here examined in writing and spelling. There was
but one officer present, and after a certain time we put our names on
and handed our papers to him whether we had finished them or not. We
were next sent to another room, where there were about a half a dozen
members of the Academic Board, and as many other army officers.[14]
Each candidate, as his name was called, was assigned a subject and then
sent to a blackboard. The first one called was numbered one, the second
numbered two, and so on, until five or six candidates were sent to
different blackboards. Each was directed to write his name and number at
the upper right hand corner of the board, to put such data or work on
the board as he wished, and when ready to recite to pick up a pointer
in his right hand and face about. While those sent to the blackboard
were getting ready to recite, another candidate was sent to the center
of the room, facing the examiners, and then questioned by one of them.
After finishing with the candidate on questions, No. 1 was called upon
to recite, and after he was through, another candidate was assigned a
subject and sent to the board, and so on. Some of the candidates were
self-possessed, and made good recitations and ready answers to questions,
while others trembled all over and lost control over themselves, their
hearts got up into their throats or went down into their boots. The
examination here was in grammar, history, and geography. We were then
sent to another room before as many other Professors and Army Officers
for examination in arithmetic and reading. I was satisfied with my
examination up to this time. After the assignments to the blackboards I
was called upon to read. I began to tremble, and had much difficulty in
turning to the page designated. I read very poorly, because I could not
hold the book steady, and the words on the page danced so that it was
hard for me to catch them. I was then told to put down the book and was
questioned in arithmetic. Professor C⸺h asked me a number of questions,
the answers to which I knew perfectly well, yet all the answer I could
make was “I don’t know, sir.” Professor C⸺h then talked kindly and said
how important it was to me, that I answer the questions, because if I
did not answer properly that I would be found deficient and sent home.
I then said that the old cadets had told me he would “find” me, and I
believed he would. After having said this I got courage to ask to be
sent to the blackboard. My request was granted, and I had no trouble in
writing answers to every question, or to solve any problem given me, but
for the life of me I could not turn my back to the board and tell what I
had put on it; but fortunately I could point to anything called for. The
preliminary examinations the next year were written, and they have been
written ever since, which is decidedly the best, as some of my class were
so badly frightened that they did not know what they said, and some who
failed were graduates of good schools, or had passed splendid competitive
examinations for their appointments. In a few days the result of the
examination was announced, and I was happy to write home that I was one
of the lucky ones to enter West Point, and be a “new Cadet” instead of a
“Candidate.” Those of us who were fortunate enough to pass were sent to
the Commissary[15] for “plebe-skins,” that is, rubber overcoats, caps and
white gloves, and we were measured for uniform, clothes and shoes, and
for fear perhaps that we might get lazy another hour’s drill, from 11 a.
m. to 12 m., was given us. From now on we wore caps and white gloves at
all infantry drills.
The new cadet whose name comes first in alphabetical order is the
“class-marcher” whenever the class is called out by itself, and it is his
duty to call the roll of the class and to report absentees. After our
preliminary examination Baily became the class-marcher, and he marched us
over to the Library, where we took the oath of allegiance.[16] We were
now assigned to Companies, the tallest were put in A and D and the rest
in B and C Companies, but the new cadets were still drilled by themselves
in small squads, then in larger ones, and later on all in one squad as a
company.
W⸺r of my class wore a plug hat when he reported, and he was sorry for
it many times. He was the left file of Mr. H⸺d’s squad. One day we
were drilling on the Cavalry plain,[17] and there were many ladies and
gentlemen watching the drill. We were marching in line at double time,
and Mr. H⸺d gave the command, “By the right flank, march.” Three of us
marched to the right, but Mr. W⸺r went off to the left all by himself.
Everybody near laughed, even Mr. H⸺d suppressed a grin, and then scolded
the new cadets for laughing in ranks. Mr. W⸺r chewed tobacco, and this,
too, caused him many unhappy moments, but after having been repeatedly
reprimanded for chewing tobacco and told to spit it out he quit the
practice in ranks.
There was a young man who could not keep step, yet he tried hard to do
so. When in front he threw everybody behind him out of step and at other
times he would walk all over the heels of the man in front of him. I do
not remember whether he was found deficient physically or mentally, but
he was not there long. This reminds me of the “Awkward Squad.” It was
composed of those who were particularly slow in doing what they were told
to do. Tired and sore as they were from the frequent drills, I have seen
members of the Awkward Squad practice alone, determined to get out of it,
which, of course, they eventually did.
We studied the Blue Book, but the most of the regulations were learned by
having them beaten into our heads by the old cadets. We did not then have
a copy of the Drill Regulations to study, but we learned them in the same
way that we learned most of the Regulations in the Blue Book.
We were now instructed in many things besides Squad Drill. For instance,
we were informed that we would be reported for all delinquencies, that
is, for all offenses committed against the Regulations, that the reports
would be read out daily after parade, and be posted the next day in a
certain place; that we must go there every day to see the list; that when
there were reports against us we must copy the exact wording of each
report and then write an explanation for it; that we must write as many
explanations as there were reports against us, and further, that for all
official communications we must use “Uniform Paper” (i. e., paper of a
certain size) and no other.
New cadets are taught to use as few words as possible in their
explanations. One evening at Dress Parade, a plebe raised his hand and of
course he was reported for it, and the reason he gave in his explanation
for raising his hand in ranks was, “Bug in ear.”
The following illustrates the character of the reports posted against
cadets, to-wit:
REPORTS.
Floor not properly swept at A. M. inspection.
Bedding not properly folded at police inspection.
Late at dinner formation.
Calling for articles of food in an unnecessarily loud tone of
voice at supper.
Gloves in clothes-press not neatly arranged at morning
inspection.
Appearing in Mathematical Section Room with shoes not properly
polished.
Inattention in Mathematical Section Room.
Shoulder belt too short at inspection.
Dust in chamber of rifle at inspection.
In dressing gown at A. M. inspection.
Shoes at side of bed not dusted at A. M. inspection.
Hair too long at weekly inspection.
Absent from formation for gymnasium at 12 M.
Orderly light in quarters after taps.
Late at reveille.
Absent from quarters 9 A. M.
Wheeling improperly by fours at drill.
Not seeing to it that a cadet who was late at breakfast was
reported.
Coat not buttoned throughout at reveille.
Cap visor dusty at guard-mounting.
The discipline is very strict, more so by far than in the Army, but the
enforcement of penalties for reports is inflexible rather than severe.
The reports are made by Army Officers, and by certain cadets themselves,
such as file-closers and section-marchers, and the cadets make by far
the greatest number of reports against one another, but no cadet ever
reports another except when it is his duty to do so. If he fails to
report a breach of discipline he himself is reported for the neglect.
Cadets may write explanations for all reports against them, but they
must write an explanation for absence from any duty or from quarters;
for communicating at blackboard in section room; for neglect of study or
duty; for disobedience of orders; for failure to register for a bath, and
for failure to report departure or return on permit where such report is
required.
When the Commandant accepts an explanation as satisfactory he crosses off
the report, and four days after the date of reports, for which either no
explanations or unsatisfactory ones have been received, he forwards them
to the Superintendent, and he causes a certain number of demerits to be
entered against a cadet for each report in a book kept for that purpose,
and which the cadets may see once a week. Any cadet receiving more than
one hundred demerits[18] in six months is dismissed from the Academy for
deficiency in discipline. The result is that cadets invariably write
explanations, and the form now used is as follows:
West Point, N. Y., ____ __, 19__.
Sir:
With reference to the report, “Absent from 9:20 A. M. class
formation,” I have the honor to state that I did not hear the
call for this formation. I was in my room at the time. The
offense was unintentional.
Very respectfully,
JOHN JONES,
Cadet prt. Co. “B,” 4th class.
For the first few weeks demerits are not counted against new cadets, but
to teach them how to write them, explanations must be submitted for all
reports. Whenever a cadet is reported absent, and he is on Cadet Limits,
he is sure to write an explanation stating this fact and anything
more he may have to say, because if he fails to do so he is tried by
Court-Martial.[19]
A “permit” is a document that grants certain privileges to the cadet
named in it. A map of “Cadet Limits” is posted where all may see it, and
when a cadet desires to visit friends at the hotel or at an Officer’s
quarters, or go to the Dutch Woman’s, i. e., the confectioner’s, or to
the dentist’s, he must write an official letter to the Commandant of
Cadets (or to the Adjutant of the Military Academy, as the case may be),
setting forth what duty, if any, he wishes to be excused from, and the
exact time he wishes. This letter will be returned with an endorsement
granting all, a part or none of his request, and the cadet must govern
himself accordingly.
From now on we had to make out a list of such articles as we wanted or
were instructed to get from the Commissary. An account is kept by the
Treasurer with each cadet, who is credited with his deposit, and also
with his pay,[20] and he is charged for everything furnished him, such as
board, washing, wearing apparel, bedding, books, gas, policing barracks,
polishing shoes, etc. At his option a cadet is also charged for boats,
hops, etc., and when out of debt with such luxuries as new clothes, hop
gloves, hop shoes, or $2.00 per month for confectioneries at the “Dutch
Woman’s.”
As time wore away we felt less fatigue from drill, and found more
pleasure in life, and letters borne were quite cheerful.
NOTE 1. At present the new 5th classman is received by cadet
officers under the immediate supervision of an officer of the
Tactical Department and his reception is strictly in accordance
with the requirements of military discipline and courtesy.
The discipline is, of course, of the strictest and is rigidly
enforced, but the life of the newcomer is so hedged about by
orders and is so carefully guarded by those who have him in
charge, that it is doubtful if a young man entering any school
or college in the country would be subjected to less annoyance
or embarrassment than would fall to his lot at the Military
Academy.
NOTE 2. At present each table seats 10 cadets, and the cadets
are about equally divided among the different classes. One
first classman sits at the head of each table; he is officially
designated “The Commandant of Table,” and is responsible for
order at his table.
NOTE 3. The mail is now received and distributed by company in
the Cadet Guard House, and at a signal on the trumpet a cadet
private from each division of barracks, detailed for a week
at a time, reports at the Guard House, gets the mail for his
division, and distributes it to the proper rooms.
NOTE 4. In addition to demerits cadets receive other
punishments for certain classes of offenses; these consist of
confinement to room during release from quarters for a certain
number of days, or, of walking (equipped as a sentinel) for a
certain number of hours on certain days in the area of barracks.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: CAMP McPHERSON
The Pleasure of your company is requested at the hops to be given by the
Corps of Cadets every Monday Wednesday and Friday Evening during the
encampment
MANAGERS
FOR THE FIRST CLASS
P. S. BOMUS. W. S. EDGERLY. S. WARREN FOUNTAIN. F. V. GREENE. OTTO L.
HEIN. DEXTER W. PARKER. CLARENCE A. POSTLEY. W. R. QUINAN. EDWD G.
STEVENS.
FOR THE THIRD CLASS
JAMES ALLEN. W H. CARTER. G. F. ELLIOTT. HARRY A. LANDON. J. A. RUCKER.
W. F. ZEILIN.
West Point
N.Y. 5th July 1869.]
CHAPTER IV.
THE PLEBE IN CAMP.
About two weeks after I reported we were directed to prepare to go to
Camp McPherson, a half mile or so from Barracks, out beyond the Cavalry
plain, near old Fort Clinton. We were told just what articles to take
for use in camp, and that we must put the balance of our effects in our
trunks and carry them to the trunk rooms in the angle. We sorted out
our camp articles, and each cadet made a bundle of his small things,
and used a comforter or a blanket to hold them. D⸺n, M⸺s, and I, having
arranged to tent together, we helped one another store away our trunks.
When the call sounded to “fall in” we fell in with our bundles, brooms
and buckets, and marched over to the camp. There were trees all around
the camp site, with quite a grove at the guard tents. The tents were all
pitched and they looked very pretty through the trees, with the trees and
green parapet of Fort Clinton as a background, which could be seen over
the tops of the white tents as we approached the camp. The tent cords
were not fastened to pegs in the ground, but to pegs in cross-pieces
supported upon posts about four feet high, which brought the Company
tents only four or five feet apart. All of the tents for cadets were
wall tents, and each had a “fly” on it. There was a wooden floor, a gun
rack, and a keyless locker (that is, a four-compartment long box), and
a swinging pole hung about eighteen inches below the ridge pole of the
tent, and nothing else in it. After the assignment, which, of course, was
made according to rank, we proceeded to our respective tents, that were
to be our homes till the 29th of August, the day to return to Barracks.
The “Yearlings” and first classmen, too, began to take a greater interest
in the plebes than ever. They were anxious to teach them how to fix up
their tents, and this is the way they did: “Come here, Plebe, and I’ll
show you how to fix up your tent. Untie those bundles, fold the blankets
once one way then once the other way; that’s it. Now pile them in the
rear corner over there, farthest from the locker; put the folded edges
to the front and inside; that’s not right, turn them the other way; now
that’s right. Lay the pillows on the blankets, closed ends toward the
locker; that’s it; now fold the comforters just like you folded the
blankets, and pile them the same way on top of the pillows; that’s it.
Why, you’re an old soldier, ain’t you? Straighten the pile a little, so
that the edges are vertical; that’s it. Now hang the mirror up there
on the front pole; that’s it. Put the washbowl out there against the
platform, bottom outward; that’s it. Put the candle-box behind the
rear tent pole. Put the white pants, underclothes, etc., in the locker.
Throw the overcoats, gray pants, etc., on the pole. There, that’ll do.
Say, wait a minute. When you go after water, why I want some; just set
the bucket down there by the washbowl when you come back.” After having
been given several lessons the plebes were permitted to fix up their own
tents, and in a very short time every tent was ship-shape. The yearlings
kindly showed the plebes how to clean rifles, too, and this is the way
they did it: “Come here, Plebe, you’ll soon be getting your guns, so I’ll
teach you how to clean yours; just get that gun over there in my rack;
that’s the one; get the cleaning materials in the candle-box, take out
a rag, put oil on it; that’s it. Lay the gun in your lap, muzzle to the
left, half-cock the piece, open the chamber. Why, you’re doing well.
See the rust in the breech block? Well, get a small stick out of the
candle-box, put a bit of the rag over it, pour a little oil on the rag,
now be quick, rub it on the rusty place, rub hard, elbow grease is what
counts most, so don’t be afraid to use plenty of it,” and so on, till
the yearling’s gun showed an improvement. “I’ll call you again soon to
give you another lesson; that’ll do now.” Strange as it may appear, even
the first classmen condescended to teach us some things, and even the
cadet officers showed us how to clean their breast plates. The old cadets
never told us, in so many words, to do anything of a menial character,
but their broad hints and insinuating ways were very persuasive. Every
day the plebes were called to the tents of the Army Officers in charge
of cadet companies, and asked if they had any complaints to make against
upper classmen, and the plebes invariably answered “No, sir.”
We continued to take our meals in the Mess Hall, and we marched to and
fro as usual, but as the distance was a half mile or more we were now
cheered en route (notwithstanding the plebes still carried palms to the
front) by the inspiring music of fifes and drums; and we now sat at
tables with the old cadets, and had the pleasure of pouring water for
them before helping ourselves, no matter how thirsty we might be, but
such is the life of a plebe, and it is a necessary part of his training.
The first day in camp we were initiated in police duty; the other
classmen turned out with us, and, as usual, they did the talking and we
did the work. The detail from each company had a wheelbarrow, a shovel,
and a broom. The grounds, to us plebes, seemed clean when we began, but
we got half a wheelbarrow load of dirt all the same, which we dumped into
“police hollow,”[21] near camp and just west of Fort Clinton. We gathered
up burnt matches, cigar stumps, tobacco quids, bits of paper, etc.
Whenever there was a sign of rain we turned out and loosened tent cords,
and after a rain we turned out and tightened them—always by command, of
course. We dreaded the nights in camp, but we were not yanked often,
unless we got too fresh or rapid, and then, of course, we had to be taken
down.[22]
The parade ground was changed during camp from the grassy plain in front
of Professor’s Row to the space between the guard tents and the west line
of company tents. In fair weather the battalion stacked arms on the camp
parade ground, and the colors were furled and laid on the center stack.
The arms and colors, that is, the United States flag, were left there
from after guard mount till 4 p. m., and a sentinel posted to require
everybody crossing his post, which is known as the “Color Line,” to
salute the colors by lifting the cap.
We plebes were very anxious to get guns, but after we did get them we
wished we did not have them, for we were again put into small squads and
drilled three times a day, notwithstanding the fact that our right arms
were very sore, and each rifle seemed to weigh a ton, and, again, we had
to spend several hours a day, for weeks, cleaning the guns before they
would pass inspection. Each cadet knows his own gun by the number on it.
The upper classmen had already taught us how to clean their guns, so we
knew something about cleaning our own, and they now were considerate
enough to allow us more time to ourselves, and some of the plebes
finished cleaning their guns in less than an hour’s time. But, alas! at
the first drill with arms the cadet instructors told them that their
guns, cartridge boxes, and waist plates were very dirty. After drill
we set to work on them again, but still they were said to be dirty. In
the course of time we were told that our guns were passable, and later
on that they were in fair condition. We soon learned to attend to them
immediately after a rain, as it was easier to clean them then than after
they had stood awhile.
We were kept busy at first complying with requests (?) of upper classmen,
but they were very considerate and dispensed with our services long
enough to let us attend drills three times a day, police service twice a
day, and to other military duties. We were still required, both in and
out of ranks, to carry palms of the hands to the front, but nothing more
was said about depressing the toes.
Cadets are encouraged to be patriotic, and they always celebrate Fourth
of July. This year, as the Fourth fell on Sunday, the exercises were held
on the next day.
NOTE 1. At my time hazing, or deviling, consisted of little
more than harmless badgering, which had the effect of reducing
a possibly conceited or bumptuous youth to a frame of mind more
consistent with the requirements of military discipline. In
time, however, it developed into practices which it was deemed
advisable to discontinue, and hazing has entirely disappeared
from the Academy.
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.
July 5th, 1869.
President,
Cadet E. E. Wood Pennsylvania
Marshal of the Day,
Cadet J. Rockwell New York
PROGRAMME.
Overture.
Prayer.
Music.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence,
Cadet E. M. Cobb California
Music.
Oration,
Cadet E. S. Chapin Iowa
Music.
Benediction.
Music.
Plebe life was very trying, especially on H⸺e of my class, and he, being
something of a poet, reduced his thoughts to writing, which he showed to
his classmates. They said that he had expressed the situation very well,
indeed. Some of the yearlings heard of H⸺e’s poetry, so he was persuaded
(?) to read it to them, and then to sing it. His poetry was so well
received by the yearlings that the first classmen wanted to hear it, too,
so at their invitation (?) H⸺e both read and sang it for them. And, at
the request of a number of upper classmen, he made copies of his songs
for them. Other plebes were requested (?) to make copies of the copies,
and the following are copies of H⸺e’s copies that were made for me by a
plebe in my yearling camp, viz.:
THE BIG MENAGERIE.
Attention, all ye forlorn Plebes,
While the story I relate,
Of how I came to fall into
My present lost estate.
A moment only dry your tears
And listen unto me,
And I’ll describe my experience
In this big menagerie.
The first day that I reported
My heart was full of joy,
And to all intents and purposes,
I was a bully boy.
A stunner in my native town,
I thought I’d easily
Upon my muscle go right through
This big menagerie.
But, ah! full soon that fatal day
My crest began to fall,
And my spirits came down mighty fast
When I got to the Mess Hall.
My folly and my sauciness,
They soon took out of me,
And made me sing a different tune,
In this big menagerie.
They put me up in the window,
Attention made me stand.
And I had to dance and sing and speak
At everyone’s command.
I tried to run, but soon found out
That my rapidity
Was not the kind of game to play,
In this big menagerie.
The first time that I went on guard,
The night was dark as pitch,
They took my gun and then yanked me
Right in Fort Clinton’s ditch.
The Corporal I called aloud,
But not a step came he,
And then I learned another dodge
In this big menagerie.
But after all I’d been through,
They said I was not tame,
And that they would complete the cure,
By giving me another name.
They called me for some gay old cuss,
Who’d been dead a century,
And now I’m known as De la Rive,
In this big menagerie.
All day I police, scrub and drill,
Till my troubles make me weep,
And when the day, is over,
I’m denied the boon of sleep,
But all the night lie trembling,
From Taps to Reveille,
For fear I really will be yanked
In this big menagerie.
My frolics, joys and amusements,
Are all knocked into smash,
And pleasures all concentrated are
In eating Mess Hall hash.
And should I meet a lady fair,
I dare not speak to she,
That would be too fast for a Plebe,
In this big menagerie.
They call me beast and vile reptile,
And goodness only knows,
I’d rather be a kangaroo,
In one of those circus shows,
For all the real animals
Are happier far than we,
For they don’t have any squad drill
In their menagerie.
The lions, tigers, bears and wolves
Can never feel our woes,
For whoever heard of an elephant
Depressing his great toes.
And even the little monkeys
Are happy, gay and free,
And carry their hands just as they please
In their menagerie.
But soon this camp will end, and then
My troubles will be o’er,
I’ll drop the beast from off my name,
And sing this song no more.
But where’er I roam in years to come,
On land or on the sea,
I’ll ne’er forget my sufferings
In this big menagerie.
A PLEBE’S LAMENTATION.
Oh, Lord, will I never get done
A rubbing on this rusty gun.
Chorus—
I wish I was at home,
I wish I was there, too.
It makes me sigh, it makes me fret,
To clean this rusty bayonet.
Chorus—
And all day long, in rain or shine,
We’ve got these darned old tents to line.
Chorus—
There were a good many more verses to this song, and songs written by
others of my class, but I have forgotten them.
Uniforms were issued to the plebes as fast as they were made, and in a
few weeks all were uniformed. The only pocket in the whole suit was a
watch pocket in the pants. We were permitted to carry a watch, but not
a chain. Our handkerchiefs were tucked in the breasts of our coats.
After getting uniforms we were sent to the trunk rooms to put away our
cit clothes, as we were not allowed to keep them in either our tent or
barrack room. In a few weeks the plebes were admitted to the battalion,
at first to march to and from meals, and then for parades, but they still
had to carry disengaged hands, palms to the front.
After supper we were permitted to bathe in the Hudson at Gee’s Point, and
many of us availed ourselves of the privilege. As I have said, soon after
reporting, I wondered if the old cadets laced. Well, now, when bathing,
I discovered they did not lace. Still, I wondered why old cadets’ waists
were so much smaller than plebes’ waists.
Every day, especially during guard-mount, parades, and band practice,
there used to be many ladies and other visitors under the trees near the
guard tents. The upper classmen seemed to enjoy being with them, but the
plebes were seldom wanted there. The plebes used to hear that there were
hops three times a week during camp, but that is about all they knew of
hops. However, they went to the old fencing room in the Academic Building
and took dancing lessons, and as no ladies were admitted they danced with
one another.
At last the time arrived for us to go on guard, for there was a chain
of cadet sentinels all around the camp. We dreaded our first night on
post, but each plebe had to experience it. Our guns were not loaded,
and we had no cartridges; the rifle with the bayonet on is all we had
to protect ourselves with. It was amusing afterwards to compare notes
of our experiences. Some who had boasted most fared the worst. Some had
had their rifles taken away, some had been tied to a tree, some rolled
down into Fort Clinton ditch[23] alongside of Posts No. 2 and No. 3.
Others had been frightened by ghosts, or confused by numerous parties
approaching at the same time from different directions. Some replies to
the challenge being a band of Indians, a body of armed troops, and the
Prince of Wales. Of course, the plebe would call for the corporal of the
guard, but this official never got around in time to see anyone, except
the sentinel. The poor plebe was then taken to task for allowing himself
to be disarmed, or for not detaining parties till the corporal arrived.
When questioned as to who the parties were the answer invariably was “I
could not recognize any of them.” When the old guard marched off the next
morning each member fired three shots at a target.[24] When it came M⸺s’
time to fire he was badly frightened because he had never fired a gun.
And when asked why he did not close his left eye when aiming he said that
no one had told him to close it.
On the 12th of August we again visited the trunk rooms, and this time to
put away our dress coats, white pants, dress hats, etc., as we were to
go on a campaign. A knapsack and a half of a shelter tent were issued to
each cadet. After packing our knapsacks and getting everything, except
our wall tents, in readiness, we fell in at the sound of the drum. Our
wall tents were left standing with the walls fastened down and the flaps
tied in front. To the time of “The Girl I Left Behind Me” we marched in
a drenching rain about a dozen miles westward up into the mountains;
halted, stacked arms, unslung knapsacks, and unloaded the big six-mule
wagons that had followed us. We then pitched the “A” tents that were
provided for our use now; we then dug a trench around each tent, and
so as not to lie in the mud we cut boughs to sleep on. We then got our
rifles and knapsacks, and were soon at home again, but this time in more
contracted quarters. We were now taught to live at Camp Lookout in
regular army style, and as there is no delinquency book in the army we
had none in this camp. We ate army rations and slept on the ground. We
built camp fires, sang songs, and otherwise enjoyed our freedom, for no
one said anything about palms to the front out there in the mountains.
The camp was in the woods, between Long Pond and Round Pond. We obtained
drinking water from one, and utilized the other to wash and to bathe
in. We remained out there about ten days, and each cadet learned to do
guard duty in the woods. Members of the guard had to cut poles for their
shelter tents, and button two or more pieces together for use at night,
and they were needed, too, as it rained more than half the time we were
in the mountains. Between rains, when not on duty, we roamed through the
woods and over the hills. There were many laurel bushes all about us, and
one day a first classman said that he wanted a nice root to make a pipe,
and that I could get it with a hatchet and spade. I took the hint and dug
about half a dozen good roots. I put the two best ones in the breast of
my gray jacket and gave the others to the first classmen. I afterwards
made myself two fine pipes, and I have one of them now. Years afterwards
that first classman and I met, and the first thing I did was to show him
my pet pipe and thank him for it. He admired the pipe and my cheek, too,
for having kept the best root.
As soon as we returned to Camp McPherson palms of the hands were turned
to the front again and the usual routine there resumed.
Some of the yearlings said that certain of the plebes had become “too
fresh” out in the mountains, and as the ordinary methods would not tame
them down a few fights in Fort Clinton were necessary. Seconds were
chosen, and soon nearly every cadet in camp knew that there would be
a fight in Fort Clinton on a certain day during the supper hour. Fort
Clinton is just across Posts Nos. 2 and 3. Those who desired to witness
a fight assembled at the ice water tank, near which the Posts of Nos. 2
and 3 meet. Then when the two sentinels on these posts were far apart
and their backs toward one another (which is against the rule) across
the posts would dash the Fort Clinton party, and strange to say neither
sentinel would see any unauthorized person or persons cross his post.
When the referee calls time the principals and seconds are in place and
the fight begins. Fists only are used in these fights, and as soon as
either side calls enough, or either principal fails to come to time,
the fight is over. All return to camp, the bruises are bathed, and if
necessary one or both principals go to the hospital, and the sick report
the next morning shows one or two names with “contusions” as the cause
of the disability. Unless the army officers on duty at the Point have
“official knowledge” of a cadet fight no notice is taken of it. When
a dispute arises that only a fight will settle and the parties to the
dispute are unevenly matched the result may be one or two fights. The
offending cadet must fight, and a classmate of the other cadet about
his size and strength is selected to do battle with him. Sometimes the
offended cadet must fight a man of his size, and then there are two
fights.
[Illustration: I. O. C. B.
The pleasure of your company is respectfully solicited at a Hop
Extraordinary, to be given on the evening of July 29th, under the
auspices of the “Confirmed Bachelors” of the Class of 18—.
F. G. SCHWATKA,
JAS. E. SHORTELLE,
U. G. WHITE,
Managers.
West Point, July 28, 1869.]
We plebes were sent to the river a number of times to assist the first
classmen to build pontoon bridges, and we rendered very valuable
assistance, too, by carrying all heavy timbers used and helping to get
the boats in place for the timbers to be laid upon them.
NOTE 1. Fort Clinton ditch, then along the north side of the
camp ground, was filled up and that part of the parapet removed
long ago, the major part of this fort being now used for an
extension of the camp.
RETURN OF THE FURLOUGH CLASS.
There’s a stir in Camp, as all observers may see,
’Tis a moment of interest, a moment of glee.
The “Furloughs” are coming, and now must be near;
There is dust, there is shouting, the “Furloughs” are here.
We welcome you back to the Camp and the plain,
There your favorite “Tac” will drill you again.
The 28th of August is a day every graduate remembers, for it is then
the furloughmen return. I can see them now rushing[25] into camp. That
evening there was a great time out on the color line; we plebes were
turned out for the last time to amuse upper classmen. H⸺e and others sang
their songs. Some of them had been sung so often that everybody knew them
and joined in. The evening was a perfect one, and there were many ladies
under the trees near the guard tents, who heaved a sigh to think that all
gayeties were over at West Point until the next June. The following are
some of the songs that were so often sung during my cadet days, to-wit:
Old Black Joe,
Dixie,
Marching Through Georgia,
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp,
Hail Columbia,
Star Spangled Banner,
My Country,
Annie Laurie,
Red, White and Blue,
Home, Sweet Home,
Suanee River,
Auld Lang Syne.
ARMY BLUE.
We’ve not much longer here to stay,
For in a year or two
We’ll bid farewell to “Cadet Gray,”
And don the “Army Blue.”
Chorus—
Army Blue, Army Blue,
We’ll don the Army Blue,
We’ll bid farewell to Cadet Gray,
And don the Army Blue.
To the ladies who come up in June,
We’ll bid a fond adieu,
And hoping they’ll be married soon,
We’ll don the Army Blue.
Chorus—
Now here’s to the man who wins “the cup,”
May he be kind and true,
And may he bring “our godson” up
To don the Army Blue.
Chorus—
BENNY HAVENS, OH!
Come, fill your glasses, fellows, and stand up in a row,
To singing sentimentally, we’re going for to go;
In the Army there’s sobriety, promotion’s very slow,
So we’ll sing our reminiscences of Benny Havens, Oh!
Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! Oh! Benny Havens, Oh!
So we’ll sing our reminiscences of Benny Havens, Oh!
Let us remember, comrades, when to our posts we go,
The ties that must be cut in twain, as o’er life’s sea we row,
Hearts that now throb in unison must moulder down below,
So let us take a parting cup at Benny Havens, Oh!
Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! etc.
To our kind old Alma Mater, our rock-bound Highland home,
We’ll cast back many a fond regret, as o’er life’s sea we roam,
Until our last battle-field the lights of heaven shall glow,
We’ll never fail to drink to her and Benny Havens, Oh!
Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! etc.
May the army be augmented, promotion be less slow,
May our Country, in her hour of need, be ready for the foe,
May we find a soldier’s resting-place beneath a soldier’s blow,
With space enough beside our graves for Benny Havens, Oh!
Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! etc.
Come, fill up to our Generals, God bless the brave heroes,
They’re an honor to their country, and a terror to her foes;
May they long rest on their laurels and trouble never know,
But live to see a thousand years, at Benny Havens, Oh!
Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! etc.
When you and I and Benny, and all the others, too,
Are called before the final board our course of life to view,
May we never “fess” on any point, but coldly “max” it through,
And join the Army of the blest, at Benny Havens, Oh!
Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! etc.
NOTE.—The following verses are from the 1909 Howitzer:
Then here’s to you, old glory team, that downs the strongest foes.
Your Benny Haven’s strongest sons, in you our hopes repose,
On the mountains by old Hudson’s shore, your deeds have been our theme;
But, victors or defeated men, you’re still the army team.
The brave old army team, the loyal army team,
The army’s hearts, the army’s hopes, are with the army team.
When you meet the rovers of the sea, and struggle hand to hand,
Remember, in that hour supreme we all behind you stand—
Let black recall our past defeats, the present struggle gray,
But victory is brightest gold, that you shall win that day.
The black, and gray, and gold, the black, and gold, and gray,
Yea! Victory shall be the prize, the black, and gold, and gray.
On the world’s rough-trampled gridiron, the battle-field of life,
Your spirit brave, old rock-bound home, shall nerve us in the strife.
Before us gleams the future, with manly parts to play,
While from the dim past stretches the unbroken line of gray.
Oh! the dear old gray battalion, the loyal line of gray,
Friend close to friend, firm to the end, shall stand the line of gray.
[Illustration]
CHAPTER V.
THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS.
The next morning we took our bundles, buckets, and brooms to barracks,
and upon returning to camp we unfastened the tent cords and held up the
canvas by the poles, and, at the tap of the drum at 12 o’clock, every
tent was lowered to the ground, and “Camp McPherson” was no more. We then
“fell in,” and to the tune of “The Girl I Left Behind Me” marched to
barracks, leaving the summer visitors standing under the trees near where
the guard tents had been.
There were rooms enough so that every two cadets could have one together.
Roommates having been chosen and rooms selected (according to rank,
of course,) each cadet went to his own room, and there he found two
single iron bedsteads and a double clothes-press. The old cadets got the
balance of their effects (such as cadets are permitted to have in their
rooms) from the trunk rooms, while the plebes got the articles they had
there, and the balance, such as mattresses and tables, they went to the
Commissary for, and carried them across the plain. Every one obtained at
the Commissary the text-books he needed before Christmas, and by night
all rooms were in order. The return to barracks is a great day for
plebes, for then they quit carrying palms to the front.
The “Seps” arrived about this time, and those who were admitted were
assigned to rooms, and they at once became a part of the fourth class.
“Seps” are candidates, who, for some good reason, did not report in June.
(See appendix.) They began recitations with the rest of the plebes, but
for weeks they attended drill in squads by themselves. Notwithstanding
the fact that Seps escape the many trials and tribulations of plebe
camp, in escaping it, they miss one of the most valuable parts of cadet
life, as it is an experience which most old graduates look back upon
with pleasure. After having been through the course of deviling,[26] or
hazing, as practiced in my day, I am a believer in the system, because
I believe it makes young men manly and self-reliant. I never saw bodily
injury inflicted upon a plebe, but I do not call bodily injury deviling.
I call that cruelty, and cruelty should be severely punished. But times
have changed at the Academy since I left it. Now after candidates have
reported at the Adjutant’s office they are sent to the Army Officer in
charge of new cadets. And it is his duty to personally instruct them
respecting their rights and duties in their relations to old cadets and
to the cadets on duty over them. He causes to be read to them the present
regulations pertaining to new cadets and explains to them what is meant
by “Cadet Limits.” Candidates are also informed that they must not
submit to hazing, and that they must promptly report to the Commandant or
to the Army Officer over them any attempt at hazing on the part of old
cadets. But they must be respectful to all and perfectly subordinate and
obedient to the cadets on duty over them.
No more shall Plebes be deviled,
And yearlings can’t be seen,
For there’s now a law against
Hazing the Plebes so green.
The penalties for hazing are very severe, and several cadets have
been dismissed from the Academy for engaging in it. A recent act of
Congress says: “Any cadet dismissed for hazing shall not be eligible to
reappointment.”
White pants were very pretty for camp, but now that the hops were
over and the visitors gone the cadets had to work, so on the first of
September they appeared in their gray working clothes.
The daily routine from September 1st to about June 20th is as follows:
Reveille at 5:45 A. M. (on Sunday at 6:30); roll call; police call
five minutes after reveille; sick call fifteen minutes after reveille;
then clean arms or study or take physical exercise; breakfast at 6:15;
recreation except for the guard,[27] which is mounted, at 7:15; then
study and recitations from 8:00 A. M. to 1:00 P. M.; dinner at 1:00;
recreation; then study and recitations from 2:00 to 4:00; then generally
military exercises for about an hour; then about half hour recreation,
followed by retreat parade at about 6:00; supper; recreation; then study
from about 7:30 to 9:30; taps at 10:00; then lights out till reveille the
next morning. Rooms are inspected at police call; between 8 and 11 a. m.;
11 a. m. and 1 p. m.; 2 and 4; four times between 7:30 and 9:30; again at
taps, and once more between taps and reveille. In September and May there
are Infantry drills; in October and April there are Artillery drills; in
every month from September first to June first there are Cavalry drills;
from December first to April first there is exercise in the gymnasium or
in dancing. Saturday afternoon is for recreation except between 2 and
2:30 during the weekly inspection of the battalion. On Wednesday after
4 p. m. there are no drills, the time being given for recreation. On
Sundays there are no recitations and no military duties, except guard
and inspection of quarters at 9:45 a. m., and the time for recreation
is a little longer than usual; the cadets march to and from church; all
wear white gloves, white belts and those entitled to do so swords, which
(swords excepted) are not removed during service, some of the cadets are
members of the choir. Visiting between cadets is allowed only during
recreation hours.
The gymnasium is open to cadets daily, except Sundays, from 1:30 to 2 p.
m.; 4:00 to supper mess parade, and on Saturdays afternoons and evenings
until tattoo.
We were arranged into sections of from eight to ten cadets to the
section, the arrangement of upper classmen being made according to
class standing,[28] as determined at the last examination, while the
arrangement of the plebes was alphabetical. The first cadet in each
section was the section-marcher, that is, he marched the section to and
from the section room. The section-marchers were notified what the first
lessons would be, and the hours for recitations, and they then notified
the members of their sections. The studies[29] for the fourth class were
Mathematics and French, and in addition to these we had instruction in
Fencing,[30] and for this the sections were larger than as stated above.
One half the class attended recitations or fencing at a time, and the
other half had to be in their rooms during Call to Quarters. To let the
Inspectors know when cadets are at recitations the following form is used:
HOURS OF RECITATION.
Cadet __________________________ 4th Class.
Mathematics From 8 A. M. to 9:30 A. M.
Use of the sword, etc. From 12 M. to 1 P. M.
Modern Languages From 3 P. M. to 4 P. M.
Each cadet obtained a blank form (and there is a special form for each
class), put his name on it in block letters, filled in his hours of
recitation and put it on the mantel, and he also put his name in block
letters over his alcove, on the orderly board, on his clothes-press,
and on his gun-rack. Every cadet not in his room at inspection, and not
at recitation at the time, was reported absent, unless his room-mate was
in and could properly account for the absence. We at first thought that
our studies, being so few, would be easy, but when we saw the great long
lessons and had experienced the thoroughness required at recitations, we
changed our opinions, and decided that much hard study was necessary.
Promptly at eight o’clock on the morning of September first, the bugle
was sounded for sections to form. One half of each class “fell in.”
The Cadet Officer of the Day commanded—“Front, Call your rolls.” Line
was formed in the area of barracks, first classmen were nearest the
Academic Building, next to them were sections of the second class, next
third classmen and then the plebes. Each section-marcher facing his
section, called his roll and faced to the front, then beginning with
the ranking section of the first class, the section-marchers reported.
The Officer of the Day then commanded “March off your sections.” If
there were any absentees not excused, he hunted them up and sent them to
their section rooms. The sections marched to the Academic Building, and
each went to the room previously assigned, the members of each section
hung their caps in the hall on hooks near the door and then filed into
the room. The section-marcher took post near the center of the room,
facing the instructor, who was seated on the platform opposite to the
door. The members of the section went one half to the right, and the
other half to the left, in front of two benches. The section-marcher
saluted and reported, “All are present, Sir,” or, “Mr. ⸺ is absent,
sir,” the instructor returned the salute and then the cadets sat down,
the section-marcher taking seat on the right of the first half of his
section. On a blackboard behind the instructor, was written the lesson
for the next day, and each cadet noted it. The instructor then called Mr.
⸺, who took post in the center of the room facing the instructor. The
instructor assigned to him a topic in the lesson, care being required
on the part of the cadet to understand the topic which is called his
“enunciation.” When he understood it, he went to a certain blackboard,
and in the upper right hand corner wrote his name and number thus—Brown
1. The instructor called up another cadet who, after understanding his
enunciation, went to the next board, and wrote his name and number,
thus—Smith 2, and so on. Topics in the lesson of the day were assigned to
the first four, and topics in the lesson of the day before were assigned
to three or four others. Then one was called who took post in the center
of the room, and the instructor questioned him for ten minutes or more
upon such parts of either lesson that he elected, and when through said
“That’ll do,” when this cadet returned to his seat. The cadets at the
boards wrote on them such work as they wished pertaining to their own
subjects and when ready to recite, each took a pointer in his right hand
and stood at ease facing the instructor. Beginning with the cadet who
was ready and had the smallest number, when he was called upon to recite
the cadet, said: “I am required to” and then gave his enunciation, after
which he proceeded in his own words. If the instructor was satisfied
with the recitation, he said, “that’ll do” and the cadet faced about,
laid down his pointer, cleaned his board, and took his seat; but if the
instructor was not satisfied with the recitation, he asked such questions
as he deemed proper to draw out, if possible, further information on the
subject, and when through, said, “That’ll do.” This drawing out process
is necessary with plebes, until they learn what is required of them in
the way of recitations. No communication between cadets is allowed in
the section room. When the time expired the instructor said, “That’ll
do, gentlemen; section’s dismissed.” If the bugle was sounded before all
had recited, those at the board who were ready to recite and had all
necessary work on the board, were marked the same as if they had recited.
The cadets filed out of the room, got their caps and “fell in,” then
marched to the area where the line was formed and there the section was
dismissed. The mark for a perfect recitation is a 3, 2.5 is a good mark,
2 is fair, 1.5 is medium, 1 poor, .5 very poor, and a zero a complete
failure. Recitations go on every day except Saturday afternoons and
Sundays. On Monday the marks of the previous week were posted so that the
cadets could see them. The instructor never told the cadets what marks
he gave them, and he could not excuse a cadet from recitation. A cadet
who was sick enough to require it was taken into the hospital, or by the
surgeon excused from reciting, but a cadet excused from reciting had to
go to and remain in the section room, and there report to the instructor
that he was excused. Nothing is gained by not reciting, because every
cadet must make satisfactory recitations and pass the examinations[31] in
January and June or be found deficient. At the end of the fifth or sixth
week, and at times after that, transfers from one section to another were
made, and some cadets were sent up and others down to other sections. By
Christmas, the plebe class was pretty well dissipated by transfers.
Days, weeks and months passed with a firm, steady grind. In my day up at
5, but now 5:45 a. m., and nothing but study, recitations and drill till
9:30 p. m., except during the short half hour for recreation after each
meal, the welcome half holiday on Saturdays and the change of routine
on Sundays. No visitors at the Point, no hops, no nothing but hard
study and drill to look forward to until the next June. It is true that
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s are always acceptable days to a
cadet, but he generally eats so much turkey then, that he receives a poor
mark at recitations the next day.
Not long before examination the instructor selects as many topics as
there are cadets in his section and writes each topic on a separate piece
of paper, turns them face down, mixes them, and then numbers them; number
one being for the first cadet in the section, number two for the second,
and so on, or otherwise mixes them so that no partiality be shown on
examination.
Of course we could not study all of the time set apart for study, so we
often devised ways and means to lighten our burdens.
All of our coats buttoned up to the chin and the white collars of my
day were made so that we had to fold them lengthwise and pin them on
the coat. As white shirts were not used to fasten the collar to we quit
wearing them, and pinned our cuffs to the inside of the coat sleeves. We
got the knack of dressing down to a fine point, no cadet wore suspenders
then, so all we had to do for reveille or tattoo, was to jump into our
pants, stick our feet into our oldest shoes, from which the strings had
been removed, and called “reveilles,” put on the coat and cap to be worn
and hustle, buttoning up just before going out of the hall-door. Two
minutes gave us ample time to get from our rooms to the line in the area.
Now the cadets are required to wear white shirts and the style of the
white collar[32] having been changed it requires a white shirt to fasten
it to.
A cadet generally carries his lead pencil stuck into his coat near the
throat, but I made a little pocket on the underside of the tail of my
dress-coat, just big enough for a little pen knife and a pencil an inch
and a half long, and I never got “skinned” for it either. In my day, the
last section was called “the Immortals” but I am told that the “Goats”
have captured the name I once knew so well.
For many years, “Old Bentz” blew the bugle calls for recitations and
mid rain or snow, he never missed a call, he blew it first on the north
side of the Barracks, near the “Sally Port,” and then in the area. Many
a cadet has stood at the blackboard, not ready to recite, praying for
old Bentz to blow; once in a while he would succeed in “bugling it,”
that is, avoid a recitation, but as the instructors have all been cadets
themselves, the poor fellow was generally called upon to recite and got
1.5 or less for his pains.
A day or two after returning to barracks I was on post one evening
in the hall of the old “sixth div.” when D⸺m, of my class, who lived
in that “div.” passed through the hall with his coat unbuttoned. Of
course I reported him for it. The next day the report was on the list
of delinquencies read out to the battalion by the cadet adjutant. After
supper that evening another classmate called on me and asked what I had
against D⸺m, I said I had nothing against him and I wanted to know why
he asked. He replied that D⸺m was very angry with me for having reported
him for “coat unbuttoned in hall of barracks.” I was surprised and said
that I had to report him or tell a lie to the officer or corporal of the
guard. Up to that time D⸺m had not been on guard in barracks and he did
not know the orders, so he consulted an upper classman about the report
and learned that I had done my duty. Then he came to me and said, “I
sent a friend to challenge you but find that you are right and I wrong,
so I want to beg your pardon.” Had I not have reported D⸺m I would have
gotten into serious trouble, because the cadets themselves have no use
for a liar or a thief. As I have said the rooms of barracks are never
locked, hence any cadet will promptly report another for stealing and the
thief[33] is summarily dealt with by the authorities.
In barracks a sentinel is posted in each hall, and he walks post only
during meal hours, evening call to quarters, and Sunday[34] call to
quarters. When a relief is to be taken off post and no new sentinels
are to be posted, such as after meals and at tattoo, the corporal of
the relief on post, beginning at the first division hall, calls, “No.
1 Off,” marches him to the second division and calls, “No. 2 Off,” and
so on until the eight sentinels are off, the relief is then marched to
the guard house, and there dismissed. The spirit of deviltry used to
crop out in the average fourth classman, as soon as his plebe camp was
over, and he often laid awake at night devising ways and means for sweet
revenge upon the next class or even upon the “Seps” of his own class,
before they became acquainted with one another. One night a June plebe
discovered that the sentinels on Posts 1, 2 and 3, were Seps of his own
class, and that they were on guard for their first time. A happy thought
came to this June plebe. He put on his overcoat, turned the collar up to
hide his face, got his rifle, and just before time for the Corporal to
take off his Relief at tattoo, this plebe took off the Relief himself.
The first three sentinels being green Seps “fell in” without a suspicion
of anything wrong, and the older cadets of the Relief knowing that it
was about time to be relieved, also fell in. Just as the June plebe was
approaching the guard house with the Relief, Lieutenant K⸺g saw the
Corporal of this Relief in the guard house watching the clock, hence
he knew that some devilment was up. The plebe saw that the Lieutenant
saw him, so he fled to his room, with the Lieutenant after him and the
members of the Relief ran back to their posts. The plebe was caught
and he walked “extras” for many a Saturday afternoon for his fun; and
the Corporal was reduced to the ranks for allowing his Relief to be
improperly relieved.
Cadets do not salute one another except on occasions of ceremony
prescribed by the regulations. Plebes address one another as Jones or
Smith, but they say[35] Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith in speaking of them to
an officer, or to an upper classman. In speaking to or of an officer,
they use his title, but in speaking to or of an upper classman, they
say[35] Mr. White or Mr. Black. Upper classmen address one another as
White and Black, but they say Mr. White or Mr. Black in speaking of them
to an officer or to a plebe. In speaking to or of an officer they use
his title, but in speaking to or of a plebe, they say Mr. Jones or Mr.
Smith. Officers in speaking to or of a cadet say Mr. Jones or Mr. White.
Cadet titles are used only by the cadets having them, and then only in
their permits and explanations, thus—Cadet Corporal, Cadet Sergeant,
etc. Except officially, officers and cadets rarely speak to one another.
At first it seemed very strange to recite to an officer for months, and
to pass him on the plain without a friendly word being exchanged, the
military salute being the only recognition. It is best that it is that
way, as it avoids intimacy and favoritism.
When the first snow fell, I was greatly amused to see one of my
classmates who had never seen it snow. He ran out into the area
bare-headed (and was reported for being in the area without cap). He held
out his hands and then opened his mouth to catch the flakes; it was a
soft fine snow and melted as soon as it touched anything, so he could not
catch any of the flakes, yet he could see them in the air and he appeared
dumbfounded.
Now that we did not have to carry palms of the hands to the front we used
to walk more about the post. I say walk, because we were not allowed
to ride. We found our way occasionally to the Dutchwoman’s,[36] near
the postoffice[37] (as no permits were needed to go there in my day),
where cadets having a little change, or who, being out of debt, could
get ice cream, cakes, pies, etc. On Saturday afternoons we went down
“Flirtation Walk,” a beautiful stroll along the Hudson, or up to Cro’
Nest, the highest peak for miles around, or to old Fort Putnam, on a hill
west of the Barracks, and once in a while to Kinsley’s orchard.[38] The
only reason I can think of having gone to Kinsley’s is, that it was then
“off limits,” and the Regulations said cadets caught off limits should
be dismissed, or otherwise less severely punished. Christmas season had
much in store for us. We received boxes of sweetmeats from home, we had
a theatrical performance in the Mess Hall, and some of us, and I was
one, had a three days’ “leave” from the Point. This leave was granted
to cadets having not over six demerits for the past six months. But
few cadets obtained leaves, and those who did were envied by the less
fortunate fellows. Everybody enjoyed the boxes from home, because cadets
are proverbially generous, and divide their good things with those who
do not receive boxes. Many were “skinned” and given demerits for grease
upon their floors after the boxes came. The cadets are not now permitted
to receive Christmas boxes. An entertainment was given on New Year’s Eve,
in the Mess Hall. A temporary stage was erected, and all of the actors,
“actresses” and members of the orchestra were cadets.
A PARODY ON HOHENLINDEN.
At West Point, when the sun was low,
All spotless lay the untrodden snow,
And dark as winter was the flow
Of Hudson rolling rapidly.
But West Point saw another sight.
Loud groans were heard at dead of night,
And plebeians howled with wild affright,
Whilst dreaming of Geometry.
’Twas morn, but on that luckless day
The morning brought no cheering ray,
To pierce the mist of Algebra,
Or clear it of perplexity.
In glittering armor, bright arrayed,
Each teacher drew his battle blade,
And furious each plebeian made,
To witness such pomposity.
Then shook the hills with thunder river,
As each plebe to the blackboard driven
Despairing of all hopes of Heaven,
In view of his deficiency
And fainter still his hopes did grow,
When he received a big zero;
His throbbing bosom rent with woe,
The tears came railing rapidly.
“Immortals” falter! On! ye brave!
Who rush to glory or the grave,
Wave! plebeians; All thy banners wave!
And charge that Trigonometry.
The lesson o’er—the hovering cloud
Hath burst in torrents, wild and loud,
And buried in one common shroud
The essence of stupidity.
The “found” shall part, no more to meet,
For Math has been their winding sheet,
And every “hash” they now shall eat
Brings curses to the memory.
* * * * *
PROGRAMME
OF THE
Entertainment Given by the
U. S. Corps of Cadets,
NEW YEAR’S EVE., 1869
WEST POINT.
Overture Orchestra
PART I.
PADDY MILES, THE LIMERICK BOY.
(A drama of Corinthian lightness.)
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
Paddy Miles Cadet Shortelle
(The Greek.)
Dr. Coates Cadet Wood
(Spooney and Fidgety.)
Henry, his son Cadet Cobb
(No joke here.)
Job, a gardener Cadet Guard
(Biles with rage.)
Reuben Cadet Hall
(Randy—O! High.)
Mrs. Fidget Cadet Paddock
(See joke on Dr. Coates.)
Jane Cadet Fornance
(The Girl of the period.)
Guitar Duet Cadets Evans and Harrington
Music Orchestra
PART II.
DARK TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE.
Othello Cadet Davis
(Ye Swarthy Moor.)
Desdemona Cadet McDonald
(As was gone back on.)
Brabantio Cadet McGinniss
Duke Cadet “Doylle”
Senators, Assassins, Collectors of Internal Revenue, etc., by
the Company.
Music Orchestra
PART III.
THE LIGHTSOME FARCE OF GRIMSHAW, BAGSHAW AND BRADSHAW.
Peter Grimshaw Cadet Williams
(Christened Peter after his Aunt Sarah.)
John Bagshaw Cadet Goddard
(“Trust him not.”)
BRADSHAW!!! Cadet Fountain
(Bastante dicho—“wich” it is Spanish.)
Towser Cadet Wood
(Characteristics: Heart flinty, Conchoidal fracture.)
Fanny, a milliner Cadet Townsend
(A-lass! not a Millionaire.)
Emily, Towser’s niece Cadet Birney
(Same at same.)
Music Orchestra
PART IV.
“DARKER HERE.”
MINSTRELS, BY THE CADET BAND.
1.
Overture, “Les Dames de Seville,” Cadet Band
The Bell Goes Ringing for Sarah Solo and Chorus
Linda Polka Cadet Band
Little Maggie May Solo and Chorus
We Parted by the River Side Company
Selection Cadet Band
Clog Dance Cadet Bassett
2.
Selections Cadet Band
Fairy Moonlight Quartette
West Point Polka and Selection Cadet Band
My Christmas Leave Solo
Et Bonde Cryllup Cadet Band
Rootle Tum Tootle Tum Tay Solo and Chorus
Galop Militaire Cadet Band
* * * * *
NO HURDLES.
“GENERAL REGULATIONS.”
Those unable to secure seats will be permitted to visit the
Guard-house, where they will find amusement during the entire
entertainment in the perusal of the delinquences posted there.
In consideration of the almost perfect disguise which may be
effected through the magic agency of burnt cork, by which even
the dignified features of our Professors can be effectually
concealed, we would enjoin upon the audience a respect for
gravity during the minstrel performance; and the managers would
take this opportunity of thanking the “Heads of Departments”
for the very affable manner in which they have consented to
contribute, by their Terpsichorean and Ethiopian efforts to the
evening’s amusement.
Owing to the probability of the hall being inspected by the
“Officer in charge,” after the Battalion has returned to
Barracks, the managers earnestly solicit the destruction of all
vestiges of this “Feast of reason,” as it is not mentioned on
the “Cadets’ Bill of Fare” for this date. First classmen are
recommended to preserve the “Flow of soul” for use to-morrow,
in case the Superintendents may not be pleased to release them
from “pledge.”
The managers respectfully call attention to their endeavors
to produce that long desired “mean” equally removed from
“Corinthian lightness, and Egyptian massiveness.”
Should the performers attempt to “consume time,” or the
enthusiasm of the audience be kindled to such an extent as
to create apprehension for the safety of the building, the
services of the Fire Department, under the able management
of its efficient “Chief Engineer,” will be called into
requisition—(provided the nozzle can be found.)
MANAGERS:
S. W. FOUNTAIN,
R. A. WILLIAMS,
E. M. COBB,
A. H. RUSSELL,
A. E. WOOD.
The semi-annual examination commenced right after New Years and when
the class standing[39] was announced, about thirty cadets were found
deficient, and discharged. At least half the deficient ones were in my
class, and the balance in the other three classes. Those near the foot
of my class, who passed, but about whom doubts had been entertained as
to their ability to get through, were now furnished with warm cloth
overcoats of the regulation cadet gray. The sections were rearranged
according to the standing determined by the examinations, text books for
the next five months were drawn, lessons assigned and studies resumed.
Shortly after our class standing had been published, the class was sent
to the Library, where we again took the oath of allegiance, and in due
time afterwards each fourth classman received his “cadet warrant.”
The plebes now began to make the best show they could both about their
rooms and in their personal appearance. Those who could do so procured
curtains[40] for the windows, alcoves and clothes presses, all turkey
red, of course, as that was the regulation color. When they got new
clothes, they were particular about the fit, especially of the dress
coats, as their waists had grown more shapely, caused by wearing close
fitting clothes and belts, which required the chest and not the abdomen
to be used for breathing. They had their old dress coats made smaller in
the waist, too.
Cadets having a taste for music were permitted to have such musical
instruments as banjos, guitars and flutes, and during “release from
quarters” they could practice. Musical spirits were soon brought
together, and after the players became proficient they attracted
attention. Aside from those who played upon instruments, there were
some who had very good voices. When pleasant spring evenings came, the
musicians would often assemble on one of the front steps of the Barracks
and their sweet music and songs attracted all other cadets. Often would
the officers, their ladies and the few visitors at the Point at that
season of the year, stroll near the cadet Barracks to hear music and
songs, and even Old Bentz would look at his watch a dozen times and wait
till the last second to sound “Call to Quarters.” One evening, Christine
Nilsson, the famous “Swedish singer,” who was visiting the Point, was so
attracted by the singing of the cadets that she consented to sing for the
whole corps on condition that the cadet quartette would sing for her.
Her proposition was accepted and the Mess Hall was used for the purpose.
Of course we were charmed by her sweet voice and she complimented the
quartette, too, and Cadet W⸺r in particular. Miss Nilsson told him that
he ought to cultivate his voice and that if he would resign she herself
would pay for his musical education in Europe. Cadet W⸺r thanked her
for her generous offer, but declined to accept it. Miss Nilsson then
said that the cadets must pay for her singing, and that she would make
the collection at once. She was promptly informed that cadets were not
allowed to have money, and that they did not even have pockets in their
clothes. She replied every cadet had with him that which she wanted,
namely a bell-button, and she was particular about the one too, and said,
“I want the spooney button, the one from over the heart.” She produced a
string and we filed past her and each cadet gladly paid her price. The
officers present on this occasion neglected their duty for not reporting
every cadet, for “a button off dress coat in Mess Hall.” About once a
month on Saturday evenings during the winter the band gave orchestra
concerts at which cadets could be present.
[Illustration: TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Know ye, _That the PRESIDENT has been pleased to appoint ________________
a CADET in the Military Service of the UNITED STATES, to rank as such
from the __ day of ________ 18__. He is therefore to be received with all
the consideration attached to such appointment._
Given _under my hand at the WAR DEPARTMENT, this __ day of ________, in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ____, and of the
INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES the ________._
____________
_Secretary of War_.]
One day, S⸺s, one of my classmates, took sick with typhoid fever, and
was confined to bed in the hospital for weeks. We took turns sitting
up at night with him. When he became dangerously ill, his parents were
notified, and they came at once and were with him some days before he
died. An order was published announcing his death, and the loss of a
valuable member of the corps, and directed as a mark of respect to his
memory, that all cadets should wear the usual badge of mourning; that is,
a four-inch band of black crape around the left arm, above the elbow, for
a period of thirty days, and that the flag should be at half-staff on
the day of the funeral. The pallbearers were chosen from his class and
the funeral services held in the little chapel. The coffin was carried
from the chapel, arms were presented, the band played an appropriate
air, and then the coffin was laid upon an artillery caisson draped with
the stars and stripes. We marched to solemn music, with “arms reversed,”
to the beautiful little cadet cemetery just outside of the north gate
overlooking the Hudson at the foot of the highest peak of the Highlands.
Upon reaching the grave, line was formed facing it, and the coffin placed
over it; arms were again presented and the band played another solemn
air; the body was then lowered to its last resting place. We stood with
bowed heads at rest on arms, while the Chaplain conducted the services at
the grave. We then fired three rounds of blank cartridges and returned
to barracks. After leaving the cemetery, we came to “right shoulder”
arms, and marched to a quick step. During my day the corps of cadets
attended a great many funerals, and among them were those of three of
our professors, two or more cadets, and a number of old graduates of the
Academy.
We fourth classmen now began to talk of June first, the day on which we
would become yearlings and be admitted to the corps on equality with
the other classmen; of the dropping of the Mr., of the shedding of our
“plebe-skins” and how that great event should be celebrated; of how we
would treat the next class, of which of us would be made corporals, of
the hops, of the ladies who come up in June, and of other topics of vital
interest to fourth classmen. At a class meeting we selected six hop
managers, six being our share for the summer hops, and we selected them
by ballot. There were no nominations, it having been decided that the
six receiving the greatest number of votes should be elected, and I was
not one of the six. About the twenty-fifth of May D Company vacated its
quarters and they were put in order for the candidates, who reported in
my day between the first and tenth of June; then they reported later in
June, after the cadets had gone into camp. Now new cadets report March
1st.
The academic year practically closed on the 31st of May, and on the next
day the battalion was to again appear in its summer clothes; that is, in
white pants and gray coats. White pants are the forerunners of the many
changes to soon occur at the Point; a class to be graduated, another to
go on furlough, and the other two, with a new class added to the corps,
to go into camp; the members of the Board of Visitors[41] and hundreds
of other people to arrive, some to witness the graduating exercises, old
graduates to attend their alumni meeting, others to see relatives in the
corps, and still others to attend the summer hops. But with all these
and other pleasures in store for the cadets about a dozen of the plebes
were not satisfied. They knew that on the morrow candidates would begin
to report, and that then they themselves would shed their plebe-skins,
drop the Mr. and be full-fledged “yearlings.” In order to mark this
great event in the life of a cadet at West Point we had months before
decided upon doing something that no other yearlings had done. Away
back in April, while at light battery drill, we “hived” some powder, by
taking a little from a dozen or more cartridges, and we also “hived” some
friction-primers. The night of May 31st was cloudy and hazy, which just
suited us, and the tactical officers favored us by inspecting every room
before midnight. At about half-past eleven we tied the handle of the
angle door to an upright of the porch and fastened a rope to the posts
at the head of the angle porch stairs, and then went one at a time out
to the “reveille gun” that stood near execution hollow away out on the
plain. We loaded that gun and then put in it all of our old socks and
rammed the charge well. Some of our trusty party got cannon balls at
Trophy Point and joined the others at the gun. We then wheeled the gun
near the gravel walk in front of the barracks, and one of our party went
on the grass to the right and another to the left. These two then made
noises that attracted the attention of the two engineer sentinels posted
at night on the gravel walk, and signaled that our coast was clear. We
then rushed across the walk through the Sally Port and fired that gun in
the area. At the same time the cannon balls were rolled along the porches
in rear of barracks, then we hastened to our rooms, undressed and went
to bed to await developments. Oh, what a dandy report that gun made;
it shook the barracks and other buildings, too, and shattered windows
all around. The cannon balls were also a great success, for they made a
horrible rumbling sound. We awoke everybody. Lieutenant M⸺l was “officer
in charge,” and we soon heard him tugging away at the angle door and then
stumble against the clothesline that we had so thoughtfully put up for
his special benefit. He called the “drummer orderly,” who slept in the
guard-house and had long roll sounded. He questioned the cadet officers,
but, of course, they knew nothing; then, as he himself had been a cadet,
he made the new-born yearlings fall in and told them that the outrage
had been committed by some of them, and that the guilty ones should be
punished. He then said that all who had not taken part in the disgraceful
affair could fall out and go to their quarters; the guilty ones trembled
in their shoes, but soon recovered, for not a man fell out. The night
was raw and chilly, but there the Lieutenant made us stand, first at
attention, then at parade rest and then at attention again. The innocent
were once more told to fall out, but not a man moved. We were then put
into the guard-house and several of us obtained permission to go to our
rooms for overcoats. Line was re-formed and B⸺ly directed to call the
roll. I was in my own room at this time and could see and hear what was
going on in the area. I knew that B⸺ly had not called the class roll for
months, so I staid in my room and listened to the roll-call, and when I
discovered that I was not reported absent I went to bed. Lieutenant M⸺l
then marched the yearlings out on the cavalry plain and drilled them at
double time for several hours. He stood still some times and marched the
class around him, and as he was not always near enough to distinguish
one yearling from another in the dark there were many blunders purposely
made in ranks, and this made him furious. After awhile Colonel B⸺k, the
Commandant, put in his appearance, and then the class behaved all right,
but it was kept at drill till near breakfast time. Before being dismissed
Colonel B⸺k told the innocent ones to fall out, but not a man left the
ranks. The class was then dismissed, and in a few minutes the battalion
was formed for breakfast, and, of course, I fell in then. Before marching
to the Mess Hall an order was published confining all members of the
fourth class, except one who was in the hospital, to the area of the
barracks until further orders. Some of the class had relatives and
friends at the Point, and the confinement was hard on them, because
cadets in confinement cannot see their friends for longer than half an
hour, and then only in the visitors’ room in the guard-house.
A salute of seventeen guns was fired by a detail of cadets in honor of
the arrival of the Board of Visitors. There was much of interest now at
the Point for the Board and others to see. Beginning with guard-mount
now after parade, then oral examinations from 9 to 4 followed infantry,
artillery or cavalry drill, and the day closing with dress parade at
sunset. The rear view of the cadets marching at double time, to or from
dress parade, out on the grassy plain is a beautiful sight, especially
when white pants are worn, for then the wavy motion of the handsome
uniforms with the black shoes alternating against the white pants and
the green grass once seen is a sight never forgotten. In the evening the
cadets, except those in confinement, and their friends could be together
for an hour or two at the hotel or at some of the officers’ quarters,
provided, of course, that the cadets had “permits.” Not to speak of a
handsome display of fireworks on one evening and the graduating hop on
another. During all these festivities, which lasted about three weeks,
the cadets and candidates were undergoing rigid examinations,[42] and
at which many failed. Lists of the successful ones were announced, the
graduates and furloughmen left and the others went into camp. Some of the
“found” were turned back to join the next class, while the others were
discharged.
On the morning after we had fired the gun in the area Colonel Black sent
for me, showed me one of my own slippers and told me that it had been
picked up that morning on the walk in front of the barracks, and as it
had my name in it he wanted me to explain how the slipper got out of my
room. I told him that I didn’t know, as the last time I had worn or seen
it was on the previous evening before taps. He did not ask me if I had
taken part in the “disgraceful” affair. All of his questioning could get
nothing more out of me, because I told the truth. I afterwards learned
how the slipper did get out on the walk. When D Company vacated its
quarters for the new class C⸺y came over to room with L⸺t and me, and
unbeknown to me he had worn my slippers, and as he was one of the two
cadets chased by the engineer sentinels he lost it, and then for fear
that he and I might both be caught he did not mention the fact to me
until after my return from the Commandant’s office.
Three of my class were turned out over new cadets, and others of the
class detailed to help drill them, and when the new list of corporals was
published I had the pleasure of writing home that I was one of the few
yearlings to wear chevrons.
After the publication of the new lists of class standing I called upon
one of the unfortunates to express regret that he had not passed. He
seemed to be very indifferent about having been found, and said that,
after a long search on his “family tree,” he had on that day made the
fortunate discovery that he was the nineteenth cousin of Queen Victoria!
While in confinement Casey wrote a song commemorating the firing of the
gun in the area, and the song was very popular in my day. The following
is my version of it:
WHO FIRED THAT GUN IN THE AREA?
In eighteen hundred and ⸺ ⸺ ⸺
Some plebes went out on the plain so free,
Played the mischief generally,
And fired the gun in the area.
They locked them up in the old guard-house,
And bade them be as still as a mouse;
They whooped and yelled and kicked about,
And fired the gun in the area.
They made them at the attention stand,
With rifles held all tight in the hand,
But no one “peached” on any man
Who fired the gun in the area.
Then Gussie M. said: “Oh, don’t you see
There’s no use of your fooling with me?
I’ll make you stand till ‘Reveille’
For firing gun in the area.
“And if you rascals don’t all be still,
Of punishment you shall have your fill—
I’ll take you on the plain to drill
For firing gun in the area.”
He marched them round at the double time—
Egad! that drill it was very fine;
From everything they took the shine,
And fired the gun in the area.
This man he got into such a state
That ev’ry plebe he wanted to ate,
And said they were insubord’nate,
And fired the gun in the area.
Then Harry B. just raves and hollers,
“Leave them alone, the bad young bothers;
Confine them till further orders,
For firing gun in the area.”
Yearlings the plebes all became that day,
And paid the price for being so gay
After midnight the last of May,
For firing gun in the area.
NOTE 1. Now only those cadets are examined whose average
marks fall below a certain figure, which may be different for
different subjects. For changes and improvements see Chapter
IX, the articles by Colonels Tillman and Larned.
NOTE 2. A change has been made since the text was written so
that the white collar is not buttoned to the shirt, but is
fastened to the inside of the collar of the coat by means of
three metal clasps.
NOTE 3. Such a thing as stealing is rare among the cadets.
NOTE 4. Sentinels are now posted from shortly after the return
of the battalion from supper until 9:30 p. m. only.
NOTE 5. The Dutch woman left the post in 1875, and the
confectionery or store is now in a brick building about 200
yards north of the brick cottage she occupied.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: CAMP GEO. H. THOMAS.
The Pleasure of your company is requested at the hops to be given by the
Corps of Cadets every Monday Wednesday and Friday evening during the
encampment.
_Managers._
FRED D. GRANT
ANDREW H. RUSSELL
WALTER S. WYATT
EDWARD W. CASEY
HENRY C. LA POINT
JAMES R. WASSON
THOS S. MUMFORD
REID T. STEWART
QUINCY O. GILLMORE
WILLIAM T. RUSSELL
J. BURKE HICKEY
T. M. WOODRUFF
CORBIN DAVENPORT
LOUIS A. CRAIG
WILLIAM H. COFFIN
West Point N. Y.
22d June, 1870.]
CHAPTER VI.
THE YEARLING.
When we marched into camp again at the old site, which was this year
named “Camp Geo. H. Thomas,” the yearlings were perfectly happy. We
enjoyed the society of the plebes for awhile, but soon tired of that.
We had been under such a strain during the previous year that we needed
a rest, and we had it, too, as there was not much required of us for
the first month. We seemed to need sleep, and we slept in the morning,
again in the afternoon and all night, too. After we were rested we
loitered under the trees near the guard tents during guard-mounts and
band practice and mingled among the numerous summer visitors at the
Point; to get acquainted was not difficult, as some of the visitors had
relatives or friends in the corps, and, moreover, people get acquainted
easier at a resort or a dance than almost anywhere else. Some of the
yearlings never missed a hop, and there were three of them a week, from 8
to 11 p. m. Others of us who were not proficient in the art took dancing
lessons occasionally, but generally found our pleasure in boating and in
being with the ladies, or with one another, listening to the music; in
promenading on “Flirtation Walk,” or calling at the hotel. We idled away
the whole summer, and it did us good, for, when we returned to barracks,
we were ready for study again. I don’t want to be understood that we had
nothing to do during camp, because many hours were spent at drill, at
inspections and on guard, just enough to keep us active and healthy.
On pleasant days when not on duty we often strolled on “Flirtation Walk,”
that beautiful path winding through the trees and rocks between the camp
site and the river to watch passing steamers or to see the objects of
interest along this walk. There are some links of a huge chain on “Trophy
Point” between Professor’s Row and the hotel that was floated on logs
across the Hudson during the Revolutionary War from Gee’s Point at the
big bend of the river to Constitution Island[43] near the village of Cold
Springs on the east side of the Hudson. We used to examine the place near
the lighthouse on Gee’s Point, where one end of this chain was fastened
and wonder what effect such an obstruction would be to the gunboats of
to-day. At other times we would linger about Kosciuszco’s Monument, a
little south of Gee’s Point, and quench our thirst at the same spring
that this noble Pole drank from more than a century ago when he built
Fort Clinton—that is, nearby on the plain—while at the same time General
Putnam constructed the numerous other fortifications on the neighboring
hills. Then we would visit Battery Knox, near Kosciuszco’s garden, to
see the beautiful view down the Hudson that this work commands, or go to
see still another handsome view up the Hudson from Trophy Point or Siege
Battery at the north, or rather the west end of Flirtation Walk. Battery
Knox, and Seacoast, Siege and Mortar batteries are of comparative recent
origin and were built by the cadets. There are many monuments, aside
from those in the little cemetery, that have been erected at salient
points about the grounds to heroes who freely sacrificed their lives in
the cause of freedom. Some of those brave men shed their blood to give
birth to our republic, others to wrest territory from the Indians or from
Mexico, and still others that our Union might live. Then there are cannon
and other relics of war on Trophy Point and in the “museum” that are
silent teachers for all who see them. The very air about this historic
spot teaches love of country, and the cadets absorb much valuable
information that is not taught in the section room.
Cadets who were popular with the ladies often used to pin the “spooney
buttons” on their coats, and when a cadet gave his spooney button to a
young lady this act was equivalent to saying that she was the favored one.
“The ladies—may Heaven bless their faces!
They come here in summer sweet,
Each being loaded with graces,
And all have cadets at their feet.”
Lieutenant K⸺g was a popular tactical officer and quite a ladies’ man.
He liked music, and at band practice he often requested the leader to
play “Shoo Fly,” and so often that the cadets noticed it, and called him
“Shoo Fly,” not to his face, of course, but among ourselves. Clara G⸺e,
a little six-year-old girl, was a frequent visitor at camp, and she was
a great admirer of Cadet W⸺e. One day he was officer of the guard and
I was corporal of the guard. During dress parade my post was near the
first guard tent facing the battalion, and it was my duty to see that
visitors kept back of a certain line. Little Clara was out to see the
dress parade, and, as Cadet W⸺e was at the guard tents, she was near him.
W⸺e called me, and then told little Clara just when and where to go and
what to say. There were many visitors present that evening. I took my
post, and in a few minutes Lieutenant K⸺g stepped a dozen or so yards in
front of me and of the line of visitors preparatory to taking post as
officer in charge of the parade. Just then little Clara ran out in front
of the visitors’ line, and in a loud voice called: “Lieutenant K⸺g! Oh,
Lieutenant K⸺g!” which, of course, attracted everybody’s attention, and
then she said, “What do they all call you ‘Shoo Fly’ for?”
One day four young ladies came to camp, and four of us yearlings met them
under the trees at the guard tents. The ladies wanted us to take them out
boating, and as they knew cadets had no way of providing refreshments,
they themselves had brought baskets of cake and fruit. Knowing that our
quartette could be absent from camp for several hours we picked up the
baskets and started. Attached to our boathouse[44] there was an inclined
and also a floating dock, all fastened together, so that the two docks
would rise and fall with the water in the river. The floating dock had
been covered with water so often that it was quite slippery, and we
cautioned the young ladies about it. While we were carrying our boat from
its place in the boathouse one of the young ladies ran down the inclined
dock, and the moment she stepped upon the floating dock she slipped and
sat down in a half inch of water. Her sister (for there were two sisters
in the party) ran to her rescue, and she, too, sat down in the water.
We knew nothing of the mishaps until the sisters were just getting upon
their feet; then we suggested another day for the trip, but they said
no, as everything was ready now we must go. All got in the boat and off
we went. We rowed across the river under the bridge and landed (off
limits) in the woods on the east side of the Hudson. The ladies said
that they would prepare lunch, so the yearlings left them to themselves
for a while. Upon our return a dainty lunch was spread upon the grass,
and we all fell to with a relish, and then started upon our return to
the camp. We observed that the ladies insisted upon carrying the baskets
and to hold on to them while in the boat; this, of course, excited our
suspicions, and we found out that the baskets contained the sisters’
laundry.
It was the rule for a corporal to march the sick of his company to the
hospital at sick-call at 6:30 a. m., and as there were not many sick the
custom sprang up in the corps for one corporal to take the sick-report
books of all four companies to the hospital when there were no sick. So
one morning near the close of Yearling Camp, when there were no sick in
my company to go to the hospital, a corporal of another company took my
sick-report book, and as luck would have it I was reported for “Neglect
of duty, not taking sick-report book to the hospital,” and for this I
was reduced to ranks, but soon afterwards I was appointed a “marker”
for battalion drill, a very pleasant duty. The summer soon passed, the
furlough class returned, we struck tents and our yearling camp was over.
Back to barracks we went, donned our gray pants, drew text books,[45]
posted our hours of recitation and began the school work for another year.
Cavalry drill is a part of the course in each of the last three years,
and the yearlings always hailed the day when they could begin cavalry
drill, and at last the time came for us. The class was divided into two
platoons, and a platoon at a time sent to the Riding Hall.[46] When my
platoon marched into the hall we were all disappointed, for, instead
of finding our horses ready saddled, they were not saddled at all. We
were marched in front of the line of horses, which were being held by
cavalry soldiers, the yearling on the right of the line was instructed to
take the first horse, the next yearling to take the next horse, and so
on to the left. The horses were bridled and had blankets on them, held
in place by surcingles. Captain B⸺s explained to us how to mount, and
then ordered us to mount. Some of us had no trouble in mounting, but it
was very amusing to see others who had never been on a horse; it took
them a long time to get on, notwithstanding the drill we had had in the
gymnasium.[47] It was found that a real horse was different from a wooden
horse. After all were mounted the position of the soldier, mounted, was
explained to us, and our faults corrected. We were then dismounted, then
mounted again. So much time was taken up in explaining details and in
mounting and dismounting and correcting errors that the whole hour passed
in that way. The next day we did get to ride, but for only a few minutes,
and at a walk then. As the days came we rode longer each time, but always
at a walk for weeks. Then came the slow trot, and it was fun to see some
of the yearlings fall off, but as we had been so well drilled in mounting
they were soon on again. That first day at the slow trot we all got very
sore. Many of the horses were hard trotters, and many a yearling had
chafed legs. I remember seeing several of my class who suffered a great
deal, so much that for a time the blood ran down on their shoes. We were
taught to saddle and unsaddle, to fold the saddle blanket, to bridle and
unbridle, to ride with saddles, first at a walk, then a trot and then
at a gallop. We were then taught to ride with a sabre and then given
sabre exercises, and then the use of the pistol, then without saddles to
mount and dismount, first at a walk, then at a trot, then at a gallop
and then at the full speed of the horse; then to jump hurdles, then to
jump a hurdle, dismount, mount and jump another hurdle, the horse going
at full speed; then to use the sabre, cutting at leather balls, called
heads, one on a post, one on the ground and another on a post; then to
jump a hurdle and with the sabre to catch a ring at the same time from a
string suspended near the hurdle, then to cut a head on the ground, then
one on a post and then to jump another hurdle, catch another ring and
take another head. We were also taught the various platoon movements, and
occasionally on pleasant days we were taken out for long rides into the
country.
Visitors at the Point often wanted to see how the cadets lived, and
when they went about it right, i. e., made the acquaintance of certain
tactical officers, their requests were sometimes granted. Lieutenant K⸺g
came to my room one morning after he had made his regular inspection and
said that he had wanted to bring some visiting ladies and gentlemen over
to see my room, but from the looks of things he thought it inadvisable. I
replied that all would be in order in a few minutes, and when ready I’d
go to the hall door, where he could see me. To this he assented. My room
at that particular time was in bad order. O’C⸺r and I had our guns apart
and cleaning materials and rags scattered about the floor, and worse, two
of our classmates who lived across the hall from us brought their chairs
to our room, and we four were playing whist, but Lieutenant K⸺g was good
enough not to notice our visitors or cards, and he did not report us. In
a few minutes all was in order, and I went to the hall door as a signal.
In a few minutes more Lieutenant K⸺g arrived with, the visitors; they
wanted to see our guns, but fearing criticism he made an excuse that they
were all alike. O’C⸺r and I at once got our rifles and the Lieutenant was
amazed to see them in fine condition. Afterwards he told us that he did
not know how we put things in shape in such a short time.
One pleasant Saturday afternoon a party of young ladies arrived with
baskets of refreshments to meet a party of yearlings for a trip to “Cro’
Nest.” As I was the only one of the yearlings not “on punishment” or “in
confinement” I met the young ladies, explained the situation and said
that the trip would have to be postponed. They replied that as two of
the young ladies were to leave for New York on Monday next they were
determined to go to Cro’ Nest at once, and that if I would not go that
the ladies would go alone. Seeing that they were determined to go I went
with them. We climbed to the top of the mountain and had a good view, as
Cro’ Nest is near the top of the highest peak around. The mountain is
covered with timber, and after leaving the top it was hard to tell just
where we would find our way down. Unfortunately, we reached the foot of
the mountain at a point on the Hudson where the bank was about vertical,
and so high that we had to climb more than half way up again to get down
on the other side of that ridge. This consumed so much time that when we
reached the Dutchwoman’s it was after 10 o’clock at night. Alfred, the
Dutchwoman’s son, was there, and we sent him for Lieutenant K⸺g to take
the young ladies to Cold Springs, where some of them lived and the others
were visiting. Cold Springs was off cadet limits, hence I could not risk
going there, when I knew I had been reported absent from dress parade
and from quarters, so I bade the young ladies adieu and reported with as
little delay as possible to the cadet officer of the day, who had made
search for me and was about to send a detail to hunt for me. Immediately
after breakfast the next morning I went to the Dutchwoman’s, saw Alfred
and learned that he had found Lieutenant K⸺g in ample time to catch the
last ferryboat at 11 p. m., but that the Lieutenant waited to finish
a game of billiards he was playing at the officers’ mess,[48] and he
arrived with the ladies at the North Landing just in time to see the last
ferryboat beyond call. The party then went to the Engineer Barracks,
a half mile or more distant, got a large engineer boat, and Lieutenant
K⸺g himself rowed the young ladies across the Hudson to Cold Springs,
and did not return until after reveille the following Sunday morning. I
hastened back to my quarters and worked hard on my gun in preparing my
room for inspection (for I was room orderly that week), for I felt that
the Lieutenant would be especially careful with me at inspection, and so
he was, but he could find nothing to report me for. After inspecting my
room he said, “Mr. R⸺d, you had quite an adventure yesterday?” I replied,
“Yes, sir.” He then asked: “Did the young ladies get home safely?” and I
answered, “You ought to know more about that than I do, sir.” He left the
room, banged the door and accepted my explanation for my absence the day
before.
Before we could realize it Thanksgiving came and went, Christmas and the
boxes of sweetmeats arrived, and as no Christmas leaves were granted this
year we took a greater interest than usual in an entertainment that came
off in the Mess Hall on New Year’s Eve.
The January examinations came again, and as is always the case there were
many failures, among them being my tall young friend from Tennessee.
After changing our hours of recitation the steady grind went on as usual.
About 1 o’clock in the morning of the 5th of February “long roll”
sounded, and, of course, this meant for everybody to turn out promptly.
In a few minutes after the call sounded the cadet companies formed in
the area, and in a few minutes more those in the fire department had
our little hand engine out and at work, for the cadet barracks were on
fire. Tony R⸺r held the nozzle and directed the stream on the roof of
the “Fourth Division,” where the flames were the thickest. The bucket
brigade was also soon at work. Some of the plebes in the cock-loft of
the Fourth Division did not awake until after their rooms were filled
with smoke, and when roll was called they were discovered absent, and
formed lines taking hold of hands and went into their rooms that were
filled with smoke and brought them out. We worked until after daylight
the next morning. Engineer and cavalry soldiers soon arrived to help
us, but much damage was done before the fire was put out. Most of the
roof was destroyed and great damage done to the “Dialectic Society Room”
over the Sally Port and to the cock-loft rooms of the Fourth Division.
No one was injured, but some of the cadets lost everything except their
nightclothes, which they had escaped in. The unfortunate ones found
accommodations by doubling-up with their classmates. Recitations begun at
8 a. m. that day as though nothing had happened, and in a few weeks the
damage to the building was repaired, and a little later Congress, which
was then in session, made good all losses.
PROGRAMME
OF THE
Entertainment Given by the
U. S. Corps of Cadets,
NEW YEAR’S EVE., 1870
WEST POINT.
Overture Orchestra
PART I.
Handy Andy.
(Ye Gladsome Farce.)
Handy Andy Cadet Shortelle
Squire Egan Cadet A. E. Wood
Dick Dawson Cadet Rogers
Mr. Murphy Cadet Casey
Squire O’Grady Cadet Goddard
Mr. Furlong Cadet Mumford
Edward O’Conner Cadet Hickey
Simon Cadet Guard
First Ruffian Cadet “Doyle”
Second Ruffian Cadet “McGinnis”
Oonah Rooney Cadet Birney
Mad Nance Cadet Townsend
Fanny Dawson Cadet Rowell
Peasants, Strangers, Citizens, Etc., by the Company.
Music Orchestra