Chapter II: Part 2

The ENCAMPMENT commences at the close of the Annual Examination, about the 20th of June, and the camp is located on the Northeast portion of the Plain. This period, affording as it does the only relaxation from study during the year, and as the time for the realization of the long-cherished expectations of the graduating and furlough classes, to enjoy the pleasures of home and early friendships, is one of unusual interest and hilarity. With the disappearance of these two classes, orders are promulgated to pitch the tents, and march into camp at a stated hour. The latter is preceded by a general stampedeing force of Cadets, conveying from the barracks to the now unoccupied recitation rooms all unnecessary articles of furniture. Gray forms are seen with heads crowned with washstands, chairs, mattresses, and other camp-prohibited articles, working with such vigor that, in two or three hours, the barracks are cleared of all Cadet property save their military accoutrements. Before breakfast the camp is laid out and the tents pitched, and at the appointed hour the battalion, with the Band and with colors unfurled, marches to its Summer home.

The Encampment consists of eight rows of tents, two to each company, opening on four streets parallel to each other, and a broad avenue runs through the centre of the camp. The tents of the Company Officers and of the Army Instructors of Tactics, are situated opposite their respective companies, while the tent of the Commandant of Cadets is placed centrally at the East end of the broad avenue. The Guard tents, five or six in number, are situated in a line a little distance in front of the whole camp. A chain of six or eight sentinels surrounds the camp day and night. The guard consists of three reliefs, which walk post in turn, during the twenty-four hours for which each guard is detailed. This detail is drawn as equitably as possible from the four companies, and guard duty recurs once in from three to five days, making the duty a real hardship to those not inured to it. The subdivisions of the guard require each relief to walk two hours, and then wait four hours before it is again posted. The operation of changing is as follows: When the relief is duly formed and inspected by the Officer of the Guard, it is marched by its Corporal around the line of posts, and after "Taps," each sentinel challenges the longed-for delegation with a fierce, "Who comes there?" as though the enemy were upon him. The reply of the Corporal leads to a further demand for a cabalistic word which, when whispered, so elevates the party in the estimation of the sentinel, that he quickly abandons his vigilant, defiant manner, and quietly yields his post to his successor, whose place in the ranks of the relief is then most cheerfully accepted.

The camp is governed by the same regulations that accompany an army in the field, except in the preparation of meals, which are supplied at the Cadets' Mess throughout the year.

The presence of visitors contributes much to enliven this period of hardship in Cadet life, and the tri-weekly dancing parties on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, notwithstanding their abrupt termination at 10 P.M., affords never to be forgotten reminiscences in after life, of social enjoyment and enlightened intercourse with the fair daughters of America, not a few of whom date back their after career to the bewitching influence which marks this season. The Encampment usually terminates on the 29th of August, when the Cadets return to Barrack-life, and recommence their studies. An illumination of the camp usually takes place on the evening before it is broken up, and the convolutions of a "stag dance" are performed on the Parade-ground, with a fervor and vivacity worthy of imitation in a Camanche war-dance. This curious cross in the terpsichorean art, between the pigeon wing, double shuffle, hoe-down, and the quadrille, is a frequent diversion in the Cadet camp. It is performed by twenty or more Cadets, who gyrate between two rows of candles stuck in the ground, cadencing their movements by the very uncertain sounds of a plebeian fiddle and the low muffled rattle of a drum, accompanied by whimsicalities and contortions unknown save at West Point.

The scene presented during the striking of the tents is quite lively and picturesque. In the early hours of the day all the property of the Cadets, such as blankets, clothing, etc., is carried by them to the rooms they are assigned to in the barracks, leaving in camp only their rifles and their accoutrements. At the appointed hour the "general" beats,

"Don't you hear the General say,
Strike your tents and march away?"

when all spring to their posts, awaiting three taps on the bass drum. At the first tap, all except the corner tent cords are cast loose and the pins are withdrawn; at the second, the corner cords and pins are cast loose, and the tent is gathered around the tent-poles and steadied in an upright position, so that at the third tap all the tents instantly go down in concert, and woe to the "gross" one who fails to complete the prostration at the moment. While the tents are folded and piled by one party, a group enliven the scene by songs descriptive of their eagerness

"To join the army of the brave," etc.

Then the companies are formed, and taking their stacked arms march to the front on the Parade; the Commandant then, with Band and colors unfurled, marches the battalion to the general Parade, in front of the Superintendent's quarters, and the Encampment is no more.

The ACADEMIC EXERCISES of the Cadets are not devoid of interest even to those who are attracted to the spot by the glittering displays of military life; while to those interested in the progress of education, the peculiarities of the system pursued at West Point seldom fails to increase their belief, that the method here followed might be more generally introduced into the great American collegiate system.

The Corps of Cadets, in accordance with the usual custom, is divided into four classes, and the course of study extends through four years in duration. The classes are numbered inversely according to their entrance into the Academy, as the FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, and FOURTH Classes, corresponding to the Senior, Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Classes in other institutions. Each class is divided into convenient sections of from twelve to fifteen Cadets, for instruction in its special branches of study, the first Cadet on each section roll being its squad-marcher, and being responsible for its punctual attendance and deportment. The recitation hours are sounded on a bugle, when the sections for the hour are formed at the Barracks, their rolls are called, and they are marched to the Recitation-rooms by their several squad-marchers. The instructor is there waiting their attendance, and after receiving the squad-marcher's report of the absentees, he sends three or more Cadets to the black-board, to discuss the propositions he announces to each; for which purpose they proceed to place their diagrams or analyses on the board. Another is called up on the floor and questioned on the lesson for the day, until one of those at the board is ready. The latter being called on, first enunciates the proposition to be discussed, then gives a condensed analysis of how it should be solved, and then gives the full discussion, delineation, or demonstration with reference to his diagram or analysis. Last of all, and reaching the termination of his subject, the instructor proceeds to question him on the parts slighted or omitted, and upon topics connected with the subject-matter under consideration. It will be seen that the recitation proceeds upon the supposition that the Cadet understands his lesson beforehand, and that the instructor's province is to make sure of the Cadet's thorough and accurate knowledge; to amplify his conceptions, and supply his deficiencies, rather than teach him the subject of the lesson. He also enforces that orderly and lucid exposition and arrangement of the matter, which carries the conviction that the Cadet not only knows his topic, but is able to communicate it to others. He requires accuracy of language, the observance of certain recitation forms, and proprieties in decorum, to a degree far higher than is usually demanded in other institutions. Three sides of the section-room are provided with wall slates or black-boards, and a tray for chalk, wipers, and pointers, extends across the bottom of each. Every Cadet writes his name over his work, and when called upon to recite, assumes the "position of a soldier," until he wishes to refer to his work, when he does so with his pointer. It is a matter of no small magnitude to secure a becoming personal deportment and style in recitation, and to suppress the unmeaning, nervous turnings, rockings, and fumblings, which too often deform the manners of undisciplined students.

The instructor marks each recitation according to his estimate of its quality as referred to a scale of valuation ranging from zero to three, the maximum for a perfect and satisfactory exhibition of knowledge. A weekly report of these daily marks is made to the Superintendent, and exhibited to the Cadets who crowd the hall leading to the Adjutant's office every Monday, to see the official estimate of their performances during the past week. The recitation marks are aggregated for the semi-annual examination in January, and for the annual examination in June, and are mainly decisive of the numerical standing of each Cadet in the different courses of study. Frequent and thorough reviews occur, in which each individual's success is critically observed and considered in making out the standing--a greater weight justly belonging to the final and permanent conquest of a course, than to the earlier recitations. The final examination on the subject also has a material weight.

By combining all these elements, a definite order of arrangement of the members of each class, in each branch of study, is obtained, and from these combined special standings, a general class rank, or order of arrangement according to each individual's merit, is deduced at the close of each annual examination. In determining the standing of the graduating class the special standing of each Cadet in all the branches of study for the four years, including proficiency in discipline, is considered, and possesses a relative weight in deciding the position of each member.

The Annual Examination in June is conducted in the presence of a "Board of Visitors," selected for the purpose by the Secretary of War, and the reports of these Boards, composed of intelligent men of all professions and all political parties, have, for more than forty years, borne favorable testimony to the thoroughness and efficiency of the system of instruction pursued at West Point. The assignment and promotion of the graduating class to corps and regiments in the army, is regulated by the recommendation of the Academic Board, based upon class standing. The highest members only are recommended for the Corps of Engineers, and as the recommendations are almost uniformly adhered to, each Cadet becomes the arbiter of his own destiny, so far as his capacity makes success practicable. He is thus stimulated to good conduct, and the diligent employment of all his mental faculties, by the hope of a choice in the assignments, and of securing after rank, by commission, over his comrades.

How to become a Cadet, is a question not unlikely to arise in the minds of some of the young readers of this volume. The martial aspirant should consider well, before taking any steps toward securing a Cadet appointment, that Cadet life is no mere holiday training--no refined dandyism, but a four years' devotion of mind, body, and heart to discipline and study; more severe, by far, than is required at any other educational institution in the land. But if possessed of an aptitude for mathematical study, of a vigorous realization of the attributes of manhood, and the courage to endure patiently present trials for future good, and finally, if possessed of an ardent desire for intellectual culture, with a view to after usefulness, nowhere can a youth become so well qualified by an educational course to be a man, as by becoming a Cadet at the National Military Academy. The method of procedure to secure an appointment is briefly as follows:

The District of Columbia, and each District of Country entitled to a Member of the House of Representatives in Congress, may secure through him one Cadet appointment. The Cadet so selected should remain four years, but in case he fails to do so, a vacancy arises which the Representative is called upon to fill with a new appointee. Of course, the same thing occurs when the Cadet graduates, and thus the number of Cadets is made equal to the number of Representatives and Delegates in Congress. In addition, every year the President of the United States appoints TEN Cadets, selected at his pleasure from any portion of the country. The appointments by Districts are really made by the Secretary of War, but only on the recommendation of the Member of Congress. An application made to the latter will show whether a vacancy exists--if so, the applicant must plead with him for it. The only other alternative is to secure the favor of being one of the TEN appointed by the President. The official qualifications are herewith appended:

APPOINTMENT AND ADMISSION OF CADETS.

I.--As frequent inquiries are made in regard to the mode of procuring admission into the Military Academy, persons interested in the subject are hereby informed that application may be made at any time (by letter to the Secretary of War) by the applicant himself, his parent, guardian, or any of his friends, that his name may be placed on the register in the office of the Inspector at Washington. The precise age and permanent abode of the applicant, as, also, the number of the Congressional District in which he resides, must be stated, and no application will be considered wherein these instructions are not complied with. No preference is given to applications on account of priority, nor can any information be communicated as to the probable success of an applicant before the appointments are made.

By an act of Congress, the appointment of a person who has served in any capacity in the military or naval service of the so-called Confederate States is prohibited, and, as a general rule, no person will be appointed who has had a brother educated at the Academy.

By provision of law, each Congressional and Territorial District and the District of Columbia is entitled to have one Cadet at the Military Academy, and no more. In addition to these, the appointment _annually_ of a number, not exceeding _ten_, "at large," not confined to a selection by Congressional Districts, is authorized. The District and Territorial appointments are made upon the nomination of the member of Congress or Delegate representing the District or Territory at the date of appointment, and the law requires that the individual selected shall be an _actual resident_ of the District or Territory, or District of Columbia, from which the appointment purports to be made. The selections "at large" and from the District of Columbia are made by the President.

Appointments are required by law to be made one year in advance of the date of admission--that is to say, about the 1st of July in each year, except in instances where it may be impracticable, from any cause, so to make them. Persons, therefore, receiving appointments have ample time afforded them in which to prepare for a successful examination prior to their admission.

II.--To prevent the disappointment, mortification, and useless expense that might attend the acceptance of a Cadet appointment by a person not possessing the necessary qualifications for admission, and for the instruction and aid of others, the following information is communicated:

Candidates must be over seventeen and under twenty-two years of age at the time of entrance into the Military Academy; no modification of the law in this respect can be made; but any person who has served honorably and faithfully not less than one year as an officer or enlisted man in the army of the United States, either as a Volunteer, or in the Regular service, during the war for the suppression of the Rebellion, shall be eligible for appointment up to the age of twenty-four years. They must be at least five feet in height, and free from any deformity, disease, or infirmity, which would render them unfit for the military service, and from any disorder of an infectious or immoral character. They must be able to read and write well, and perform with facility and accuracy the various operations of the four ground rules of Arithmetic, of reduction, of simple and compound proportion, and of vulgar and decimal fractions. The Arithmetic is to be studied understandingly, and not merely committed to memory. They will also be required to have a knowledge of the elements of English Grammar, of Descriptive Geography, particularly of our own country, and of the history of the United States.

III.--It must be understood that a full compliance with the above conditions will be insisted on; that is to say, the candidate must write a fair and legible hand, and without any material mistakes in spelling such sentences as shall be dictated by the examiners; and he must answer promptly and without errors all their questions in the above-mentioned rules of Arithmetic and in the other branches: failing in any of these particulars, he will be rejected.

IV.--Every candidate will, soon after his arrival at West Point, be subject to a rigid examination by an experienced Medical Board, and should there be found to exist in him any of the following causes of disqualification, to such a degree as will immediately, or in all probability may, at no very distant period, impair his efficiency, he will be rejected:

1. Feeble constitution and muscular tenuity; unsound health from whatever cause; indications of former disease; glandular swellings, or other symptoms of scrofula.

2. Chronic cutaneous affections, especially of the scalp, or any disorder of an infectious character.

3. Severe injuries of the bones of the head; convulsions.

4. Impaired vision from whatever cause; inflammatory affections of the eyelids; immobility or irregularity of the iris; fistula lachrymalis, etc., etc.

5. Deafness; copious discharge from the ears.

6. Loss of many teeth, or the teeth generally unsound.

7. Impediment of speech.

8. Want of due capacity of the chest, and any other indication of a liability to a pulmonic disease.

9. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or both of the superior extremities on account of fractures, especially of the clavicle, contraction of a joint, extenuation, deformity, etc., etc.

10. An unusual excurvature or incurvature of the spine.

11. Hernia.

12. A varicose state of the veins of the scrotum or spermatic cord (when large), sarcocele, hydrocele, hemorrhoids, fistulas.

13. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or of both of the inferior extremities on account of varicose veins, fractures, malformation (flat feet, etc.), lameness, contraction, unequal length, bunions, overlying or supernumerary toes, etc., etc.

14. Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices of ulcers likely to break out afresh.

V.--During the months of July and August the Cadets are engaged in military duties and exercises, living in camp. The academic exercises commence the beginning of September. The semi-annual examination takes place in January. At this time the Cadets are rigidly examined in the subjects they have studied, and the new Cadets, if found proficient therein (their conduct having been correct in all respects), will receive the warrant of Cadet, and take such a station in their class as their respective merits, as determined at the examination, may entitle them to. If any have been unable to master the course, they will be pronounced deficient by the Academic Board, and their connection with the Academy will cease.

VI.--It is important that it be clearly understood that this examination, like all subsequent ones, is very thorough--does not permit any evasion or slighting of the course, and exacts a very close and persevering attention to study. The examining officers have no option; they _must_ reject the deficient. The nation sends these young men to the Military Academy, supports and pays them adequately, and opens to them an honorable profession, in the expectation that their best efforts will be given to qualify themselves for the higher duties of the military service. Those who will not, or can not, profit by these generous provisions, should not occupy the places of those who will and can.

VII.--In June there is held the "Annual Examination," which, in its character of searching scrutiny, is like the semi-annual examination in January. Cadets who have failed to make the requisite proficiency, and are not likely to succeed in future, are discharged.

VIII.--It will thus be seen that a person must carry to the Academy a certain degree of preparation; good natural parts; an aptitude for study; industrious habits; perseverance; a disposition to conform to discipline, and correct moral deportment. If deficient in any of these respects, it will be best for young men not to enter the Military Academy, as they will thus avoid the probabilities of disappointment and mortification. Many of those who receive appointments fail, through deficiency in the above particulars, to graduate. But it must not be understood that those who fail to master the scientific course taught at the Military Academy, necessarily incur thereby discredit as regards mental ability, since it is by no means rare for intellects otherwise strong to be averse to mathematical investigation, or study of language.

IX.--The pay of a Cadet is $41.66 per month, with one ration per day, and is considered sufficient, with proper economy, for his support.

MEMORANDUM

INDICATING THE METHOD OF EXAMINING CANDIDATES FOR ADMISSION
INTO THE MILITARY ACADEMY.

Candidates must be able to read with facility from any book, giving the proper intonation and pauses, and to write portions that are read aloud for that purpose, spelling the words, and punctuating the sentences properly.

In ARITHMETIC they must be able to perform with facility examples under the four ground rules, and hence must be familiar with the tables of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; and must be able to perform examples in reduction and vulgar fractions, such as:--

Add 2/3 to 3/4; subtract 2/5 from 5/6.
Multiply 3/4 by 7/8; divide 2/5 by 3/8.

Add together two hundred and thirty-four thousandths (.234), twenty-six thousandths (.026), and three thousandths (.003).

Subtract one hundred and sixty-one ten thousandths (.0161) from twenty-five hundredths (.25).

Multiply or divide twenty-six hundredths (.26) by sixteen thousandths (.016).

They must also be able to change vulgar fractions into decimal fractions, and _vice versa_, with examples like the following:--

Change 15/16 into a decimal fraction of the same value.

Change one hundred and two thousandths (.102) into a vulgar fraction of the same value.

In Simple and Compound Proportion, examples of various kinds will be given, and candidates will be expected to understand the principles of the rules which they follow.

In ENGLISH GRAMMAR candidates will be required to exhibit a familiarity with the nine parts of speech and the rules in relation thereto, and must be able to parse any ordinary sentence which may be given them, and generally they must understand those portions of the subject usually taught in the higher academies and schools throughout the country, comprehended under the heads of Orthography, Etymology, Syntax, and Prosody.

In DESCRIPTIVE GEOGRAPHY they are to name, locate, and describe the natural grand and political divisions of the earth, and be able to delineate any one of the States or Territories of the American Union, with its principal cities, rivers, lakes, seaports, and mountains.

In HISTORY they must be able to name the periods of the discovery and settlement of the North American continent, of the rise and progress of the United States, and of the successive wars and political administrations through which the country has passed.

COURSE OF STUDY

AND

BOOKS USED AT THE MILITARY ACADEMY.

[Books marked thus * are for Reference.]

FIRST YEAR--FOURTH CLASS.

DEPARTMENT. TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF REFERENCE.

{ Davies' Bourdon's Algebra.
Mathematics. { Davies' Legendre's Geometry and Trigonometry.
{ Church's Descriptive Geometry.

{ Bolmar's Levizac's Grammar, and Verb Book.
French { Agnel's Tabular System.
Language. { Berard's Lecons Francaises.
{ *Spier's and Surenne's Dictionary.

Tactics of Artillery { Practical Instruction in the Schools of the
and Infantry. { Soldier, Company, and Battalion.
{ Practical Instruction in Artillery.

Use of Small Arms { Instruction in Fencing and Bayonet Exercise.

SECOND YEAR--THIRD CLASS.

DEPARTMENT. TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF REFERENCE.

{ Church's Descriptive Geometry, with its
{ application to Spherical Projections.
Mathematics. { Church's Shades, Shadows, and Perspective.
{ Davies' Surveying.
{ Church's Analytical Geometry.
{ Church's Calculus.

{ Bolmar's Levizac's Grammar and Verb Book.
{ Berard's Lecons Francaises. Chapsal's Lecons
French { et Modeles de Literature Francaise.
Language. { Agnel's Tabular System. Rowan's Morceaux
{ Choises des Auteurs Modernes.
{ *Spier's and Surenne's Dictionary.

{ Josse's Grammar. Morale's Progressive Reader.
Spanish. { Ollendorf's Oral Method applied to the
{ Spanish application by Velasquez and Simonne.
{ *Seoane's Neuman and Barretti's Dictionary.

Drawing. { Topography, &c.

Tactics of Infantry { Practical Instruction in the Schools of the
Artillery, { Soldier, Company, and Battalion.
and Cavalry. { Practical Instruction in Artillery and
{ Cavalry.

THIRD YEAR--SECOND CLASS.

DEPARTMENT. TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF REFERENCE.

Natural and { Bartlett's Mechanics.
Experimental { Bartlett's Acoustics and Optics.
Philosophy. { Bartlett's Astronomy.

Chemistry. { Fowne's Chemistry. Chemical Physics from
{ Miller.

Drawing. { Landscape. Pencil and Colors.

{ United States Tactics for Garrison, Siege, and
Tactics--Artillery, { Field Artillery. United States Tactics for
Cavalry, { Infantry. Practical Instruction in the Schools
and Infantry. { of the Soldier, Company, and Battalion.
{ Practical Instruction in Artillery and Cavalry.

FOURTH YEAR--FIRST CLASS.

DEPARTMENT. TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF REFERENCE.

{ Mahan's Field Fortifications.
Military and { Mahan's Outlines of Permanent Fortification.
Civil Engineering { Mahan's Civil Engineering.
and Science { Mahan's Fortification and Stereotomy.
of War. { Mahan's Advanced Guard and Out Post, etc.
{ *Moseley's Mechanics of Engineering.

Mineralogy and { Dana's Mineralogy.
Geology. { Hitchcock's Geology.

{ French's Practical Ethics.
Law and Literature. { Halleck's International Law. Law and Military
{ Law, by Prof. French.
{ Benet's Military Law and the Practice of
{ Courts-Martial.

{ Practical Instruction in fabricating Fascines,
{ Sap Faggots, Gabions, Hurdles, Sap Rollers,
Practical Military { etc.; manner of laying out and constructing
Engineering. { Gun and Mortar Batteries, Field
{ Fortifications, and Works of Siege; formation
{ of Stockades, Abatis, and other military
{ obstacles; and throwing and dismantling
{ Ponton Bridges.

{ United States Tactics for Cavalry.
Tactics--Artillery, { Practical Instruction in the Schools of the
Cavalry { Soldier, Company, and Battalion. Practical
and Infantry. { Instruction in Artillery and Cavalry.

Ordnance and { Benton's Ordnance and Gunnery.
Gunnery. { Practical Pyrotechny.

For the information of visitors, the "Police Regulations" of the Post of West Point, and the "Regulations of the Encampment," are appended:

POLICE REGULATIONS

FOR THE

MILITARY POST OF WEST POINT, N.Y.

1867.

1. "Police Limits" include all territory lying north and east of a line running west from the South Gate to its intersection with the Fort Putnam road, and thence by the road to the cemetery.

2. To prevent interruption to the duties of the Academy, carriages will not be allowed to pass on the road leading by the Academic Hall and Cadets' Barrack, during the hours devoted to study; and at no time by the Hospital, except when required for the accommodation of residents or their visitors, and then at a slow pace.

3. Carriages will be allowed to pass to the West Point Hotel, through the South Gate, by the road below the Hospital, or through the West Gate.

4. On Sundays the gates will be closed, and no vehicle allowed to drive on the Plain without the permission of the Superintendent, except for the purpose of conveying persons to and from Divine Service, to the ferry landings, to obtain medical assistance, or for the private benefit of Officers residing on the Post. Officers will not pass public conveyances through the gates on Sunday.

5. Carts and wagons will use the main road, across the Plain, except when necessity requires them to go upon the private road passing in front of the Quarters, Barrack, and Hospital.

6. Carriages and horses are not permitted to pass, or remain on the road in front of the parade-ground, nor to move about in its vicinity during parade and reviews.

7. Racing, fast driving, and unnecessary noise at all times is prohibited.

8. It is strictly forbidden to drive or ride over any of the sidewalks or paths at West Point, or any part of the Plain or grounds except the carriage roads.

9. All persons are directed to close the gates after them on entering or leaving the public grounds.

10. Officers and citizens may smoke on the Plain; but during the performance of any military duty thereon, no smoking will be allowed on, or in the vicinity of, that part of the Plain which may be occupied for such duty.

11. All persons are prohibited from bathing in the river, during the day, anywhere within police limits.

12. All persons whatever, residing or serving at West Point, are prohibited from hunting or shooting, or using fire-arms for any purpose, within police limits, during week days, and within the limits of the public lands on Sundays.

* * * * *

15. Boats are not permitted to land, except at the public wharves.

16. Every boat, cart, wagon, or vehicle laden with articles, except for officers, may be searched by the officers and non-commissioned officers of the Guard, or members of the Police.

17. All persons are forbidden to receive or transport across the Post any article for excluded individuals.

18. All persons are prohibited from selling any kind of intoxicating liquors, beer, cakes, etc., on the Post, without the permission of the Superintendent.

19. All enlisted men are prohibited from bringing on the Post, or having in their possession, any intoxicating liquor, beer, etc., without the permission of the Superintendent.

20. Persons not connected with the Post, bringing prohibited articles thereon, will be promptly removed by the guard or police, and reported to the Superintendent, to the end that they may be prosecuted for trespass.

21. Pedlers and all improper persons are prohibited from coming on the Post.

22. Excursion or Pleasure Parties, etc., are not allowed to land on the Post, unless specially authorized by the Superintendent.

* * * * *

26. Cadets will not be allowed to cross the ferries without the written permission of the Superintendent. All such permits will be returned as soon as practicable by the ferrymen to the Adjutant's office.

* * * * *

29. No person will be allowed to cut wood on the public lands, break the branches of the trees on the Plain, at the Cemetery, or in the vicinity of Camptown, or to throw stones or sticks into them. Parents will be held responsible for the acts of their children violating this regulation.

* * * * *

34. No citizen will be allowed to wear the uniform, or parts thereof, of officers, cadets, or soldiers.

* * * * *

36. The iron seats in front of the Superintendent's quarters must not be occupied by servants and children when required for visitors.

REGULATIONS

FOR THE

ENCAMPMENT OF THE CADETS,

_WEST POINT, N.Y._

1867.

1. All Cadets, with the exception hereinafter mentioned, will confine themselves to the Encampment. Cadets will always hold themselves in readiness for such extra roll calls as the Officer in Charge may be directed to have during his tours. On these occasions, the Assembly will be sounded on the drum, when each man for duty in each company will appear promptly on the company Parade Ground. The companies will be formed without further signal by command of the Sergeants, the rolls called, and the results immediately reported through the proper channels to the Officer of the Day.

2. Cadets will be permitted to wear their fatigue jackets, and their coats unbuttoned, in the body of the Encampment. When the Guard are in fatigue jackets the Battalion will wear the same to meals.

3. There will be one corporal and four privates detailed daily from each company for company Police. A separate Roster for this purpose will be kept, and this detail made from the Third and Fourth Classes. The company Police party will be formed by the corporal on the company ground, at morning and evening Police roll calls, when the company ground, and the ground behind the tents, including the company Officer's Tents, will be thoroughly policed. The corporal of the company Police will be held responsible for the proper police of the company grounds at all Inspections, and also that the Tent Walls of the Tents, when all the occupants are necessarily absent, are raised and lowered at the proper times. He has authority to call on his party at any time, for purposes connected with the Police of his company.

4. The Guard, on the day succeeding that on which it marched off, will constitute the General Police, and will be formed by the Junior Officer of the Guard, on the General Parade Ground, at morning and evening Police calls, and will police those parts of Camp not policed by the company Police party.

5. The Senior Officer of the Guard, on the day succeeding that on which he marched off, will be Camp Officer of the Police for that day, and will report his presence to the Officer of the Day at all roll calls of companies. He will have general charge of the Police of Camp, will inspect the Police parties when at work, see that they are all present, and that they perform their duties properly.

6. The Officers of the Police will not dismiss their parties until after their work has been inspected by the Camp Officer of the Police, and not until he has expressed his satisfaction at the manner in which it has been done. Should he deem it necessary, at any time during his tour, to turn out the Police parties for duty, they will promptly obey his orders.

7. All Details for Guard, company Police, etc., will be posted on a Bulletin Board, at the Tents of the 1st Sergeants of the companies.

8. The Members of the First Class, between REVEILLE and RETREAT, will be permitted to have the limits of the Plain, included within the Main Road, passing in rear of Camp, in front of the Hotel Yard, the Quarters of the Superintendent, the Barracks, and the Library. Cadets can visit the Library during Library hours, but the Barracks and the confectioner's can be visited only by special permission.

9. The permission to walk on Public Lands on Saturday afternoons, granted to Cadets in Barracks, is withdrawn.

10. Cadets will be allowed to bathe at or near Gee's Point, between Reveille and Breakfast, and between Retreat and Tattoo. Cadets wishing to bathe, will be formed in the company Parade Ground, and be marched to and from the place of bathing, by the Senior Non-commissioned Officer present. The members of the Old Guard, during the morning after marching off, will be permitted to walk on Public Lands until 1 o'clock, and bathe at Washington's Valley during the same time, except on Sundays, when they will be excused from Divine Service.

11. All Cadets, except Officers of the First Class, will pass in and out of Camp by crossing Post No. 1, reporting their departure and return to the Officer of the Guard, who will keep a correct list of the same, and note the time. Cadets will visit the Commissary's only between the hours of 8-1/2 and 9-1/2 A.M., and 1-1/2 and 3 P.M., and the Confectioner's between 1 and 4 P.M.

12. Permission to walk on Public Lands, does not include the Commissary store out of hours, the Hotel, the Hospital, Wharfs, public or private buildings, or any other place on the Point, forbidden by Regulations.

13. At Taps, all lights will be extinguished in Camp, except those in Tents of Officers of the First Class, of the 1st Sergeants, and the Officers and Sergeant of the Guard.

14. Immediately after Taps, the company Officers will inspect their companies, and see that all Cadets are properly undressed and in bed; they will remain in their company grounds long enough to insure quietness and order in their companies, and will report all Cadets who leave their Tents for any purpose whatever.

15. Visiting in Camp after Taps is prohibited, and the Officers in the performance of their duty will confine themselves to the limits of their company grounds.

16. The Officer of the Guard will allow no Cadet, except members of his guard, to pace the Posts of Nos. 2 and 6 after Taps, except by permission of the Commanding Officer, or the Officer in charge; and he will, at all times, preserve proper order and quiet at the Guard Tents.

17. Citizens will not be allowed in the body of the Encampment except when accompanied by an Officer, or for the purpose of visiting an Officer. For the latter purposes, they will be permitted to cross all sentinels' posts except those of Nos. 3 and 5. The Officer of the Day, and the Officer and Non-commissioned Officers of the Guard, together with the sentinels, will, when they observe citizens in camp for any other purpose, politely notify them of this order.

18. The Color Guard will remain with the Guard until Retreat, when the members will be permitted to go to their own tents. At Reveille, they will again join the Guard.

19. All Prisoners and Cadets in arrest, will march to and from meals with the Guard, which will be marched both to and from same by an officer of the Guard.

20. All Cadets passing within fifteen paces of the Color Line, will salute the colors.

21. On Saturday afternoons until Tattoo, the Officer of the Day will inspect and verify the presence and behavior of all Cadets in confinement, making his rounds for that purpose every hour.

22. Cadets receiving permits will present them to the Officer of the Guard, who will register them; and the Cadet taking advantage of it, is required to notify the Officer of the Guard of his departure and return. All the permits will then be left with the Officer of the Guard, who will transmit them, with his report, to the Officer of the Day, who will in turn transmit them to the Commandant. Cadets visiting the Hotel, will register their permits immediately in the book kept at the office for that purpose.

23. No Cadet will be permitted to visit the Hotel before Guard Mounting, nor between 1 and 3 P.M., and 7 and 8 P.M.

24. Cadets who are excused from Divine Service, will remain in their quarters during the continuance of same. This applies also to those who attend either the Catholic or Methodist service.

25. Members of the Guard will not leave the Guard Tents without permission from the Officer of the Guard, who will see that their absence is not unnecessarily long.

26. Cadets will not be permitted to smoke outside the body of the Encampment.

27. All official communications from Cadets will be made in proper forms, and must pass through the hands of their company Commanders.

28. It is requested of Officers and citizens that they will not smoke on the General Parade Ground, or when crossing a sentinel's post.

29. The Guard will permit no person except Cadets, Officers, their servants, or Orderlies, to enter camp during the absence of the Battalion.

30. The Guard will be formed and inspected at Reveille, Retreat, and Tattoo, and during Parades will remain formed.

31. Cadets in arrest or confinement, wishing to bathe, will apply to the Commandant for permission, and be marched from and back in charge of a guard.

32. Cadets performing extra tours of punishment, will not be put on the Color Line.

33. No Cadet will employ another to do any duty for which he has been detailed, without permission.

34. Cadets on sick report will not apply for permission to visit.

35. The body of the Encampment is defined to be that portion of the Encampment included between the company Officers' Tents and the Front Line of company Tents.

FOOTNOTES:

[A] EDWARD SHIPPEN ARNOLD was born at Philadelphia, March 19th, 1780; he entered the East India Company's service, and became a Lieutenant of Cavalry and Paymaster of Mattra. He died in India in 1813.

[B] BENEDICT ARNOLD was twice married, and had three sons by his first wife. BENEDICT, the eldest, was an Officer of Artillery in the British Army, and died young in the West Indies. HENRY and RICHARD both entered the King's Service after their father's defection, as Lieutenants of a Cavalry Legion, commanded by their father.

By his second marriage (April 8th, 1779), General ARNOLD became the father of four sons and one daughter.

EDWARD SHIPPEN ARNOLD, the eldest already mentioned; JAMES ROBERTSON ARNOLD, the second son entered the Royal Engineers in 1798, and served at Bermuda, Nova Scotia, and in New Brunswick. In 1841 he was appointed a Major-General in the British Army, and rose to be a Lieutenant-General in 1851. He was a Knight of the Hanoverian Order of the Guelph, also a Knight of the Turkish Order of the Crescent. He died in service in 1854.

GEORGE ARNOLD, the third son, was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Bengal Cavalry, and died in India in 1828. WILLIAM FITCH ARNOLD, the fourth son, became a Captain of Lancers in the British Army. SOPHIA MATILDA ARNOLD married a Colonel in the East India Company's Service.

General ARNOLD died in London, June 14th, 1801. The following notice appeared in the _Gentleman's Magazine_. "At his house in Gloucester Place, Brigadier-General ARNOLD. His remains were interred at Brompton on the 21st. Seven mourning coaches and four State coaches formed the cavalcade."--_Loyalists of the American Revolution_--SABINE--_British Army Register_.

A Standard Work for every Public and Private Library.

HISTORY
OF
WEST POINT,

AND ITS

Military Importance During the American Revolution,

AND THE

ORIGIN AND PROGRESS

OF THE

UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.

BY CAPTAIN EDWARD C. BOYNTON, A.M.,

ADJUTANT OF THE MILITARY ACADEMY.

ONE VOLUME OCTAVO, 408 PAGES.

Printed on Tinted Paper, beautifully Illustrated with Maps and
Fine Engravings, chiefly from Photographs taken on the
spot by the Author; bound in blue cloth,
bevelled boards, $6.00.
D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher,

192 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.

Copies sent free by mail on receipt of Price.

Part First

Relates to the early acquisition of West Point by the United States, and the military importance of the Post during the period of the American Revolution; embracing the rise and progress of the fortifications, and the purchase and arrangement of the Great Chain, designed to obstruct the navigation of the Hudson River, drawn from authentic documents, and illustrated by Maps and Engravings never before published.

The perfidious designs of Benedict Arnold, and his connection with Major John Andre, Adjutant-General of the British Army in America, are succinctly described, together with the "Proceedings of the Board of General Officers," in the case of Major Andre, in a _fac-simile_ form as published at the time by the authority of the Continental Congress.

The grand _feu de joie_ at West Point on the occasion of the birth of the Dauphin of France, in 1782, with all the changes in the Garrison prior to the beginning of the present century, and many of the Orders of Washington from this spot, are now for the first time given to the public.

Part Second

Describes the origin of the Military Academy, and its progress down to the present date; the recognition of the necessity for such an institution at the very commencement of the Revolution, and the accumulated opinions in its favor upon the restoration of peace, as pronounced by the leading minds in the country, are given.

The Constitutionality of the institution, its alleged aristocratic tendencies, and the services of its graduates in and without the military profession, are treated at length.

The progress of the institution under each successive Superintendent, the erection and removal of the Early Public Buildings, illustrated by accurate Engravings and Descriptions, together with those of modern date, will be found to constitute an interesting feature in the work.

To those who seek admission into the Military Academy, or who desire to know the manner of selecting Cadets and making appointments, the course of life, the employment of time, and the duties of instruction afterward, full and complete information has been carefully prepared and imparted to the reader.

To the visitor or tourist, the work points out and describes (with the aid of a Map) all the objects of interest connected with the old Forts, and the Public Buildings, as they exist, and the method of obtaining access to all such is given.

The Appendix

Contains the roll of the Academic Staff, from the commencement of the institution; the five most distinguished Cadets in each class from 1817 to the present date, as published by the War Department; a numerical list of all the Cadets who have been _admitted_ into the Military Academy, and the States and Territories whence appointed; a similar list of all the _graduates_ of the institution, together with a synopsis of all the laws of the United States relative to the Military Academy, and a sketch of military education and the military schools in Europe.

* * * * *

These are a few only of the subjects of interest to be found in the work. No efforts has been spared to encompass and exhaust the whole subject, with the view to render the work _an authority_.

List of Maps and Illustrations.

1. VIEW OF WEST POINT ON THE HUDSON RIVER. 1780.
(_Fac-simile._) A perspective view, by Major L'Enfant,
Engineer, of the west side of the Highlands, above and
below the Point, twelve miles in extent, with the camps of
the army and the fortifications plainly indicated.

2. MAP OF WEST POINT AND ITS FORTIFICATIONS. 1780.
(_Fac-simile._) This map of Maj. Villefranche, Engineer, is
said to have been used at the interview between Arnold and
Andre.

3. MAP OF FORT CONSTITUTION, ON CONSTITUTION ISLAND. 1776.

4. MAP OF FORT ARNOLD. 1780. (_Fac-simile._)

5. ARRANGEMENT OF THE GREAT BOOM AND CHAIN ACROSS THE HUDSON AT
WEST POINT. 1780.

6. MARTELAER'S ROCK (Constitution Island).

7. MAP OF THE WEST SIDE OF THE HUDSON RIVER. 1780.
(_Fac-simile._) From Haverstraw to West Point, illustrating
the capture of Forts Montgomery and Clinton.

8. RELIC OF THE GREAT CHAIN OF THE REVOLUTION.

9. MAP OF THE SCENE OF ARNOLD'S TREASON.

10. CHAPTER VIGNETTE.

11. GRAND ARBOR AND COLONNADE AT WEST POINT IN 1782.
(_Fac-simile._) _Colored._

12. ROBINSON'S HOUSE IN THE HIGHLANDS.

13. RUINS OF FORT CONSTITUTION. _From the West Point Hotel._

14. RUINS OF FORT PUTNAM (_interior view_).

15. MAP OF THE COMMISSION IN 1812, RELATIVE TO THE UNITED STATES
LANDS AT WEST POINT.

16. SURVEY OF THE UNITED STATES LANDS AT WEST POINT. 1839.

17. MAP OF WEST POINT IN 1863, _with all the details_.

18. FORT PUTNAM, _from the West Point Hotel_. 1863.

19. THE OLD ACADEMIC BUILDING, _looking south-east_.

20. THE OLD MESS-HALL, _looking south-west_.

21. THE OLD NORTH BARRACKS, _looking north-east_.

22. THE OLD SOUTH BARRACKS, _looking south-east_.

23. THE NEW MESS-HALL, _looking south-west_.

24. THE NEW ACADEMIC BUILDING, _looking south-west_.

25. THE NEW CADET BARRACKS, _looking south-east_.

26. THE LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY, _looking south-east_.

27. THE WEST POINT HOTEL, _looking north-west_.

28. THE CHAPEL, _north front_.

29. THE THIRTEEN-INCH MORTAR AT THE SEACOAST BATTERY.

30. THE TROPHY GUNS.

31. KOSCIUSZKO'S MONUMENT.

32. THE CADET'S MONUMENT.

33. DADE'S MONUMENT.

34. WOOD'S MONUMENT.

35. MILITARY ACADEMY BAND.

36. THE ENCAMPMENT.

NOTICES OF THE PRESS.

"The author has, with painstaking industry, gathered into one view whatever could be gleaned from our annals, not only in regard to the origin and progress of the Military Academy, but in reference to the previous history of West Point as an important Military Station during the American Revolution.

"This work is a valuable addition to our historical literature, and will furnish to the thousands of graduates from the West Point Academy a most valuable _souvenir_ of their _alma mater_."--_Army and Navy Journal._

* * * * *

"The associations of West Point, the seat of the United States Military Academy, are in this respect remarkable, that they derive their interest exclusively from the circumstances incidental to the birth and progress of the nation. The history of the place is an important part of the nation's history. It was the objective point in that drama of Arnold's treason, which, by involving the fate of Andre, is remembered as one of the most romantic incidents in the story of the war. The aspect of the place in connection with the events of that time is given by that method of description which always leaves the sense of historic verity. The author has presented his subject not so much in his own narrative as by a judicious combination of extracts from documents and papers of original authority; although his own observations, by way of correction and explanation, are given in good taste, and indicate a candid judgment. Capt. Boynton's book should command the interest of those who know most of West Point, and of those who know nothing about it."--_Atlantic Monthly._

* * * * *

"It records the earliest attempt at instituting a Military School by the Continental Congress in 1776. It conducts us through the life of the institution, arguing with terseness its constitutionality, defending its educational principles, and explaining the necessity for its preservation. We commend this volume to our readers with perfect confidence, believing that they will be more than amply repaid by its careful perusal. We ourselves have lingered with pleasure over its pages, and predict for the work great success, as one of the most valuable and interesting additions that has of late years been made to our historical literature."--_United Service Magazine._

* * * * *

"Aside from its value as an historical record, the volume under notice is _an entertaining guide-book to the Military Academy and its surroundings_. We have full details of Cadet life from the day of entrance to that of graduation, together with descriptions of the buildings, grounds, and monuments. To the multitude of those who have enjoyed at West Point the combined attractions, this book will give in its descriptive and illustrated portion especial pleasure; while the critical reader will be quite ready to agree fully with the modest author, that a 'nucleus of truth' has been established as a basis for a more minute history, if such should ever be needed."--_New York Evening Post._

* * * * *

"The second part of the book gives the history of the Military Academy from its foundation in 1802, a description of the Academic buildings, and the appearance to-day of this always beautiful spot, with the manner of appointment of the Cadets, course of study, pay, time of service, and much other information yearly becoming of greater value, for West Point has not yet reached its palmiest days.

"The book is beautifully printed on thick tinted paper, with excellent illustrations and an abundance of those fine clear-cut maps in which your true West Pointer so much delights."--_Boston Daily Advertiser._

* * * * *

"We cannot close without thanking Capt. BOYNTON for the vast amount of information so well collated in his book, and for his clear statement of the history and condition of the Academy from the beginning to the present time."--_North American Review._

* * * * *

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| Typographical errors corrected in text: |
| |
| Page 71: acccording replaced with according |
| page 99: Reveille replaced with Reveille |
| |
| Reader should note that Thlonalosassa, Florida listed on |
| page 41, is likely Thonotosassa, Florida. The spelling has|
| been retained. |
| |
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