Chapter XLVIII: Part X (3)

Candidates must be at least five feet in height; free from any deformity, disease, or infirmity which would render them unfit for military service; and from any disorders of an infectious or immoral nature. They must be able to read and write well, and be thoroughly versed in the first four rules of arithmetic, in reduction, in simple and compound proportion, and in vulgar and decimal fractions.

Although the examination for entrance is not difficult, the prescribed tests, both medical and intellectual, are rigidly applied, and many candidates are rejected.

The examination for entrance is not competitive, but simply a qualifying examination. The competitive system commences after a cadet is once admitted; it enters into every branch of instruction, and continues in full force to the end of his residence.

_Subjects and Course of Study._

The length of the course of study, for all who may succeed in graduating, is four years; its nature, after the first year, is principally professional, and the course of study is identical for all the students. The subjects are not all studied simultaneously, separate periods of the course being devoted to certain subjects, as shown by the time tables annexed.

The relative importance of the different subjects is indicated by the maximum marks of merit assigned to them respectively, at the summing up of the results of each student’s attendance at the end of his fourth year, according to the following scale:--

_Subjects._ Maximum. Period of Attendance.

Mathematics, 300 2 years
Natural and experimental philosophy, 300 1 year.
Military and civil engineering, 300 1 “
Chemical physics and chemistry, 150 1 “
Ethics and law, 150 1 “
French, 100 2 years.
Drawing, 100 2 “
Spanish, 75 1 year.
Mineralogy and geology, 75 1 “
Ordnance and gunnery, 75 1 “
Infantry tactics (theory), 50 1 “
Artillery “ “ 50 1 “
Cavalry “ “ 50 1 “
Discipline, 300
-----
General merit, 2,075

Practical instruction in surveying; in fortification; in ordnance and gunnery, including the loading, pointing, and firing heavy guns; in drill, or, as it is termed, the tactics of the three arms; in interior economy and regimental duty; forms an important part of the training of the cadet at different periods during his residence. In addition, the months of July and August in each year are entirely devoted to practical instruction, the battalion being then placed under canvas and relieved from all study.

During his first year a cadet receives instruction in fencing three hours in each week, from 10th October to 1st April.

During his second year he receives instruction in riding three hours in each week, from 1st November to 15th March.

Throughout the whole of his third academic year, from 1st October to 1st July, he receives instruction in riding, excepting between the 1st February and 15th April.

Throughout the whole of his fourth academic year he receives instruction in riding, three days in each week.

Swimming is not taught at the Academy. There is a good gymnasium for the use of the cadets in recreation hours, but the practice of gymnastics is purely voluntary.

_Classification for Instruction._

The cadets are ranged in four distinct classes, corresponding with the four years of residence. Cadets of the first year constitute the fourth class; those of the second year, the third class; and so on. Cadets are promoted from one class to another at the end of the academic year, 30th June; provided only that they shall have passed satisfactorily before the Academic Board in the examinations which are always held during June, failing in which, they are either kept back in their then class for another year, or, in the case of decided deficiency, discharged from the Academy.

Each class is divided into sections convenient for instruction in the different branches of study. The method of division will be best explained by taking the fourth or lowest class as an example.

The members of the fourth class are, on their admission to the Academy, arranged in alphabetical order, and are then formed into sections, averaging about 12 cadets for each branch of study. After the lapse of a month, transfers are made at the close of each week from one section to another, according to the results of the past week’s attendance in study, and so continue until those most advanced are found in the first section; the next in order, in the second section; and so on.

During the first six months of residence, cadets are on probation, and only receive their _warrant_ as cadets, provided they shall have passed satisfactorily at the January examinations held before the Academic Board, and that their conduct shall have been satisfactory.

Before receiving his _warrant_, each cadet is required to sign an engagement of service in the United States army for eight years, and to take an oath of allegiance to the National Government and Constitution.

The hours allotted to study are divided nearly equally between attendance on the instructors in the halls of study--or _section rooms_, as they are termed--and independent study in quarters. The attendance in the section rooms is termed _recitation_; the independent study in quarters, _study_.

The theory is, that during each recitation, every cadet of the section attending it, shall receive a thorough _viva voce_ examination illustrated on the blackboard, and there is not much practical variation therefrom. Where there is any departure from it, it arises from the number of cadets in a section being too large to enable them all to be examined during the same recitation, which lasts an hour and a half, or an hour, according to the subject. Recitations in mathematics, in natural and experimental philosophy, and in civil and military engineering, occupy one hour and a half; in all the other branches of instruction, only one hour. Thus, when it appears in the time table that a class attends mathematics, for example, from 8 to 11, it is to be understood that the sections forming one half of the class attend their respective teachers in the section rooms during an hour and a half, while the other half of the class is engaged in study in quarters. At the end of the first hour and a half those sections which have attended recitation return to their quarters to study, while their places are taken by the remaining sections which have been up to that time engaged in study in quarters.

Each teacher, as a general rule, has two sections specially assigned to him for instruction, excepting the professor or head of each department who, as has been already explained, devotes his time to general superintendence, and takes the different sections for his personal instruction at such times and in such order as he may judge best.

Before proceeding to the section rooms the different sections parade in the barrack square by sound of bugle, under the superintendence of the cadet _officer of the day_; the roll is then called by the senior cadet, who is termed the _section marcher_, who reports absentees to the officer of the day, and marches his section off to the section room by direction of the latter. Arrived in the section room, the section marcher causes the cadets to take their seats in the order of their names on the roll, and then hands them over to the instructor. When dismissed by the instructor, the section marcher forms his section as before, marches it back to the barrack square, reports all infractions of discipline which may have taken place either in study or on the march to the officer of the day, and then dismisses his section by the latter’s permission.

There is no system of private tuition recognized at the Academy. Each cadet must depend on his own exertions, aided by the explanations given by the instructors in the section rooms, and by the occasional assistance he may derive from his more advanced comrades.

The allotment of so large a portion of time to independent study is a great departure from the practice of military schools in Europe; and it is a remarkable feature in the West Point system that no continued supervision is exercised over the cadets when studying in quarters beyond that which is supplied by the discipline of the cadets themselves. The senior of the two cadets inhabiting each room is responsible for discipline and orderly behavior. The officer of the day (cadet) visits each room during the hours of independent study; and the _officer in charge_, who is detailed daily from the assistant instructors of tactics, also visits the rooms at his discretion.

_Routine of Daily Work._

A full-dress parade of the battalion takes place every day at sunset, after which the cadets are marched to supper, the hour of which varies with the season of the year, but is never earlier than 5.30 p.m. Half an hour after supper the evening call to quarters is sounded for study in barracks until tattoo at 9.30. All cadets excepting officers, the non-commissioned officers of the battalion staff, and the first sergeants, must be in bed and their lights extinguished at 10 p.m., the hour for the signal of _Taps_.

The arrangement of time on Sundays is as follows:

Breakfast at 7 a.m.
Full-dress parade and inspection at 8.
Call to quarters for _study in barracks_ at 9.
Church call at 10.30.
Recreation after church.
Dinner at 1 p.m.
Recreation.
Call to quarters for study, 3 to 5 p.m.
After 5 p.m. the arrangement of time is the same as on a week day.

Cadets may obtain leave from the Sunday afternoon study in barracks to attend church a second time, should they desire it.

There is no yearly vacation. When a youth enters West Point, he is fixed there, unless discharged, for four years without intermission, with the exception of two months’ furlough which he may obtain at the end of his second year on certain conditions, and which is subject to a scale of diminution graduated according to misconduct.

This discipline would be intolerably severe but for the relaxation afforded by the change from barracks and the section room to camp life. The battalion is encamped from about 20th June to 30th August, and during that period the time is exclusively devoted to military exercises, practical instruction, and amusement.

_Proficiency in Study--Examinations._

The system of estimating proficiency in the different subjects studied is very elaborate. Each instructor keeps daily notes of the proficiency of the cadets forming the sections of which he has the charge; the degree of excellence shown by a cadet at any recitation being recorded by marks, 3 being the maximum for each lesson, which represents _thorough_ proficiency; 2.5 signifies _good_; 2 _fair_; 1.5 _tolerable_; 1 _very imperfect_; any thing below 1 is recorded as 0, or complete failure.

A weekly report showing the daily credit of each cadet and the aggregate for the week, is handed in by each instructor to the professor or head of his department at the end of the last study on Saturday, and the professor personally delivers the weekly reports of his department to the superintendent at the office of the latter between the hours of 12 and 2 p.m. on the same day. The professor at the same time recommends such transfers of students from section to section as he may think proper. The aggregate weekly credits of each cadet in all the branches of instruction are then recorded in the superintendent’s office.

From the weekly class reports, and the monthly record of discipline, a consolidated report of the progress of the Academy is made up monthly and forwarded to the inspector of the Academy, who transmits an abstract of the same to the parent or guardian of each cadet.

The weekly class reports form the most important element in determining the relative standing of the cadets in their class at the period of graduation, but a verifying test, or corrective, is supplied by the examinations which take place in January and June, the method of conducting which is as follows:

The January examinations commence on the 2d of the month. The examination of the 4th or lowest class is conducted by the whole Academic Board, the constitution of which has been already detailed. The relative standing of the members of the fourth class, up to that time arranged alphabetically, is then determined by the summing up of the weekly class reports, verified or corrected by the results of the examination. A large proportion of the cadets of the fourth class, usually from one-sixth to one-eighth of the whole, are yearly pronounced to be _deficient_, and removed from the Academy at this their first examination, which on account of its importance is required to be conducted by the whole Academic Board. The examinations of the three other classes take place before committees of the Academic Board, the whole Board being divided into two committees for this purpose.

The June, or _annual_ examinations, commence on the first of the month. The first or graduating class alone is examined by the entire Academic Board, and the final relative standing of the cadets determined. The remaining classes are examined before the two committees of the Academic Board.

The June examinations take place in the presence of the _Board of Visitors_, the members of which are specially appointed in each year by the President of the United States, and whose duty it is to report to the Secretary of War, for the information of Congress, on the state of discipline, instruction, &c., &c., of the Academy.

The senior assistant professor or instructor of the branch under examination is _ex officio_ a member of the Academic Board or of the committee thereof which conducts such examination; and the immediate instructor of the section to be examined is likewise associated with the Board or its committee so far as relates to the examination itself and the arrangement of the section in order of merit.

_Classification according to Marks._

To assist the Academic Board in determining the accurate classification of any section about to be examined, the immediate instructor of that section hands to the Board, before the examination commences, a roll in the order of merit in which he considers the members should stand, based on the weekly credits which he had himself assigned.

At the close of the examination the same instructor hands to the Board a second roll in the order in which he conceives the members of the section should stand, judging by the result of the examination. The instructor then retires and the Board proceeds to deliberate.

Each member of the Board having kept careful notes of the examination, the relative standing of the cadets of a section in proficiency is determined by discussion.

The question next arises, who, if any, are to be pronounced _deficient_?--a dictum which inevitably entails discharge from the Academy, or putting down to a lower class.

The different sections composing the class, having been arranged in one class list in order of merit; one of the Board, usually the professor of the department concerned, supposing _e.g._ the class to consist of 50 members, may move that No. 50 be declared deficient. If the motion is negatived on discussion, the salvation of No. 50 proves also the salvation of all standing above him. But if the motion be carried, Nos. 49, 48, 47, &c., may be pronounced deficient in like manner, and so on, until a number is reached which is not condemned.

The examinations are entirely _vivâ voce_. Each cadet is subjected to a searching oral examination of from seven to ten minutes, illustrated on the blackboard where the subject admits of it. The daily record of the proficiency of a cadet in any subject forms, as already stated, by far the most important element in fixing his relative standing among his classmates: it is only exceptionally that the public examinations alter materially the order of merit which has been previously framed from the weekly class reports.

At the close of each examination the Academic Board reports to the Secretary of War the names of all cadets who are pronounced deficient in studies or discipline, to be discharged from the Academy unless otherwise recommended by the Academic Board.

The rule of discharge for deficiency, even in one solitary subject, is very rigidly enforced; unless where exceptional circumstances, such as loss of time on account of illness, or having been unavoidably prevented from joining the Academy until some time after the rest of his class, induce the Board to recommend that the cadet shall have another trial by being put back to the next lower class.

Some detail is necessary to explain how the marks obtained by a cadet at the daily recitations are employed to determine the credit he is to receive in any given branch of study at the period of his graduation.

Where a subject is studied for two years, the maximum time allotted to any branch of study, the marks gained during the first year help only to fix a cadet’s relative standing in his class for the year next ensuing. The credits shown by the weekly class reports of the second year alone are taken into account in determining the credit due to a cadet at the end of his residence.

The exact method of fixing the credits due for any one subject is as follows. The professor makes out a roll of the class in the order of merit finally fixed by the Academic Board at the June examinations. The first on the roll then receives credit for the maximum number of marks allotted to the subject; the last on the roll receives a credit of one-third of that maximum only. The _common difference_ for all the members of the class between those limits is then calculated, and the remaining members receive credits varying from the first cadet and from each other by the amount of that common difference. The figures thus determined represent the credits assigned for any one subject at the period of graduation, and the figure of general merit for each cadet is made up of the aggregate credits obtained by him for all the branches of study, with one column included for discipline.

Proficiency in drill or riding does not affect the figure of general merit, except indirectly. Inattention or carelessness at these exercises would be noted by a certain figure of demerit, and would thereby diminish, as will be hereafter explained, the credit to be allotted for discipline at the final examination.

_Graduation._

The qualifications required for obtaining an appointment to the army are simply _graduation_, or in other words that a cadet shall have passed through the four years’ course at the Academy without being found _deficient_ in any one branch of study or in discipline. The proportion of cadets who fail to graduate is very considerable--nearly one-half. The present first class is a fair sample. It numbered 74 on entrance, and its members are now only 39, and of these three had belonged to the next higher class, and were put back for deficiency. From 1842 to 1852 the exact proportion who succeeded in graduating was 0.510. From 1852 to 1862 the exact proportion was 0.523.

Although the ultimate consequences of idleness in being declared _deficient_ at the half-yearly examinations are generally sufficient to insure diligence, an immediate penalty is attached to any adverse report against a cadet for want of attention to study, or any misconduct in the recitation halls. The instructor of any section notes on his weekly class reports any cases of decided idleness and all infractions of discipline, and to each reported instance a double penalty is attached, as to every instance of misconduct at the Academy; the one immediate, in punishment according to the scale of the offense; the other prospective, consisting of a certain figure of demerit, which will rise up in judgment against the delinquent at the end of his residence, and diminish his credit for _discipline_.

The _certainty_ of the penalty which attaches to idleness, both in the immediate punishment it entails, and its more serious ultimate consequences, is found to be sufficient, as a general rule, to attain the desired object; hence the character of the cadets for diligence is decidedly high.

The members of the graduating class have their choice of the services to which they shall be appointed according to their standing on the roll in order of merit. The order of precedence of corps of the United States army is: 1, Engineers; 2, Ordnance; 3, Artillery; 4, Cavalry and Infantry; and that is, as a general rule, the order of choice. The Secretary of War may sanction subsequent transfers from one branch of the service to another, but such transfers are very rare.

Beyond the privilege of choice, the only direct inducement held out to distinction among his classmates to any cadet, is one which is purely honorary. By an order from the Secretary of War so early as the year 1818, the five cadets most distinguished in studies and discipline in each class at the June examinations, are published each year in the United States Army Register (Army List). The distinction is highly prized.

The advantages resulting from a degree or peculiar distinction at West Point after appointment to the army, in respect to professional advancement or the obtaining staff employment, are very small. No special qualification is required by law or regulation for admission to the staff. When a vacancy occurs any one who desires may make application for the vacant appointment to the Adjutant General of the army. The decision rests with the Secretary of War or the President. The head of the department in which the vacancy exists is the proper person to insist, if he thinks proper, on the possession of certain qualifications by the officer who is to be employed as his subordinate. Even graduation at West Point is not insisted on as a necessary qualification for staff employment.

_Discipline._

Every young gentleman who passes his probationary examination in the January after his admission, receives his _warrant of cadet_, and signs an engagement to serve in the military force of the United States during the eight years next ensuing. He thus becomes amenable to the articles of War and to trial by court-martial.

The discipline of the Academy has no resemblance to that of an ordinary civil college, but is peculiarly and essentially military. The cadets are required to clean their own rooms, make their own beds, and clean their own arms and belts.

The staff for the maintenance of discipline is distinct from that of tuition. The professorial staff simply report infractions of discipline in study, but have no power to punish. All professors and instructors, however, as well as all military officers who may be stationed at West Point, are expected to report to the superintendent any improper conduct on the part of a cadet which may come under their observation.

The punishments to which a cadet is liable are comprised in the three classes following, viz.:--

1st. Privation of recreation, &c.; extra duty (not guard); reprimands; arrests or confinement to barrack room or tent; confinement in light prison. _Inflicted only by the superintendent or by his authority._

2d. Confinement in dark prison. _Only by sentence of court-martial, and seldom or never resorted to._

3d. Suspension; dismissal with privilege of resigning; public dismissal. _Only by sentence of a garrison or general court-martial, which must be approved by the Secretary of War._

“Breach of arrest” is treated as a military offense of the worst nature, and is classified with “mutinous conduct.”

All offenses are classified under five heads, and are recorded according to the following scale:

An offense of the 1st class counts 5 demerit.
“ 2d “ 4 “
“ 3d “ 3 “
“ 4th “ 2 “
“ 5th “ 1 “

All offenses reported or to be reported against cadets, are read out at evening parade on the day after commission, excepting offenses in the section rooms reported by the instructors, which are read out on Monday evening’s parade; so that every cadet may have the opportunity of presenting a written explanation, or plea, in extenuation, of the offense charged against him.

The commandant of cadets attends at his office, in the square of the cadet barracks, between the hours of breakfast and the first study every morning to receive reports of offenses.

Explanations in writing, on paper of prescribed uniform size, may be taken to the commandant by any cadet charged with an offense not later than the commandant’s second orderly hour after publication, as a general rule from which any departure requires to be explained.

If the commandant considers the excuse satisfactory, he erases the offense and tears up the excuse, but forwards an abstract of all offenses which have not been explained to his satisfaction, with the written explanations, for the decision of the superintendent.

The superintendent may, on further inquiry, find the explanations of some of the offenses forwarded satisfactory, in which case he erases such offenses. To the remainder he allots such immediate punishment, and such marks of demerit in addition, as the cases respectively justify; or he may consider the demerit marks sufficient without any immediate punishment.

Thus the offenses of which a cadet may be guilty during his residence are recorded against him by a very elaborate and just method, and rise up against him at the period of his graduation. No instance of carelessness or inattention to orders is too trifling to be taken notice of.

If any cadet has more than 100 demerit recorded against him in any six successive months, he is immediately discharged from the Academy as deficient in discipline.

But during the first year’s residence, offenses count one-third less than those committed during the subsequent three years; a cadet of the first year would therefore only be discharged as deficient in discipline who had obtained a demerit of 150 within any period of six successive months.

The marks of demerit of all the fourth class cadets who have not proved deficient in discipline, are wiped out entirely at the end of their first year, and do not therefore affect their relative standing at the period of graduation. The demerit of the first year is only taken into account, so as to determine, in combination with the credits received for progress in study, the relative standing of the cadets in their class for the year next ensuing.

At the final examination, the credit to be allotted to any cadet on the score of discipline is made up by means of the demerit rolls as follows.

Each cadet receives a credit of 16.67 for every month during his residence, in which he has had no demerit recorded against him, to be deducted from his aggregate marks of demerit at the end of his residence. The monthly credit is fixed at 16.67, because that number forms the sixth part of the 100 marks of demerit, which if recorded in six months against any cadet would have occasioned his discharge.

Notwithstanding that the demerit marks of the fourth class are wiped out at the end of the first year, and do not count against the cadets at their final examination, the credit of 16.67 is still allowed to cadets for every month of their first year in which no demerit was recorded against them and deducted from their aggregate marks of demerit at the end of their residence.

The positive marks of merit for discipline due to any cadet at the end of his residence are thus determined. The cadet of the graduating class having the lowest aggregate demerit recorded against him is placed _first_ in discipline, and is credited with the maximum of marks due to that subject, viz., 300. The whole class is then arranged in the same sense, the cadet having the highest demerit being placed last, and receiving only one third of the maximum, viz. 100. The common difference between these limits is then calculated for each cadet of the class, and applied as already explained.

Although the nominal value placed on discipline is represented by the same number of marks only as are allotted to each of the more important branches of study, in fixing the relative standing of cadets at their final examination; it should be remembered that no candidate can reach that period at the Academy who is not fairly well conducted. It would be quite impossible for any cadet to remain at the Academy who had earned for himself the sentence “deficient in discipline,” even though the marks of demerit required for that sentence might have been earned by a succession of minor infractions of discipline. And a cadet who might be guilty of any serious willful offense would be at once removed from the Academy.

Owing to the very limited time allowed for recreation, games are almost unknown; and almost the only athletic amusement indulged in is boating on the river, for which, however, Saturday afternoons afford the only available time.

No difficulty is found to arise from the difference of age among the cadets in maintaining an uniform system of discipline. The same rules are applied to all during the whole period of residence.

The cadet officers and non-commissioned officers greatly assist in maintaining discipline. A daily abstract of offenses show that out of 15 offenses recorded therein, 11 were reported by cadet officers or non-commissioned officers.

The daily duties are assimilated as much as possible to those of a battalion in quarters, and are as follows:

_The officer in charge_, detailed daily from the assistant instructors of tactics, is responsible for the proper performance of all the military duties of the battalion during the day. His tour of duty commences at guard mounting (7.30 a.m. in barracks, 8 a.m. in camp); at which time he reports for orders to the commandant at the office of the latter. He has an office adjoining that of the commandant where he must constantly be present from _reveillé_ to _taps_ (the signal for putting out lights at 10 p.m.), except when absent on duty or at meals. He is present in the cadets’ mess hall during all meals, and superintends every parade and roll call. He visits the sentries at his discretion. On being relieved, he includes in the usual morning report of his company, all offenses which may have come to his knowledge as having occurred during his tour of duty.

_The officer of the day_, is detailed usually from the roster of the cadet officers, although every cadet of the highest class is appointed at least once to perform this duty. He is present at guard mounting and receives his guard in the usual military manner, after which he reports for order to the commandant and is generally under the orders of _the officer in charge_. His post of duty is the guard room, which is in the same building as, and immediately beneath, the offices of the commandant and the officer in charge. He causes all calls to be sounded at the proper time; is present at all parades and roll calls; and receives reports of all absentees, whom it is his duty immediately thereafter to seek and to order when found to repair to their respective duties unless properly excused. He reports to the officer in charge all absentees whom he may not be able to find, and all cadets who fail to obey his orders. He directs the formation of all the class sections before marching to the section rooms; receives reports of absentees from the section marchers, and requires the latter to march off their sections in a proper military manner. He is responsible for the suppression of all irregularities in quarters or their vicinity during his tour. He visits the quarters during the hours of independent study and receives reports of absentees. He visits all the quarters at _Taps_, and reports absentees to the officers in charge. He afterwards visits the room of every cadet absent every 15 minutes until the return of the absentee, or until otherwise directed by the officer in charge. On the back of the guard report which he forwards next morning to the commandant, he records all offenses which come to his knowledge as having occurred during his tour; and presents with it all permits and passes that have come into his hands, all of which are required to be deposited with him. The officer of the day is relieved from study during his tour of duty.

_Daily Guard._--A cadet guard, consisting of one sergeant, four corporals, and 24 privates, is mounted every morning at 7.30. The cadets of the guard remain in the guard-room during the day, excepting the hours of study.

_Sentries_ are posted during the hours of recreation, the most important posts being the different entrance halls of the cadet barracks. Ten minutes after the _call to quarters_, during the day on Sundays, and every evening, it is the duty of each such sentry to visit all the rooms belonging to his particular entrance hall. He then orders all cadets whom he may find visiting in rooms not their own to their proper quarters, and reports all who fail to comply promptly with his orders to the sergeant of the guard, as well as all absentees; and the sergeant of the guard passes on all such reports to the officer of the day. A sentry similarly reports every irregularity that may occur on his beat, and particularly the name of any cadet who may have absented himself from the barracks for more than ten minutes. A high sense of the honorable confidence reposed in a sentry seems to be generally entertained; and there is every reason to believe that the cadet sentries at West Point perform their duties in a trustworthy and satisfactory manner.

The general duties of the battalion are assimilated as much as possible to those of a battalion in quarters. The daily detail of duties is drawn up by the cadet adjutant. The cadets for guard are detailed by the first sergeants of their respective companies at each evening parade, and the daily routine is in this respect as nearly as possible the same as that of military life.

There is no yearly vacation; and the furlough which each cadet may obtain at the end of his second year is subject to the following conditions, viz.:--

1st. If he has obtained 350 demerit in the two preceding years, he is detained twelve days; if 325, 300, 275, 250, or 200 demerit within the same period, he is detained ten days, eight days, five days, three days, or two days respectively.

2d. He is required to sign a certificate, declaring that he has in _no manner improperly interfered with, or molested or injured new cadets_. The furlough of any cadet declining to sign this certificate is limited to one month, from 28th July to 28th August. Although there have been instances of cadets declining to sign this certificate, it is probable that, as a general rule, the cadet conscience places a liberal interpretation on the words of the formula.

Leave of absence from the Academy for one to two days is occasionally granted, but only for exceptional reasons.

_Buildings._

The _cadet barrack_ is a handsome stone building of four stories. It contains 176 rooms, of which 136 are cadets’ quarters, 14 feet by 22 feet, arranged in eight divisions, each division having its own entrance, and having no interior communication with the other divisions. Not more than two cadets are lodged in the same room. The two beds in each room are curtained off from the room, and separated from each other by a partition. There are numerous bathing rooms in the basement, to which the cadets have access.

Each division of quarters is under the superintendence of an assistant instructor of tactics, who visits the rooms of his division three times in the course of each day, and occasionally during the night. He makes a daily report in writing to the commandant of the condition of the rooms under his charge, noting all delinquencies that may have come to his knowledge since his last report.

A division of quarters is divided into two _subdivisions of quarters_ of two floors each, each subdivision being under the charge of one of the cadet officers, who has his quarters therein, and who is responsible for the discipline of his subdivision, and for the proper fulfillment of all orders that may be issued relative to the police of quarters. He visits all the rooms of his subdivision 30 minutes after reveillé, and immediately after _taps_ (lights out), notes all irregularities, and makes a daily report in writing to the superintendent of his division, recording all delinquencies, and certifying that since the report of the previous day he has faithfully performed all duties required of him as _inspector of subdivision_.

The _Academy_ is a building detached, containing the following rooms and departments, viz.:--

_Chemical department_, comprising laboratory, lecture-room, room for electrical experiments, and a work-room; _fencing department_; _gymnasium_; _mineralogical collection_; _engineering department_, comprising drawing and model rooms; _artillery model room_; _mathematical model room_; _drawing academy_; _trophy room_; _picture and statue galleries_; _mineralogical section rooms_; and 10 _recitation rooms_ (or halls of study).

Another detached building contains the _observatory_; and _library_ of 20,000 volumes, to which the cadets have access at stated times.

There are no rooms specially set apart for day rooms, reading or recreation rooms.

The _mess hall_ is a detached building. The central hall where the cadets take all their meals is 96 feet by 46 feet and 20 feet high. Quarters for the purveyor with kitchen and bakery, and with quarters for the necessary servants in the basement, are attached.

The cadets are formed in the barrack square previous to each meal, and are marched to and from the mess hall. The officer in charge visits the mess hall at all meal times. The senior cadet officer present is responsible for good order.

The _Riding School_ is detached and is admirably adapted to its purpose.

_Expenses._

The Academy is entirely supported by the State. The average annual cost for 62 years has been $137,315; and this sum includes the cost of all buildings and structures, of repairs and maintenance. The yearly appropriations during the last eight years have varied from $170,000 to $200,000, but does not include certain sums which are paid out of the regular appropriation to the War Department.

A new cadet is admitted to the Academy on the 1st of July. From that date he is credited with Government pay at the rate of $30 a month, which allowance is calculated as sufficient to pay for the whole cost of his equipment and maintenance. As the monthly pay is, however, small compared with the first cost of uniforms and outfit, a new cadet usually deposits with the treasurer of the Academy on entrance from $60 to $80, to be credited to his account. Thenceforth all wants and necessaries are supplied to the cadet by the Government, the prices being a trifle above cost and charged against his account. At the end of his residence, a balance is struck, and the sum standing to his credit, if any, is paid over to him. It is possible by this arrangement for a very careful and steady lad to secure his education, his maintenance during four years, a position in the army, and $100 in addition, at the time of his graduation.

STAFF FOR GOVERNMENT AND INSTRUCTION, JAN. 1, 1872

SUPERINTENDENT.--Col. THOMAS H. RUGER, 18th Infantry.

_Military Staff._

_Adjutant._--Captain Robert H. Hall, 10th Infantry.
_Quartermaster._--Captain Tally McCrea, 1st Artillery.
_Treasurer._--1st Lieut. James M. Marshall, 4th Artillery.
_Surgeon, U.S.A._--Thomas A. McParlin, M.D.
_Assistant Surgeon, U.S.A._--Van Buren Hubbard, M.D.

_Academic Staff._

_Commandant of Cadets and Instructor of Artillery, Cavalry and
Infantry Tactics._--Lieut. Col. EMORY UPTON, 1st Artillery.
_Assistant Instructor of Artillery Tactics._--Captain Alexander
Piper, 3d Artillery.
_Assistant Instructor of Infantry Tactics._--Captain Joseph S.
Conrad, 2d Infantry.
_Assistant Instructor of Artillery and Infantry Tactics._--Capt.
John Egan, 4th Artillery.
_Assistant Instructor of Cavalry Tactics._--Captain Alfred E.
Bates, 2d Cavalry.
_Assistant Instructor of Artillery, Infantry and Cavalry
Tactics._--1st Lieut. William S. Starring, 2d Artillery.
_Assistant Instructor of Infantry Tactics._--1st Lieut. John F.
Stretch, 10th Infantry.
_Professor of Mathematics._--ALBERT E. CHURCH, LL.D.
_Assistant Professor of Mathematics._--1st Lieut. John P. Story,
4th Artillery.
_Acting Assistant Professors of Mathematics._--1st Lieut. William
F. Reynolds, jr., 1st Artillery; 2d Lieut. John E. Greer,
Ordnance; 2d Lieut. Albert H. Payson, Engineers; 2d Lieut.
Frank Heath, 3d Artillery; 2d Lieut. Philip M. Price, jr.,
2d Artillery.
_Professor of Drawing._--ROBERT W. WEIR, N.A.
_Assistant Professor of Drawing._--1st Lieut. Edward H. Totten,
1st Artillery.
_Acting Assistant Professor of Drawing._--2d Lieut. Charles W.
Whipple, 3d Artillery.
_Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Geology._--HENRY L.
KENDRICK, LL.D.
_Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Geology._--2d
Lieut. John Pitman, jr., Ordnance.
_Acting Assistant Prof, of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Geology._--
2d Lieut. Samuel E. Tillman, 4th Artillery.
_Professor of the Spanish Language._--PATRICE DE JANON.
_Assistant Professor of the Spanish Language._--1st Lieut. James
O’Hara, 3d Artillery.
_Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy._--PETER S. MICHIE.
_Assistant Prof. of Natural and Experimental Philosophy._--1st
Lieut. James Mercur, Engineers.
_Acting Assistant Professors of Natural and Experimental
Philosophy._--2d Lieut. Edward S. Holden, 4th Artillery;
Additional 2d Lieut. Edgar W. Boss, Engineers.
_Professor of the French Language._--GEORGE L. ANDREWS.
_Assistant Professor of the French Language._--1st Lieut. Geo. G.
Greenough, 4th Artillery.
_Acting Assistant Professor of the French Language._--2d Lieut.
Thomas H. Barber, 1st Artillery.
_Professor of Ethics and Law._--JOHN FORSYTH, D.D.
_Assistant Professor of Ethics and Law._--Captain John S. Poland,
6th Infantry.
_Professor of Military and Civil Engineering._--JUNIUS B. WHEELER.
_Assistant Professor of Military and Civil Engineering._--Captain
Jarrett J. Lydecker, Engineers.
_Acting Assistant Professors of Military and Civil Engineering._--
Captain Oswald H. Ernst, Engineers; 1st Lieut John C. Mallery,
Engineers.
_Instructor of Ordnance and Gunnery._--Captain THOMAS C. BRADFORD,
Ordnance.
_Assistant Instructor of Ordnance and Gunnery._--1st Lieut. James
W. Reilly, Ordnance.
_Instructor of Practical Military Engineering, Military Signaling
and Telegraphy, Commanding Company E, Engineers._--Captain
OSWALD H. ERNST, Engineers.
_Assistant Instructor of Military Signaling and Telegraphy, and
Acting Signal Officer._--1st Lieut. Edward H. Totten, 1st
Artillery.
_Assistant Instructor of Practical Military Engineering, on duty
with Company E, Engineers._--2d Lieut. Frederick A. Mahan,
Engineers.
_Sword Master._--Antoné Lorentz.

COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.

The studies pursued, and the instruction given at the Military Academy, are comprised under the following heads, in the Official Regulations:--

I. INFANTRY, ARTILLERY, AND CAVALRY TACTICS, AND MILITARY POLICE AND DISCIPLINE.--This course will conform to the system of Infantry Tactics and Military Police and Discipline, established for the government of the Army, and will comprise the schools of the soldier, company, and battalion, the evolutions of the line, the manual exercise and manœuvres of Light Infantry and riflemen, with the police and discipline of camp and garrison. (2.) Artillery Tactics will comprise exercise of field, siege, and garrison artillery; manœuvres of batteries; mechanical manœuvres and target practice. (3.) Cavalry tactics will comprise the schools of the trooper mounted, of the platoon, and of the squadron; and equitation.

II. THE USE OF THE SWORD, &C.--Will comprise the use of the small-sword, broadsword, and bayonet, and such military gymnastics as circumstances may permit.

III. MATHEMATICS.--This course will comprise:

(1.) _Algebra._--Fundamental operations; involution and evolution; reduction and conversion of fractional and radical qualities; reduction and solution of equations, including those of the third degree ratios and proportions; summation of infinite series and figurate numbers; nature, construction, and use of logarithms.

(2.) _Geometry._--Geometry of right lines, planes, and volumes and spherical geometry; and the formation and construction of determinate geometrical equations.

(3.) _Trigonometry._--The solution of all the cases in plane and spherical trigonometry; analytical investigation of trigonometrical formulæ; and the construction of trigonometrical tables.

(4) _Mensuration and Surveying._--Mensuration of planes; surfaces and volumes; principles and practice of common land surveying; different methods of plotting and calculating such surveys; trigonometrical surveying; measurement of heights and distances; leveling; and use of instruments in plotting, surveying, &c.

(5.) _Descriptive Geometry._--The graphic illustration and solution of geometrical problems in space; and the particular application of this method to spherical projections, construction of maps, to shades and shadows, and perspective, and isometric projections.

(6.) _Analytical Geometry._--Construction of algebraic expressions; solution of determinate problems; determination and discussion of the equations of the right line, plane and conic sections; discussion of the general equations of the second degree involving two or three variables; determination of loci, &c.

Differential and Integral Calculus, with its application to maxima and minima, the drawing of tangents, rectification of curves, radii of curvatures, quadratures, cubatures, &c.

IV. FRENCH LANGUAGE.--This course will comprise:

French Grammar; reading and writing French; and translating (from text and orally) English into French and French into English.

V. SPANISH LANGUAGE.--This course will comprise:

Spanish Grammar; reading and writing Spanish; and translating (from text and orally) English into Spanish and Spanish into English.

VI. DRAWING.--This course will comprise:

Topography, with lead-pencil, pen and ink, and colors.
Figures, with pen and ink.
Landscape, with the lead-pencil.
Landscape, with colors.

VII. CHEMISTRY, MINEROLOGY, AND GEOLOGY.--This course will comprise:

_Chemical Physics._--Magnetism; static and voltaic electricity; electro-magnetism; magneto-electricity; thermo-electricity; animal electricity; construction and use of apparatus illustrating the principles of the foregoing subjects and their mutual relations. Heat--its nature, sources, and effects; relation between thermal energy and other forces; measurement and equilibrium of temperatures; thermal and aqueous phenomena of the atmosphere; light as a chemical agent.

_Chemistry._--Its general laws and language; inorganic and organic chemistry theory of radicals, types, and substitutions; animal chemistry; animal nutrition, heat, and force; relation between the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms; applications of chemistry to agriculture, fermentation, &c.

_Mineralogy._--Crystallography; structure, practical determination and uses of minerals; descriptive mineralogy.

_Geology._--The earth’s features; classification, structure, modes of occurrence and distribution of rocks; rock veins; division of geological history into ages; the various agents of geological changes; geology of the United States.

VIII. NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY.--This course will comprise:

_Mechanics._--1st. General classification of the physical sciences; general constitution and physical properties of bodies; measurements of the masses; densities and weights of bodies; definitions and descriptions of natural forces. 2d. _Mechanics of Solids._--Work; laws of equilibrium and of motion; free and constrained motion of solids; motion of projectiles; planetary motions and the general principles of physical astronomy. 3d. _Mechanics of Fluids._--Mechanical properties of fluids; equilibrium and motion of fluids; general principles of buoyancy; equilibrium and stability of floating bodies; specific gravity; and barometrical measurements. 4th. _Mechanics of Molecules._--General principles of sound, heat, light, and electricity, to be taught principally by lecture. 5th. _Application._--Objects and principles of machines; friction; stiffness of cordage and adhesion; discussion of the elementary machines--cord, lever, inclined plane, wheel and axle, pullies, screw, hydraulic press, and hydraulic ram.

_Acoustics._--Theory of the internal structure of bodies; nature of sound; waves in general; velocity of sound in solids, liquids, and gasses, and measurement of distances by sound; qualities of sound; reflection, refraction, divergence and decay of sound; echoes, hearing and speaking trumpets, and description of the ear.

_Optics._--Nature of light; laws of its deviation; laws of vision; optical instruments; chromatics; achromatism; polarization, interference, and chromatics of polarized light.

_Astronomy._--Description of the solar and stellar systems; celestial and terrestrial spheres; figure and magnitude of the earth; its motions, with the appearances and vicissitudes arising therefrom; theory of astronomical reductions; eclipses, occultations, and transits; tides and twilight; use of astronomical instruments and tables; methods of making, clearing, and calculating observations for time, latitude, longitude, the earth’s magnetism and true meridian.

IX. ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY.--This course will comprise:

_Ordnance._--1st. The theory and preparation of gunpowder, cannon, artillery carriages, projectiles, implements, machines, small-arms, ammunition, and military fireworks. 2d. Practical instruction in making musket, rifle, pistol, cannon and howitzer cartridges; preparation of strap, grape, and canister shot, fuzes, slow and quick match, port-fire, signal rockets, carcases, fire-balls, light balls, and incendiary composition; loading shells, shrapnel shot and grenades; putting up stores for transportation; loading caissons; in determining the pressure on the bore of a gun; in determining the initial velocity of projectiles; in the manner of proving powder, and when circumstances will admit of it, the operation of casting cannon solid and hollow, casting of projectiles and the usual methods of testing gun-metals, will be witnessed.

_Gunnery._--Embracing the study of the movements of projectiles; the theory of pointing fire-arms; the different kinds of fires and their effect; the art of breaching, and the composition of batteries.

X. ETHICS AND LAW.--This course will comprise:

_Ethics._--1st. Common basis with law. 2d. In moral science, the pursuit of the highest good for each and all; the realization of excellence by virtue, the fulfillment of obligations to God and our country, to ourselves and others; and 3d, In its practical division, the duties, vices and passions.

_Law._--1st. General principles. 2d. International law. 3d. Political organization and constitution of the United States. 4th. Rules and articles of war: and the organizations, powers, forms, and proceedings of courts-martial.

XI. PRACTICAL MILITARY ENGINEERING.--This course will comprise:

The preparation of trench and battery materials--gabions, facines, sandbags, &c.; the manner of tracing and profiling batteries and intrenchments, by cords, pickets and laths; the defiladement of intrenchments and other works; the distribution and posting of working parties, with their implements and materials in the construction of batteries, intrenchments, &c.; the construction of the various revetments for batteries and intrenchments, the laying of platforms for field, siege, and garrison artillery; the construction of palisades, fraises, abatis, rifle-pits, and trous-de-loup; the manner of placing intrenchments and other works, together with houses, walls, fences, &c., in a state of defense; the trace, defiladement, and construction of the several kinds of trenches and saps; descent and passage of a ditch, and other operations of a siege; the manner of laying out, constructing, tamping and springing mines, both for attack and defense, with the application of electricity thereto; trestle, ponton, and other bridge exercises; military reconnoissance of a route for the march of a column of troops, and of a locality for defensive works.

XII. MILITARY AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, AND THE SCIENCE OF WAR.

_Military Engineering._--1st Principles and methods of planning and constructing temporary works, comprising intrenchments, inclosed works, batteries, lines, bridge-heads, with the modes of their attack and defense. 2d. Permanent Fortifications.--Principles of planning and constructing permanent works for land and sea-coast defense, with an analysis and description of the modern systems of fortifications; the attack and defense of permanent works, including mines.

_Civil Engineering._--Comprising building materials, masonry, carpentry, bridges, roads, railroads, canals, and river and harbor constructions. The theory and description of mechanism and machines. The principles of architecture.

Descriptive drawing as applied to civil engineering, architecture and fortification.

_Science of War._--The military organization of states and kingdoms; composition and organization of an army; strategy illustrated and explained by military history; the operations of a campaign, comprising the movements of troops and their general dispositions for attack and defense.

DISTRIBUTION OF STUDIES BY YEARS AND CLASSES.

_Subjects.--First Year--Fourth Class_.

MATHEMATICS.--Davies’ Bourdon’s Algebra. Davies’ Legendre’s Geometry and Trigonometry. Church’s Descriptive Geometry.

FRENCH LANGUAGE.--Bolmar’s Levizac’s Grammar and Verb Book. Agnel’s Tabular System. Berard’s Leçons Françaises. *Spier’s and Surrenne’s Dictionary.

ARTILLERY AND INFANTRY TACTICS.--Practical Instruction in the Schools of the Soldier, Company, and Battalion. Practical Instruction in Artillery.

SMALL-ARMS.--Instruction in Fencing and Bayonet Exercise.

_Second Year--Third Class_.

MATHEMATICS.--Church’s Descriptive Geometry, with its application to Spherical Projections. Church’s Shades, Shadows, and Perspective. Davies’ Surveying. Church’s Analytical Geometry. Church’s Calculus.

FRENCH LANGUAGE.--Bolmar’s Levizac’s Grammar and Verb Book. Berard’s Leçons Françaises. Chapsal’s Leçons et Modèles de Litterature Française. Agnel’s Tabular System. Rowan’s Morceaux Choisis des Auteurs Modernes. *Spier’s and Surrenne’s Dictionary.

SPANISH LANGUAGE.--Josse’s Grammar. Morale’s Progressive Reader. Ollendorff’s Oral Method applied to the Spanish, by Valazquez and Simonne. *Seoane’s Neuman and Barretti’s Dictionary.

DRAWING.--Topography, &c. Art of Penmanship.

INFANTRY, ARTILLERY, AND CAVALRY TACTICS.--Practical Instruction in the Schools of the Soldier, Company, and Battalion. Practical Instruction in Artillery and Cavalry.

_Third Year--Second Class._

NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY.--Bartlett’s Mechanics. Bartlett’s Acoustics and Optics. Bartlett’s Astronomy.

CHEMISTRY.--Fowne’s Chemistry. Chemical Physics, from Miller.

DRAWING.--Landscape. Pencil and Colors.

ARTILLERY, CAVALRY, AND INFANTRY TACTICS.--United States Tactics for Garrison, Siege, and Field Artillery. Upton’s Infantry Tactics. Practical Instruction in the Schools of the Soldier, Company, and Battalion. Practical Instruction in Artillery and Cavalry.

PRACTICAL MILITARY ENGINEERING.--Myer’s Manual of Signals. Practical and Theoretical Instruction in Military Signaling and Telegraphy.

_Fourth Year--First Class._

MILITARY AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, AND SCIENCE OF WAR.--Mahan’s Field Fortifications. Mahan’s Outlines of Permanent Fortification. Mahan’s Civil Engineering. Mahan’s Fortifications and Stereotomy. Mahan’s Advanced Guard and Outpost, &c. Mahan’s Industrial Drawing. *Moseley’s Mechanics of Engineering.

MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY.--Dana’s Mineralogy. Hitchcock’s Geology.

ETHICS AND LAW.--French’s Practical Ethics. Halleck’s International Law. Kent’s Commentaries (portion on Constitutional Law). French’s Law and Military Law. Benét’s Military Law and the Practice of Courts Martial. *Webster’s Dictionary.

ARTILLERY, CAVALRY, AND INFANTRY TACTICS.--United States Tactics for Cavalry. Practical Instruction in the Schools of the Soldier, Company, and Battalion. Practical Instruction in Artillery and Cavalry.

ORDNANCE AND GENNERY.--Benton’s Ordnance and Gunnery. Practical Pyrotechny.

PRACTICAL MILITARY ENGINEERING.--Practical Instruction in fabricating Facines, Sap Fagots, Gabions, Hurdles, Sap Rollers, &c.; manner of laying out and constructing Gun and Mortar Batteries, Field Fortifications, and Works of Siege; formation of Stockades, Abattis, and other military obstacles; and throwing and dismantling Pontoon Bridges.

Myer’s Manual of Signals. Practical Instruction in Military Signaling and Telegraphy.

[* Books marked * are for reference.]

PROGRAMME OF CAMP DUTIES FROM JULY 5, TO AUGUST 30.