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PRESS COMMENTS ON CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT
PRESS COMMENTS ON CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT
Dedicated to the dear girls who adore the military. “Entertaining personal reminiscences.”— Cleveland Plain Dealer. “Most charming book.”— The (Philadelphia) Keystone . “Especially entertaining to lads with military aspirations.”—(Boston) Waverly Magazine . “Parents and sisters too come under its spell.”—(Chicago) Quarterly Book Review . “The various troubles cadets have are clearly described.”— Cincinnati Commercial Tribune. “The reader soon becomes interested.”— Richmond (Ind.) Palladium . “Co
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PREFACE
PREFACE
I believe it to be well established that the mental habits are fully as strong as the physical habits of man. That is, thought moves in grooves day after day and day after day as walks in life do. The habit of retrospectant thought fastened itself upon me several years ago, and the habit confined itself largely and almost irresistibly to my life at West Point. My reflections became almost realisms; I was to all intents and purposes oblivious of the intervening years; oblivious of accumulated gri
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CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT
CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT
I was not more than eight years old when I first heard about West Point, and then I was told that it was Uncle Sam’s Military School; that the young men there were called cadets; that they were soldiers, and that they wore pretty uniforms with brass buttons on them. The impression made upon me at the time was such that I never tired talking and asking questions about West Point. I soon learned to indicate the site on the map, and I longed to go there, that I might be a cadet and wear brass butto
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THE APPOINTMENT.
THE APPOINTMENT.
War Department. [2] Washington, ________ 1868. Sir: You are hereby informed, that the President has conditionally selected you for appointment as Cadet of the United States Military Academy, at West Point, New York. Should you desire the appointment, you will report in person to the Superintendent of the Academy on the ____ day of ________, 1869, for examination. If it be found that you possess the qualifications required by law and set forth in the circular [3] herewith, you will be admitted, w
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CHAPTER II. THE PREPARATION.
CHAPTER II. THE PREPARATION.
After examining the papers received from the War Department, I found one that required my father’s signature before I myself could accept the appointment. My parents both objected to my leaving home, and therefore did not wish me to go to West Point. I argued that I wanted to go to college somewhere, and why not let me go where Uncle Sam paid the bills. At last I won my mother on my side, and then my father, seeing that my heart was so fixed, signed the paper requiring his signature, and mailed
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CHAPTER III. THE CANDIDATE.
CHAPTER III. THE CANDIDATE.
It was about ten o’clock in the morning of June 8, 1869, when I stepped from a rowboat on the dock near the Sea Coast Battery at West Point. The weather was perfect, and my heart was light and free. As there was neither any person nor conveyance at the dock, I followed the road winding up the hill to the plain. I stopped to admire the scenery. In front I beheld a level green plain of one hundred acres or more with massive buildings peeping through the large elm trees that fringe two sides of the
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CHAPTER IV. THE PLEBE IN CAMP.
CHAPTER IV. THE PLEBE IN CAMP.
About two weeks after I reported we were directed to prepare to go to Camp McPherson, a half mile or so from Barracks, out beyond the Cavalry plain, near old Fort Clinton. We were told just what articles to take for use in camp, and that we must put the balance of our effects in our trunks and carry them to the trunk rooms in the angle. We sorted out our camp articles, and each cadet made a bundle of his small things, and used a comforter or a blanket to hold them. D⸺n, M⸺s, and I, having arrang
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CHAPTER V. THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS.
CHAPTER V. THE PLEBE IN BARRACKS.
The next morning we took our bundles, buckets, and brooms to barracks, and upon returning to camp we unfastened the tent cords and held up the canvas by the poles, and, at the tap of the drum at 12 o’clock, every tent was lowered to the ground, and “Camp McPherson” was no more. We then “fell in,” and to the tune of “The Girl I Left Behind Me” marched to barracks, leaving the summer visitors standing under the trees near where the guard tents had been. There were rooms enough so that every two ca
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CHAPTER VI. THE YEARLING.
CHAPTER VI. THE YEARLING.
When we marched into camp again at the old site, which was this year named “Camp Geo. H. Thomas,” the yearlings were perfectly happy. We enjoyed the society of the plebes for awhile, but soon tired of that. We had been under such a strain during the previous year that we needed a rest, and we had it, too, as there was not much required of us for the first month. We seemed to need sleep, and we slept in the morning, again in the afternoon and all night, too. After we were rested we loitered under
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THE WEST POINT HYMN.
THE WEST POINT HYMN.
[Written by the Reverend Herbert Shipman, a former chaplain at West Point, and sung by the cadets at the dedication of their new chapel, June 12, 1910.] A few years ago the first class was given permission to have a club and the First Classmen’s Club was duly organized. At first the club had a room on the ground floor in the Academic Building, but now it has fine quarters on the second floor in the new North Cadet Barracks where, when it does not interfere with duty, members may go at any time b
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BUTTON.
BUTTON.
In June, 1893, the Association of Graduates adopted a miniature bell button to be worn by members in the upper buttonhole of civilian coats; the part nearest an observer is a gold plate with the year of graduation on it, next is a gray stone, then a gold band with the class motto on it, then a dark blue stone; the date plate being fastened by a shank to a circular metal base on the under side of which are the owner’s name and the letters U. S. M. A. In June, 1904, this button was substituted by
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BADGE.
BADGE.
Badge of the “Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy [56] ,” adopted June 9, 1902. Composed of the Coat of Arms of the United States Military Academy and a bar pin made of bronze gilt, silver gilt or gold pierced by the Corps colors, a gray, black and gold ribbon. The date of graduation is put on the bar. Worn only by members of the association at graduate re-unions, graduate dinners, class dinners, etc. CAMP THAYER THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY IS REQUESTED AT THE HOPS TO
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CHAPTER VIII. THE GRADUATE.
CHAPTER VIII. THE GRADUATE.
After the June examinations were over we went into camp again at the usual place. This year it was named “Camp Thayer” in honor of a former superintendent of the Academy, and as first classmen have precedence over all other cadets, it was “our camp.” Among the young lady visitors were many who had been to the Point for several summers. They seemed like old friends and the pleasure of meeting again was mutual. The first thing of importance for us to do was to arrange for the celebration of the Fo
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TABLE SHOWING DISPOSITION OF CANDIDATES.
TABLE SHOWING DISPOSITION OF CANDIDATES.
In 1817 the Course of Study was fixed at four years. One-half of the cadets admitted in 1854 formed the class of 1858, and, as the Course of Study was then changed to five years, the other half constituted the class of 1859. Two classes—those admitted in 1856 and 1857—were graduated in 1861—the former in May and the latter in June—when the Course of Study was again fixed at four years. Revised to June 30, 1910....
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SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
Note.—The selection of the Superintendents of the Military Academy was confined to the Corps of Engineers from the establishment of the Institution, March 16, 1802, till the passage of the law of July 13, 1866, which opened it to the entire Army. By the Act of June 12, 1858, the local rank of Colonel was conferred upon the Superintendent. † Major Williams resigned June 20, 1803, on a point of command, and pending its settlement until April 19, 1805, when he again returned to service as Chief Eng
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COMMANDANTS OF CADETS AT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
COMMANDANTS OF CADETS AT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
Notes.—From April 15, 1802, to September 15, 1817, the Superintendent performed the duties of Commandant of Cadets in addition to his own. The Commandant of Cadets has the rank and pay of Lieutenant Colonel, under Sections 1310 and 1334, Revised Statutes of the United States. When the Superintendent is absent from West Point the Commandant of Cadets is the Acting Superintendent. WAR DEPARTMENT. INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT AND ADMISSION OF CADETS TO THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.
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APPOINTMENTS.
APPOINTMENTS.
HOW MADE.—Each Congressional District and Territory—the District of Columbia and also Porto Rico—is entitled to have one cadet at the Academy. Each State is also entitled to have two cadets from the State at large, and forty are allowed from the United States at large. The law, however, provides that for six years from July 1, 1910, whenever any cadet shall have finished three years of his course at the Academy his successor may be admitted. The appointment from a Congressional District is made
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EXAMINATION AND ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES.[68]
EXAMINATION AND ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES.[68]
The following are extracts from the Regulations of the Military Academy relating to the examination of candidates for admission and will be strictly adhered to: 19. On the second Tuesday in January of each year candidates selected for appointment (except the Filipino candidates) shall appear for mental and physical examination before boards of Army officers to be convened at such places as the War Department may designate. The Filipino candidates selected for appointment, unless otherwise notifi
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CHARACTER OF EXAMINATIONS.
CHARACTER OF EXAMINATIONS.
Upon the completion of the mental examination all candidates will be thoroughly examined physically by the medical officers of the board, under the following instructions prepared by the Surgeon General of the Army: Hearing must be normal in both ears. Vision, as determined by the official test types, must not fall below 20/40 in either eye, and not below 20/20 unless the defect is a simple refractive error not hyperopia, is not due to ocular disease, and is entirely corrected by proper glasses.
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ACADEMIC DUTIES.
ACADEMIC DUTIES.
The academic duties of new cadets commence on the 11th day of March. The academic duties and exercises of the other cadets commence on the 1st day of September and continue until about the 5th of June. Examinations of the several classes are held in December and June. At the December examination cadets, who are found to be proficient in their studies, are arranged according to merit in each subject. At the June examination they are similarly arranged and they are also assigned general standing i
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PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.
All cadets are examined physically in June of each year, and those found physically disqualified to continue with the course or, in case of the first class, for commission in the Army, are discharged....
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VACATIONS AND LEAVES OF ABSENCE.
VACATIONS AND LEAVES OF ABSENCE.
Academic duties are suspended from the completion of the June examinations until the end of August. During this period cadets live in camp and are engaged in military duties and exercises and in receiving practical instruction in military and other subjects. Academic duties are also suspended from the close of the semi-annual examinations, about December 23rd, until January 2nd, and on the Friday and Saturday preceding the last Sunday in March. All duties and exercises, as far as practicable, ar
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PAY OF CADETS.
PAY OF CADETS.
The pay of a cadet is $600 per year and one ration per day, or commutation therefor, at thirty cents per day. The total is $709.50, to commence with his admission to the Academy. The actual and necessary traveling expenses of candidates from their homes to the Military Academy are credited to their accounts after their admission as cadets. No cadet is permitted to receive money, or any other supplies, from his parents, or from any person whomsoever, without the sanction of the Superintendent. A
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DEPOSIT PRIOR TO ADMISSION.
DEPOSIT PRIOR TO ADMISSION.
Immediately after admission candidates must be provided with an outfit of uniform, etc., the cost of which is about $160. This sum, or at least $100 thereof, must be deposited with the treasurer of the Academy before the candidate is admitted . It is best for the candidate to take with him no more money than he needs for traveling expenses and for his parents to send the required deposit by draft, payable to the Treasurer, U. S. Military Academy. The deposit is credited at once to the cadet’s ac
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PROMOTION AFTER GRADUATION.
PROMOTION AFTER GRADUATION.
The attention of applicants and candidates is called to the provisions of an Act of Congress approved May 17, 1886, given in the chapter entitled United States Military Academy....
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RECITATION SCHEDULE.
RECITATION SCHEDULE.
On another page is shown the recitation schedule adopted by the Academic Board, June 23, 1907, and approved by the War Department, August 10, 1907. This schedule was put in effect with the class entering March 1, 1908. The other classes in the academy on that date continue the old schedule, with some modifications adopted to facilitate administration of the departments during the period of transition from the old course of studies to the new. The preliminary term is March 11 to June 10. New cade
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DEPARTMENT OF TACTICS.
DEPARTMENT OF TACTICS.
New cadets, upon reporting for duty, are given infantry recruit instruction, with gymnastic and calisthenic exercises, until they join the battalion. Practical instruction is given during the summer encampment, and from September 1st to November 1st, and from March 15th to June 1st, in cavalry, artillery and infantry drill regulations, in target practice with the rifle, revolver, mountain gun and field gun, and in Military Engineering. During the summer encampment, cadets of the third and fourth
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DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND MILITARY ENGINEERING.
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND MILITARY ENGINEERING.
The course in civil and military engineering and the art of war is confined to the first class year. The course in civil engineering begins September 1st and is completed during the first term, which closes with the Christmas holidays. It comprises brief treatises on the mechanics of civil engineering, framed and masonry structures, the materials of engineering, water supply and sewerage. * Length in minutes. † Number per week. ‡ Total number. The course in military engineering and the art of wa
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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY.
The course in natural and experimental philosophy begins with the third academic year. Mechanics is studied during this year, the class alternating daily by halves. The text used is Gordon’s “Mechanics.” Many of the principles are illustrated by apparatus in the lecture and section rooms, and the students are required to repeat and explain these experiments. The course aims to be as complete as possible with the limitation that it can be properly covered in a term of about 100 days by students h
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DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS.
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS.
The course in mathematics begins with the new cadet class upon entrance in March, and extends through two years. In the new cadet class year algebra and geometry are taken on alternate days for three months. In both these subjects the matter covered by the entrance examination is reviewed rapidly and, in the case of plane geometry, very briefly before proceeding with the regular course. An examination is held in June upon which the class is graded according to mathematical capacity. In the fourt
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DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY.
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY.
This department embraces two branches of physics not included in its title, namely, heat and electricity. The course begins March 1 of the second academic year and extends to March 1 of the third academic year; exercises, recitations, laboratory work or lectures take place on all week-days. Commencing March 1, the subjects of heat and general chemistry alternate daily until the completion of the first six chapters of heat, about March 20, after which the chemistry exercises are held daily until
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DEPARTMENT OF DRAWING.
DEPARTMENT OF DRAWING.
The course in drawing is carried on through the third class and second class years. It begins in the first year course with elementary freehand work from blocks and objects for the training of the eye and hand, and is followed by instruction in the nature and use of drawing instruments, papers and material, construction of practical problems in plane geometry used in constructive and mechanical drawing. This is followed by the construction of problems in descriptive geometry covering the theoret
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DEPARTMENT OF MODERN LANGUAGES.
DEPARTMENT OF MODERN LANGUAGES.
The course in modern languages comprises instruction in the French and Spanish languages. The requirements of this course are as follows: Construction of the language; reading and writing French; dictation: military terms; translation (written and oral) of English into French and French into English; conversation; themes. Instruction in the French language begins March 1 of the fourth-class year and is completed June 4 of the third-class year. Examinations thereon will be held at the June examin
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DEPARTMENT OF LAW.
DEPARTMENT OF LAW.
The course in law covers the following subjects: To illustrate principles in the text-books cadets are required to recite on numerous cases from reports. Lectures are also given upon the subjects taught, so far as the limits of time allotted to this course permit. There is a reference library in the department of about 2,500 volumes, accessible to the cadets....
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DEPARTMENT OF PRACTICAL MILITARY ENGINEERING.
DEPARTMENT OF PRACTICAL MILITARY ENGINEERING.
Cadets of the fourth class receive an elementary course in theoretical surveying during the month of February. During the summer encampment, cadets of the third class receive practical instruction in the use and adjustment of surveying instruments and in surveying methods. In this course they apply in the field what has been taught them in their theoretical course of the preceding spring. The course includes tie line surveys, made by use of the tape or chain alone, surveys made with the compass
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DEPARTMENT OF ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY.
DEPARTMENT OF ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY.
The subject of ordnance and gunnery is studied by the cadets of the first class throughout the academic year. The course of instruction covers the principles involved in the construction and use of war material. It is broadly divided into three parts: the theoretical, the descriptive, and the practical. The theoretical part includes the study of the action of explosives, the study of interior and exterior ballistics, the theories of gun and carriage construction, and the principles of gunnery. T
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DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY HYGIENE.
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY HYGIENE.
The course in military hygiene for the second class begins on or about the 15th of April and continues into June. It consists of 6 lectures and 13 recitations for each half of the class, given on alternate days and ending by a written examination on the subjects treated. The course covers the essential points in military hygiene, particular attention being paid to the following: Personal hygiene with special reference to the soldier and his environment: the hygiene and sanitation of military com
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DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND HISTORY.
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND HISTORY.
English: Essential principles of rhetoric; frequent practice in various forms of written and oral composition, including personal and official correspondence and official forms; study of selected literary masterpieces, and of essentials in the history of English literature and language. History: Political, social and economic history from the end of the Middle Ages to the present day; study of typical forms of modern national and municipal governments; fundamental principles of civil government,
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THE LIBRARY.
THE LIBRARY.
Cadets and officers have free access to the library, which comprises some 80,000 books, maps and manuscripts. The collection contains substantially all standard books on the subjects taught in the Academy and is especially complete in military subjects. Its card catalogues (about 272,000 cards) are arranged with the special object of saving the time of the cadets. The library is open on week-days from 8 A. M. to 9:30 P. M.; on Sundays and holidays from 2 to 6 P. M. INTERIOR OF NEW RIDING HALL [1
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