Edward C. Boynton

“ The Military Exercises, everywhere an attractive spectacle to the American public, are at West Point productive of the most lasting and gratifying impressions, from the unrivaled excellence of the Band, the uniform neatness of the Cadets, and the precision with which the most difficult maneuvers are executed by them. ”

“ The old fort, long neglected, and subject to the assaults of wintry blasts and beating storms, rises high above the Plain, and there, in grim majesty, it patiently awaits the silent march of disintegration and general decay. Approached in the mellow light of an evening sunset, when a single pencil of rays lingers and illuminates the crests of the mountains in the east, and a few scattered clouds, tinged with scarlet, gold and silver tints, fading and blending in perfect harmony with the deep blue of the firmament, indicate the close of the day ”

“ To the visitor at West Point, the objective spot of the stirring scenes described, each wooded height and rocky bluff recalls the times when our fathers, regardless of personal hardship, suffering and death, labored to secure the priceless boon of freedom. ”

“ One hundred and fifty-seven feet above the river, on a plateau, embracing about fifty acres of level ground, stands the United States Military Academy, [30] established by an Act of Congress in 1802. The approach to this plateau from the steam-ferry landing, is up a carriage road, excavated in the almost perpendicular rocky bank, conveying the visitor past the Riding-hall, the Cavalry stables, and the Library building, to the crest of the plain, where the natural beauty of the latter, and its wonderful adaptation for locating a great military educational institution, first excites admiration. ”

“ The creative hand of natural beauty—the romance of war—the distinguished career of those [6] who have gone forth from this locality in the defense of American Liberty, and the spectacle presented by those preparing for future public usefulness, have united to inspire the visitor with emotions unlike those excited at any place of popular resort within the limits of the United States. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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 pencil of the artist, the skill of the photographer, and the depths of language, have striven to portray the exceeding loveliness of the vista presented from this spot, while tourists fresh from the Alpine beauties of Switzerland and the Rhine, from Italy, Scotland and Wales, and from the overland wilds of the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, alike render homage to the glorious landscape here spread before them. ”

“ The plateau, which affords ample space for all military evolutions appertaining to artillery, infantry, and cavalry, is bounded on the west by lofty and rugged hills, at the base of which are situated the various Academic buildings, the Cadet Barracks, and the residences of the officers and professors.
Proceeding on to the West Point Hotel, an old fort is seen on the north-east angle of the plain, known as Fort Arnold, until the treason of the apostate became exposed, when the name, thenceforth unknown in American history, was changed to Fort Clinton. ”

“ The beautiful river, from small beginnings, flowing down shelving rocks and flowering banks, is swollen in mighty grandeur until it bursts asunder the mountain barriers, and sweeps along, bearing on its broad bosom the wealth of two hemispheres, to lose itself in the limitless ocean, and become a part of the eternity of waters. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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 [72] 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. ”

“ 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 [70] too often deform the manners of undisciplined students. ”

“ 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 [67] 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 "Drives" on the east side of the Hudson are easy of access by the steam ferry, and are possessed of even stronger [54] attractions. From the landing the road rises to the "Highland House," and from thence southward as far as Anthony's Nose, the route is one of exquisite beauty. Besides the numerous country seats, nowhere surpassed in elegance, and the thriving farms along the way, the Robinson House, situated at the base of Sugar Loaf Mountain, about one mile below, presents an object of deep and attractive interest. ”

“ Leaving the Hotel by a pathway to the west, the visitor is conducted to the siege battery of rifled guns, exhibiting the form and structure of a field work, and from thence to a grove of elms, where a variety of trophy guns are to be seen, taken during the Revolution, in the war of 1812, in Mexico, [33] and in the late rebellion. A portion of the great chain surrounds the beautiful gun "Le Monarque," presented by Congress to Lafayette, and one or two mortars captured by General Wayne at Stony Point. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Pursuing the road down the hill, to the North wharf, the Sea-coast battery, with its [35] armament of rifled monsters, consisting of 30-pound, 100, 200, and 300-pound Parrots, the 15-inch gun, and the 13-inch mortar, all capable of hurling projectiles as far as Pollopel's Island, or beyond, arrests the attention of the observer, and furnishes tangible evidences of the triumphant progress of manufacturing skill in weapons of war.
Returning by the road to the crest of the Plain, and proceeding west, a road to the left leads up the hill to Fort Putnam. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”