The Project Gutenberg EBook of Cadet Life at West Point, by Hugh T. Reed This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: Cadet Life at West Point Author: Hugh T. Reed Release Date: Mar 25, 2021 [eBook #64925] Language: English Produced by: MWS and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG BOOK OF CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT *** United States Military Academy West Point, New York Jan. 10th, 1911. Dear Reed: I have delayed sending back the proof sheets of the third edition of your “Cadet Life at West Point” because I wanted to read them. This I have finally found time to accomplish, but I really have not the time to write out my views on the book as I would like to do for you can appreciate my situation when I tell you that we leave here on the 17th inst. and the house is completely torn up. I think, however, that in addition to having written a very interesting book you have given the public one full of valuable information, particularly useful to young men who contemplate entering this academy. The book recalls many pleasant incidents of our own cadet life and conditions now are very little changed from our day, especially as we are to return to the four-year course with entrance for the new class back to June again. With best wishes for the New Year, Sincerely, Fred H Sibley Colonel Sibley was the Commandant of Cadets from February 1, 1909, to January 17, 1911. PRESS COMMENTS ON CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT Dedicated to the dear girls who adore the military. “Entertaining personal reminiscences.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer. “Most charming book.”—The (Philadelphia) Keystone. “Especially entertaining to lads with military aspirations.”—(Boston) Waverly Magazine. “Parents and sisters too come under its spell.”—(Chicago) Quarterly Book Review. “The various troubles cadets have are clearly described.”—Cincinnati Commercial Tribune. “The reader soon becomes interested.”—Richmond (Ind.) Palladium. “Complete description of the life of a cadet.”—The (Chicago) Medical Standard. “Through the trying days of plebedom.”—Indianapolis Journal. “Until he finally doffs the cadet gray and dons the army blue.”—Chicago Tribune. “The story is told in a very interesting way.”—(New York) American Stationer. “Whether you’re young or old, girl or boy, Reed’s ‘Cadet Life’ is a book to enjoy; It is full of facts, mixed with fun, That gives great pleasure to everyone.” “A very spirited and interesting book.”—(New York) Scientific American. “Stories, poems and accounts of graduation hops and other amusements.”—The (New York) Publishers’ Weekly. “Also contains statistics which are of sufficient value alone to warrant publication.”—Chicago Journal. “Charming in its personality.”—Army and Navy Journal. “Answers many questions one would like to ask.”—Chicago Inter-Ocean. “In such a happy vein as to charm American readers of all ages.”—Army and Navy Register. “A pleasing style.”—(New York) Review of Reviews. “The best description of cadet life and also of the workings of the academy.”—Wm. Ward, clerk in charge (for the last 60 years) of Cadet Records at West Point. “Nothing quite like it in this country.”—(London, Eng.) Army and Navy Gazette. “A complete book.”—(Orchard Lake, Mich.) Adjutant. “Interesting reading.”—Chicago Times-Herald. “About West Point, how to get there, etc.”—Indianapolis News. “Just the thing.”—(Atlanta, Ga.) Southern Star. “Of value to guardsmen.”—The (Columbus, O.) National Guardsman. “Interesting reading even for laymen.”—(New York) Godey’s Magazine. “Should be in both normal school and village libraries.”—Cortland (New York) Evening Standard. Handsome cloth. 12mo. 315 pages. Illustrated. $1.50 [1] THE AUTHOR CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT BY Col. Hugh T. Reed, Lieut. U. S. Army, Late Inspector General of Indiana. author of Military Science and Tactics, Etc. ILLUSTRATED THIRD EDITION. RICHMOND, INDIANA: IRVIN REED & SON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. COPYRIGHT, 1896 AND 1911, BY HUGH T. REED. Dedicated TO THE DEAR GIRLS WHO ADORE THE MILITARY, ONE OF WHOM HAVING PAID THE PENALTY OF HER ADMIRATION, IS NOW MY SUPERIOR OFFICER. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] PREFACE I believe it to be well established that the mental habits are fully as strong as the physical habits of man. That is, thought moves in grooves day after day and day after day as walks in life do. The habit of retrospectant thought fastened itself upon me several years ago, and the habit confined itself largely and almost irresistibly to my life at West Point. My reflections became almost realisms; I was to all intents and purposes oblivious of the intervening years; oblivious of accumulated griefs and sorrows, of successes and of contemporaneous ambitions—I was indeed a boy again, and at West Point, living over and over and over again all the scenes leading up to and creating my life at the Nation’s Military School. In one of these moods, it occurred to me, entirely for my own gratification, and possibly to dispossess myself of the habit of thinking upon the subject, to write a little sketch of those days. I became interested in the work, and the pages grew in number as memory served me with inspiration for my narrative, until I had at last completed what might be called a volume of reminiscences. As an amusement for him, I read chapter after chapter, as it was written, to a favorite nephew, and when the manuscript was written and in a temporary binding, I loaned it to this young relative, who, in turn, with my consent, loaned it to friends of his, and it was read by these youngsters and passed from hand to hand. I could not help but realize the interest that was taken by these young readers in what I had so carelessly and indifferently written, but at the same time, I should never have undertaken the publication of my notes if my nephew had not attended a military school and bombarded me with appeals to send him the old manuscript, so that his comrades might read about life at West Point. The old manuscript wouldn’t do, so I edited what I had written, re-wrote some of the pages, added a few lines here and there, and finally concluded to publish it without the least expectation that it will interest very many persons, or bring me any material reward. I have tried to write it naturally and without any attempt at literary excellence, and beg most respectfully to offer it to the public as a grateful tribute of my happiest years. For valuable data I am indebted to Colonel Charles W. Larned, Lieutenant Colonel F. W. Sibley, Commandant of Cadets, Captains W. E. Wilder, F. W. Coe and O. J. Charles, Adjutants, Lieut. M. B. Stewart, Tactical Officer, Dr. E. S. Holden, Librarian, and Mr. William Ward, in charge of Cadet Records from 1851 to 1911, all of the Military Academy, and to Lieutenant Charles Braden, editor of Cullum’s Biographical Register of West Point Graduates. [7] [8] INDEX. Chapter. Page. I. The Appointment 13 II. The Preparation 21 III. The Candidate 27 IV. The Plebe in Camp 65 V. The Plebe in Barracks 87 VI. The Yearling 125 VII. The Furloughman 153 VIII. The Graduate 179 IX. The United States Military Academy 259 X. The Appendix 287 [9] ILLUSTRATIONS. The Author Frontispiece Might Be a Cadet 15 Topographical Sketch of West Point 25 Setting-up Exercises 41 Hop Invitation—Camp McPherson 63 Hop Invitation—I. O. C. B. 81 Cadet Warrant 111 Hop Invitation—Camp Geo. H. Thomas 123 Hop Invitation—Camp Belknap 151 Graduating Hop Invitation—Class of 1872 163 Cadet Captain’s Chevron 175 Bell Button for Civilian Coats 176 Badge 176 Hop Invitation—Camp Thayer 177 Inaugural Ball Invitation 198-9 Graduating Hop Invitation—Class of 1873 203 Bird’s Eye View of West Point as It May Be in 1912 209 Diploma 211 Bird’s Eye View of West Point in 1902 213 West Point in 1848 215 West Point in 1825 217 Guard Mount in Camp 219 Color Line 219 Seal of the United States Military Academy 221 Cadet Hospital 221 Superintendent’s Quarters 221 Battery Knox 223 Sea Coast Battery 223 Siege Battery 223 The Academic Building 225 Mess Hall 227 Dining Room 227 South Cadet Barracks 227 Cavalry Drill 229 Battalion Marching from Camp to Barracks 229 Cadet Tent 231 Group of First Classmen 233 Group of Furloughmen 233 The Old Cadet Chapel 233 Cadet Room 233 Professors’ Row 235 Flirtation Walk 235 Kosciuszco’s Garden 235 The Old Riding Hall 237 Battle Monument 237 Ponton Bridge 237 Cadet Camp—World’s Fair, 1893 239 Officers’ Quarters Above Old North Gate in 1910 241 Officers’ Quarters Below Old South Gate in 1910 241 Bachelor Officers’ Quarters in 1910 241 The New Cadet Chapel in 1910 243 The North Cadet Barracks in 1910 243 The Old Washington Headquarters 245 Officers’ Mess in 1910 245 Cullum Memorial Hall 245 Coat of Arms of the United States Military Academy 247 Library 247 Siege Battery Drill in 1910 249 Artillery and Cavalry Group in 1910 249 The New Gymnasium in 1910 249 Proposed Staff Quarters 251 Headquarters Building 251 Inspection in Camp 253 Light Artillery Drill 253 Sedgwick’s Monument 255 Professors’ Row 255 Cadet Monument 255 Looking East from the New Chapel in 1910 257 Perspective View from River on the East 257 Interior of New Riding Hall 315 [10] [11] CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT [12] CHAPTER I. THE APPOINTMENT. I was not more than eight years old when I first heard about West Point, and then I was told that it was Uncle Sam’s Military School; that the young men there were called cadets; that they were soldiers, and that they wore pretty uniforms with brass buttons on them. The impression made upon me at the time was such that I never tired talking and asking questions about West Point. I soon learned to indicate the site on the map, and I longed to go there, that I might be a cadet and wear brass buttons. I talked about it so much that my good mother made me a coat generous with brass buttons. I called it my cadet coat, and wore it constantly. Ah! for the day I should be a big boy and be a real cadet. With a wooden gun I played soldier, and when the war broke out and the soldiers camped in our old fair grounds, I was in their camp at every opportunity. The camp was about half-way between our home farm and father’s store in town, and many is the time I have been scolded for being so much at the camp. My only regret at that time was that I was not old enough to enlist, for I loved to watch the drills and linger around the camp-fires, listening to stories of the war. I learned a good deal from the soldiers about West Point. They told me that I could not go there until I was seventeen years old, and not then unless I was appointed as a cadet by my congressman. They also told me that I must be a good boy at school and study hard, for the reason that after securing the appointment I would have to pass a rigid examination at West Point before admission. This was bad news to me, because we farm boys never attended school longer than four or five months in a year. Fortunately, however, the family moved to “town” when I was fourteen years old. I was then assured that I would have my wish, and I never missed a day at school. I was so anxious to learn rapidly that I overtaxed my eyes, and was in a dark room for nearly a year. Still I did not give up hope, and when my eyesight permitted I returned to school again. I found out that there could be only one cadet at a time at West Point from the same congressional district, and also that there was then a young man there from my district; still I had hopes of getting there myself before I got too old, that is, over twenty-one.[1] Then there was no book published about West Point, and magazines and newspapers never described it. “MIGHT BE A CADET.” One day I saw by the paper that the Hon. G. W. Julian was at home on a short visit, and I knew that he was my congressman; hence I wanted to go at once to see him. I confided in my mother and obtained her permission to be absent from school that afternoon. So I saddled old John, my favorite horse, and rode six miles to Mr. Julian’s house. He was at home, and was very kind to me. He asked my father’s name, and also my name and age, and he made a note of my address, saying that he might write to me from Washington. He also said that there would be a vacancy at West Point, from his district, the next year in June, and that he would make the appointment soon; that I was the first young man to apply for the place, but if any one who had served in the war applied for the cadetship within the next few weeks he would appoint him—that such a person could be just under twenty-four years of age. Nevertheless, if no old soldier applied, he would appoint me, as he knew my father well. He then said that if he did appoint me I must be a good student the next year, and prepare for the examination at West Point. Upon my return home I did not talk about West Point any more, nor did I speak to any one except my mother about having seen Mr. Julian, and I had five brothers and a sister, too! About two months after my visit to Mr. Julian, I received a letter from him, taking it myself from the postoffice, but alas! the writing was such that I could not read it, although there were but eight words in it, so I hastened with it to my mother, but she could not read it, either. Then as I must confide in another person, I decided to speak to my father, and ask him to read the letter, under promise that he would not talk about West Point with any one except my mother and myself. He read the letter at once, and said that the writing was all right, but that the letter did not mean anything, as Mr. Julian had probably written the same to other boys. I did not believe this, and was surer than ever of obtaining the appointment. Many years have passed since then, but the words of that letter are still fresh in my memory. They are: “Please inform me in reply your exact age.” I wanted my father to write Mr. Julian in my behalf, but he declined to do so, saying that he did not want me to go to West Point. I then got him to promise not to write “that” to Mr. Julian, and I myself answered the letter by return mail. About ten days after this I received another letter from the congressman, a great large one, in a long envelope, and all I could read of that was “I have recommended you”; but that was enough, as the appointment itself was enclosed, and I could read it, and I was a happy boy. I ran home to show the appointment to my mother, and then to the store to show it to my father, and also to get him to read the letter to me, which was as follows: “I have recommended you, and enclose herewith your conditional appointment as a cadet to West Point, together with certain other papers from the War Department. I shall now expect you to prepare yourself for the examination next June, and I hope you will graduate with high honors, and that afterwards you will be loyal and useful to your country.” THE APPOINTMENT. War Department.[2] Washington, ________ 1868. Sir: You are hereby informed, that the President has conditionally selected you for appointment as Cadet of the United States Military Academy, at West Point, New York. [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] Should you desire the appointment, you will report in person to the Superintendent of the Academy on the ____ day of ________, 1869, for examination. If it be found that you possess the qualifications required by law and set forth in the circular[3] herewith, you will be admitted, with pay from date of admission, and your warrant of appointment will be delivered to you. Should you be found deficient in studies at the semi-annual or annual examinations, or should your conduct reports be unfavorable, you will be discharged from the military service, unless otherwise recommended for special reasons by the Academic Board, but will receive an allowance for traveling expenses to your home. Your attention is particularly directed to the accompanying circular, and it is to be distinctly understood that this notification confers upon you no right to enter the Military Academy unless your qualifications agree fully with its requirements, and unless you report for examination at the time specified. You are requested to immediately inform the Department of your acceptance or declination of the contemplated appointment upon the above conditions. Very respectfully, ____________ Secretary of War. To ____________ ____________, 1868. To the Honorable Secretary of War,[4] Washington, D. C. Sir: I hereby respectfully acknowledge the receipt of your notification of my contemplated appointment as a Cadet of the United States Military Academy, with the appended circular, and inform you of my acceptance of the same upon the conditions named. I certify, on honor, that I was born at ________, in the County of ________, State of ________, on the ____ day of ________, 18__, and that I have been an actual resident of the Congressional District of ________ for __ years and __ months. (Signature of appointee) ____________ I hereby assent to the acceptance by my ________ of his conditional appointment as Cadet in the military service, and he has my full permission to sign articles binding himself to serve the United States eight years, unless sooner discharged. I also certify, on honor, that the above statements are true and correct in every particular. (Signature of parent or guardian) ____________ [20] CHAPTER II. THE PREPARATION. After examining the papers received from the War Department, I found one that required my father’s signature before I myself could accept the appointment. My parents both objected to my leaving home, and therefore did not wish me to go to West Point. I argued that I wanted to go to college somewhere, and why not let me go where Uncle Sam paid the bills. At last I won my mother on my side, and then my father, seeing that my heart was so fixed, signed the paper requiring his signature, and mailed it to the Honorable Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. This done, I let the secret out, and all of my boy friends wanted to know how I had gotten the appointment. I told part, but I did not tell just how I did get it. After seeing the kind of examination[5] I would have to pass at West Point the next year, my father decided to send me to the High School at Ann Arbor, Mich., and to send my brother Charley there with me to prepare him for the University of Michigan. We entered the High School early in September. About two weeks afterward the University of Michigan (also at Ann Arbor) opened, and we observed that many of the candidates for the freshman class seemed no farther advanced than we thought ourselves, so we applied, were examined, and admitted to the University. I thought that if I failed at West Point I could return and graduate at the University in three instead of four years. There was a tall young man from Tennessee, who entered the High School with us, and afterward entered the University, too. He, like myself, had an appointment to West Point, and was going there the next June, so we became friends at once, and he and I agreed to study after Christmas for the West Point examination. After the sophomores quit hazing, all went well with us, and the year soon passed. I left Ann Arbor on the last day of April to return home via Lakes Huron and Michigan, and went to Detroit to take the first steamer of the season around the lakes to Chicago. Upon arriving in Detroit, I heard that there was to be a muster and inspection of a regiment of United States troops out at Fort Wayne, a short ride from Detroit, and as I was to be a soldier, I went to see the sight. As I looked at the troops (the First U. S. Infantry), I thought that I would like to be an officer of that regiment when I graduated from West Point, and singularly enough my wish was gratified. I remained so long at Fort Wayne that the boat had departed when I returned to Detroit, so I took train and overtook the boat at Port Huron. While there I went to see Fort Gratiot, and strange to say, that was subsequently my first army station. When the steamer stopped at Mackinaw I visited the fort that was there at that time. After my return home I reviewed the studies I was to be examined on in a few weeks, and then started east. I promised my father if I failed to pass the examination that I would return home at once. Arriving in the great city of New York, I took passage on the day steamer “Mary Powell,” and was charmed with the scenery along the Hudson. The first stop was at the south landing at West Point. I was on the upper deck at the time, and after seeing my trunk put ashore, I walked leisurely downstairs to disembark and to my great surprise the boat was fifty feet or more from shore when I got down. I thought that all steamers made long stops, for the only other boat that I had ever been on stopped for many hours every time she landed. The captain would not let me off, and said that I could get off at Cornwall and take a down boat the same evening. I was satisfied and went on the upper deck again and saw the passengers who had landed get into the West Point Hotel ’bus. All the trunks except mine were put on the top of the ’bus, and it was then driven up the hill, leaving my trunk all alone on the dock. When the steamer stopped at Cornwall I this time promptly stepped ashore. It was about sunset. There were not more than half a dozen buildings in sight, and not a soul at the dock, and I was the only passenger landing at that point. I went to one of the houses and inquired the location of the hotel, and I was informed that it was not open, as it was too early for summer visitors. I then asked what time the down boat was due, and was informed that it would be along soon, but that it would not stop. The West Shore Railroad was not built at that time, and as there was no stage line over the mountains nor ferry on the river, I began to fear that I could not get away by the tenth of June, the last day for me to report. This bothered me more than the hotel accommodations, but I soon found obliging people and arranged for my lodging and breakfast, and also to be rowed to my destination the next day. Transcriber’s Note: Image is clickable for a larger version. Topographical Sketch of WEST POINT [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] CHAPTER III. THE CANDIDATE. “As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined.” It was about ten o’clock in the morning of June 8, 1869, when I stepped from a rowboat on the dock near the Sea Coast Battery at West Point. The weather was perfect, and my heart was light and free. As there was neither any person nor conveyance at the dock, I followed the road winding up the hill to the plain. I stopped to admire the scenery. In front I beheld a level green plain of one hundred acres or more with massive buildings peeping through the large elm trees that fringe two sides of the plain; on either side were high hills; in my rear rolled the majestic Hudson between the Highlands, with Siege Battery at my feet. As I gazed around it was to me then, as it is to me now, the most beautiful of places. I found my way to the Adjutant’s office in the Administration Building[6] and reported. I was courteously received and handed the “Instructions to Candidates” to read. I stated the fact of my trunk having been put ashore on the south dock and of the Mary Powell carrying me to Cornwall the previous evening, and I was told that my trunk had undoubtedly been taken to the hotel, as there was then (and now is) but one hotel at the Point. And I was also informed that my trunk would be sent to the Cadet Barracks. After I had complied with the instructions, an orderly, at the sound of a bell, entered and was directed to escort me to the barracks. In going through the area we passed some cadets and I overheard such remarks as “He’ll learn to button his coat.” At the orderly’s suggestion I buttoned my coat. He took me into a hall, said “This is the door,” laid down my valise, and left me. The door was the first one on the right of the eighth division—how well I remember it! I knocked on the door, and heard a commanding voice say “Come in!”[7] With valise and umbrella in one hand and cap in the other, I entered. There were two cadets in the room, seated near a table, and before I had a chance to speak, I was greeted about as follows: “Leave your things in the hall. Don’t you know better than to bring them in here?” I stepped into the hall, left the door open, and while looking for a suitable place to put my things (for there was neither a hook nor a table), one of these two cadets cried out: “Lay them on the floor and come in, and don’t be all day about it, either. Move lively, I say. Shut the door. Stand there. Come to attention. Put your heels together, turn out your toes, put your hands by your side, palms to the front, fingers closed, little fingers on the seams of the trousers, head up, chin in, shoulders thrown back, chest out, draw in your belly, and keep your eyes on this tack.” While one cadet was giving commands with great rapidity, the other one fixed my feet, hands, head and shoulders. “What’s your name? Put a Mr. before it. How do you spell it? What’s your first name? Spell it. What’s your middle name? Have none? What state are you from? What part? Put a sir on every answer. Where’s your trunk? Don’t know? Didn’t you bring one? Put on a sir; how often do you want me to speak about it?” I explained how my trunk and I had arrived at different times. “You’re too slow. You’ll never get along here. Keep your eyes on that tack; turn the palms of your hands squarely to the front. Did you bring all of the articles marked ‘thus’? You don’t know what they are? Put on a sir, I tell you. Didn’t you get a circular telling what articles you should bring? Didn’t you read it? Now answer me; did you bring the articles marked ‘thus’? Well, why didn’t you say so at first? Keep your eyes on that tack.” A wagon drove up and put a trunk on the porch near the window. “About face! Turn around the other way. Don’t you know anything? Is that your trunk? It is, is it? Now, let’s see you ‘about face’ properly. Steady. At the word ‘about’ turn on the left heel, turning the left toe to the front, carrying the right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to and three inches from the left heel, the feet perpendicular to each other. Don’t look at your feet. Head up. Stand at ‘attention’ till I give the command. Now, ‘about’ (one of the cadets fixed my feet); at the word ‘face,’ turn on both heels, raise the toe a little, face to the rear, when the face is nearly completed, raise the right foot and replace it by the left. Now, ‘face.’ Ah! turn on both heels. Fix your eyes on that tack again. Draw in your belly. Throw back your shoulders and stand up like a man. Now, ‘left, face.’ Don’t you know your left hand from your right? Face that door; open it. Ah! why don’t you step off with the left foot first? Pick up your things, follow me, and move lively.” My back was nearly broken, and I was glad to get out of that room. After going a few steps on the broad porch on the area side of barracks, a young man in civilian clothes came out of the next hallway carrying the palms of his hands to the front. “Come here, Mr. Howard, and help your room-mate carry his trunk upstairs; step lively, now.” With that introduction Mr. Howard and I took hold of the trunk. Just then the tall young Tennesseean, whom I knew at Ann Arbor, passed, carrying the palms of his hands to the front. We exchanged knowing winks, but did not venture to speak. “What’s the matter with you? Don’t be all day carrying that trunk upstairs.” Howard and I tugged away and finally got the trunk upstairs and into the room designated. Candidates Howard and Knapp had already been assigned to the same room. “Stand attention, Mr. Knapp. Don’t you know enough to stand attention when I enter the room? Palms to the front. Put the trunk over there. Mr. R⸺⸺d, open your trunk and valise and take out everything and make a list of all you have. Stand attention, Mr. Howard. Take out your things first and make a list afterward. Put the small articles on this part of the clothes-press, hang your clothes on those pegs and put your bedding over there. Study the regulations. Fold your things properly, put them in their places, and the next time I come in I want to see everything in place. What did you bring that umbrella for? You will never need it here. Mr. R⸺⸺d, post your name over there on the ‘alcove,’ put it on the ‘Orderly Board’ under Mr. Knapp’s name, and put it there on the clothes-press. Whenever you hear the command, ‘Candidates, turn out,’ button your coats, hasten downstairs and ‘fall in’ in the Area.” Cadet Hood left the room then, and we sat down, prostrated. Then we proceeded to get acquainted with one another, and on comparing notes we found that each one of us had had about the same reception. As Howard and Knapp had reported the day before, they gave me many pointers, which I appreciated. The room was good-sized, with two alcoves at the end opposite the window; but, oh! how uninviting it seemed. No bed, no carpet, no curtains, and not even shades. The furniture that was in the room consisted of a clothes-press, that is, shelving arranged for two cadets, but to be used by three or four candidates, two small iron tables, a wash stand, an iron mantel and a steam coil with a marble slab on it. H⸺⸺rd and K⸺⸺p had already carried from the Commissary certain articles for use by all occupants of the room, as follows: A looking-glass, a wash basin, a water bucket, a cocoanut dipper, a slop bucket and a broom. They had also obtained such other articles as were required for their personal use, such as a chair and a pillow. The following extract from the “Blue Book” shows the arrangement of rooms, etc. White Helmet.—On the clothes-press. Dress Hat.—On the gun-rack shelf. Cartridge Box and Bayonet or Sword.—On pegs near gun-rack. Caps and Sabres.—On pegs near gun-rack. Rifle.—In gun-rack. Spurs.—On peg with sabre. Bedstead.—In alcove against side wall of room, head against rear wall. Bedding.—Mattress, folded once; blankets, comforter and sheets, folded separately, so that the folds shall be the width of the pillow, and all piled against the head of the bedstead, thus: mattress, sheets, pillow, blankets and comforter; the end of the pile next to the alcove partition to be in line with the side of the bedstead; this end and the front of the pile to be vertical. Clothes-Press.—Books on top against the wall, backs to the front; hair and clothes brushes, combs, shaving materials, such small boxes as are allowed, vials for medicines, etc., on top shelf; belts, collars, gloves, handkerchiefs, socks, etc., on second shelf from the top; sheets, pillow cases, shirts, drawers, pants, etc., on the other shelves. Text-Books.—Those in daily use may be upon the tables, except during Sunday morning inspection. Arrangement.—All articles of the same kind to be neatly placed in one pile, folded edges to the front and even with front edge of the shelves. Nothing to be between these piles and the back of the press, unless want of room renders it necessary. Soiled Clothes.—In clothes bag. Shoes.—To be kept clean, dusted and arranged in line, toes to the front, along the side near the foot of the bed. Shoe brush in the fireplace. [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] Woolen Clothing, Dressing Gown and Clothes Bag.—On pegs in alcove, arranged as follows: Overcoat, dressing gown, uniform coats, jackets, gray pants, clothes bag and night clothes. Broom.—Behind the door. Candle Box.—In fireplace. Tables.—Against the wall under gas jet or near the window when the room is dark. Chairs.—From 8 a. m. to 10 p. m. against the tables when not in use. Mirror.—At center of mantel. Wash Stand.—In front of and against alcove partition. Wash Basin.—Inverted on top of wash stand. Water Bucket.—Near to and on side of wash stand opposite the door. Dipper.—In water bucket. Slop Bucket.—Near to and on side of wash stand nearest the door. Curtains.—Regulation only allowed. Calendar.—A small, plain one may be placed on the wall over the gas fixture. Clock.—A small plain one may be kept on the mantel. Bath Towel.—May be hung in the alcove. Trunks, Pictures, Splashers, Writing Desks, Etc.—Prohibited. There is a storeroom for trunks. Floor.—To be kept clean and free from grease spots or stains. Heating Apparatus.—To be kept clean and free from scratches. Windows.—Cadets are forbidden to sit at the windows with feet on the woodwork, or to appear before windows improperly dressed, or to communicate through windows, or to raise the lower sash more than four inches during “call to quarters.” Names.—Uniformly printed to be posted over gun-rack pegs, alcove, clothes-press and on orderly board over wash stand. Hours of Recitation.—To be on the mantel on either side of the mirror. Academic Regulations, Articles of War and the Blue Book.—To be kept on the mantel. Laundry.—All clothes sent to the wash to be plainly marked with owner’s name. Room Orderly.—Is responsible for the cleanliness and ventilation of the room, and that articles for joint use are in place. After having folded and arranged my possessions according to the Blue Book, as I understood from a hasty perusal of it, I looked out of the window down into the Area of Barracks, where I saw old cadets passing to and fro. They carried themselves so very erect that we could not help but admire them and wish that we too were as straight and walked as well as they. We observed what small waists they had, and we wondered if they laced. Another thing we observed was that the cadets looked so much alike. I had unbuttoned my coat while arranging my effects, and forgot to button it again, when I heard a quick walk in the hall and then a sharp, firm, single rap on the door. We all sprang promptly to attention, palms to the front. Cadet Hood entered and began: “Button your coat, Mr. R⸺⸺d.” He moved several piles on the clothes-press and disarranged my bedding, too, saying, “Not folded properly. Why don’t you study the Blue Book? Mr. Howard, fill your water bucket the first thing every morning. Get the water from one of the hydrants[8] in the Area. The floor is very dirty; sweep it properly, invert your wash bowl, and don’t let me have occasion to speak about these things again.” The first call for dinner sounded and then we heard, “Candidates, turn out promptly.” We hastened downstairs. The old cadets were gathering in four different groups, while the candidates were being put into another one. Cadets Hood, Allen and Macfarlan were on the watch for candidates, and they began thus: “Button that coat. Get down here lively. ‘Fall in.’ Fall in in the rear; don’t you know better than to get in front of anybody? Palms to the front. Fix your eyes on the seam of the coat collar of the man in front of you, and at the second call, face to the left.” Some of the candidates faced one way and some another, but we were soon straightened out, and then, “Eyes to the front! What do you mean gazing about in ranks? Each candidate, as his name is called, will answer ‘Here’ in a clear and audible tone of voice.” The roll of the candidates was then called. “Why don’t you answer, Mr. H⸺⸺? Well, then, speak up so that you can be heard. Mr. ⸺⸺, don’t shout,” and so on till the last name was called. We were told how to “count fours,” and after the command came something like this: “Stop counting. Try it over. Count fours. Steady, Mr. ⸺⸺; wait till the man on your right counts. Eyes to the front. Why don’t you count, Mr. ⸺! Speak out. Eyes to the front,” and so on. We were now told how to “wheel by fours,” and at the command, “March,” to step off with the left foot first. There was a great time after the command, “Fours right, march,” was given. The cadets on duty over us were kept busy shouting at and pulling in place, first one candidate and then another, but after a fashion we got started and followed the cadets to the Mess Hall, and those on duty over us were kept busy all the way correcting mistakes made by the candidates. While en route to dinner we were directed to remove our caps just before entering the Mess Hall and to put them on again just after leaving it. Of course we made blunders, and were gently (?) corrected for them. Upon entering the hall we were directed to certain tables, but told not to sit down until the command, “Candidates, take seats,” was given. When each one found a place behind an iron stool (that in my day resembled an hour glass in shape), the command, “A Company, take seats,” was given, and then the members of A Company all sat down promptly; then came “B Company, take seats,” “C Company, take seats,” “D Company, take seats,” and then “Candidates, take seats.” Immediately after the last command something like this came: “Sit down promptly. Do you want to be all day about it? Eat your dinner, and don’t leave the table until the command, ‘Candidates, rise.’” Dinner was on the table, and there were a good many tables in the big hall. Each table had seats for twenty-two persons, ten on a side and one at either end. There were tablecloths, but no napkins, and one waiter for every two long tables; the waiters did not pass anything, but brought water, bread, etc., when needed. The cadets (and candidates) at the ends of the tables did the carving, while those at the center of the long tables poured the water. At supper and breakfast there were no tablecloths. Tablecloths and napkins are now furnished for all meals, and there are cane seat chairs instead of the old iron stools. The tables of the cadets were divided crosswise in the center by an imaginary line into two parts, and each part was called a table. The cadets had seats according to rank, and they always sat in the same seats. First classmen sat near the end called the head of the table, second classmen next, third classmen (except the corporals) next, and then fourth classmen, the latter being at the center of the long tables. The corporals at the ends of the tables were the carvers, and the fourth classmen poured the water.[9] After dinner we were marched back to barracks, and before being dismissed the candidates were informed that they could do as they pleased until the bugle sounded “Call to quarters” at 2 o’clock, and then they must repair promptly to quarters, that is, to their own rooms in the barracks. All the time that we were in ranks the usual volleys were fired at us, such as: “Eyes to the front. Head erect and chin in.” After we were dismissed we were constantly reminded to “carry palms of the hands to the front,” notwithstanding the fact that we had been told to go where we pleased for a whole half hour. Some of the candidates went to the sink (i. e., water closet),[10] and some of the old cadets went there, too. A number of them surrounded a poor candidate, called him a plebe or an animal, and fired dozens of questions at him at once. The madder the plebe got the more fun it was for the old cadets. As the candidates were not acquainted with one another, and as they dreaded to meet the old cadets, they naturally drifted to their quarters, thinking that the safest place to be, but, alas! some of the old cadets called upon them there. While they did not mention their names, something like this generally occurred: “‘Shun, squad. Come to attention, plebes. Palms to the front. What’s your name? Spell it; spell it backwards. What state are you [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] from? Who’s your predecessor?’ Say ‘Mr. ⸺⸺.’ Do you think you can pass the ‘prelim’? Where is Newburg? Don’t know? How do you expect to get in here if you don’t know where Newburg is? Climb up on that mantel and be lively about it, too. Now move your arms and say ‘Caw, caw.’ Stop that laughing. Eyes to the front.” And so on, till the old cadets would slip out in time to go to their rooms for “Call to quarters.” At two o’clock came the call, “Candidates, turn out promptly,” and every candidate turned out and “fell in.” A number were sent back for towels, and upon returning to the Area were sent to the bathrooms, then in the basement of D Company quarters. After bathing, some were sent to the Cadet Hospital for physical examination, and were there told to strip to the skin, then called one at a time before three Army Surgeons, in full uniform, who examined the lungs, eyes, ears, teeth and feet, made the candidates hop first on one foot, then on the other, raise their hands high above the head, cough, bend over forward, etc. When my turn came I did not mention anything about ever having been troubled with my eyes. Upon returning to the barracks we were sent to the Commissary, where each candidate was given the articles necessary for his own immediate use. As near as I now remember, I got a chair, a pillow, a piece of soap, an arithmetic, a slate, a copybook, a quire of “uniform” paper, a history, a grammar and a geography. Other candidates who, like myself, had brought the articles marked “Thus*” received the same as I, while those who had not brought them got two blankets in addition to what the rest of us got. The books mentioned above are not now issued to candidates. Cadet H⸺⸺d saw to it that candidates rooming together were provided with a wash bowl, a mirror, two buckets, etc. When all were fitted out we took up our loads and returned with them to Barracks, carrying them in our hands or on our shoulders, as was most convenient. This trip from the Commissary store across the grassy plain to Barracks has been described thus: SETTING UP EXERCISES. The setting up exercises are now taught by the Instructor of Military Gymnastics and Physical Culture. “Examinations being completed, The ‘found’ having fled evermore, Then with fear and a sigh And blood in the eye, Candidates hasten to the store. “‘Give me my things,’ in joy a plebe exclaims, Then the storekeeper puts on a smile, But dispels the illusion And causes confusion By throwing his goods in a pile. “Slowly he carries them across the plain, With buckets and broom in the rear; But hard is the task, He has reason to ask If his future abode is quite clear. “The looking-glass breaks, the pails rattle loud, And the sound echoes from afar; Plebe cries in disgust, ‘Let me get up and dust, I want to go home to my ma.’” Upon returning to Barracks we were ordered to our rooms, and then to the shoeblacks, at that time in the basement of B Company quarters, to have our shoes cleaned and polished, and told to go there, at certain hours, as often as necessary to keep our shoes in proper order. Candidates whose hair [40] [41] [42] [43] was considered too long by Cadet H⸺⸺d were sent to the barber’s, at that time in the basement of C Company quarters. Candidates who had to shave were directed to shave themselves, as the barber was not permitted to do anything but cut hair. At 4:15 p. m. we were turned out for “Squad Drill.” We “fell in” promptly and were corrected in the manner indicated when we fell in for dinner. Even now I seem to hear Cadets A⸺⸺n, H⸺⸺d and M⸺⸺n shouting themselves hoarse at us poor, stupid candidates. There were about twenty “yearlings,” classmates of Cadets A⸺⸺n and H⸺⸺d, standing around our line, waiting to get a chance at the candidates, so as to compete with them and with one another for “Corporal’s chevrons.” We were separated into squads of four or five to the squad, and a cadet instructor assigned to drill each squad. Cadet H⸺⸺d had the squad I was in. After all details were adjusted, the command, “March off your Squads” was given, and then Babylon was let loose; the candidates could hear the commands of all of the instructors, and they did not know the voice of their own, hence there was much confusion. Some of the instructors acted as if they wanted to terrorize the candidates in their squads, and shouted: “Eyes to the front. Pay attention to me. What do you mean by listening to others? Palms to the front,” and so on, for ten or fifteen minutes, and then we were given a brief “rest.” Then we were taught how to march and the instructor began thus: “At the word ‘forward’ throw the weight of the body upon the right leg, the left knee straight. At the word ‘march’ move the left leg smartly, without jerk, carry the left foot forward thirty inches from the right, the sole near the ground, the toe a little depressed, knee straight and slightly turned out. At the same time throw the weight of the body forward (eyes to the front), and plant the foot without shock, weight of the body resting upon it; next, in like manner, advance the right foot and plant it as above. Continue to advance without crossing the legs or striking one against the other, keeping the face direct to the front. Now, ‘forward, common time, march.’ Depress the toe, so that it strikes the ground at the same time as the heel. (Palms of the hands squarely to the front. Head up.) When I count ‘one,’ plant the left foot, ‘two,’ plant the right, ‘three,’ plant the left again, ‘four,’ plant the right again, and so on. Now, ‘One,’ ‘two,’ ‘three,’ ‘four,’” etc. “Bring your feet down together. Depress your toes,” and so on. We were taught many things, such as the facings, the exercises, rests, etc. “In place, rest,” was the most acceptable, but half the pleasure of that was taken away from the candidates by being often told to “keep one heel in place.” That first hour at squad drill is not soon forgotten. My every muscle was sore and I ached all over. Just before we were dismissed we were informed that we could go anywhere we pleased on Cadet Limits, so long as we were back a little before sunset, in time for dress parade. This seemed a great privilege, but wherever candidates went some old cadets were already there, and greeted them with “Depress your toes, plebes. Palms to the front. Are you going to be all summer learning how to march? Squad halt. Right hand salute. What’s your name? Can you sing, dance or play on the piano? Come here ‘Dad,’ and see this ‘animal.’” And a thousand and one other equally pleasant sayings. Dress parade came and went, but the candidates did not participate in the ceremony out on the grassy plain. They were kept in the Area, and their positions alternated between “Attention” and “Parade, Rest.” When the “Retreat Gun” was fired many of them jumped half out of ranks, and then were gently (?) informed that they were a fine lot of soldiers. “What do you mean by leaving ranks before you are dismissed?” When we had half a chance we enjoyed the music of the band, but it was very hard to hear it and our instructor’s commands at the same time. Soon after parade we fell in again and marched to supper. On the way to and from the Mess Hall we were constantly entertained by our cadet instructors by such commands as, “Eyes to the front,” “Depress your toes,” and “Palms to the front.” Before being dismissed after supper we were informed that we had half an hour before “Call to quarters,” and that during that half hour we could do as we pleased. But that half hour passed just as the other half hours had passed, that is, by the candidates furnishing amusement for the old cadets. Upon going to our rooms at the signal of “Call to quarters,” Cadet H⸺d called to say that if we expected to pass our preliminary examination we had better “bone up” for it; he also informed us that we could not retire until after “Tattoo.” A cadet’s bed is “made down,” when it is ready to get into, and it is “made up” when it is piled according to regulations and not ready for use. We were too tired to talk. At 9:30 we were turned out to Tattoo. After Tattoo I folded each blanket lengthwise and laid it on the floor, then spread the sheets and comforter on the blankets, undressed and got in bed, leaving H⸺⸺rd, the room orderly, to turn out the gas. Our bones did not fit the hard floor very well, but we soon fell asleep. “Taps” sounded at 10 p. m., and, oh, how sweet and soothing it was. In a few moments more our room door was opened (for they are never locked), a dark lantern flashed in our faces and the door closed again. The same thing was repeated once more during the night, but this time by an officer of the army, called by the cadets a “Tactical Officer.” These inspections were made to make sure that our lights were out and that we were in bed. We slept in the alcoves, heads near the wall farthest from the door. H⸺⸺rd, K⸺⸺p and I, when fast asleep, were suddenly awakened. We had been “yanked,” that is, some old cadets had come into our room, seized our blankets, and with a quick jerk carried us some distance from the wall, and then ran out of the room. We fell asleep once more and slept soundly until we were awakened by the “Reveille Gun” that is fired at sunrise and followed by the beating off of “Reveille.” This music was very pretty, too, but we could not half appreciate it, as we had to get up at once, fall in and begin another day. After reveille we made up our beds. H⸺⸺rd swept out and brought a bucket of fresh water. Cadet H⸺⸺d inspected our quarters twenty minutes after reveille, and said, “Mr. H⸺⸺rd, your wash bowl is not inverted, and your floor not half swept. Attend to them a...