The Next in order succeeds the department of Civil and Military Engineering, in rank the highest of the academic courses, and occupying the last or first class year. Professor Mahan's text-book on Civil Engineering, and his lithographed notes on machines, stone-cutting, and architecture, with six weeks spent in mechanical. drawing, compose the civil course. military course embraces Professor Mahan's treatises on Field Fortification and on Outposts, with his lithographed notes on permanent fortifications, on their attack and defence, on mines, strategy, &c., with six weeks of military drawing. This is coupled with field instruction in practical engineering during the encampment, when ponton bridges are thrown, saps run, fascines, gabions, sap-rollers, &c., made. These operations belong to a distinct department, and a company of sappers, miners, and pontoneers, assist in their execution. The previous mathematical and philosophical training comes directly in play during this crowded course of engineering, and these branches are thus presented to the mind in their important practical bearings, and in their direct utilities. The inestimable value even of this single year's instruction, may be inferred from the highly distinguished part borne by West Point graduates in the great American and foreign works of engineering which they have directed or assisted. McNeal, Whistler, Brown, Swift. Sidell, Bigelow, Meigs, and the other hundred and fifty graduates who have practised civil engineering on the great works of improvement characterizing the age, have so largely contributed to the economical and judicious construction, and to the efficient administration of our railroads and canals, that the nation has by them alone been far more than compensated for all the Academy has cost. The instruction in military engineering has served to quicken the military capacities of all arms of our service, to furnish our officers generally with a store of essential knowledge as to princi ples, materials, and combinations, besides affording to all a safe initial impulse and direction for the prosecution of their spe cial studies. Its value in giving deliberation, precision, and effect to military operations, has been exemplified on the various battle-fields, where sixty-nine graduates have laid down their lives. To Professor D. H. Mahan peculiar praise is due, for his zealous amassment of important knowledge, for his devotion of rare abilities to duty, and for his sterling good sense, during his protracted task of transplanting and rendering native the vast resources of European engineering and military science. His brilliant studies at Metz at once gave him the mastery of French military engineering, and they have already borne much fruit. predecessors were Captain A. Partridge, from 1813 to 1816; Professor Claude Crozel, from 1817 to 1823; Professor D. B. Douglass, from 1823 to 1831. His His In 1838, after the poet Dr. Percival, the botanist Dr. Torrey, and the geological W. F. Hopkins, had served on details as acting Professors, the full Professorship of Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology was created, and Lieut. J. W. Bailey was appointed to the post he still fills with such high distinction. kind, modest manners, his delicate, hightoned nature have always greatly endeared him to his pupils, as his numerous and felicitous microscopic researches have won for him a high scientific repute among all votaries of natural history investigation. Were there no Dr. Leidy in Philadelphia, we could say unhesitatingly that Prof. Bailey is the American Ehrenberg, but between two such kings of Liliput life, who can determine! Chemistry is studied by the several classes; Mineralogy and Geology by the first; Kane's Chemistry, Dana's Mineralogy, and Hitchcock's Geology being the text-books used. The vast augmentation of materials and principles in each of these sciences and their consequent increase of importance have not been ignored, but the limited time bestowed on their study cramps the course down to so elementary a character as to prevent that formation of adepts, which is so desirable. Should a fifth academical year be added, chemical and geological science ought to be prominent gainers. The department of Geography, History and Ethics dates to 1818, the chaplain being by law professor. The incumbents have been Rev. Thomas Picton, from 1818 to 1825; Rev. C. P. McIlvaine (since Bishop of Ohio), from 1825 to 1827; Rev. Thomas Warner, from 1828 to 1838; Rev. Jasper Adams, from 1838 to 1840; Rev. M. P. Parks, from 1840 to 1846; and Rev. W. T. Sprole since 1847. It embraces instruction in English Grammar, Geography, Rhetoric, Composition, Logic, Moral Science, and international and constitutional Law, and extends through the fourth and first class years. This course is almost the sole instrument employed in subjugating cadets to the humanities and graces of mental culture. Its extent and scope are now far below the just demands of a well-balanced education, and though lately much enlarged in range and academic weight, it undoubtedly still remains the least scholarlike and creditable department of the Academy. It never can be what it ought so long as the Chaplain is ex officio Professor of Ethics; especially while the President fills the chaplaincy irrespective of the real requirements of the position and of the wishes of all concerned. The political Boanerges, fluent in such stump ethics as please presidential ears, does not of necessity shine in expounding Kent, Whately, Wayland and Blair. The truth seems evident that a good chaplain is not likely to excel as a professor, and some of the best ethical professors would be forlorn chaplains. This monstrous conjunction has resulted practically in poor preaching and worse ethics and law. Christian doctrine and Christian liberty undergo. in common, a wretched asphyxia at West Point, through the prevalent lack of regard for private rights in compelling, as an official duty, the attendance of officers and cadets on chapel services, under severe penalties, thus forcing them to hear whatever Nancyism, fulmination, stupidity, or theological distraction it may please the chaplain to deal out. He is sure of his audience, come what will, for it is bravely marched to the chapel, in sidearms according to regulations. West Point Ideas of religious liberty belong either to the age before John Locke, or to that millennium which, being come, "Othello's occupation is gone." The department of Drawing includes a two years' course corresponding to the third and second classes. Topography, human figure, crayon, sepia and watercolor landscapes and views, are successively practised for six hours a week. Drawing from nature, designing and lectures make no part of the course. spective and mechanical drawing are taught in the mathematical and engineering courses. The drawing course is exVOL. IV.-14 Per ceedingly useful, even as it is, and many cadets attain a tolerable degree of skill in drawing, but very much is lacking to make even the time applied, prolific in the best results. There is no genial infusion of the principles of design, no appeal to the imagination, no initiation into art as such, but only a dry, hard copyism of model drawings, line by line, and shade by shade. Drawing from nature, designing from subjects supplied or chosen, lectures, reviewing the history, principles and spirit of art, all indeed which could kindle a spark of enthusiasm or love for art, as a divinely ordained language of the soul, is sedulously eschewed, and in its stead the dull mediocrity of copyism, the soulless addition of line upon line prevails in an unbroken continuance. It is certainly impossible by any means to make all Cadets artists; but were a living system of instruction introduced, a far higher appreciation of art might be generally stimulated, and those possessing natural artist capacities could be supplied with principles and precepts; which by a true enthusiasm would be made abundantly fruitful in after years, amid the changes of army life. The spiritual jejuneness of cadet education is such that the ennobling influence of living art can ill be spared. The Drawing teachers have been C. E. Zoeller, from 1808 to 1819; Thomas Gimbrede, from 1819 to 1832; Charles R. Leslie, from 1833 to 1834, and Prof. Robert W. Weir since 1834. The department of French embraces a course of grammar, exercises and translation, extending through the fourth and third class years. This is the only language now studied, but it is much to be hoped that the Spanish will be introduced, if a five years' course is established, since the increasing contact between army officers and those speaking only Spanish, makes this addition of considerable practical importance. The fact that the standard works in military science are chiefly in French, makes instruction in this tongue, quite essential to an officer. This department was under the De Massons from 1804 to 1825, of Prof. Claudius Bérard from 1815 to 1846, and since then under Prof. H. R. Agnel, the present peculiarly skilful and successful teacher. The department of Infantry Tactics has been filled entirely by details from the army, Bvt. Maj. Robert S. Garnet being the present commandant of cadets. The same instructors who have military charge of the corps and its component companies, also give academic instruction in Scott's Infantry Tactics to the first class. Should the course be extended, they might with great advantage give lessons in military law, a branch now wholly neglected; or their subject might enter the ethical law course. The department of Artillery and Cavalry embraces instruction in light and heavy artillery practice and tactics, in cavalry tactics, in riding, broadsword and fencing exercises, and its duties are distributed through the entire four years. The academic course of artillery embraces the light and heavy artillery manual and evolutions. Thiroux's treatise on artillery and lithographic notes on powder, cannon, projectiles and pyrotechny; theory and practice being admirably combined. Instruction in riding, broadsword and fencing practice, is so diffused through the period of academic studies as to provide healthful exercise and physical training at all terms; an advantage of the highest order, even as a means of promoting that general mental health, requisite for intellectual success. It is much to be hoped that still greater perfection and amplification may yet be given to these physical elements, and that higher special instruction in established scientific and practical artillery may soon be established. There are two annual examinations of cadets, one being in January and one in June. Both are conducted before the Academic Board, and a special Board of Visitors, appointed by the President, attends the one in June. These ordeals are strict and totally void of the ordinary examination shams. Third class cadets look forward to the end of the June examination with a peculiar interest, as they then go on a two months' furlough. This respite, falling midway in the four years course, is the only leave of absence from West Point which marks a cadet's entire career. Two years of confinement past and two more to come, result of course in some furlough exhibitions little creditable to cadet character; yet much extenuated by this long inexperience of free life and a consequent extravagant relish for this brief enlargement. The sudden effervcscence of release soon sobers down into a more rational and manly enjoyment. If the course should be extended to five years, as has been repeatedly urged for excellent reasons, two cadet furloughs ought, by all means, to be granted for the better renovation of the family, social and civil affections of the cadets. If the sixtytwo senatorial cadets should be added to the corps, as contemplated by a bill which has passed the Senate, this would so increase the battalion as to remove the chief objections to this second furlough. Presiding over the military, academic and financial administration of this institution is the superintendent, detailed from the higher grades of the corps of engineers. The chief engineer has from the first been inspector of the Academy and charged with a special care of its interest and well being, not only in Washington but at West Point. He also details the superintendent. This system has resulted in giving the following list of superintendents, which to those who know them speaks for itself: Capt. Alden Partridge, from 1815 to 1817, except a few months of duty by Gen. Jos. G. Swift; Capt. (now Bvt. Col.) Sylvanus Thayer, from 1817 to 1833; Maj. (now Lt. Col.) R. E. De Russy, from 1833 to 1838; Maj. Richard Delafield, from 1838 to 1845; Capt. Henry Brewerton, from 1845 to 1852, and Bvt. Col. Robert E. Lee since that date. The real and efficient life of the Academy began when Col. Thayer entered on that distinguished career of renovation and bold organization, which through sixteen years alike honored himself and the rising national school. He has since been continuously in charge of the Boston fortifications, and still remains in full mental vigor at Ft. Warren on George's Island. He found the Academy weak, imperfect and low in its requisitions; he left it strong, thoroughly organized, and in its requisitions not inferior to the Polytechnic School formed under Napoleon's own master guidance. Col. Thayer had in Europe thoroughly mastered the subject of military education, and had watched the armies of the allies in Paris with eagerly critical eyes. Unequalled in our service for the extent of his military reading (unless perhaps by the brilliant Col. McRee, of Fort Erie renown), he was pre-eminent in purely personal qualities. He analyzed measures, motives and men, with a clear, almost unerring insight, and he never shrunk from acting on his deliberate views, in strict fidelity to himself and the highest policy. Uniting decision with courtesy, authority with justice, knowledge with consideration for ignorance, strictness with wise leniency, he seems to have been born and trained for the very post he filled. With Mr. Calhoun's powerful aid and official co-operation he rapidly gave shape to the young national foster-child, and triumphed over countless obstacles and difficulties. There is something truly touching and beautiful in that watchful interest which he feels in the triumphs of his nurture sons, and in the deep emotion with which he heard from Palo Alto and Resaca the proud refutation of those paltry aspersions of "his boys," in which demagogues and dunderheads had so long ruthlessly indulged. These boys have testified their grateful appreciation of his services, by procuring Weir's fine portrait, and more recently by presenting an elegant sword. Space forbids our following out the parts borne by the successive superintendents in bringing the Academy to its present organic condition. Suffice it to say that all have done well; not resting content in seeing "that the republic received no detriment," but actively promoting its good, as becomes the dictators in the West Point military microcosm. It has never been our fortune to know a more noble-souled, high-toned, considerate and scrupulous man than Col. Lee, the present superintendent, whose brilliant services under Gen. Scott in Mexico proved him no degenerate son of the heroic commander of the "Partisan Legion." The superintendent's functions are very various and of vital importance to the Academy. He presides over and administers the general and special finances of the institution and of cadets, gives direction to improvements of the post and of the academic course, is the final disciplinary officer of the corps and post, procures the necessary details of instructors, conducts a voluminous official correspondence, and issues all needful orders for the daily conduct of academic and military affairs. The Military Academy has a peculiar and highly valuable feature in the prevalent system of detailing army officers for the instruction of cadets. The usual detail is as follows, subject to some variations: the Superintendent, 2 officers in the Engineering Department, 3 in Philosophy, 6 in Mathematics, 2 in Chemistry, 3 in Ethics, 2 in .Drawing, 4 in Practical Engineering, 3 in French, 5 in Infantry Tactics, 4 in Artillery and Cavalry, 1 Adjutant, 1 Surgeon, and 1 Assistant Surgeon; being 38 in all. These officers are almost without exception good instructors, and they are in turn greatly instructed by the necessities of teaching. The system is excellent in always keeping the Academy young and vigorous, while the army is leavened by the higher progress in science thus wrought out among its officers, who are in time returned to their field duties. To this, cadets owe, in great part, the efficiency of their physical and mental training, as it is only by details that such powerful and incessant formative agencies could be brought to bear on their education. The public buildings at West Point are now excellent on the whole, though of course not unobjectionable, and though some crying deficiencies still remain to be filled. The new Cadet Barracks compose a noble gneiss edifice in the Elizabethan style, with towers, battlements and embrasures. The Academic Hall contains the recitation and drawing-rooms, the picture gallery, the cabinets of Engineering and Geology, the Laboratory, the Fencing-rooms, and the present breakneck riding hall. One or two Cadets must be killed outright by dashing among the columns of this hall, before the House of Representatives will second the oft-repeated Senate appropriation for a new riding hall. Why does not the Chairman of Ways and Means himself experiment on percussion and the relative hardness of heads and posts, by practising a few of the intercolumnar gallops belonging to the present cadet course: the probable result would be a "new riding hall" bump on his spacious cranium. The neat and commodious chapel contains an appropriate allegorical painting by Mr. Weir. The Library building has a fine location and an imposing appearance. The Library room is so spacious and airy that it is used for the examinations and for winter concerts. It contains a valuable selection of near 15,000 volumes, and is much used by officers and Cadets, though its regulations lack liberality in respect to the latter. The Observatory occupies three towers, with a fine transit instrument and a large mural circle and an indifferent equatorial. The Philosophical cabinet and lecture-room, and the offices of the Superintendent, Adjutant and Quarter-Master, are in this building. The new Mess-hall is a fine and commodious edifice, containing besides the cadet commons, rooms for the officers' mess and the purveyor's house. The Hospital is pleasantly located and well conducted, though less perfect in its arrangements than the new soldiers' Hospital at Camptown. The Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon live in the Hospital wings, and it is no fault of theirs if sick cadets fail to be comfortable. The West Point Hotel is so beautifully and conveniently located that many visitors prefer enduring its untamed waiters and indifferent cookery, to being a mile below the Point at Cozzens' Hotel, kept by the distinguished publican of that name. The Professors' houses, the Artillery Laboratory and storehouse, the dragoon stables, the Commissaries' store, the band and engineer barracks, and various minor tenements complete this architectural inventory; but time ought soon to add a new riding hall and a considerable accession to the houses now assignable as quarters for officers with families. Space prohibits any fitting exposition of the early and revolutionary history of West Point, Arnold's treason, Washington's residence and head-quarters, Kosciuszko's engineering, the various forts or batteries now crumbling and cedar-tufted, and the twilight or historic dawn of the Military Academy from Col. Pickering's first suggestion to Col. Thayer's consummation. In vindication of the necessity and value of this institution, the sanctions and commendations of men like Washington, Madison, Jefferson, Calhoun, Jackson, Scott, with the uniform testimony of approbation (one foggy instance excepted) bestowed by boards of visitors, often selected from avowed opponents of the Academy, and the high praise awarded by foreign critics; these may safely be trusted against the rabid attacks of lieloving demagogues, hitherto more than once in full chorus, but now happily quiescent. From the battle-fields of Canada, Florida, Mexico and the Indian territories, from our railroads, canals, river and harbor improvements, fortifications, coast survey, land and lake surveys, western explorations, national disbursements, &c., a quiet voice of good works by her sons vindicates the glory, honor, strength, integrity and life-worthiness of their hill-girt alma mater. The Academy costs yearly less than a frigate; yet even old Ironsides has not accomplished so much. The navy is now rejoicing in the prosperous beginning of the kindred school at Annapolis, for sad experience of its need has taught the best men of the navy to prize it as we do our own academic eyrie. It would be pleasant to narrate how cadets amuse themselves in camp, in barracks, and on Saturday afternoons; how literary societies have failed to prosper among them, not excepting even the Dialectic; how West Point society is and might be; how fashion and sentiment have "come down, like a wolf on the fold;" how eyes grow languishing and hearts grow soft as beauteous youth beguiles fledgling heroes, whether in gray or blue, along the mazes of "flirtation walk ;" how the seasons come and go, the winter in white, the spring blooming with hepatica epigea, saxafraga, azalia and laurel, the autumn in its gorgeous and manycolored drapery of foliage, and then the lichens blackening the leafless mountains, and how the band, the glorious old band, wakes' melodies of exquisite spirit and charms the sweet voices of the night The reader well knows that I love honorably my alma mater, and wish all true Americans to foster and maintain not only her existence, but her health and vitality. I too have faith in the reader's wisdom, justice and liberality towards this good cause. War, I abominate, the more because professionally obliged to know its honors, and because many true friends and honored acquaintances have been Floridian and Mexican victims; a pure and gentle-souled room-mate met death with a smile at sad Molino. But amid the passing complications of the nations amid the extensions of a growth like ours, I fear that wars must come, and the more surely if we neglect military education and the warlike muniments of empire. When Fisheries, and Cuba, and Sandwich Islands cease to agitate the State Department, when Europe has solved its Eastern question, and when Russia rules supreme over Europe and Asia, or shares power with Western Europe made one through revolution and common interests; then will this nation rule a continent and govern the course of free institutions. Military science in our hands may then become the potent instrument of millennial triumph, the vindicator of universal peace. Military science prevents war, conducts it in triumph and under humane restraints, and will at last make war impossible: hence we learn our duty. |