CHAPTER LVII. Military Academy. 1. THE Military Academy, located on the west bank of the Hudson river, at West Point, in the State of New York, and about 50 miles from the city of New York, is one of the Government Institutions. It had its origin in an act of Congress, passed as carly as 1802. Under this act, this far-famed military school was commenced; but on a scale, in every respect, very much inferior to what it has since become. 2. Its name explains its character and objects. It was established and has been continued at a great expense; for the purpose of teaching and training up young men in the science and art of war; that in any emergency, the country might have a sufficient number of men, educated and skilled in all such arts and sciences as appertain to war. Hence, Mathematics, Engineering, Gunnery, Drawing, Natural and Experimental Philosophy, and Military Tactics, are among the principal branches taught. In all of these, able professors give instruction to the cadets, as the pupils are called. Chemistry, Geology, and the French language are also taught at this Institution. The instruction is thorough, the discipline excellent, and some of the graduates of this celebrated school rank high among the scientific men of the country. 3. Congress controls and regulates this establishment as it does all other departments, institutions, and works belonging to the Government. It enacts all laws relating to its officers, professors, and cadets, and to the management of the Institution. 4. By a law passed in 1843, the number of cadets to be admitted was made to correspond with the number of Senators and Representatives from each State. Every State and Territory is entitled to send as many cadets as it has Senators and Representatives in Congress. This gives each Territory, however, but one; as a Territory has no Senators, and but one Representative. By the same law the District of Columbia is allowed one. To give every part of the country an equal chance, it was enacted that each congressional district in every State and Territory should be allowed to send one cadet, to be educated at West Point. These are generally nominated for ap pointment by the Congressmen from their respective districts, and the President appoints. The cadet must be an actual resident of the district for which he is appointed. 5. In addition to these, it is provided by the same act, that 10 more cadets may be appointed at large; i. e. without regard to Congressional districts. These provisions would make the number of cadets at the present time (1867), to be three hundred and fifteen. In order to be admitted as a cadet, the candidate must be well versed in reading, writing and arithemetic; must not be under 14 nor over 21 years of age; and must sign articles, agreeing to serve the United States eight years. After he has finished his studies and has graduated, he is con sidered as a candidate for a commission in the army, according to the duties he may be competent to perform. 6. The Military Academy may be considered a branch of the War Department. Men who have been educated there have rendered the country signal service in times of war; have made able commanders, and have proved themselves thoroughly skilled in military science. Not only in the military service has it been a benefit to the country, but in the civil walks of life. Many of its graduates have distinguished themselves as engineers, astronomers, and in other scientific professions, and useful employments. 7. There is an annual examination of the cadets, of the general affairs of the Institution, by a committee appointed by the President, for that purpose. It is composed of Congressmen and military officers. It is the duty of these examiners to attend the examination, inspect its discipline, and course of instruction, look after its fiscal affairs, and all other matters relating to the academy, and to report the same to the Secretary of War, for the use of Congress. CHAPTER LVIII. Naval Academy. 1. WE will place our notice of this institution next to that of the Military Academy, as there is a strong analogy between the two. We remarked on that, that it might be considered a branch of the War Department. So we say of this, it may be considered a branch of the Navy Department. Both are designed to educate and train men for future public service, in different departments. They are selected upon 2. This school is now established at Annapolis, in the State of Maryland, near Washington. Like the Military Academy, it has its Superintendent and Professors. The pupils are called Midshipmen. They are taught navigation, and such other branches of science as are necessary to make them good seamen and naval officers. nearly the same plan as cadets. trict now in every State and send two students to be educated at the Academy. The District of Columbia is also entitled to send two. Besides which, the President is allowed to appoint ten additional ones, to be selected from acting-Midshipmen,—at large, and three more from the boys enlisted in the navy. 3. After their graduating examination,-if they pass,they are commissioned as Ensigns in the navy, and rank according to merit. Before admission, they are examined according to the regulations made by the Secretary of the Navy, and must be between the ages of fourteen and seventeen years, sound, robust, and of good constitution. 4. The course of study in this, as well as in the Military Academy, is adapted to the profession which the students are expected to follow, the one in the Navy, the other in in the Army. More are educated at these great national schools than the government needs in time of peace. Hence it is that many of the graduates are engaged in civil employment. Thus these institutions have been of great service to the country, outside of the Army and Navy, for they have added to the number of well-educated and scientific men, who may be useful in any of the walks of life. Their graduates elevate the standard of intelligence in the community, especially when they engage in the work of instruction. Both of these institutions are supported at the expense of the Government. The tuition and board of the cadets in one, and of the Midshipmen in the other, costs them nothing. |