Part 4

I.--As frequent inquiries are made in regard to the mode of procuring admission into the Military Academy, persons interested in the subject are hereby informed that application may be made at any time (by letter to the Secretary of War) by the applicant himself, his parent, guardian, or any of his friends, that his name may be placed on the register in the office of the Inspector at Washington. The precise age and permanent abode of the applicant, as, also, the number of the Congressional District in which he resides, must be stated, and no application will be considered wherein these instructions are not complied with. No preference is given to applications on account of priority, nor can any information be communicated as to the probable success of an applicant before the appointments are made.

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 District and Territorial appointments are made upon the nomination of the member of Congress or Delegate representing the District or Territory at the date of appointment, and the law requires that the individual selected shall be an _actual resident_ of the District or Territory, or District of Columbia, from which the appointment purports to be made. The selections "at large" and from the District of Columbia are made by the President.

Appointments are required by law to be made one year in advance of the date of admission--that is to say, about the 1st of July in each year, except in instances where it may be impracticable, from any cause, so to make them. Persons, therefore, receiving appointments have ample time afforded them in which to prepare for a successful examination prior to their admission.

II.--To prevent the disappointment, mortification, and useless expense that might attend the acceptance of a Cadet appointment by a person not possessing the necessary qualifications for admission, and for the instruction and aid of others, the following information is communicated:

Candidates must be over seventeen and under twenty-two years of age at the time of entrance into the Military Academy; no modification of the law in this respect can be made; but any person who has served honorably and faithfully not less than one year as an officer or enlisted man in the army of the United States, either as a Volunteer, or in the Regular service, during the war for the suppression of the Rebellion, shall be eligible for appointment up to the age of twenty-four years. They must be at least five feet in height, and free from any deformity, disease, or infirmity, which would render them unfit for the military service, and from any disorder of an infectious or immoral character. They must be able to read and write well, and perform with facility and accuracy the various operations of the four ground rules of Arithmetic, of reduction, of simple and compound proportion, and of vulgar and decimal fractions. The Arithmetic is to be studied understandingly, and not merely committed to memory. They will also be required to have a knowledge of the elements of English Grammar, of Descriptive Geography, particularly of our own country, and of the history of the United States.

III.--It must be understood that a full compliance with the above conditions will be insisted on; that is to say, the candidate must write a fair and legible hand, and without any material mistakes in spelling such sentences as shall be dictated by the examiners; and he must answer promptly and without errors all their questions in the above-mentioned rules of Arithmetic and in the other branches: failing in any of these particulars, he will be rejected.

IV.--Every candidate will, soon after his arrival at West Point, be subject to a rigid examination by an experienced Medical Board, and should there be found to exist in him any of the following causes of disqualification, to such a degree as will immediately, or in all probability may, at no very distant period, impair his efficiency, he will be rejected:

1. Feeble constitution and muscular tenuity; unsound health from whatever cause; indications of former disease; glandular swellings, or other symptoms of scrofula.

2. Chronic cutaneous affections, especially of the scalp, or any disorder of an infectious character.

3. Severe injuries of the bones of the head; convulsions.

4. Impaired vision from whatever cause; inflammatory affections of the eyelids; immobility or irregularity of the iris; fistula lachrymalis, etc., etc.

5. Deafness; copious discharge from the ears.

6. Loss of many teeth, or the teeth generally unsound.

7. Impediment of speech.

8. Want of due capacity of the chest, and any other indication of a liability to a pulmonic disease.

9. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or both of the superior extremities on account of fractures, especially of the clavicle, contraction of a joint, extenuation, deformity, etc., etc.

10. An unusual excurvature or incurvature of the spine.

11. Hernia.

12. A varicose state of the veins of the scrotum or spermatic cord (when large), sarcocele, hydrocele, hemorrhoids, fistulas.

13. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or of both of the inferior extremities on account of varicose veins, fractures, malformation (flat feet, etc.), lameness, contraction, unequal length, bunions, overlying or supernumerary toes, etc., etc.

14. Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices of ulcers likely to break out afresh.

V.--During the months of July and August the Cadets are engaged in military duties and exercises, living in camp. The academic exercises commence the beginning of September. The semi-annual examination takes place in January. At this time the Cadets are rigidly examined in the subjects they have studied, and the new Cadets, if found proficient therein (their conduct having been correct in all respects), will receive the warrant of Cadet, and take such a station in their class as their respective merits, as determined at the examination, may entitle them to. If any have been unable to master the course, they will be pronounced deficient by the Academic Board, and their connection with the Academy will cease.

VI.--It is important that it be clearly understood that this examination, like all subsequent ones, is very thorough--does not permit any evasion or slighting of the course, and exacts a very close and persevering attention to study. 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. Those who will not, or can not, profit by these generous provisions, should not occupy the places of those who will and can.

VII.--In June there is held the "Annual Examination," which, in its character of searching scrutiny, is like the semi-annual examination in January. 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. Many of those who receive appointments fail, through deficiency in the above particulars, to graduate. But it must not be understood that those who fail to master the scientific course taught at the Military Academy, necessarily incur thereby discredit as regards mental ability, since it is by no means rare for intellects otherwise strong to be averse to mathematical investigation, or study of language.

IX.--The pay of a Cadet is $41.66 per month, with one ration per day, and is considered sufficient, with proper economy, for his support.

MEMORANDUM

INDICATING THE METHOD OF EXAMINING CANDIDATES FOR ADMISSION INTO THE MILITARY ACADEMY.

Candidates must be able to read with facility from any book, giving the proper intonation and pauses, and to write portions that are read aloud for that purpose, spelling the words, and punctuating the sentences properly.

In ARITHMETIC they must be able to perform with facility examples under the four ground rules, and hence must be familiar with the tables of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; and must be able to perform examples in reduction and vulgar fractions, such as:--

Add 2/3 to 3/4; subtract 2/5 from 5/6. Multiply 3/4 by 7/8; divide 2/5 by 3/8.

Add together two hundred and thirty-four thousandths (.234), twenty-six thousandths (.026), and three thousandths (.003).

Subtract one hundred and sixty-one ten thousandths (.0161) from twenty-five hundredths (.25).

Multiply or divide twenty-six hundredths (.26) by sixteen thousandths (.016).

They must also be able to change vulgar fractions into decimal fractions, and _vice versâ_, with examples like the following:--

Change 15/16 into a decimal fraction of the same value.

Change one hundred and two thousandths (.102) into a vulgar fraction of the same value.

In Simple and Compound Proportion, examples of various kinds will be given, and candidates will be expected to understand the principles of the rules which they follow.

In ENGLISH GRAMMAR candidates will be required to exhibit a familiarity with the nine parts of speech and the rules in relation thereto, and must be able to parse any ordinary sentence which may be given them, and generally they must understand those portions of the subject usually taught in the higher academies and schools throughout the country, comprehended under the heads of Orthography, Etymology, Syntax, and Prosody.

In DESCRIPTIVE GEOGRAPHY they are to name, locate, and describe the natural grand and political divisions of the earth, and be able to delineate any one of the States or Territories of the American Union, with its principal cities, rivers, lakes, seaports, and mountains.

In HISTORY they must be able to name the periods of the discovery and settlement of the North American continent, of the rise and progress of the United States, and of the successive wars and political administrations through which the country has passed.

COURSE OF STUDY

AND

BOOKS USED AT THE MILITARY ACADEMY.

[Books marked thus * are for Reference.]

FIRST YEAR--FOURTH CLASS.

DEPARTMENT. TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF REFERENCE.

{ Davies' Bourdon's Algebra. Mathematics. { Davies' Legendre's Geometry and Trigonometry. { Church's Descriptive Geometry.

{ Bolmar's Levizac's Grammar, and Verb Book. French { Agnel's Tabular System. Language. { Berard's Leçons Françaises. { *Spier's and Surenne's Dictionary.

Tactics of Artillery { Practical Instruction in the Schools of the and Infantry. { Soldier, Company, and Battalion. { Practical Instruction in Artillery.

Use of Small Arms { Instruction in Fencing and Bayonet Exercise.

SECOND YEAR--THIRD CLASS.

DEPARTMENT. TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF REFERENCE.

{ Church's Descriptive Geometry, with its { application to Spherical Projections. Mathematics. { Church's Shades, Shadows, and Perspective. { Davies' Surveying. { Church's Analytical Geometry. { Church's Calculus.

{ Bolmar's Levizac's Grammar and Verb Book. { Berard's Leçons Françaises. Chapsal's Leçons French { et Modeles de Literature Française. Language. { Agnel's Tabular System. Rowan's Morceaux { Choises des Auteurs Modernes. { *Spier's and Surenne's Dictionary.

{ Josse's Grammar. Morale's Progressive Reader. Spanish. { Ollendorf's Oral Method applied to the { Spanish application by Velasquez and Simonne. { *Seoane's Neuman and Barretti's Dictionary.

Drawing. { Topography, &c.

Tactics of Infantry { Practical Instruction in the Schools of the Artillery, { Soldier, Company, and Battalion. and Cavalry. { Practical Instruction in Artillery and { Cavalry.

THIRD YEAR--SECOND CLASS.

DEPARTMENT. TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF REFERENCE.

Natural and { Bartlett's Mechanics. Experimental { Bartlett's Acoustics and Optics. Philosophy. { Bartlett's Astronomy.

Chemistry. { Fowne's Chemistry. Chemical Physics from { Miller.

Drawing. { Landscape. Pencil and Colors.

{ United States Tactics for Garrison, Siege, and Tactics--Artillery, { Field Artillery. United States Tactics for Cavalry, { Infantry. Practical Instruction in the Schools and Infantry. { of the Soldier, Company, and Battalion. { Practical Instruction in Artillery and Cavalry.

FOURTH YEAR--FIRST CLASS.

DEPARTMENT. TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF REFERENCE.

{ Mahan's Field Fortifications. Military and { Mahan's Outlines of Permanent Fortification. Civil Engineering { Mahan's Civil Engineering. and Science { Mahan's Fortification and Stereotomy. of War. { Mahan's Advanced Guard and Out Post, etc. { *Moseley's Mechanics of Engineering.

Mineralogy and { Dana's Mineralogy. Geology. { Hitchcock's Geology.

{ French's Practical Ethics. Law and Literature. { Halleck's International Law. Law and Military { Law, by Prof. French. { Benet's Military Law and the Practice of { Courts-Martial.

{ Practical Instruction in fabricating Fascines, { Sap Faggots, Gabions, Hurdles, Sap Rollers, Practical Military { etc.; manner of laying out and constructing Engineering. { Gun and Mortar Batteries, Field { Fortifications, and Works of Siege; formation { of Stockades, Abatis, and other military { obstacles; and throwing and dismantling { Ponton Bridges.

{ United States Tactics for Cavalry. Tactics--Artillery, { Practical Instruction in the Schools of the Cavalry { Soldier, Company, and Battalion. Practical and Infantry. { Instruction in Artillery and Cavalry.

Ordnance and { Benton's Ordnance and Gunnery. Gunnery. { Practical Pyrotechny.

For the information of visitors, the "Police Regulations" of the Post of West Point, and the "Regulations of the Encampment," are appended:

POLICE REGULATIONS

FOR THE

MILITARY POST OF WEST POINT, N.Y.

1867.

1. "Police Limits" include all territory lying north and east of a line running west from the South Gate to its intersection with the Fort Putnam road, and thence by the road to the cemetery.

2. To prevent interruption to the duties of the Academy, carriages will not be allowed to pass on the road leading by the Academic Hall and Cadets' Barrack, during the hours devoted to study; and at no time by the Hospital, except when required for the accommodation of residents or their visitors, and then at a slow pace.

3. Carriages will be allowed to pass to the West Point Hotel, through the South Gate, by the road below the Hospital, or through the West Gate.

4. On Sundays the gates will be closed, and no vehicle allowed to drive on the Plain without the permission of the Superintendent, except for the purpose of conveying persons to and from Divine Service, to the ferry landings, to obtain medical assistance, or for the private benefit of Officers residing on the Post. Officers will not pass public conveyances through the gates on Sunday.

5. Carts and wagons will use the main road, across the Plain, except when necessity requires them to go upon the private road passing in front of the Quarters, Barrack, and Hospital.

6. Carriages and horses are not permitted to pass, or remain on the road in front of the parade-ground, nor to move about in its vicinity during parade and reviews.

7. Racing, fast driving, and unnecessary noise at all times is prohibited.

8. It is strictly forbidden to drive or ride over any of the sidewalks or paths at West Point, or any part of the Plain or grounds except the carriage roads.

9. All persons are directed to close the gates after them on entering or leaving the public grounds.

10. 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.

* * * * *

15. Boats are not permitted to land, except at the public wharves.

16. Every boat, cart, wagon, or vehicle laden with articles, except for officers, may be searched by the officers and non-commissioned officers of the Guard, or members of the Police.

17. All persons are forbidden to receive or transport across the Post any article for excluded individuals.

18. All persons are prohibited from selling any kind of intoxicating liquors, beer, cakes, etc., on the Post, without the permission of the Superintendent.

19. All enlisted men are prohibited from bringing on the Post, or having in their possession, any intoxicating liquor, beer, etc., without the permission of the Superintendent.

20. Persons not connected with the Post, bringing prohibited articles thereon, will be promptly removed by the guard or police, and reported to the Superintendent, to the end that they may be prosecuted for trespass.

21. Pedlers and all improper persons are prohibited from coming on the Post.

22. Excursion or Pleasure Parties, etc., are not allowed to land on the Post, unless specially authorized by the Superintendent.

* * * * *

26. Cadets will not be allowed to cross the ferries without the written permission of the Superintendent. All such permits will be returned as soon as practicable by the ferrymen to the Adjutant's office.

* * * * *

29. No person will be allowed to cut wood on the public lands, break the branches of the trees on the Plain, at the Cemetery, or in the vicinity of Camptown, or to throw stones or sticks into them. Parents will be held responsible for the acts of their children violating this regulation.

* * * * *

34. No citizen will be allowed to wear the uniform, or parts thereof, of officers, cadets, or soldiers.

* * * * *

36. The iron seats in front of the Superintendent's quarters must not be occupied by servants and children when required for visitors.

REGULATIONS

FOR THE

ENCAMPMENT OF THE CADETS,

_WEST POINT, N.Y._

1867.

1. All Cadets, with the exception hereinafter mentioned, will confine themselves to the Encampment. Cadets will always hold themselves in readiness for such extra roll calls as the Officer in Charge may be directed to have during his tours. On these occasions, the Assembly will be sounded on the drum, when each man for duty in each company will appear promptly on the company Parade Ground. The companies will be formed without further signal by command of the Sergeants, the rolls called, and the results immediately reported through the proper channels to the Officer of the Day.

2. Cadets will be permitted to wear their fatigue jackets, and their coats unbuttoned, in the body of the Encampment. When the Guard are in fatigue jackets the Battalion will wear the same to meals.

3. There will be one corporal and four privates detailed daily from each company for company Police. A separate Roster for this purpose will be kept, and this detail made from the Third and Fourth Classes. 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. He has authority to call on his party at any time, for purposes connected with the Police of his company.

4. The Guard, on the day succeeding that on which it marched off, will constitute the General Police, and will be formed by the Junior Officer of the Guard, on the General Parade Ground, at morning and evening Police calls, and will police those parts of Camp not policed by the company Police party.

5. The Senior Officer of the Guard, on the day succeeding that on which he marched off, will be Camp Officer of the Police for that day, and will report his presence to the Officer of the Day at all roll calls of companies. He will have general charge of the Police of Camp, will inspect the Police parties when at work, see that they are all present, and that they perform their duties properly.

6. The Officers of the Police will not dismiss their parties until after their work has been inspected by the Camp Officer of the Police, and not until he has expressed his satisfaction at the manner in which it has been done. Should he deem it necessary, at any time during his tour, to turn out the Police parties for duty, they will promptly obey his orders.

7. All Details for Guard, company Police, etc., will be posted on a Bulletin Board, at the Tents of the 1st Sergeants of the companies.

8. The Members of the First Class, between REVÉILLE and RETREAT, will be permitted to have the limits of the Plain, included within the Main Road, passing in rear of Camp, in front of the Hotel Yard, the Quarters of the Superintendent, the Barracks, and the Library. Cadets can visit the Library during Library hours, but the Barracks and the confectioner's can be visited only by special permission.

9. The permission to walk on Public Lands on Saturday afternoons, granted to Cadets in Barracks, is withdrawn.

10. Cadets will be allowed to bathe at or near Gee's Point, between Revéille and Breakfast, and between Retreat and Tattoo. Cadets wishing to bathe, will be formed in the company Parade Ground, and be marched to and from the place of bathing, by the Senior Non-commissioned Officer present. The members of the Old Guard, during the morning after marching off, will be permitted to walk on Public Lands until 1 o'clock, and bathe at Washington's Valley during the same time, except on Sundays, when they will be excused from Divine Service.