Chapter X Appendix
War Department
INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT AND ADMISSION OF CADETS TO THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.
[Communications relating to matters connected with the Military-Academy should be addressed to The Adjutant-General of the Army, Washington, D. C.]
Appointments
HOW MADE.—Each Congressional District and Territory—the District of Columbia and also Porto Rico—is entitled to have one cadet at the Academy. Each State is also entitled to have two cadets from the State at large, and forty are allowed from the United States at large. The law, however, provides that for six years from July 1, 1910, whenever any cadet shall have finished three years of his course at the Academy his successor may be admitted. The appointment from a Congressional District is made upon the recommendation of the Representative in Congress from that District, and those from a State at large upon the recommendations of the Senators of the State. Similarly the appointment from a Territory is made upon the recommendation of the Delegate in Congress. The appointment from the District of Columbia is made on the recommendation of the Commissioners of the District. Each person appointed must be an actual resident of the State, District or Territory from which the appointment is made.
The appointments from the United States at large are made by the President of the United States upon his own selection. The cadet from Porto Rico, who must be a native of that island, is appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Resident Commissioner.
The Secretary of War is authorized to permit not exceeding four Filipinos, to be designated, one for each class, by the Philippine Commission, to receive instruction at the United States Military Academy at West Point: Provided, That the Filipinos undergoing instruction shall receive the same pay, allowances, and emoluments as are authorized by law for cadets at the Military Academy appointed from the United States, to be paid out of the same appropriations: And provided further, That said Filipinos undergoing instruction on graduation shall be eligible only to commissions in the Philippine Scouts. And the provisions of section 1321, Revised Statutes, are modified in the case of the Filipinos undergoing instruction, so as to require them to engage to serve for eight years, unless sooner discharged, in the Philippine Scouts.
DATE OF APPOINTMENTS.—Appointments are required by law to be made one year in advance of the date of admission, except in cases where, by reason of death or other cause, a vacancy occurs which cannot be provided for by such appointment in advance. These vacancies are filled in time for the next examination.
ALTERNATES.—For each candidate appointed there should be nominated two alternates. The principal and each alternate will receive from the War Department a letter of appointment, and must appear for examination at the time and place therein designated.67 The fitness for admission to the Academy of the principal and alternates will be determined as prescribed in paragraphs 19 and 20, Regulations U. S. Military Academy. If the principal fails to qualify, either mentally or physically, then the qualifications of the alternates will be considered and if only one has met the requirements he will be admitted; if both alternates have met the requirements the better qualified will be admitted. The alternates, like the principal, should be designated one year in advance of the date of admission.
Examination and Admission of Candidates68
The following are extracts from the Regulations of the Military Academy relating to the examination of candidates for admission and will be strictly adhered to:
19. On the second Tuesday in January of each year candidates selected for appointment (except the Filipino candidates) shall appear for mental and physical examination before boards of Army officers to be convened at such places as the War Department may designate. The Filipino candidates selected for appointment, unless otherwise notified by the War Department, shall appear for mental and physical examination on the second Tuesday in October of each year before a board of Army officers to be convened at such place in the Philippine Islands as the Commanding General of the Philippine Division may designate. Candidates who pass will be admitted to the Academy without further examination upon reporting in person to the Superintendent before 12 o’clock noon, on the 1st day of March following the examination.
20. Each candidate before admission to the academy must show by examination as prescribed in paragraph 19, that he is well versed in algebra, to include quadratic equations and progressions, plane geometry, English grammar, composition and literature, descriptive and physical geography, and general and United States history, as explained in the circulars of notification. No rejected candidate shall be re-examined, except upon recommendation of the Academic Board.
22. Immediately after reporting to the Superintendent for admission, and before receiving his warrant of appointment, the candidate is required to sign an engagement for service in the following form, and in the presence of the Superintendent, or of some officer deputed by him:
“I, ________, of the State (or Territory) of ____, aged ____ years ____ months, do hereby engage (with the consent of my parent or guardian) that, from the date of my admission as a Cadet of the United States Military Academy, I will serve in the Army of the United States for eight years, unless sooner discharged by competent authority.”
In the presence of ________.
The candidate is then required to take and subscribe an oath or affirmation in the following form:
“I, ________, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and bear true allegiance to the National Government: that I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States, paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty I may owe to any State or country whatsoever; and that I will at all times obey the legal orders of my superior officers, and the rules and articles governing the armies of the United States.”
Sworn and subscribed, at ____, this ____ day of ____, nineteen hundred and ____ before me. ________
QUALIFICATIONS.—No candidate shall be admitted who is under seventeen, or over twenty-two years of age, or less than five feet four inches in height at the age of seventeen, or five feet five inches in height at the age of eighteen and upward, or who is deformed, or afflicted with any disease or infirmity which would render him unfit for the military service, or who has, at the time of presenting himself, any disorder of an infectious or immoral character. Candidates must be unmarried.
Each candidate must on reporting at West Point present a certificate showing successful vaccination within one year; or a certificate of two vaccinations, made at least a month apart, within three months.
Note.—Candidates are eligible for admission from the day they are seventeen until the day they become twenty-two years of age, on which latter day they are not eligible.
It is suggested to all candidates for admission to the Military Academy that, before leaving their places of residence for the place of examination, they should cause themselves to be thoroughly examined by a competent physician, and by a teacher or instructor in good standing. By such examinations any serious physical disqualification or deficiency in mental preparation would be revealed.
It should be understood that the informal examination herein recommended is solely for the convenience and benefit of the candidate himself, and can in no manner affect the decision of the Academic and Medical Examining Boards.
Character of Examinations
Physical Examination
Upon the completion of the mental examination all candidates will be thoroughly examined physically by the medical officers of the board, under the following instructions prepared by the Surgeon General of the Army:
Hearing must be normal in both ears.
Vision, as determined by the official test types, must not fall below 20/40 in either eye, and not below 20/20 unless the defect is a simple refractive error not hyperopia, is not due to ocular disease, and is entirely corrected by proper glasses.
In the record of all examinations the acuity of vision without glasses, and also with glasses when the acuity is less than 20/20, will be given for each eye separately; in the latter case the correction will also be noted.
Hyperopia requiring any spherical correction, anisometropia, squint, or muscular insufficiency, if marked, are causes for rejection.
Color blindness, red, green, or violet, is cause for rejection.
The following are causes of disqualification if found to exist to such a degree as would immediately or at no very distant period impair the efficiency of the candidate:
1.—Feeble constitution; unsound health from whatever cause; indications of former disease, glandular swellings, or other symptoms of scrofula.
2.—Chronic cutaneous affections, especially of the scalp.
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, &c., &c.
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, deformity, &c.
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), hydrocele, hemorrhoids, fistulas.
13.—Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or both of the inferior extremities on account of varicose veins, fractures, malformation (flat feet, &c.), lameness, contraction, unequal length, bunions, overlying or supernumerary toes, &c., &c.
14.—Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices of ulcers likely to break out afresh.
The requirements of the following tables of physical proportions are minimum for growing youths and are for the guidance of medical officers in connection with the other data of the examination, a consideration of all of which should determine the candidate’s physical eligibility. Mere fulfillment of the requirements of the standard tables does not determine eligibility, while on the other hand no departure below the standard should be allowed unless upon the unanimous recommendation of the medical examining board for excellent reasons clearly stated in each case.
The physical requirements should be those of the age at the birthday nearest the time of the examination. Fractions greater than ½ inch will be considered as an additional inch of height, but candidates 17 years old must be at least 64 inches, and those 18 years and upward at least 65 inches in height.
Table of physical proportion for height, weight, and chest measurement.
| Age. | Height, inches. | Weight, pounds. | Chest measurement—expiration, inches. | Chest mobility, inches. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 yrs. | 64 | 110 | 29 | 2 |
| 65 | 112 | 29¼ | 2 | |
| 66 | 114 | 29½ | 2 | |
| 67 | 116 | 29¾ | 2 | |
| 68 | 119 | 30 | 2½ | |
| 69 | 122 | 30¼ | 2½ | |
| 70 | 125 | 30½ | 2½ | |
| 71 | 128 | 30¾ | 2½ | |
| 18 yrs. | 65 | 117 | 30¼ | 2 |
| 66 | 119 | 30½ | 2 | |
| 67 | 121 | 30¾ | 2 | |
| 68 | 124 | 31 | 2½ | |
| 69 | 127 | 31¼ | 2½ | |
| 70 | 130 | 31½ | 2½ | |
| 71 | 133 | 31¾ | 2½ | |
| 72 | 136 | 32 | 3 | |
| 19 yrs. | 65 | 121 | 30¾ | 2 |
| 66 | 123 | 31 | 2 | |
| 67 | 125 | 31¼ | 2 | |
| 68 | 129 | 31½ | 2½ | |
| 69 | 133 | 31¼ | 2½ | |
| 70 | 137 | 32 | 2½ | |
| 71 | 141 | 32¼ | 2½ | |
| 72 | 145 | 32½ | 3 | |
| 73 | 149 | 32¾ | 3 | |
| 20 yrs. | 65 | 122 | 31 | 2 |
| 66 | 124 | 31¼ | 2 | |
| 67 | 126 | 31½ | 2 | |
| 68 | 130 | 31¾ | 2½ | |
| 69 | 134 | 32 | 2½ | |
| 70 | 138 | 32¼ | 2½ | |
| 71 | 142 | 32½ | 2½ | |
| 72 | 146 | 32¾ | 3 | |
| 73 | 150 | 33 | 3 | |
| 74 | 154 | 33¼ | 3½ | |
| 21 yrs. | 65 | 123 | 31½ | 2 |
| 66 | 125 | 31½ | 2 | |
| 67 | 127 | 31¾ | 2 | |
| 68 | 132 | 32 | 2½ | |
| 69 | 137 | 32¼ | 2½ | |
| 70 | 142 | 32½ | 2½ | |
| 71 | 147 | 32¾ | 2½ | |
| 72 | 152 | 33 | 3 | |
| 73 | 157 | 33¼ | 3 | |
| 74 | 162 | 33½ | 3½ | |
| 75 | 167 | 33¾ | 3½ | |
| 22 yrs. | 65 | 125 | 31½ | 2 |
| 66 | 127 | 31¾ | 2 | |
| 67 | 129 | 32 | 2 | |
| 68 | 134 | 32¼ | 2½ | |
| 69 | 139 | 32½ | 2½ | |
| 70 | 144 | 32¾ | 2½ | |
| 71 | 149 | 33 | 2½ | |
| 72 | 154 | 33¼ | 3 | |
| 73 | 159 | 33½ | 3 | |
| 74 | 164 | 33¾ | 3½ | |
| 75 | 169 | 34 | 3½ | |
| 76 | 174 | 34¼ | 4 |
Mental Examination
ALGEBRA.—Candidates will be required to pass a satisfactory examination in that portion of algebra which includes the following range of subjects: definitions and notation; the fundamental laws; the fundamental operations, viz.: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; factoring; highest common factor; lowest common multiple; fractions, simple and complex; simple, or linear, equations with one unknown quantity; simultaneous simple, or linear, equations with two or more unknown quantities; involution, including the formation of the squares and cubes of polynomials; binomial theorem with positive integral exponents; evolution, including the extraction of the square and cube roots of polynomials and of numbers: theory of exponents; radicals, including reduction and fundamental operations, rationalization, equations involving radicals, operations with imaginary numbers, quadratic equations; equations of quadratic form; simultaneous quadratic equations; ratio and proportion; arithmetical and geometrical progressions. Candidates will be required to solve problems involving any of the principles or methods contained in the foregoing subjects.
The following questions were used at a recent examination:
Substitute y + 3 for x in x⁴-x³ + 2x²-3 and arrange the result in descending powers of y.
On the eve of a battle one army had 5 men to every 6 men in the other. The first army lost 14,000 men and the second 6,000 men. The first army then had 2 men to every 3 men in the other. How many men were there originally in each army?
Solve 1.2x - (.18x -.05)/.5 =.4w + 8.9
Find the lowest common multiple of 1-x, x²-1, x-2, and x²-4.
Solve √x + 9 = 2 √x - 3.
Solve (2x - 3)² = 8x.
Expand (m-3/4-m(4/3))⁴ by the Binominal Theorem.
Find all the values of a for which the roots of ax² + 2(a + 3)x + 16 = 0 are equal.
Solve ((x + y)/2) - ((x - y)/3) = 8 and ((x + y)/3) + ((x - y)/4) = 11.
Solve x² - 4y² = 9, xy + 2y² = 3.
A certain article of consumption is subject to a duty of $1.50 per cwt. In consequence of a reduction in duty the consumption increases one half, but the revenue falls off one third. Find the duty per cwt. after the reduction.
A and B run a mile. First A gives B a start of 44 yards and beats him by 51 seconds; at the second heat A gives B a start of 1 minute and 15 seconds and is beaten by 88 yards. Find the time in which A and B can run a mile separately.
Sum to infinity the progression 3 + 2 + 4/3....
A servant agrees for certain wages the first month, on the understanding that they are to be raised a dollar every subsequent month until they reach $60 a month. At the end of the first of the months for which he receives $60 he finds that his wages during his time of service have averaged $48 per month. How long has he served?
PLANE GEOMETRY.—Candidates will be required to give accurate definitions of the terms used in plane geometry, to demonstrate any proposition of plane geometry as given in the ordinary text-books and to solve simple geometrical problems either by a construction or by an application of algebra.
The following questions were used at a recent examination:
Define the following:
1°. Rhombus. 2°. A mean proportional. 3°. Similar triangles. 4°. A segment of a circle. 5°. The apothem of a regular polygon.
Theorem: The perpendicular is the shortest line between a point and a straight line.
Theorem: In the same circle or equal circles, the less of two chords is at the greater distance from the centre; conversely, the chord at the greater distance from the centre is the less.
Construction: Divide a given straight line internally in extreme and mean ratio.
Theorem: The areas of two triangles which have an angle of one equal to the angle of the other are to each other as the products of the sides including those angles.
Problem: Given a circle of unit diameter and the side of a regular inscribed polygon, find the side of a regular inscribed polygon of double the number of sides.
Theorem: The four bisectors of the four angles of a quadrilateral form a second quadrilateral, the opposite angles of which are supplementary.
Theorem: If on the diameter of a circle two points be taken equally distant from the centre, the sum of the squares of the distances of any point of the circumference from these two points is constant.
Problem: Find the locus of the point of intersection of the three altitudes of a triangle, given a fixed base, and constant angle at the vertex.
ENGLISH GRAMMAR.—Candidates must have a good knowledge of English grammar; they must be able to define the terms used therein; to define the parts of speech; to give inflections, including declension, conjugation and comparison; to give the corresponding masculine and feminine gender nouns; to give and apply the ordinary rules of syntax.
They must be able to parse correctly any ordinary sentence; giving the subject of each verb, the governing word of each objective case, the word for which each pronoun stands or to which it refers, the words between which each preposition shows the relation, precisely what each conjunction and each relative pronoun connects, what each adjective and adverb qualifies or limits, the construction of each infinitive, and generally to show a good knowledge of the function of each word in the sentence.
They must be able to correct in sentences or extracts any ordinary grammatical errors.
It is not required that any particular text-book shall be followed: but the definitions, parsing, and corrections must be in accordance with good usage and common sense.
The examinations may include questions similar to the following:
1. Define and give examples of: a. infinitive; b. indirect object; c. simple sentence.
2. Give the principal parts of: a. choose; b. crow; c. freeze; d. fly; e. burst.
3. (i). Give the plurals of: a. motto: b. fairy; c. money: d. belief; e. axis. (ii). Indicate which of the following words are singular, which are plural, and which may be either: a. cherubim; b. mathematic; c. species; d. basis; e. news.
4. (i). Give the feminine of: a. hero; b. gander; c. duke; d. priest; e. Englishman. (ii). Indicate the gender of: a. songster; b. spinster; c. goose; d. mouse; e. book.
5. (i). Give the possessive case singular of: a. it; b. princes; c. Kings of Italy; d. Henry the Fourth; e. man-of-war. (ii). Give the possessive case plural of: a. brother-in-law; b. Jones; c. I; d. who; e. Musselman.
6. Give the comparison of: a. mournful; b. little; c. great; d. old; e. angry.
7. Parse the italicized words in the following sentence: Other things being equal, it is obvious that the writer who has most words to choose from is most likely to find in his assortment just the word which he needs at a given moment.
8. Correct all words in the following sentences. Of words in brackets {} draw a line through the incorrect word or words:
| { | your | } | ||
| 1. Have either of you brought | { | their | } | umbrellas? |
| { | his | } |
2. The river had overflown its banks.
| 3. John thinks he | { | will | } | be able to come and that James | { | shall | } | come also. |
| { | shall | } | { | will | } |
4. Men are in the plural number because they mean more than one.
5. That is neither a squirrel or rabbit’s track.
6. I believe he dont know its here.
7. Him dying at this time led to the attempt being given up.
ENGLISH COMPOSITION AND ENGLISH LITERATURE.—Candidates will be required:
1. By the writing of short themes on subjects chosen by themselves within limits set by the examination paper, to prove (a) their ability to spell, capitalize, and punctuate, and (b) their mastery of the elementary principles of composition, including paragraphing and sentence-structure.
2. To give evidence of intelligent acquaintance with three plays of Shakespeare: one comedy, one history, and one tragedy,—The Merchant of Venice, Henry V., and Macbeth being especially recommended.
3. To exhibit a fair knowledge of the names of the most prominent English and American authors, and of the names of their principal works.
The general character and scope of the examination are indicated by the following specimen:
A. Write a composition of about two hundred and fifty words, on each of four subjects selected from the following list. (Of two or more subjects in brackets choose but one.)
| 1. | The Story of the Three Caskets in The Merchant of Venice. |
| A Character-Sketch of Antonio. |
| 2. | The Influences that Caused Macbeth’s Moral Downfall. |
| The Story of Macduff. |
| 3. | { The English Army at Agincourt (in Henry V.) |
| { A Brief Narrative of the Historical Events of Henry V. Previous to Agincourt. |
| 4. | { A Description of a Building. |
| { A Character-Sketch of a Dog. | |
| { A Narrative of an Interesting Journey. | |
| { Reasons for Liking a Favorite Book. | |
| { How to Make a Squirrel-Trap (or a Kite, or an Ice-Boat, etc.) |
B. 1. What author wrote The Ancient Mariner? Comus? The Marble Faun? Rasselas? Barbara Frietchie?
2. Name two works of each of the following authors: Goldsmith, Emerson, Burke, Macaulay.
3. Give the names of two principal works of a great American novelist; a great English Puritan poet of the seventeenth century; an English woman novelist of the last century; a living American novelist.
GEOGRAPHY.—Candidates will be required to pass a satisfactory examination in descriptive geography and the elements of physical geography. A preponderance of weight is attached to a knowledge of the geography of the United States.
In descriptive geography of the United States, candidates should be thoroughly informed as to its general features and boundaries; adjacent oceans, seas, bays, gulfs, sounds, straits, and islands; lakes, the location and extent of mountain ranges; the sources, directions, and terminations of the important rivers, the names of their principal tributaries, and at what points, if any, these rivers break through highlands on their way to the ocean; the water routes of communication from one part of the country to another; the location and termination of important railroad lines; the boundaries of the several states and territories and their order along the coasts, frontiers and principal rivers; the locations and boundaries of the island possessions; and the names and locations of the capitals and other important cities of the several states, territories and island possessions.
In short, the knowledge should be so complete that a clear mental picture of the whole of the United States is impressed on the mind of the candidate.
In descriptive geography of other countries, candidates should be familiar with the continental areas and grand divisions of water; the earth’s surface; the large bodies of water which in part or wholly surround the grand divisions of the land; the capes, from what parts they project and into what waters, the principal peninsulas, location, and by what waters embraced; the parts connected by an isthmus; the principal islands, location and surrounding waters; the seas, gulfs, and bays, the coasts they indent, and the waters to which they are subordinate; the straits, the lands they separate, and the waters they connect; the location of the principal lakes: the locations, boundaries, capitals and principal cities of the political divisions of the world.
In physical geography, candidates should be familiar with the relief of the earth’s surface; the principal mountain systems, the river systems and watersheds; the coastal and lake plains, and the influence of climate, soil, mineral deposits and other physical features on the resources, industries, commercial relations and development of a country and its people, especially of the United States.
The following questions were used at a recent examination:
1. Name the bodies of water surrounding Europe.
3. Name in order the political divisions of South America which border on the Pacific Ocean and the capital of each.
4. Locate definitely the following islands: 1. Mauritius, 2. Tasmania, 3. Formosa, 4. New Zealand, 5. Madeira, 6. Falkland; to what country does each belong?
6. What lands are separated and what waters connected by 1. Torres Strait, 2. Hudson Strait, 3. Strait of Malacca?
7. Bound Italy; name its capital, largest river and principal mountain range.
9. Name in order the waters traversed in sailing from Liverpool, England, to Hong Kong, China.
10. A considerable portion of the boundary line of the United States is along what parallel?
12. The meridian of Minneapolis passes through what states?
13. Name the principal rivers that drain Pennsylvania; where do they rise, at what points do they leave the state and at what points, if any, do they break through highlands?
14. Name all the waters traversed in going by the two commercial water routes from Duluth to the Atlantic Ocean.
15. Name the principal ranges of mountains crossed in going by rail from New York to San Francisco; state the rail route assumed to be traveled.
16. Bound precisely the following states and territories: 1. Montana, 2. Arizona, 3. Arkansas, 4. Wisconsin, 5. Pennsylvania, 6. Georgia. (In bounding, all contiguous states must be mentioned as well as rivers, mountain ranges, etc.)
17. Name the states west of the Mississippi River, drained wholly or in part by it or its tributaries, and give the capital of each.
19. Going by water from New Orleans, La., to Pittsburgh, Pa., what states would you pass on the left?
20. How many large islands are there in the Hawaiian group? Which is the largest? Which is the most important?
21. Going westward on the 35th parallel of north latitude, from near Newberne, N. C., what states and large rivers would be crossed?
22. Describe the chief mountain system of the eastern hemisphere, and state what island chains of Asia abound in volcanoes.
23. What are the great river systems of South America? Where are the principal coastal plains?
24. What are the qualifications of a good harbor? Name three of the best harbors on the Atlantic coast; one on the Pacific coast.
25. What has made the Middle Atlantic states the principal commercial section of the United States?
HISTORY.—Candidates must be thoroughly familiar with so much of the History of the United States, and of Ancient Greece and Rome as is contained in good high school text-books on these subjects, and must have a good knowledge of the important facts in General Ancient History and in the History of Medieval Europe to the end of the fifteenth century.
In History of the United States, the examination will include questions concerning early discoveries and settlements; the forms of government in the colonies; the causes, leading events, and results of wars; important events in the political and economic history of the nation since its foundation; and the elementary principles of civil government, with special reference to the federal congress, executive and judiciary.
In Ancient History, the examination will include questions on important persons and events in the legendary and authentic history of Greece and Rome, and on general important facts in the history of other ancient peoples, taking some account also of Greek art, of Greek and Roman literature, and especially of Roman government.
In History of Medieval Europe, the greater emphasis will be laid on the period from Charlemagne to the end of the Middle Ages, particularly on events connected with the political and social development of England.
Questions similar to the following in character and scope are likely to be asked:
1. What explorations or discoveries did each of the following named persons make? Give the date in each case. a. Narvaez. b. Coronado. c. Marquette. d. La Salle.
2. Name three colonies that were founded for religious reasons and give the sect or denomination by which each was colonized.
3. Who were the Pilgrims? Explain the difference between “Pilgrim” and “Puritan.”
4. When, and under what circumstances was Delaware separated from Pennsylvania?
5. Give an account of Bacon’s Rebellion?
6. When and where did each of the following events occur? a. Meeting of the first Colonial Congress. b. Burgoyne’s surrender. c. Arnold’s treason.
7. Name some important results of each of the following battles of the Revolutionary War: a. Long Island. b. Trenton. c. Brandywine.
8. Name four additions to the territory of the United States since the Revolutionary War, and give the way each has been acquired.
9. Bound the territory of the United States at the close of the Revolutionary War.
10. What was the “Massacre of Wyoming”?
11. When, where, and for what purpose, did the Constitutional Convention meet? What resulted from its deliberations?
12. What was the “Whiskey Insurrection”?
13. What were the “Alien and Sedition” laws? What was their effect?
14. When and where was the last battle of the War of 1812 fought? Name the commanders on each side.
15. What were the two principal political parties in 1860? Their candidates for the Presidency? Their leading doctrines on the slavery question? Parties. Candidates, Principles.
16. With what foreign nations had the United States unfriendly relations during and at the close of the Civil War? Give the cause in each case.
17. Name, with date, three important military events of 1865.
18. What Vice-Presidents have become President? Name the predecessor in each case.
19. Give an account of the “Virginius affair.”
20. In what war were the following battles fought? What were the opposing forces? Which side won? a. Ticonderoga. b. Monterey. c. Saratoga. d. Stony Point. e. Spottsylvania. f. Lundy’s Lane.
21. By what authority could Lincoln proclaim the emancipation of the slaves? What states were immediately affected by the Emancipation Proclamation? How was emancipation legally completed later?
22. How may the Constitution of the United States be amended? Name two important constitutional amendments.
23. Name three offices in the cabinet of the President of the United States, and state the chief duties that belong to each.
24. Explain as briefly as possible how a minority of actual votes might defeat a majority at a presidential election.
25. Define Electoral College; Spoils System; Primary; Supreme Court.
1. Into what general periods is the history of Egypt divided? What did Egypt contribute to Greek civilization?
2. Name one of the great kings of Assyria. Mention two important facts concerning the city of Nineveh.
3. Mention the principal events of the reign of Darius I., and the most noteworthy feature of his government. Of what nation was he ruler?
4. Mention three important facts in connection with the Phœnicians as traders and colonizers in the West.
5. Who were: Agamemnon? Achilles? Hercules? Homer?
6. Mention two ways in which the physical geography of Greece influenced the national life and character.
7. What was the nature of the government of Athens after the expulsion of the Tyrants?
8. Name four great battles of the Græco-Persian War, and give the date of any two of them.
9. What states were leaders in the great war between the states of Greece? What caused the war? What were its chief results?
10. Outline the career of conquest of Alexander the Great. About when did he die? How would his undertaking have been more difficult if he had turned west instead of east?
11. In Greek History what is the significance of the following names and phrases: Aristides? The Olympian Games? Solon? The Confederacy of Delos? Delphi? Sophocles? Praxiteles?
12. Give the main points in the Greek colonial system. How did the Roman colonial system differ most conspicuously from the Greek?
13. Give the titles of the principal officers of the Roman Republic and describe their functions.
14. What were the Punic Wars? How many in number? Name two great generals on each side.
15. Mention four causes that led to the fall of the Roman Republic. Discuss briefly the operation of two of them toward this result.
16. Why did the Emperors persecute the Christians? State the attitude of Diocletian and Constantine respectively toward the Christians.
17. For what is each of the following emperors most famous: Marcus Aurelius? Justinian? Nero?
18. In Roman History what is the significance of: The Gracchi? Horace? The Comitia Curiata? Verres? The Battle of Chalons? A Pyrrhian Victory? Æneas? Alaric?
19. What do the following dates mean to you: 800? 1066? 1215? 1453?
20. What do you know of Joan of Arc?
21. How did the Feudal System originate? Define Suzerain, Vassal, Serf.
22. What was The Renaissance? By what inventions and discoveries was it quickened? Through what channel was ancient science transmitted to modern times?
23. Who was Simon de Montfort?
24. What changes took place in the condition of the English peasantry in the fourteenth century? Due to what causes?
25. Toward the close of the fifteenth century in England was the power of Parliament becoming greater or less than it had been previously? By what right was Henry IV. King of England? What was the earliest form of parliamentary assembly in English history?
Academic Duties
The academic duties of new cadets commence on the 11th day of March. The academic duties and exercises of the other cadets commence on the 1st day of September and continue until about the 5th of June. Examinations of the several classes are held in December and June. At the December examination cadets, who are found to be proficient in their studies, are arranged according to merit in each subject. At the June examination they are similarly arranged and they are also assigned general standing in the class as determined by their standings in the various subjects. When a subject of study is completed during a term an examination concluding the work in that subject is sometimes held. Cadets deficient in studies at any examination are discharged from the Academy unless for special reasons the Academic Board recommends otherwise. Cadets exceeding at any time the maximum number of demerits allowed for six months are immediately reported to the Academic Board as deficient in conduct and are discharged.
Physical Examination
All cadets are examined physically in June of each year, and those found physically disqualified to continue with the course or, in case of the first class, for commission in the Army, are discharged.
Vacations and Leaves of Absence
Academic duties are suspended from the completion of the June examinations until the end of August. During this period cadets live in camp and are engaged in military duties and exercises and in receiving practical instruction in military and other subjects. Academic duties are also suspended from the close of the semi-annual examinations, about December 23rd, until January 2nd, and on the Friday and Saturday preceding the last Sunday in March. All duties and exercises, as far as practicable, are suspended on New Year’s Day, February 22nd, May 30th, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Cadets of the first, second and third classes are allowed short leaves of from four to six days at Christmas, if their conduct during the preceding six months has been satisfactory. Cadets of the first class, having satisfactory conduct records, are allowed leaves, not to exceed 75 hours, at the beginning of the summer encampment and leaves not to exceed 27 hours at Thanksgiving. Excepting these short leaves for good conduct, cadets are allowed but one leave of absence during the four years’ course. As a rule this leave is granted at the end of the first two years and extends from the middle of June to the 28th of August.
Pay of Cadets
The pay of a cadet is $600 per year and one ration per day, or commutation therefor, at thirty cents per day. The total is $709.50, to commence with his admission to the Academy. The actual and necessary traveling expenses of candidates from their homes to the Military Academy are credited to their accounts after their admission as cadets.
No cadet is permitted to receive money, or any other supplies, from his parents, or from any person whomsoever, without the sanction of the Superintendent. A most rigid observance of this regulation is urged upon all parents and guardians, as its violations would make distinctions between cadets which it is the especial desire to avoid; the pay of a cadet is sufficient, with proper economy, for his support.
Each cadet must keep himself supplied with the following mentioned articles, viz.:
Eight white shirts; two gray shirts; *eight summer undershirts; *six winter undershirts; *four night shirts; twelve white linen collars; twelve pairs of white linen cuffs; *eight pairs of summer drawers; *six pairs of winter drawers; *eight pairs of socks; *twelve pocket handkerchiefs; one black tie; *twelve towels; two clothes bags, made of ticking; two pairs of uniform shoes; six pairs of uniform white gloves; two sets of white belts; *one clothes brush; *one hair-brush; *one tooth-brush; *one comb; one mattress; one pillow; four pillowcases; six sheets; two blankets; one quilted bed cover; one chair; one tumbler; *one trunk; one account book; one wash basin.
Candidates are authorized to bring with them the articles marked *.
Cadets are required to wear the prescribed uniform. All articles of their uniform are of a designated pattern, and are sold to cadets at West Point at regulated prices.
Deposit Prior to Admission
Immediately after admission candidates must be provided with an outfit of uniform, etc., the cost of which is about $160. This sum, or at least $100 thereof, must be deposited with the treasurer of the Academy before the candidate is admitted. It is best for the candidate to take with him no more money than he needs for traveling expenses and for his parents to send the required deposit by draft, payable to the Treasurer, U. S. Military Academy. The deposit is credited at once to the cadet’s account. Upon graduation a cadet who has exercised proper economy will have sufficient money to his credit with the Treasurer of the Academy to purchase his uniform and equipment as an officer.
Promotion After Graduation
The attention of applicants and candidates is called to the provisions of an Act of Congress approved May 17, 1886, given in the chapter entitled United States Military Academy.
Recitation Schedule
On another page is shown the recitation schedule adopted by the Academic Board, June 23, 1907, and approved by the War Department, August 10, 1907.
This schedule was put in effect with the class entering March 1, 1908. The other classes in the academy on that date continue the old schedule, with some modifications adopted to facilitate administration of the departments during the period of transition from the old course of studies to the new.
The preliminary term is March 11 to June 10. New cadets are advanced to the 4th class after passing the June examinations.
The first term of the regular academic year is September 1 to December 18, inclusive.
The second term of the regular academic year is January 2 to June 4, inclusive.
Department of Tactics
All Classes
New cadets, upon reporting for duty, are given infantry recruit instruction, with gymnastic and calisthenic exercises, until they join the battalion.
Practical instruction is given during the summer encampment, and from September 1st to November 1st, and from March 15th to June 1st, in cavalry, artillery and infantry drill regulations, in target practice with the rifle, revolver, mountain gun and field gun, and in Military Engineering.
During the summer encampment, cadets of the third and fourth classes are also taught swimming and dancing, and those of the first class, the service of sea-coast artillery and submarine defense at Fort Wright, N. Y.; all classes participate in exercises in minor tactics, practice marches, problems and practical field work, in which the employment of all arms is exemplified.
Practical instruction in fencing and gymnastic exercises and in boxing and wrestling is given to the fourth class from October 1st to June 1st, and to the other classes from November 1st to March 15th.
Instruction in riding is given to the first class during the encampment and from September 1st to June 1st, excepting the month of February; to the second class, from November 1st to March 31st, and to the third class from November 1st to March 15th and during the summer encampment. Instruction with English pad saddles is given to the first class, and in polo to the first and second classes.
During the winter months map problems for the purpose of instruction in writing orders, selecting positions from the map, both offensive and defensive, making dispositions of small forces, selecting best route for advance and retreat, and for practice of map reading in general; also lectures upon the methods pursued in company, post and staff administration as required by Army Regulations, upon uniforms and equipments, and upon etiquette and customs of the service are given cadets of the first class.
Text Books
Light Artillery Drill Regulations. U. S.
Cavalry Drill Regulations. U. S.
Infantry Drill Regulations. U. S.
Coast Artillery Drill Regulations. U. S.
A Military Primer of the Service of Security and Information. Marshall and Simonds.
Elements of Hippology. Marshall.
Coast Artillery Drill Regulations: Position-finding service.
Books of Reference
Army Regulations. U.S.
Small Arms Firing Regulations. U. S.
Manual of Instruction in Mountain Guns, etc. U. S. M. A.
Manual of Guard Duty. U. S.
Manual of Pack Transportation. U. S. M. A.
Regulations. U. S. M. A.
Blue Book. U. S.M. A.
Manual of Gymnastic Exercises. Koehler.
Field Service Regulations. U. S.
Horses, Saddles and Bridles. Carter.
Issued to First Class Before Graduation
Army Regulations. U. S.
Manual of the Subsistence Department. U. S.
Manual of Quartermaster’s Department. U. S.
Paymaster’s Manual. U. S.
Regulations for the Post Exchange.
Manual of Medical Department. U. S.
Drill Regulations of the Hospital Corps. U. S.
Manual of Courts-Martial. U. S.
Army Register. U. S.
General Orders, No. 169, War Department, series of 1907.
(Uniform Order) with all amendments.
Department of Civil and Military Engineering
First Class
The course in civil and military engineering and the art of war is confined to the first class year.
The course in civil engineering begins September 1st and is completed during the first term, which closes with the Christmas holidays. It comprises brief treatises on the mechanics of civil engineering, framed and masonry structures, the materials of engineering, water supply and sewerage.
Recitation Schedule
| Class. | Term. | Periods of Recitat’n | Department. | Subjects and Remarks. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Cadets | Preliminary | A.M. | *80 | †3 to 6 | ‡39 | Mathematics | Algebra. |
| A.M. | 80 | 3 to 6 | 37 | English and History | Geometry. | ||
| P.M. | 60 | 3 | 38 | ″ ″ ″ | English.—(Saturdays A. M.) | ||
| P.M. | 60 | 3 | 38 | ″ ″ ″ | History.—(Saturdays A. M.) | ||
| Fourth | First | A.M. | 80 | 3 to 6 | 45 | Mathematics | Algebra. |
| ″ | A.M. | 80 | 3 to 6 | 31 | ″ | Trigonometry. | |
| ″ | A.M. | 80 | 3 to 6 | 17 | ″ | Conic Sections. | |
| ″ | P.M. | 60 | 2 to 3 | 38 | English and History | English. | |
| ″ | P.M. | 60 | 2 to 3 | 38 | ″ ″ ″ | History. | |
| ″ | A.M. | 60 | 1 | 13 | Tactics | Infantry and Artillery Drill regulations.—(Saturdays.) | |
| Second | A.M. | 80 | 3 to 6 | 39 | Mathematics | Conic Sections. | |
| ″ | A.M. | 80 | 3 to 6 | 22 | ″ | Solid Analytical Geometry. | |
| ″ | A.M. | 80 | 3 to 6 | 62 | ″ | Descriptive Geometry. | |
| ″ | P.M. | 60 | 2 to 3 | 11 | English and History | English.—(January only.) | |
| ″ | P.M. | 60 | 2 to 3 | 11 | ″ ″ ″ | History.—(January only.) | |
| ″ | P.M. | 60 | 5 | 20 | Practical Military Eng. | Surveying.—(February only.) | |
| ″ | P.M. | 60 | 5 | 76 | Modern Languages | French.—(March 1-June 4, inclusive.) | |
| ″ | A.M. | 60 | 1 | 15 | Tactics | Security and Information.—(February 1-May 15. Saturdays.) | |
| Third | First | A.M. | 80 | 3 to 6 | 71 | Mathematics | Calculus.—(Has 6 per week in Sept. and Oct., and 3 per week in Nov. and Dec.) |
| ″ | P.M. | 120 | 2 to 3 | 21 | Philosophy | Mechanics.—(The periods of 120 minutes in Mechanics are laboratory periods, September and October.) | |
| ″ | A.M. | 80 | 3 | 20 | ″ | Mechanics.—(November and December.) | |
| ″ | A.M. | 60 | 6 | 91 | Modern Languages | French. | |
| ″ | P.M. | 120 | 2 to 3 | 38 | Drawing | Freehand; Plane Geometrical. | |
| Second | A.M. | 80 | 3 | 24 | Mathematics | Calculus. | |
| ″ | A.M. | 80 | 3 | 63 | Philosophy | Mechanics. | |
| ″ | A.M. | 60 | 6 | 49 | Modern Languages | French.—(January 2-February 28, inclusive.) | |
| ″ | A.M. | 80 | 1 to 2 | 20 | ″ ″ | French.—(March 1-June 4, inclusive.) | |
| ″ | A.M. | 70 | 6 | 76 | Chemistry | Chemistry; Heat.—(March 1-June 4, inclusive.) | |
| ″ | P.M. | 120 | 2, 3, 5 | 81 | Drawing | Descriptive Geometry; Topography; Field Work.—(5 per week after March 15.) | |
| ″ | A.M. | 80 | 1 to 2 | 20 | ″ | Descriptive Geometry; Topography; Field Work.—(5 per week after March 15.) | |
| Second | First | A.M. | 80 | 3 | 45 | Philosophy | Sound; Light. |
| ″ | A.M. | 70 | 6 | 91 | Chemistry | Heat; Mineralogy; Geology; Electricity. | |
| ″ | A.M. | 60 | 2 to 3 | 45 | Ordnance and Gunnery | Ordnance and Gunnery. | |
| ″ | P.M. | 120 | 2 to 3 | 38 | Drawing | Field Sketching; Building Construction; Projective Geometry. | |
| Second | A.M. | 80 | 3 | 63 | Philosophy | Light; Astronomy. | |
| ″ | A.M. | 70 | 6 | 49 | Chemistry | Electricity.—(January 2-February 28, inclusive.) | |
| ″ | A.M. | 60 | 3 | 49 | Ordnance and Gunnery | Ordnance and Gunnery.—(To May 4.) | |
| ″ | A.M. | 60 | 3 | 38 | Modern Languages | Spanish.—(March 1-June 4, inclusive.) | |
| ″ | P.M. | 60 | 3 | 13 | Hygiene | Principles of Hygiene.—(Also 6 lectures, P. M.) | |
| ″ | A.M. | 60 | 3 | 38 | Tactics | Cavalry, Artillery, and Infantry Drill Regulations.—(March 1-June 4, inclusive.) | |
| ″ | P.M. | 120 | 2 to 3 | 50 | Drawing | Building Construction; Mechanical and Engineering Drawing. | |
| First | First | A.M. | 80 | 6 | 91 | Engineering | Civil and Military. |
| ″ | 60 | 2 to 3 | 45 | Law | Elementary; Constitutional.—(39 in A. M. & 2 P. M.’s per week for 6 weeks for half class.) | ||
| ″ | P.M. | 60 | 5 | 70 | Modern Languages | Spanish.—(5 per week, except half class 2 P. M.’s per week for 6 weeks.) | |
| Second | A.M. | 80 | 6 | 126 | Engineering | Military Engineering; Art of War. | |
| ″ | 60 | 2 to 3 | 73 | Law | International; Military.—(58 in A. M. & 2 P. M.’s per week for 15 weeks for half class.) | ||
| ″ | P.M. | 60 | 3 to 4 | 75 | Modern Languages | Spanish. | |
| ″ | A.M. | 60 | 3 | 12 | Tactics | Hippology.—(February.) | |
| ″ | P.M. | 120 | 1 | 15 | Tactics | Lectures and Tactical Map Problems. | |
* Length in minutes. † Number per week. ‡ Total number.
The course in military engineering and the art of war begins on January 2nd and closes on the 3rd of June. Military engineering embraces the study of field and permanent fortifications and siege works. The art of war embraces the study of the organization of armies, employment of the different arms in combination, logistics and strategy. To familiarize the students with its principles, lectures are delivered on military subjects and the principal operations of about twenty selected campaigns are studied. During this course the students are taken to the battle-field of Gettysburg to familiarize them with the effects of topography on the employment of troops in the field.
Text Books
Civil Engineering. Fiebeger.
Field Fortifications. Fiebeger.
Permanent Fortifications. Fiebeger.
Elements of Strategy. Fiebeger.
Siege Works. Mercur.
Organization and Tactics. Wagner.
Field Service Regulations. U. S.
Campaign of Gettysburg. Fiebeger.
Books of Reference
Campaigns and Battles. Department.
Story of Civil War. Ropes. Cambria Steel.
The department has a well-selected reference library on civil engineering, military engineering and the art of war.
Department of Natural and Experimental Philosophy
Third and Second Classes
The course in natural and experimental philosophy begins with the third academic year. Mechanics is studied during this year, the class alternating daily by halves. The text used is Gordon’s “Mechanics.” Many of the principles are illustrated by apparatus in the lecture and section rooms, and the students are required to repeat and explain these experiments. The course aims to be as complete as possible with the limitation that it can be properly covered in a term of about 100 days by students having a proficient knowledge of the calculus; the treatment is sufficiently mathematical to furnish a confident basis for advanced work in the technical staff corps after graduation.
During the second class year about 100 lessons are allotted to this department. The first half of this time is devoted to the subjects of sound and light. The authorized text-book is Gordon’s “Sound and Light.”
Astronomy is studied in the remainder of the second class year. The texts used are Young’s “General Astronomy” and Michie and Harlow’s “Practical Astronomy.” The principal aim of this course, in addition to its important value in educational development, is to furnish an ample basis for the establishment of stations in explorations and surveys.
The class alternates daily by halves throughout the year.
Text-Books
Sound and Light. Gordon.
Mechanics. Gordon.
General Astronomy. Young.
Practical Astronomy. Michie and Harlow.
Numerous standard works on the general subjects covered by the course are available for reference.
Department of Mathematics
New Cadets, Fourth and Third Classes
The course in mathematics begins with the new cadet class upon entrance in March, and extends through two years.
In the new cadet class year algebra and geometry are taken on alternate days for three months. In both these subjects the matter covered by the entrance examination is reviewed rapidly and, in the case of plane geometry, very briefly before proceeding with the regular course. An examination is held in June upon which the class is graded according to mathematical capacity.
In the fourth-class year algebra is completed in alternation with trigonometry. Plane and solid analytical geometry and descriptive geometry follow.
In the third-class year a course in the differential and integral calculus is taken, alternating during the latter portion with the subject of mechanics in the department of philosophy. The most advanced students take also a brief course in the theory of errors and method of least squares.
The course in algebra covers the entire subject as generally taught in colleges, but the student is expected to have already mastered elementary algebra to include the progressions and the solution of the quadratic equation. The course in elementary geometry includes the books that relate to the plane and those that relate to space, but the student is expected to have mastered the former. Plane and spherical trigonometry includes the complete solution of the plane and spherical triangles. The course in analytical geometry includes the discussion of the general equation of the second degree in the plane and in space.
Descriptive geometry includes, in orthographic projections, the right line, the plane, ruled surfaces and surfaces of revolution, tangent planes and intersections of surfaces. It also covers shades and shadows, perspective, isometric projections and, for the upper part of the class, spherical projections.
The course in differential and integral calculus covers the ground of the usual college text-book, including briefly the subject of ordinary differential equations.
Text Books
New Cadet Class
Advanced Course in Algebra. Wells.
Elements of Geometry. Phillips and Fisher.
Fourth Class
Advanced Course in Algebra. Wells.
Quadratics and Beyond. Fisher and Schwatt.
Elements of Plane and Spherical Trigonometry. Crockett.
Logarithmic Tables. Newcomb.
Conic Sections. C. Smith.
Elements of Analytical Geometry (Solid). Smith and Gale.
Descriptive Geometry. Church.
Third Class
Differential and Integral Calculus. Granville.
Integral Calculus. D. A. Murray.
Method of Least Squares. Johnson.
Department of Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology
Third and Second Classes
This department embraces two branches of physics not included in its title, namely, heat and electricity.
The course begins March 1 of the second academic year and extends to March 1 of the third academic year; exercises, recitations, laboratory work or lectures take place on all week-days.
Commencing March 1, the subjects of heat and general chemistry alternate daily until the completion of the first six chapters of heat, about March 20, after which the chemistry exercises are held daily until the close of the term, June 1.
During this term all members of the class whose progress, as shown by their recitations, warrants it, are given laboratory practice in chemistry. This practice begins with chemical manipulations and proceeds in the usual general order of elementary laboratory work. The laboratory exercises are one hour and fifty minutes long. It is generally possible to give all parts of the class some laboratory experience: the amount of this work, however, varies with the aptitude of the student from a few hours to fifty-five or sixty hours.
This term closes with an examination upon the essential parts of the entire course, which all cadets who have not shown a prescribed proficiency in daily work must take.
In chemistry the course is a descriptive general one, based upon a concise statement of the more essential principles of chemistry, and includes that class of information deemed most important to nonspecialists, together with an accurate and logical treatment of many useful applications of chemistry.
Beginning September 1, the daily exercises alternate between heat and mineralogy until these subjects are completed, then the daily exercises alternate between geology and electricity, the geology being completed by the close of the term, December 23. This term also closes with an examination, covering the essential parts of the subjects studied during the term, which all cadets who have not shown a prescribed proficiency in daily work are required to take.
Beginning January 1, the remainder of the course in electricity is completed by the end of February. This mid-winter term involves an examination, if necessary, as prescribed for the terms ending June 1 and December 23.
The course in heat is short, but it is a comprehensive elementary course intended to embrace what is most applicable to subsequent work at the Academy and what is most useful in general education.
The course in geology is a brief but scientific presentation of the essential elements of this branch of science.
The mineralogy is an eminently practical course consisting of the descriptive study and the practical determination of the important minerals. The lithological and palæontological part of geology is accompanied in study by the continued practical examination of the objects described.
The course in electricity is a brief exposition of the leading electrical phenomena and their relations to each other. It includes a study of the general principles of the subject and of the typical machines, generators, motors and transformers, together with the more important uses of electricity. The laboratory exercises give experience with a number of the machines and in the use of a great variety of apparatus employed in the numerous forms of electric measurements. In this term the laboratory work is a part of the electrical course and all cadets enter the laboratory. All laboratory work is performed under the immediate supervision of an instructor.
Text Books
Elementary Lessons in Heat. Tillman.
Descriptive General Chemistry. Tillman.
Practical Chemistry. (Laboratory Guide.) Clowes.
Elements of Geology. Le Conte.
Important Minerals and Rocks. Tillman.
Elementary Lessons in Electricity and Magnetism. S. P. Thompson.
During all terms standard works on the respective subjects are available for reference both to cadets and instructors.
Department of Drawing
Third and Second Classes
The course in drawing is carried on through the third class and second class years.
It begins in the first year course with elementary freehand work from blocks and objects for the training of the eye and hand, and is followed by instruction in the nature and use of drawing instruments, papers and material, construction of practical problems in plane geometry used in constructive and mechanical drawing. This is followed by the construction of problems in descriptive geometry covering the theoretical course in mathematics; the lower part of the class being confined to the practical problems most useful in mechanical and building construction drawing. A short course of lettering and handling of flat washes precedes the general study of topography and map making in which theoretical instruction is coupled with the execution of conventional signs, platting, the construction and lettering of a finished map, and practice in the field in the various elements of military topographical field sketching. This completes the first year’s course.
Text-book pamphlets:
Drawing Instruments and Papers.
The Use of Drawing Instruments, and Geometrical Problems.
Elementary Exercises in Water-color Washes.
Military Topography—Map Reading and Map Making.
Book of Letters and Lettering.
Descriptive Geometry Problems.
The work of the second year begins with freehand military landscape sketching in the field; and is followed by memory drawing for the training of the formal memory, and freehand mechanical and projective drawing. Practical projective geometry, including axonometric projection, is then resumed preparatory of the plan, section, and elevation drawing of a building construction project. In this the student learns the structural elements of a house and of building construction methods and design, and the ability to read working drawings. Following this a mechanical drawing of the plan, section, and elevation of a portion of a steam engine is constructed, in connection with instruction in the structure and function of the parts of a steam engine. Finally the class is separated into groups corresponding to the corps in the Army in which the standing of cadets indicates that they will graduate, and subjects of engineering, ordnance, and service building construction drawing are assigned in accordance therewith. The course concludes with a short series of lectures on the art and architecture of the world, and a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, upon which a thesis is written by each member of the class.
Text-book pamphlets:
Framing.
The Steam Engine.
Notes on Building Construction.
Department of Modern Languages
Fourth, Third, Second, and First Classes
The course in modern languages comprises instruction in the French and Spanish languages.
The French Language
Fourth and Third Classes
The requirements of this course are as follows:
Construction of the language; reading and writing French; dictation: military terms; translation (written and oral) of English into French and French into English; conversation; themes.
Instruction in the French language begins March 1 of the fourth-class year and is completed June 4 of the third-class year. Examinations thereon will be held at the June examination, fourth-class year, and at the December and June examinations of the third-class year. The course comprises about two hundred and twenty-one lessons.
The Spanish Language
Second and First Classes
The requirements of this course are as follows:
Construction of the language; reading and writing Spanish; dictation; translation (written and oral) of English into Spanish and Spanish into English; oral recitations and conversation; themes.
Instruction in the Spanish language begins March 1 of the second-class year and is completed June 4 of the first-class year. Examinations thereon will be held at the June examination, second-class year, and at the December and June examinations of the first-class year. The course comprises about one hundred and eighty-three lessons.
The Present Text-Books Are
Fourth Class
French:
French Pronunciation. De Peiffer.
Treatise on the Conjugation of French Verbs. Castarède.
Elementary French. Aldrich and Foster.
La Langue Française. Première Partie. Bercy.
Le Petit Parisien. Kron.
Third Class
French:
Martin’s French Verbs.
Elementary French. Aldrich and Foster.
Introductory French Composition, Francois. Guerlac’s Standard French Authors.
Advanced French Prose Composition, Francois. Potter’s Dix Contes Modernes.
French Verbs and Prepositions, Idioms, Letters. Cameron’s Tales of France.
Marchand’s French Idioms. Revue Militaire des Armées Étrangères.
Labiche and Martin’s Voyage de M. Perrichon. Courrier des Etats-Unis (Sunday edition).
Le Petit Parisien. Kron.
Second and First Classes
Spanish:
Spanish Verb and Spanish Pronunciation. Traub.
Spanish Grammar. Monsanto and Languellier.
Spanish Grammar. Garner.
El Castellano Actual. Román y Salamero.
Las Novedades.
First Spanish Book. Worman.
Elementary Spanish Reader. Ramsey.
Books of Reference
French:
French Pronouncing Dictionary. Spiers and Surenne.
Military Technical Dictionary. Willcox.
Spanish:
New Spanish-English and English-Spanish Dictionary, by Cuyás. Appleton.
Department of Law
First Class
The course in law covers the following subjects:
1. The elements of law.
2. Constitutional law.
3. International law.
4. Military law.
To illustrate principles in the text-books cadets are required to recite on numerous cases from reports. Lectures are also given upon the subjects taught, so far as the limits of time allotted to this course permit.
Text Books
The Elements of Law. Davis, G. B.
Constitutional Law. Davis, E. G.
International Law. Davis, G. B.
Military Law. Dudley.
Books of Reference
There is a reference library in the department of about 2,500 volumes, accessible to the cadets.
Department of Practical Military Engineering
Fourth, Third, Second and First Classes
Cadets of the fourth class receive an elementary course in theoretical surveying during the month of February.
During the summer encampment, cadets of the third class receive practical instruction in the use and adjustment of surveying instruments and in surveying methods. In this course they apply in the field what has been taught them in their theoretical course of the preceding spring. The course includes tie line surveys, made by use of the tape or chain alone, surveys made with the compass and with the transit, and running differential level circuits.
Cadets of the second class receive, during the fall drill season, instruction in visual signaling, using the flag and the heliograph for sending and receiving messages. They are also taught to set up and adjust the heliograph and the acetylene lantern. During the spring period, this class is instructed in the field methods of electrical communication, and is given practice in establishing and using buzzer lines under, as nearly as possible, service conditions. The course also comprises setting up and operating field wireless telegraph outfits.
During the summer encampment, cadets of the first class are instructed in building pile, trestle, and pontoon bridges, in improvising methods of crossing streams, in making road sketches, both mounted and dismounted, and in combined position sketching. During the fall course, this class is given instruction in the construction and operation of appliances used in field engineering, in the erection of spar and trestle bridges, and in the use of explosives in military demolitions. The spring course is devoted to field fortification work, including the construction of trenches, revetments, obstacles, bomb proofs, and gun pits; posting and distribution of working parties in the construction of saps, trenches, parallels, and approaches; and tracing and profiling siege works.
Text Book
Theory and Practice of Surveying. Johnson.
Books of Reference
The Engineer Field Manual.
Survey Manual. Pence and Ketchum.
Department of Ordnance and Gunnery
First Class
The subject of ordnance and gunnery is studied by the cadets of the first class throughout the academic year.
The course of instruction covers the principles involved in the construction and use of war material. It is broadly divided into three parts: the theoretical, the descriptive, and the practical. The theoretical part includes the study of the action of explosives, the study of interior and exterior ballistics, the theories of gun and carriage construction, and the principles of gunnery. The theoretical part of the course is not the same for all cadets, those showing the necessary proficiency taking a special course of 21 lessons in the time devoted by the remainder of the class to review work.
The descriptive part of the course covers the processes of manufacture of powders, guns, projectiles and armor; and describes the small arms, cannon, machine and rapid-fire guns in use in the United States service, with the carriages, ammunition and accessory appliances required for their service. The department is well supplied with models, which are used in conjunction with the text.
The practical part of the course covers work with ballistic instruments, and the operation of machines and appliances used in the fabrication of modern ordnance, the latter work being in effect a short but valuable course in manual training.
In connection with the course, visits are made to Watervliet Arsenal, where the processes of gun construction are observed, and to the Ordnance Proving Ground at Sandy Hook, where actual firings from the several classes of guns are observed, including usually one or more shots against armor, and where the latest developments in war material are seen.
Text Books
Ordnance and Gunnery. Lissak.
Exterior Ballistics. O’Hern.
Stresses in Wire-Wrapped Guns and in Gun Carriages. Ruggles.
Books of Reference
Ballistic Tables. Ingalls.
Mathematical Tables. Newcomb.
Publications of Ordnance Department. U. S. Army.
Department of Military Hygiene
Second Class
The course in military hygiene for the second class begins on or about the 15th of April and continues into June. It consists of 6 lectures and 13 recitations for each half of the class, given on alternate days and ending by a written examination on the subjects treated.
The course covers the essential points in military hygiene, particular attention being paid to the following:
Personal hygiene with special reference to the soldier and his environment: the hygiene and sanitation of military commands in garrison and in the field; and the causes and prevention of infectious diseases and control of epidemics. Also the nature of alcoholic drinks and narcotics, and special instruction as to their effects upon the human system.
During the summer camp, 5 lectures with exercises are given to the first class on the use of the first aid packet and the treatment of medical and surgical emergencies. While on the practice march, at the end of each day, the medical officer on duty with the corps discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the camp site from the view point of the military sanitarian and also camp cooking, the water supply, and various other matters pertaining to camp hygiene and sanitation.
Text Books
The Elements of Military Hygiene. Ashburn.
Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene. Tracy.
Reference Books
Military Hygiene. Harvard.
Theory and Practice of Military Hygiene. Munson.
Notes on Military Hygiene. Woodhull.
Practical Hygiene. Harrington.
Department of English and History
New Cadets and Fourth Class
English: Essential principles of rhetoric; frequent practice in various forms of written and oral composition, including personal and official correspondence and official forms; study of selected literary masterpieces, and of essentials in the history of English literature and language.
History: Political, social and economic history from the end of the Middle Ages to the present day; study of typical forms of modern national and municipal governments; fundamental principles of civil government, historically considered, with special reference to the United States.
Text Books — English
English Composition. Henry S. Canby and others.
Golden Treasury, Everyman’s Library Edition. Palgrave.
Text-Books — History
A Political History of Modern Europe. F. Schwill.
The Development of Modern Europe. J. H. Robinson and C. A. Beard.
Readings in Modern European History, Vol. II. Robinson and Beard.
The Development of the State. Dealey.
The Library
Cadets and officers have free access to the library, which comprises some 80,000 books, maps and manuscripts. The collection contains substantially all standard books on the subjects taught in the Academy and is especially complete in military subjects. Its card catalogues (about 272,000 cards) are arranged with the special object of saving the time of the cadets. The library is open on week-days from 8 A. M. to 9:30 P. M.; on Sundays and holidays from 2 to 6 P. M.
Footnotes
2 This is to be presented to the Adjutant of the Military Academy on arrival of the appointee, i. e., the candidate, at West Point.
3 See Appendix for the circular now used.
4 This is to be filled out and mailed to the Secretary of War soon after its receipt by the candidate.
5 See Appendix for the kind used now.
6 Then the west end of the present Library Building. A fine stone Administration Building was later built just south of the old Chapel, but it is to be torn down and a very fine and large new Administration Building has been put up still further south.
7 See page 62, Note 1.
8 Now there is water on the first floor of each division.
9 See page 62, Note 2.
10 The sink was a low building east of the old guard house, now there are water closets and bath tubs in the basement of each division.
11 Now there is a trunk room in the basement of each division.
12 The plebe instructors, or drill masters, are now first-class men.
13 See page 62, Note 3.
14 In full uniform.
15 Then some distance west of Siege Battery and north of the turn in Professors’ Row.
17 Now the east end of the grassed plain. The new artillery and cavalry plain adjoins the village of Highland Falls.
18 See page 62, Note 4.
19 Cadets are court-martialed for serious offenses only.
21 Filled up long ago.
22 See page 70, Note 1.
23 See page 81, Note 1.
24 The cadets now have a fine rifle range.
25 Rushing into camp was prohibited long ago.
26 See page 70, Note 1.
27 Now mounted after dress parade.
30 Then taught in the north ground floor room of the old Academic Building. This room was also used to practice dancing in and for band concerts on winter evenings.
31 See page 122, Note 1.
32 See page 122, Note 2.
33 See page 122, Note 3.
34 See page 122, Note 4.
35 They now say “Cadet” instead of “Mister.”
36 See page 122, Note 5.
37 Now in the new Administration Building.
38 Kinsley’s farm is now a part of the post.
39 See Appendix and also page 122, Note 1.
40 Curtains are now allowed.
41 They now come at any time of the year.
42 See page 122, Note 1, and for candidates see Appendix.
43 Now part of the post—a gift from Mrs. Russell Sage and Mrs. Anna B. Warner.
44 Then just east of Seacoast Battery.
46 Soon to be torn down to give way to a giant new one now partly built.
47 Then a part of the ground floor room of the old Academic Building.
48 Then in the south end of the Mess Hall. Mr. Bratt, then caterer of the Cadet Mess, lived in the north end.
49 From songs by the Class of 1897.
50 Now called Drill Regulations.
52 Chevrons are made of gold lace ⅜ inch wide; sewed on dark blue cloth with ⅜ inch intervals between the bars.
53 Worn above the elbows, points up.
54 Worn above the elbow, points up.
55 Worn below the elbows, points up.
56 A life membership costs only ten dollars. Address Secretary of the Association of Graduates, West Point, N. Y.
57 The new Chapel and Chaplain’s quarters on the hill near old Fort Putnam are now in one large beautiful building that was dedicated in June, 1910. Graduates have contributed for a handsome memorial window and Professor Weir’s grand painting, now in the old Chapel, will be put over this window in the new Chapel.
58 Cullum Memorial Hall is now used for hops.
59 In the old Academic Building.
60 See page 202, Note 1.
61 In conformity with the provisions of this section, the Chief of Staff is now, by direction of the Secretary, charged with the supervision of matters in the War Department pertaining to the Academy.
62 Four of the class of 1880 accepted this offer, and, as there were not then vacancies enough for the balance, some were first appointed brevet second lieutenants, and as vacancies occurred they were commissioned second lieutenants.
63 The army is supplied with second lieutenants from four sources, viz.: First, the Military Academy; second, graduates from other military schools; third, from meritorious enlisted men, and fourth, from civil life.
64 The Act of 1910 increased this number 25% for six years. The total number of graduates from 1802 to August 31, 1910, is 4,935.
65 Alternates have been appointed since 1877.
67 The Board before which a candidate is directed to appear will be, without exception, the one convened at the nearest or most convenient to his home, or to the school at which he is in regular attendance at the time of appointment.
68 On December 8, 1910, the Adjutant General of the Army wrote to the author saying “that while it has been decided to admit the next class of cadets into the Military Academy on the 14th day of June instead of on the 1st day of March, no change has been made in the date and places of examination of cadet candidates.”