Occasionally cadets were invited to dine at some of the professor’s quarters, but even then we were required to get a permit before we could accept invitations. General U⸺n, the Commandant, made it a rule to invite all of the members of the first class (a few at a time) to dine at his quarters, as may be seen from the following invitation, to-wit:
“The Comd’t of Cadets will be pleased to see Cadets London, O’Connor, Paddock and Reed, H. T., at tea this evening after parade till 8:30 p. m.
“June—, 18—.”
As every cadet who graduates at the Military Academy may at his option enter the army as a Second Lieutenant, he can choose his corps or arm of the service in accordance with his class standing, and after the first of June he makes application substantially as follows:
“United States Military Academy, West Point, N. Y.
June —, 1873.
The Adjutant General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.
Sir:—I have the honor to apply for a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army in the Arm and Regiments as follows: _______________________________. My address for the ensuing month will be ____________________.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
___________________________
Graduated Cadet, U. S. M. A.”