Cadet Life at West Point

by Hugh T. Reed

Cadets having a taste for music were permitted to have such musical instruments as banjos, guitars and flutes, and during “release from quarters” they could practice. Musical spirits were soon brought together, and after the players became proficient they attracted attention. Aside from those who played upon instruments, there were some who had very good voices. When pleasant spring evenings came, the musicians would often assemble on one of the front steps of the Barracks and their sweet music and songs attracted all other cadets. Often would the officers, their ladies and the few visitors at the Point at that season of the year, stroll near the cadet Barracks to hear music and songs, and even Old Bentz would look at his watch a dozen times and wait till the last second to sound “Call to Quarters.” One evening, Christine Nilsson, the famous “Swedish singer,” who was visiting the Point, was so attracted by the singing of the cadets that she consented to sing for the whole corps on condition that the cadet quartette would sing for her. Her proposition was accepted and the Mess Hall was used for the purpose. Of course we were charmed by her sweet voice and she complimented the quartette, too, and Cadet W⸺r in particular. Miss Nilsson told him that he ought to cultivate his voice and that if he would resign she herself would pay for his musical education in Europe. Cadet W⸺r thanked her for her generous offer, but declined to accept it. Miss Nilsson then said that the cadets must pay for her singing, and that she would make the collection at once. She was promptly informed that cadets were not allowed to have money, and that they did not even have pockets in their clothes. She replied every cadet had with him that which she wanted, namely a bell-button, and she was particular about the one too, and said, “I want the spooney button, the one from over the heart.” She produced a string and we filed past her and each cadet gladly paid her price. The officers present on this occasion neglected their duty for not reporting every cadet, for “a button off dress coat in Mess Hall.” About once a month on Saturday evenings during the winter the band gave orchestra concerts at which cadets could be present.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Know ye, That the PRESIDENT has been pleased to appoint ________________ a CADET in the Military Service of the UNITED STATES, to rank as such from the __ day of ________ 18__. He is therefore to be received with all the consideration attached to such appointment.

Given under my hand at the WAR DEPARTMENT, this __ day of ________, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ____, and of the INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES the ________.

____________
Secretary of War.

One day, S⸺s, one of my classmates, took sick with typhoid fever, and was confined to bed in the hospital for weeks. We took turns sitting up at night with him. When he became dangerously ill, his parents were notified, and they came at once and were with him some days before he died. An order was published announcing his death, and the loss of a valuable member of the corps, and directed as a mark of respect to his memory, that all cadets should wear the usual badge of mourning; that is, a four-inch band of black crape around the left arm, above the elbow, for a period of thirty days, and that the flag should be at half-staff on the day of the funeral. The pallbearers were chosen from his class and the funeral services held in the little chapel. The coffin was carried from the chapel, arms were presented, the band played an appropriate air, and then the coffin was laid upon an artillery caisson draped with the stars and stripes. We marched to solemn music, with “arms reversed,” to the beautiful little cadet cemetery just outside of the north gate overlooking the Hudson at the foot of the highest peak of the Highlands. Upon reaching the grave, line was formed facing it, and the coffin placed over it; arms were again presented and the band played another solemn air; the body was then lowered to its last resting place. We stood with bowed heads at rest on arms, while the Chaplain conducted the services at the grave. We then fired three rounds of blank cartridges and returned to barracks. After leaving the cemetery, we came to “right shoulder” arms, and marched to a quick step. During my day the corps of cadets attended a great many funerals, and among them were those of three of our professors, two or more cadets, and a number of old graduates of the Academy.

We fourth classmen now began to talk of June first, the day on which we would become yearlings and be admitted to the corps on equality with the other classmen; of the dropping of the Mr., of the shedding of our “plebe-skins” and how that great event should be celebrated; of how we would treat the next class, of which of us would be made corporals, of the hops, of the ladies who come up in June, and of other topics of vital interest to fourth classmen. At a class meeting we selected six hop managers, six being our share for the summer hops, and we selected them by ballot. There were no nominations, it having been decided that the six receiving the greatest number of votes should be elected, and I was not one of the six. About the twenty-fifth of May D Company vacated its quarters and they were put in order for the candidates, who reported in my day between the first and tenth of June; then they reported later in June, after the cadets had gone into camp. Now new cadets report March 1st.