And thus we "live and do" till
January.
The semi-annual examination begins January 1st, or as
soon thereafter as practicable. The plebes are examined
first, and started in their new studies as soon as
possible. After the plebes the other classes are examined
in the order of their rank--that is, first class, second
class, and third class--and of the importance of their
studies, engineering being first, then philosophy, and
mathematics, etc.
The examination being over, the deficient ones,
after receiving orders from the Secretary of War,
are dismissed. Studies are then resumed as follows:
For the first class military engineering, ordnance,
and gunnery, constitutional law, military law, rules
of evidence, practice of courts-martial, mineralogy,
and geology, strategy, and grand tactics, and the
throwing and dismantling of pontoon bridges. For the
second class, acoustics and optics, astronomy,
analytical mechanics in review; infantry, artillery,
and cavalry tactics; drawing, riding, and signalling.
For the third class, calculus, surveying, geometry,
and riding. Immediately after the examination the
entire third class receive instruction in mechanical
drawing before they begin their other mathematical
studies. For the fourth class the studies are plane
geometry, trigonometry, descriptive geometry, and
fencing, including the use of the small-sword, broad-
sword, and bayonet.
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