own apt industry and to the zeal and capacity of their teachers, we are not satisfied that this proficiency is a healthy development of all the intellectual faculties required to be trained. One of the first results which attracted the general attention of the board was the small number of graduates in comparison with the number of cadets annually admitted into the academy. This disparity, perhaps more powerful than any other single cause, operated to give the investigation of our body the radical character indicated by the conclusions to which we have arrived. The class graduating thirty-eight members this year entered the academy four years ago numbering ninety-six. It would be a violent supposition to assume that the fifty-eight members who entered with those now graduating were all wanting in mental capacity to become efficient and educated officers. This great disparity occurs in almost every graduating class, and as the staff of instruction is sufficiently large to conduct through the entire course a much greater number of cadets than those who graduate, it becomes important, as it is manifestly proper, to inquire whether the system of instruction and mental discipline might not be so changed, without impairing its efficiency, as to relax the strain upon the youthful mind, and by leading it into a more gradual and normal and less imperative development, save to the institution and the service some intellect and spirit which might eventually confer honor on both. Might not the system be modified without injury by teaching, in the form of welldigested lectures, to be prepared by the instructors, those branches which may not require the accuracy of study demanded by the exaet sciences? This subject of the excessive course of study has not now for the first time been brought to the notice of the proper authorities. It was to meet the requirements of reason upon this point that the term of the cadet at the academy has been increased from four years to five; but such has been the character of the changes and transpositions and additions of studies, that no relief is experienced, but rather a complication of difficulties has resulted. For example, let the present condition of the department of ethics be taken. Originally it was designed, in connexion with the chaplaincy, to afford that moral and religious culture necessary and proper to be imparted to young men. The various modifications of the course of study, made from time to time, have imposed upon this department English grammar, geography, history, rhetoric, elocution, international and constitutional law, the Constitution of the United States, and logic. The Board is fully persuaded that the great evil to be remedied cannot be reached by mere amendments, but that a revision and reorganization of the whole course and system of instruction is necessary, in accordance with one enlightened and comprehensive idea. With regard to the kind of knowledge imparted, and its adaptation to the ends to be attained, the Board have conferred freely together, and in forming our opinions have of course availed ourselves of such previous reflection as various circumstances have enabled us to bestow upon some of the branches of study embraced in the course. Without entering here upon a critical or detailed discussion of the merits of many of the text-books now used at the academy, the Board are constrained to say that those used upon the subjects of chemistry, geology, logic, moral science, history and constitutional law are not, in our judgment, adapted in arrangement and character to the course. and method proper to be pursued at this institution. In reference to the changes which the advanced condition of military science and the various circumstances peculiar to our country required in the system of engineering now taught at the academy, the Board beg leave to recommend, with entire approval, the paper prepared and submitted to our body by First Lieutenant James St. C. Morton, of the engineer corps, who is acting assistant professor of military and civil engineering at the academy, and we respectfully request that it may be published with, and appended to, this report. Its excellent common sense views commended it at once to the approval of the Board, whilst by one member of our body, at least, it was received and recognized as the able exposition of an idea by them long entertained, and often a subject of discussion in the engineering prah of the service. We are fully persuaded that the best interests of this institution and of the army at large requires a careful and liberal consideration of the subject-matter of the paper referred to, and that the spirit of reform which it exhibits cannot fail, in its general application, to produce the most beneficial results to the public service. Before indicating the measures which the Board will recommend to carry out the reforms herein before suggested, and a military organization for the academy which we propose, it may be proper to report upon other matters of comparatively less importance connected with the insitution. The demerit system. This is another subject which has received the careful consideration of the board, and we respectfully recommend that it shall be modified in accordance with the plan submitted by Major Delafield to the Adjutant General on January 9, 1857, with an additional feature, requiring a record to be kept and published under distinct heads, so that conduct and intellectual standing may appear according to separate footings. If, however, the recommendation which we hereafter make in reference to a general revising board be responded to, the amendment of the demerit system would properly come within scope of their duties. Appointments. It is our opinion that the number of appointments should be increased, by conceding to each Senator in Congress the privilege of a nomination. The very considerable loss suffered, under any circumstances by every entering class, would thus be compensated for. By this means the number of cadets constantly under instruction would approach more nearly that which the law establishes in theory, and the whole power of the academic board be brought into requisition. We recommend also, that a certificate of good physical condition shall be required from the nearest army or navy surgeon, before the appli cant shall be permitted to present himself at the academy for admission as a cadet. Health, police, &c. The board are satisfied, from the report of the special committee upon this subject, that no essential changes are necessary in the present arrangements in this department; and that efficient, skillful, and proper attention is bestowed by those in authority. Improvements in the bathing arrangements of the cadets' hospital are very necessary, and ought to be made without delay. The library. The library of the academy is remarkably complete in the collection of works in the exact sciences and the military art, but is deficient in English classical literature, ethical philosophy, &c. Privileges of cadets. Without entering upon this subject generally in this place, in the expectation that it will receive the attention to which it may be entitled hereafter, we cannot refrain from recommending that cadets shall be allowed the privilege of visiting their own immediate families in case of death or dangerous sickness, upon evidence of the fact satisfactory to the superintendent. We find, too, that the library privileges of the cadets are very limited. They are only allowed to draw books from it on Saturday afternoon, to be returned on Monday morning. This restricted use of the library is perhaps in some degree necessary, in view of the amount of time required of the cadet to attend to his studies. and exercises. We do not hesitate to disprove it, but at the same time regard it as an evil in some sort incident to the present system of instruction and discipline. Fiscal affairs. In reference to this subject, the board are satisfied with the system upon which the finances of the academy are administered, the accounts of cadets kept, &c.; all the requisite information upon this head is already in possession of the department, and we have not considered it necessary, therefore, to append it to this report. With regard to the insufficiency of the cadets' commons the board have ordered a note to be addressed to the superintendent, and it is therefore unnecessary to allude to it further in this place. General administration. The board deem it their duty to suggest a change in the military organization of the academy in accordance with the following plan: 1. A superintendent appointed as at present, from the engineer corps, with the local rank of colonel, and such annual salary as the exigencies of his position require. This officer to have immediate military and civil government of the institution, and to be responsible for its correct management. 2. A commander of the garrison to be appointed from the army, with the local rank of lieutenant colonel. This officer to command the whole military force of the post, including the corps of cadets, and to be subject to the order of the superintendent. He shall not be entitled to a seat in the Academic Board except in case of the death, disability or absence of the superintendent. 3. A commander of the corps of cadets to be appointed from the infantry, with the pay of major. This officer also to be instructor of infantry tactics. 4. A commander of the company of engineers, to be appointed from the corps of engineers, with the pay of captain. This officer to be also instructor of practical military and civil engineering. 5. A commander of cavalry to be taken from the cavalry or dragoons, with the pay of captain. This officer to be also instructor of cavalry tactics. 6. A commander of artillery to be appointed from the artillery, with the pay of captain of engineers. To be instructor also of the theory and practice of artillery in all of its branches. 7. An adjutant to the superintendent. 8. An adjutant to the commandant of the garrison. 9. A surgeon. 10. An assistant surgeon. 11. A quartermaster. 12. A treasurer. Of these officers the superintendent, the commandant of the cadets, of engineers, of cavalry, and of the artillery, to be members of the Academic Boaad. The effect of this organization would be to establish the proper subordinate relations at the academy and post, and to give the artillery and infantry that representation at the Academic Board which is now denied them, but to which they are justly entitled, and which the public interests demand. The aggregate of the academy and military forces of all arms at West Point is numerically equal to a regiment of the line. An organization assimilating to that of a regiment is therefore proposed, giving to the superintendent the local rank of colonel. By this arrangement, whilst efficiency of command will be secured, the field for the selection of the superintendent will be greatly enlarged. In designating the salary of the superintendent, an ample allowance, to enable that functionary to meet the requirements due to reception and hospitality, should be made. The present superintendent and preceeding ones have been obliged to expend more than their salaries whilst in office. This should not be. Simple justice, as well as a decent respect for the proprieties properly incident to an important official position, require judicious liberality in regard to this matter. Convinced as we are that very important and radical changes are necessary to secure all the beneficial results which the country has a right to expect from the Military Academy, and to the end that the suggestions and recommendations of this report may receive due con sideration, we beg leave respectfully to recommend that the whole matter of instruction, discipline, text books, military organization, &c., be referred to a select board, with power to sit at the post and to call for information from all sources whence it can be derived. In this cautious and deliberate way we are persuaded a more judicious and efficient system might be elaborated from that now in operation. To insure wisdom, experience, impartiality, and confidence in the action of such a board, we suggest that it should be composed of the Academic Board of this institution, together with two oflicers of engineers, two from the artillery, infantry, or cavalry, and four civilians, eminent in literature and science; and that the superintendent of the academy should be its presiding officer. One word in regard to the general effect of strict military discipline and training, and an evil to be guarded against, and we have done: Whilst a proper esprit du corps should always, and under all circumstances, characterize the American officer, it should be a leading idea inculcated during the term of his education at this institution, that the real force of his country lies in its citizen soldiery; that he is educated under a system of national military organization, which is an anomaly in the history of the world and which is adapted to the peculiar political system of the American republic. That while the educated officer is necessary to promote the high efficiency of active forces in the field, the spirit and patriotism of free citizens is the soul and the substance of that force. When, therefore, in the exigencies of the public service he may be brought into contact with, or assigned to command forces of this description, he must remember that they are the free citizens of the republic, and not mercenary soldiers like those which chiefly compose the other armies of the world; and while they are intelligent enough to know the necessity of, and to yield obedience to, wholesome military discipline, the very spirit which impels them to the field revolts at what they may conceive to be a harsh or domineering exercise of authority. All of which is respectfully submitted. Hon. JoHN B. FLOYD, WH. H. CHASE, of Florida, President of the Board. Secretary of War. |