As an amusement for him, I read chapter after chapter, as it was written, to a favorite nephew, and when the manuscript was written and in a temporary binding, I loaned it to this young relative, who, in turn, with my consent, loaned it to friends of his, and it was read by these youngsters and passed from hand to hand. I could not help but realize the interest that was taken by these young readers in what I had so carelessly and indifferently written, but at the same time, I should never have undertaken the publication of my notes if my nephew had not attended a military school and bombarded me with appeals to send him the old manuscript, so that his comrades might read about life at West Point. The old manuscript wouldn’t do, so I edited what I had written, re-wrote some of the pages, added a few lines here and there, and finally concluded to publish it without the least expectation that it will interest very many persons, or bring me any material reward. I have tried to write it naturally and without any attempt at literary excellence, and beg most respectfully to offer it to the public as a grateful tribute of my happiest years. For valuable data I am indebted to Colonel Charles W. Larned, Lieutenant Colonel F. W. Sibley, Commandant of Cadets, Captains W. E. Wilder, F. W. Coe and O. J. Charles, Adjutants, Lieut. M. B. Stewart, Tactical Officer, Dr. E. S. Holden, Librarian, and Mr. William Ward, in charge of Cadet Records from 1851 to 1911, all of the Military Academy, and to Lieutenant Charles Braden, editor of Cullum’s Biographical Register of West Point Graduates. INDEX. Chapter. Page. I. The Appointment 13 II. The Preparation 21 III. The Candidate 27 IV. The Plebe in Camp 65 V. The Plebe in Barracks 87 VI. The Yearling 125 VII. The Furloughman 153 VIII. The Graduate 179 IX. The United States Military Academy 259 X. The Appendix 287 ILLUSTRATIONS. The Author Frontispiece Might Be a Cadet 15 Topographical Sketch of West Point 25 Setting-up Exercises 41 Hop Invitation—Camp McPherson 63 Hop Invitation—I. O. C. B. 81 Cadet Warrant 111 Hop Invitation—Camp Geo. H. Thomas 123 Hop Invitation—Camp Belknap 151 Graduating Hop Invitation—Class of 1872 163 Cadet Captain’s Chevron 175