THE Band at the Military Academy, and its professional reputation, date from 1818; its origin and progress, therefore, may be here appropriately introduced The company of "Bombardiers, Sappers, and Miners,' raised under the Act of April 29, 1812, had been for many years stationed at West Point. Under the Act of March 2d, 1821, this company was disbanded on May 31st, following, by the order of the Superintendent; "but the Military Band and martial music belonging to the company, having been enlisted for the service of the Academy, are to be retained." By this order fifteen musicians became attached to, and have ever since been

* Captain Fanning's Company "A," of the Second Artillery, was then ordered to West Point, and there remained until November, 1827, at which time it was relieved by Captain Whiting's Company "F." Fourth Artillery.

On April 28th. 1829, and August 17th following, orders were issued from the Adjutant-General's Office, at Washington, transferring this company to New York, and authorizing the Superintendent of the Military Academy to enlist a number of musicians, artificers, and privates, equal to the full strength of a company of Artillery, who were to be mustered as a detachment from the army, at the Military Academy. The Superintendent was further authorized to appoint a full complement of non-commissioned officers, and to designate an officer among those on duty at the Academy, to command the whole.-[Official Records U. S. M. A.]

enrolled as, the "musicians attached to the companies of cadets."

Section 3 of the Act of April 29th, 1812, provides that the cadets "shall be arranged into companies of noncommissioned officers and privates, according to the directions of the Commandant of Engineers, and be officered from the said corps for the purposes of military instruction; and that there shall be added to each company of cadets four musicians.' As the number of companies into which the corps of cadets was to be divided is not specified by law, the number of musicians was previous to 1821, not determined. By an arrangement made between the Paymaster-General and the Superintendent, a company of Infantry or of Artillery was, selected as the basis of an organization; and on September 9, 1821, twenty musicians, with the pay and emoluments of musicians in the army, were, by authority of the first named officer, attached to the Corps of Cadets.

As the cadets are organized for battalion exercises and instruction into eight companies, at which time the musicians are present, thirty-two musicians are now regarded as the limit, and constitute at present the strength of the Band. Whether this organization be lawful or not, it has been acquiesced in for many years. The musicians are enlisted and paid as soldiers; there being an extra or additional pay, not exceeding five dollars per month, paid those who are skilful, from a fund derived by a monthly tax of twenty-five cents on

each cadet.

The Field Music, six drummers and six fifers, are furnished under the authority of the Adjutant-General

of the army, bearing date in 1841, also in October, 1847.

The position of "Teacher of Music" is provided by law, the compensation being regulated by the Secretary of War. The names of those who have held this appointment are herewith given:

RICHARD WILLIS, June 16, 1817, to February, 1830. Died.

ALEXANDER KYLE, July 1st, 1830, to December, 1833. JOSEPH LUCCHESI, March 5, 1834, to November 1, 1840. [Principal Musician.]

JAMES K. KENDALL, November 1, 1840, to February 2, 1843.

Resigned.

AUGUSTUS APELLES, March 14, 1843. Present.

The early uniform of the Band, prescribed by the Superintendent, October 20, 1822, was of white cassimere, the collar, sleeves, and skirts being faced with red, with pantaloons of the same white material, bearing a red stripe. The army dress cap, sword, and an upright white feather, with a red top, completed the costume. It was changed in May, 1850, to assimilate with the uniform then adopted throughout the army.

ABSTRACTS OF ALL THE ACTS OF CONGRESS,

UNDER THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT, PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF CADETS

IN THE ARMY, AND FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT

UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.

AND ORGANIZATION OF THE

CHAPTER XXIV.-ACT OF MAY 9, 1794.-Organizes a

Corps of Artillerists and Engineers.

SEC. 3.-Provides for four Companies, &c., each Com

pany to have two Cadets, with the pay, clothing, and rations of a Sergeant.*

SEC. 5. That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of War to provide, at the public expense, under such regulations as shall be directed by the President of the United States, the necessary books, instruments, and apparatus, for the use and benefit of the said Corps.

CHAPTER XXXIII.-ACT OF APRIL 27, 1798.-Provides for an additional Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. SEC. 1.-Provides for three battalions, each to contain four Companies, and to include two Cadets, with the pay, clothing, and rations of a Sergeant.

SEC. 3.-That the Secretary of War shall provide, at the public expense, under the direction of the President. of the United States, all necessary books, instruments, and apparatus, for the use and benefit of the said regi

ment.

CHAPTER LXXVI.-ACT OF JULY 16, 1798.-To augment the Army of the United States, and for other purposes.† SEC. 6.-Provides, That the monthly pay of Cadets shall be ten dollars, and two rations per day.

SEC. 7.-That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is authorized to appoint a number, not exceeding four, teachers of the arts and sciences necessary for the instruction of the Artillerists and Engineers,

*Chapter LXXVI., Act July 16, 1798, Sec. 6: Chapter XLVIII., Act March 3, 1799, Sec. 3; and Chapter IX., Act March 16, 1802, Secs. 4, 5, and 26-fixing the pay and rations of Cadets.

Repealed by Act of March 16, 1802, Chapter IX.

who shall be entitled to the monthly pay of fifty dollars, and two rations per day.

CHAPTER XLVIII.-ACT OF MARCH 3, 1799.-For the better organizing of the Troops of the United States, and for other purposes.*

SEC. 1.-That the troops heretofore authorized, and which hereafter may be authorized to be raised, shall be composed and organized as follows, to wit: A Regiment of Infantry, A Regiment of Cavalry, A Regiment of Artillery, * And the Infantry and Cav

*

*

alry Regiments shall each have ten Cadets, and the Regiment of Artillery shall have thirty-two.

SEC. 3. The pay of a Cadet of Cavalry shall be ten dollars per month, two rations per day, or an equivalent in money, and six dollars per month for forage when not furnished. All other Cadets ten dollars per month, and two rations per day, or an equivalent in money.

CHAPTER IX.-ACT OF MARCH 16, 1802.-Fixing the Military Peace Establishment of the United States. SEC. 2. That the regiment of Artillerists shall consist of *, and twenty Companies; each

Company shall have two Cadets.

SEC. 4.-Fixes the monthly pay of a Cadet at ten dollars.

SEC. 5.-Allows a Cadet two rations, or money in lieu thereof, at the option of the Cadet.

* Repealed and supplied by Act of March 16, 1802, Chapter IX.

See Act of April 29, 1812, Chapter LXXII.