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Towns of Bloominggrove, Cornwall and Monroe

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The Plain occupies an area of about 80 acres, and in shape is a trapezium of which the two longest sides border upon the river. On the south the table land continues with more or less undulations to the distance of several miles. In the rear, hill rises upon hill till lost in the loftiest peaks. On one of the highest of these hills, called 'Mount Independence,' stands Fort Putnam, a fortification of no little renown. It was commenced in 1778, and, considering the time and circumstances in which it was built, is an immense piece of work. It occupies a large space, and is built of the gneiss rock, though the mortar used in its Construction has by its decomposition given it precisely the appearance of limestone. The hight of its walls will average about 20 ft: in the rear it abuts upon a precipice of more than 100 feet.- Time and the hand of violence have done much to deprive it of its original glory. Already have all the turrets and embrazures gone, and deep chasms are yawning in the main fortification. Several of the large casemates remain entire, whilst but the traces of others are visible. It is a noble ruin, and seems worthy of a better fate than to be suffered thus to crumble away piecemeal in decay. The situation is a commanding one, and the surrounding view is truly grand, comprising as it does the amphitheatre of hills and mountains, the Hudson, and the Point itself with its smooth green Plain, its white tents, and neat edifices. The ruins of numerous smaller fortifications and redoubts are visible from this elevation; the principal of which are forts Webb and Wyllys.- Indeed every eminence of importance in the neighborhood has its ruins of bastions and ramparts-incontrovertible witnesses of the `times that tried men's souls.' North of the Point and above Washington's Valley is the Cemetery, a retired spot, on the brow of a bold promontory, and now the resting-place of several cadets and former residents of the Post. A number of neat and beautiful monuments adorn the grounds and record the names and virtues of the sleepers beneath. Above and beyond towers in all its pristine grandeur, stern old Crows' Nest. Rocky and precipitous it rears its crest 1400 feet above the Water at its base. Clothed in majesty, it appears a giant sentinel placed there to guard the peaceful scene within from the din and confusion of the outer world, and to forbid intrusion upon its sacred charge. The view from its summit is surpassingly grand-nay enchanting. A panorama comprising every variety of scenery suddenly bursts upon the eye, surprising and bewildering the beholder with its extent, beauty, and sublimity. Time would fail us were we to attempt to enumerate any more than the most important objects of interest in the neighborhood of West Point. Being situated on an elevation of 160 feet, it is not seen to good advantage from the water beneath. On the Southern exposure however, the Hospital, Academic Building, Chapel and Library, strike the eye-all fine edifices, and built principally of stone from the neighboring quarries. The Academic Building is 25 feet by 75, and three stories high. The greater part of the lower story is used as a Riding Hall during the winter: it also contains a Fencing-room and a Gymnasium, for the Cadets. On the second floor are recitation rooms, the Quarter Master's and Treasurer's offices, and the Engineering room. On the third floor, is the Mineralogical Cabinet, the Drawing Academy, well lighted from above, and several Galleries of Sculpture and Painting. Besides this, some of the young officers have their quarters in various parts of the building. The Chapel is a neat little edifice, calculated to accommodate about 500 persons, and contains a fine painting by Weir, intended to convey a very appropriate moral. The Library Building is of Gothic Architecture, and presents a very fine appearance from without; and is well finished within. The room appropriated to the Library is exceedingly convenient and spacious, with highly ornamented ceilings, and stained-glass windows. It contains about 15,000 volumes; chiefly Scientific, Historical, and Biographical works. In the same edifice are the Philosophical and Astronomical rooms. Farther on the Plain, and not visible from the water, are the Cadets' Barracks-two in number-built at right-angles to each other. There they are quartered during the greater part of the year, whilst engaged in their studies; three or four being assigned to a room, some of which are extremely small and uncomfortable. This however is soon to be remedied, and new and spacious barracks are now in process of erection on the south west corner of the Plain, which are every way calculated for the comfort and convenience of those who are to occupy them. During July and August the Cadets are encamped upon the Plain, and having no recitations, are principally employed in drilling and in various kinds of camp duties. This time is also given to the second class to be absent on Furlough, which generally reduces the corps to little more than half its number in the summer months. Near the barracks is the 'Mess Hall,' where all the Cadets are required to board in common, being marched to and from their meals with the same precision that regulates all their movements. At the base of the hills, in `the rear, is a row of neat stone and brick houses occupied by the Professors and their families; and the various officers connected with the institution. There is but one Hotel in the place; and this during the summer is well filled with visitors. It commands a beautiful view of the river as far up as Newburgh, and also for three or four miles below, until it is lost amid the mountains. Near the Hotel, and directly above Gee's Point at the bend of the river, is situated Fort Clinton, of which nothing but the mounds, overgrown with turf, now remain. Within its limits is Kosciusco's monument, a neat and simple tribute of respect from the corps of Cadets, erected in 1828. Just above Garden, has been recently erected a monument to the memory of Major Dade and his Command, who fell in the Florida war. A square block of marble, on which are the inscriptions, rests upon a granite base. At each corner is an upright cannon, supporting a projecting cap. Above this rises a graceful column, surmounted by an eagle with extended pinions, and grasping in his beak a wreath of laurel which encircles the shaft to its base. It is a beautiful piece of sculpture, and forms a striking and picturesque object in the scenery from the water.