Henry Ossian Flipper, the Colored Cadet at West Point
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Title: Henry Ossian Flipper, the Colored Cadet at West Point
Author: Henry Ossian Flipper
Release date: December 1, 2000 [eBook #2448]
Most recently updated: April 3, 2015
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2448
Credits: Etext prepared by Tony Adam
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HENRY OSSIAN FLIPPER, THE COLORED CADET AT WEST POINT ***
Ver.04.29.93*END*
Etext prepared by Tony Adam anthony-adam@tamu.edu
Henry Ossian Flipper, The Colored Cadet at West Point.
Autobiography of Lieut. Henry Ossian Flipper, U.S.A., First
Graduate of Color from the U.S. Military Academy
TO
The Faculty of Atlanta University, Atlanta, Ga.,
--AND TO
THE PRESIDENT IN PARTICULAR,
TO WHOSE CAREFUL
MENTAL AND MORAL TRAINING OF MYSELF IS DUE ALL
MY SUCCESS AT THE MILITARY ACADEMY
AT WEST POINT, N. Y.,
I AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATE THIS VOLUME,
AS IN SOME SORT
A TOKEN OF THAT HEARTFELT GRATITUDE WHICH
I SO DEEPLY FEEL, BUT CAN SO
POORLY EXPRESS.
CONTENTS.
RETROSPECT, . . . . . . . . . . 7
COMMUNICATIONS, ETC., . . . . . 17
REPORTING, . . . . . . . . . . .29
CANT TERMS, . . . . . . . . . . 49
PLEBE CAMP, . . . . . . . . . . 57
STUDIES, ETC., . . . . . . . . .73
YEARLING CAMP, . . . . . . . . 102
FIRST CLASS CAMP, . . . . . . .108
OUR FUTURE HEROES, . . . . . . 114
TREATMENT, . . . . . . . . . . 117
RESUME, . . . . . . . . . . . .166
PLEASURES AND PRIVILEGES, . . .187
FURLOUGH, . . . . . . . . . . .203
INCIDENT, HUMOR, ETC., . . . . 207
GRADUATION--IN THE ARMY, . . . 238
SMITH AT WEST POINT, . . . . . 288
PREFACE.
THE following pages were written by request. They
claim to give an accurate and impartial narrative
of my four years' life while a cadet at West Point,
as well as a general idea of the institution there.
They are almost an exact transcription of notes
taken at various times during those four years.
Any inconsistencies, real or apparent, in my
opinions or in the impressions made upon me, are
due to the fact that they were made at different
times at a place where the feelings of all were
constantly undergoing material change.
They do not pretend to merit. Neither are they
written for the purpose of criticising the Military
Academy or those in any way connected with it.
My "notes" have been seen and read. If I please
those who requested me to publish them I shall be
content, as I have no other object in putting them
before the public.
H. O. F.
FORT SILL, INDIAN TER., 1878.
THE COLORED CADET
AT
WEST POINT.
CHAPTER I.
RETROSPECT.
HENRY OSSIAN FLIPPER, the eldest of five brothers,
and the subject of this narrative, was born in
Thomasville, Thomas County, Georgia, on the 21st
day of March, 1856. He and his mother were the
property (?) of Rev. Reuben H. Lucky, a Methodist
minister of that place. His father, Festus Flipper,
by trade a shoemaker and carriage-trimmer, was
owned by Ephraim G. Ponder, a successful and
influential slave-dealer.
In 1859 Mr. Ponder, having retired from business,
returned to Georgia from Virginia with a number of
mechanics, all slaves,and among whom was the father
of young Flipper. He established a number of
manufactories in Atlanta, then a growing inland town
of Georgia. He married about this time a beautiful,
accomplished, and wealthy lady. "Flipper," as he was
generally called,had married before this, and had
been taken back alone to his native Virginia to serve
an apprenticeship under a carriage-trimmer. This
served, Mr. Ponder joined his wife in Thomasville,
bringing with him, as stated, a number of mechanics.
All were soon ready for transportation to Atlanta
except "Flipper." As he and his wife were each the
property (?) of different persons, there was, under
the circumstances, every probability of a separation.
This, of course, would be to them most displeasing.
Accordingly an application was made to Mr. Ponder
to purchase the wife and son. This he was, he said,
unable to do. He had, at an enormous expense,
procured and fitted up a home, and his coffers were
nearly, if not quite, empty. Husband and wife then
appealed to Mr. Lucky. He, too, was averse to parting
them, but could not, at the great price asked for him,
purchase the husband. He was willing however, to sell
the wife. An agreement was finally made by which the
husband paid from his own pocket the purchase-money
of his own wife and child, this sum to be returned
to him by Mr. Ponder whenever convenient. The joy
of the wife can be conceived. It can not be expressed.
In due time all arrived at Atlanta, where Mr. Ponder
had purchased about twenty-five acres of land and had
erected thereon, at great expense, a superb mansion
for his own family, a number of substantial frame
dwellings for his slaves, and three large buildings
for manufacturing purposes.
Of sixty-five slaves nearly all of the men were
mechanics. All of them except the necessary household
servants, a gardener, and a coachman, were permitted
to hire their own time. Mr. Ponder would have
absolutely nothing to do with their business other
than to protect them. So that if any one wanted any
article of their manufacture they contracted with
the workman and paid him his own price. These bond
people were therefore virtually free. They acquired
and accumulated wealth, lived happily, and needed
but two other things to make them like other human
beings, viz., absolute freedom and education. But
"God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform."
And through that very mysteriousness this people
was destined to attain to the higher enjoyment of
life. The country, trembling under the agitation
of the slave question, was steadily seeking a
condition of equilibrium which could be stable
only in the complete downfall of slavery. Unknown
to them, yet existing, the great question of the
day was gradually being solved; and in its solution
was working out the salvation of an enslaved people.
Well did that noblest of women, Mrs. Julia Ward
Howe, sing a few years after:
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the
Lord;
He is tramping out the vintage where the grapes of
wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible
swift sword;
This truth is marching on.
"I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred
circling camps;
They have builded him an altar in the evening dews
and damps;
I can read his righteous sentence by the dim and
flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
"I have read a fiery gospel, writ in burnished rows
of steel;
'As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace
shall deal;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with
his heel,
Since God is marching on.'
"He hath sounded forth the trumpet that shall never
call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before his
judgment-seat;
Oh! be swift my soul to answer him! be jubilant my
feet!
Our God is marching on.
"In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across
the sea,
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you
and me;
As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men
free,
While God is marching on."
Another influence was as steadily tending to the
same end. Its object was to educate, to elevate
intellectually, and then to let the power thus
acquired act.
The mistress of this fortunate household, far from
discharging the duties and functions of her station,
left them unnoticed, and devoted her whole attention
to illegitimate pleasures. The outraged husband
appointed a guardian and returned broken-hearted to
the bosom of his own family, and devoted himself
till death to agricultural pursuits.
The nature of the marriage contract prevented the
selling of any of the property without the mutual
consent of husband and wife. No such consent was
ever asked for by either. No one was, therefore,
in that state of affairs, afraid of being sold away
from his or her relatives, although their mistress
frequently threatened so to sell them. "I'll send
you to Red River," was a common menace of hers, but
perfectly harmless, for all knew, as well as she
did, that it was impossible to carry it into
execution.
In this condition of affairs the "servants" were
even more contented than ever. They hired their
time, as usual, and paid their wages to their
mistress, whose only thought or care was to
remember when it became due, and then to receive it.
The guardian, an influential stockholder in several
railroads, and who resided in another city, made
periodical visits to inspect and do whatever was
necessary to a proper discharge of his duties.
Circumstances being highly favorable, one of the
mechanics, who had acquired the rudiments of an
education, applied to this dissolute mistress for
permission to teach the children of her "servants."
She readily consented, and, accordingly, a night-
School was opened in the very woodshop in which
he worked by day. Here young Flipper was initiated
into the first of the three mysterious R's, viz.,
"reading 'riting and 'rithmetic." Here, in 1864,
at eight years of age, his education began. And
the first book he ever studied--I dare say ever
saw--was a confederate reprint of Webster's
"Blueback Speller." His then tutor has since
graduated at Westminster College in Pennsylvania,
and is, at the time of this writing, United States
Consul at Malaga, Spain, having served in the same
capacity for four years at Port Mahon, Spain.
But alas! even this happy arrangement was destined
to be disturbed. This dissolute mistress and her
slaves, with all valuable movable property, were
compelled to flee before Sherman's victorious
arms. Macon, a city just one hundred and three
miles south-east of Atlanta, became the new home
of the Flippers. A spacious dwelling was secured
in West Macon. In a part of this was stored away
Mrs. Ponder's plate and furniture, under the
guardianship of Flipper, who with his family
occupied the rest of the house. Here all was safe.
The terrible fate of Atlanta was not extended to
Macon. The only cause of alarm was Wilson, who
approached the city from the east, and, having
thrown in a few shells, withdrew without doing
further damage or being molested. Every body was
frightened, and it was deemed advisable to transfer
Mrs. Ponder's effects to Fort Valley, a small
place farther south. However, before this could be
done, it became indisputably known that Wilson had
withdrawn.
After an uneventful stay--other than this incident
just related--of nine months in Macon, the office
of custodian was resigned, and although yet a
slave, as far as he knew, and without permission
from any one, Flipper returned to Atlanta with his
wife and two sons, Henry, the elder, and Joseph,
the younger. This was in the spring of 1865. Atlanta
was in ruins, and it appeared a dreary place indeed
to start anew on the unfinished journey of life.
Every thing was not destroyed, however. A few houses
remained. One of these was occupied. The people were
rapidly returning, and the railroads from Atlanta
were rapidly being rebuilt.
During all this time the education of the young
Flippers had been necessarily neglected. In the
early spring of 1865, the family of an ex-rebel
captain became neighbors of the Flippers, now
well to do, and were soon on the most, friendly
terms with them. With remarkable condescension
the wife of this ex-rebel offered to instruct
Henry and Joseph for a small remuneration. The
Offer was readily and gladly accepted, and the
education of the two, so long neglected, was
taken up again. This private school of only two
pupils existed but a short time. The American
Missionary Association having opened better
schools, the Flippers were, in March, 1866,
transferred to them. They attended school there
till in 1867 the famous Storrs' School was opened
under the control of the American Missionary
Association, when they went there. In 1869, the
Atlanta University having been opened under the
same auspices, they entered there. At the time of
receiving his appointment Henry was a member of
the freshman class of the collegiate department.
His class graduated there in June, 1876, just one
year before he did at West Point.
The following article from a Thomasville paper,
published in June, 1874, will give further
information concerning his early life:
"'It is not generally known that Atlanta has a negro
cadet at the United States National Military Academy
at West Point. This cadet is a mulatto boy named
Flipper. He is about twenty years old, a stoutish
fellow, weighing perhaps one hundred and fifty
pounds, and a smart, bright, intelligent boy. His
father is a shoemaker, and gave him the euphonious
name of Henry Ossian Flipper.
"'Flipper has been at the great soldier factory of
the nation for a year. He was recommended there by
our late Congressman from the Fifth District, the
Hon. J. C. Freeman. Flipper has made a right booming
student. In a class of ninety-nine he stood about
the middle, and triumphantly passed his examination,
and has risen from the fourth to the third class
without difficulty.
"'The only two colored boys at the Academy were the
famous Smith and the Atlanta Flipper. It is thought
that Smith at the last examination failed. If so,
Atlanta will have the distinguished honor of having
the sole African representative at West Point.
"'Flipper has had the privilege of eating at the
same table with the poor white trash; but Smith
and Flipper bunked together in the same room alone,
without white companions.
"'It is an astonishing fact that, socially, the
boys from the Northern and Western States will
have nothing to do with these colored brothers.
Flipper and Smith were socially ostracized. Not
even the Massachusetts boys will associate with
them. Smith has been a little rebellious, and
attempted to thrust himself on the white boys;
but the sensible Flipper accepted the situation,
and proudly refused to intrude himself on the
white boys.
"'The feeling of ostracism is so strong that a
white boy who dared to recognize a colored cadet
would be himself ostracized by the other white
cubs, even of radical extraction.'
"We copy the above from the Atlanta Herald of last
week, for the purpose of remarking that among
colored men we know of none more honorable or more
deserving than Flipper, the father of the colored
West Point student of that name. Flipper lived for
many years in Thomasville as the servant of Mr. E.
G. Ponder--was the best bootmaker we ever knew, and
his character and deportment were ever those of a
sensible, unassuming, gentlemanly white man. Flipper
possessed the confidence and respect of his master
and all who knew him. His wife, the mother of young
Flipper, was Isabella, a servant in the family of
Rev. R. H. Lucky, of Thomasville, and bore a character
equal to that of her husband. Young Flipper was
baptized in his infancy by the venerable Bishop Early.
From these antecedents we should as soon expect young
Flipper to make his mark as any other colored youth
in the country."
(From the Louisville Ledger.)
"It is just possible that some of our readers may
not know who Flipper is. For their benefit we make
haste to explain that Flipper is the solitary
colored cadet now at West Point. He is in the
third class, and stands forty-six in the class,
which numbers eighty- five members. This is a
very fair standing, and Flipper's friends declare
that he is getting along finely in his studies,
and that he is quite up to the standard of the
average West Point student. Nevertheless they
intimate that he will never graduate. Flipper, they
say, may get as far as the first class, but there
he will be 'slaughtered.'
"A correspondent of the New York Times takes issue
with this opinion. He says there are many 'old
heads' who believe Flipper will graduate with honor,
and he thinks so too. The grounds for his belief,
as he gives them, are that the officers are
gentlemen, and so are the professors; that they
believe merit should be rewarded wherever found;
and that they all speak well of Flipper, who is a
hard student, as his position in his class proves.
From this correspondent we learn that Flipper is
from Georgia; that he has a light, coffee-colored
complexion, and that he 'minds his business and
does not intrude his company upon the other cadets,'
though why this should be put down in the list of
his merits it is not easy to understand, since, if
he graduates, as this writer believes he will, he
will have the right to associate on terms of perfect
equality with the other cadets, and may in time come
to command some of them. We are afraid there is some
little muddle of inconsistency in the brain of the
Times' correspondent.
"The Chicago Tribune seems to find it difficult to
come to any conclusion concerning Flipper's chances
for graduating. It says: 'It is freely asserted that
Flipper will never be allowed to graduate; that the
prejudice of the regular army instructors against
the colored race is insurmountable, and that they
will drive away from the Academy by persecution of
some petty sort any colored boy who may obtain
admittance there. The story does not seem to have any
substantial basis; still, it possesses considerable
vitality.'
"We don't profess to understand exactly what sort
of a story that is which has 'considerable vitality'
without any substantial basis, and can only conclude
that the darkness of the subject has engendered a
little confusion in the mind of the Tribune as well
as in that of the writer of the Times. But the Tribune
acquires more confidence as it warms in the discussion,
and it assures us finally that 'there is, of course,
no doubt that some colored boys are capable of
receiving a military education; and eventually the
presence of colored officers in the regular army
must be an accepted fact.' Well, we don't know about
that 'accepted fact.' The white man is mighty uncertain,
and the nigger won't do to trust to, in view of which
truths it would be unwise to bet too high on the
'colored officers,' for some years to come at least.
"But let not Flipper wring his flippers in despair,
notwithstanding. Let him think of Smith, and take
heart of hope. Smith was another colored cadet who
was sent to West Point from South Carolina. Smith
mastered readin', 'ritin', and 'rithmetic, but
chemistry mastered Smith.* They gave him three trials,
but it was to no purpose ; so they had to change his
base and send him back to South Carolina. But what
of that? They've just made him inspector of militia
in South Carolina, with the rank of brigadier-general.
How long might he have remained in the army before
he would have become 'General Smith?' Why, even Fred
Grant's only a lieutenant-colonel. Smith evidently
has reason to congratulate himself upon being
'plucked;' and so the young gentleman from Georgia,
with the 'light, coffee-colored complexion,' if he
meets with a similar misfortune, may console himself
with the hope that to him also in his extremity will
be extended from some source a helping flipper."
*Cadet Smith failed in Natural and Experimental
Philosophy. In Chemistry he was up to the average.
He was never appointed Inspector-General of South
Carolina. He was Commandant of Cadets in the South
Carolina Agricultural Institute at Orangeburg, S. C.,
Which position he held till his death November 29th,
1876.
CHAPTER II.
COMMUNICATIONS, ETC.
HAVING given in the previous chapter a brief account
of myself--dropping now, by permission, the third
person--prior to my appointment, I shall here give
in full what led me to seek that appointment, and
how I obtained it. It was while sitting "in his
father's quiet shoeshop on Decatur Street"--as a
local paper had it--that I overheard a conversation
concerning the then cadet from my own district. In
the course of the conversation I learned that this
cadet was to graduate the following June; and that
therefore a vacancy would occur. This was in
the autumn of 1872, and before the election. It
occurred to me that I might fill that vacancy,
and I accordingly determined to make an endeavor
to do so, provided the Republican nominee for
Congress should be elected. He was elected. I
applied for and obtained the appointment. In
1865 or 1866--I do not now remember which:
perhaps it was even later than either--it was
suggested to my father to send me to West Point.
He was unwilling to do so, and, not knowing very
much about the place, was reluctant to make any
inquiries. I was then of course too young for
admission, being only ten or twelve years old;
and knowing nothing of the place myself, I did
not care to venture the attempt to become a
cadet.
At the time I obtained the appointment I had quite
forgotten this early recommendation of my father's
friend; indeed, I did not recall it until I began
compiling my manuscript.
The suggestion given me by the conversation above
mentioned was at once acted upon, and decision
made in a very short time; and so fully was I
determined, so absolutely was my mind set on
West Point, that I persisted in my desire even
to getting the appointment, staying at the Academy
four years, and finally graduating. The following
communications will explain how I got the
appointment.*
*It has been impossible for the author to obtain
copies of his own letters to the Hon. Congressman
who appointed him, which is to be regretted. The
replies are inserted in such order that they will
readily suggest the tenor of the first
communications.
Reply No. 1
GRIFFIN, January 23,1873.
MR. H. O. FLIPPER.
DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 21st, asking me, as
member-elect to Congress from this State, to appoint
you cadet to West Point, was received this morning.
You are a stranger to me, and before I can comply
with your request you must get your teacher, Mr.
James L. Dunning, P.M., Colonel H. P. Fanorr, and
other Republicans to indorse for you. Give me
assurance you are worthy and well qualified and I
will recommend you.
Yours respectfully,
J. C. FREEMAN.
Reply No. 2.
GRIFFIN, March 22, 1873.
MR. H. O. FLIPPER.
DEAR SIR: On my arrival from Washington I found
your letter of the 19th. I have received an
invitation from the War Department to appoint,
or nominate, a legally qualified cadet to the
United States Military Academy from my district.
As you were the first applicant, I am disposed
to give you the first chance; but the requirements
are rigid and strict, and I think you had best
come down and see them. If after reading them you
think you can undergo the examination without
doubt, I will nominate you. But I do not want my
nominee to fail to get in.
Yours very respectfully,
J. C. FREEMAN.
Reply No. 3.
GRIFFIN, GA., March 26, 1873.
MR. H. O. FLIPPER.
DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 24th to hand, and
contents noted. While your education may be
sufficient, it requires many other qualifications
--such as age, height, form, etc.; soundness of
lungs, limbs, etc. I will send you up the
requirements, if you desire them, and call upon
three competent gentlemen to examine you, if
you desire it. Let me hear from you again on the
subject.
Yours respectfully,
J. C. FREEMAN.
Reply No. 4.
GRIFFIN, March 28, 1873.
MR. H. O. FLIPPER.
DEAR SIR: Yours of 26th at hand. I have concluded
to send the paper sent me to J. A. Holtzclaw, of
Atlanta, present Collector of Internal Revenue.
You can call on him and examine for yourself. If
you then think you can pass, I will designate
three men to examine you, and if they pronounce
you up to the requirements I will appoint you.
Yours truly,
J. C. FREEMAN.
Reply No. 5.
GRIFFIN, April 5, 1873.
MR. H. O. FLIPPER.
DEAR SIR: The board of examiners pronounce you
qualified to enter the Military Academy at West
Point. You will oblige me by sending me your
given name in full, also your age to a month,
and the length of time you have lived in the
Fifth District, or in or near Atlanta. I will
appoint you, and send on the papers to the
Secretary of War, who will notify you of the
same. From this letter to me you will have to
be at West Point by the 25th day of May, 1873.
Yours respectfully,
J. C. FREEMAN.
P.S.--You can send letter to me without a stamp.
Reply No. 6.
GRIFFIN, April 17, 1873.
MR. HENRY O. FLIPPER.
DEAR SIR: I this day inclose you papers from
the War Department. You can carefully read and
then make up your mind whether you accept the
position assigned you. If you should sign up,
direct and forward to proper authorities,
Washington, D. C. If you do not accept, return
the paper to my address, Griffin, Ga.
I am yours very respectfully,
J. C. FREEMAN.
The papers, three in number, referred
to in the above letter, are the following:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, April 11, 1873.
SIR: You are hereby informed that the President
has conditionally selected you for appointment
as a Cadet of the United States Military Academy
at West Point.
Should you desire the appointment, you will
report in person to the Superintendent of the
Academy between the 20th and 25th days of May,
1873, when, if found on due examination to
possess the qualifications required by law and
set forth in the circular hereunto appended,
you will be admitted, with pay from July 1st,
1873, to serve until the following January, at
which time you will be examined before the
Academic Board of the Academy. Should the
result of this examination be favorable, and
the reports of your personal, military, and
moral deportment be satisfactory, your warrant
of appointment, to be dated July 1st, 1873, will
be delivered to you; but should the result of
your examination, or your conduct reports be
unfavorable, you will be discharged from the
military service, unless otherwise recommended,
for special reasons, by the Academic Board, but
will receive an allowance for travelling expenses
to your home.
Your attention is particularly directed to the
accompanying circular, and it is to be distinctly
understood that this notification confers upon
you no right to enter the Military Academy unless
your qualifications agree fully with its
requirements, and unless you report for examination
within the time specified.
You are requested to immediately inform
the Department of your acceptance or declination
of the contemplated appointment upon the conditions
annexed.
GEO. M. ROBESON,
Acting Secretary of War.
HENRY O. FLIPPER, Atlanta, Georgia.
Through Hon. J. C. FREEMAN, M.C.
CIRCULAR.
I. Candidates must be actual bona fide residents of
the Congressional district or Territory for which
their appointments are made, and must be over
seventeen and under twenty-two years of age at
the time of entrance into the Military Academy;
but any person who has served honorably and
faithfully not less than one year as an officer
or enlisted man in the army of the United States,
either as a Volunteer, or in the Regular service,
during the war for the suppression of the
rebellion, shall be eligible for appointment up
to the age of twenty-four years. They must be at
least five feet in height, and free from any
infectious or immoral disorder, and, generally,
from any deformity, disease, or infirmity which
may render them unfit for arduous military service.
They must be proficient in Reading and Writing; in
the elements of English Grammar; in Descriptive
Geography, particularly of our own country, and in
the History of the United States.
In Arithmetic, the various operations in addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division, reduction,
simple and compound proportion, and vulgar and
decimal fractions, must be thoroughly understood
and readily performed.
The following are the leading physical
disqualifications:
1. Feeble constitution and muscular tenuity; unsound
health from whatever cause; indications of former
disease; glandular swellings, or other symptoms
of scrofula.
2. Chronic cutaneous affections, especially of the
scalp.
3. Severe injuries of the bones of the head;
convulsions.
4. Impaired vision, from whatever cause;
inflammatory affections of the eyelids;
immobility or irregularity of the iris; fistula,
lachrymalis, etc., etc.
5. Deafness; copious discharge from the ears.
6. Loss of many teeth, or the teeth generally
unsound.
7. Impediment of speech.
8. Want of due capacity of the chest, and any
other indication of a liability to a pulmonic
disease.
9. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or
both of the superior extremities on account of
fractures, especially of the clavicle, contraction
of a joint, extenuation, deformity, etc., etc.
10. An unusual excurvature or incurvature of the
spine.
11. Hernia.
12. A varicose state of the veins of the scrotum or
spermatic cord (when large), sarcocele, hydroccle,
hemorrhoids, fistulas.
13. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or of
both of the inferior extremities on account of
varicose veins, fractures, malformation (flat feet,
etc.), lameness, contraction, unequal length,
bunions, overlying or supernumerary toes, etc.,
etc.
14. Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices of ulcers likely
to break out afresh.
Every person appointed, upon arrival at West Point,
is submitted to a rigid medical examination, and if
any causes of disqualification are found to exist
in him to such a degree as may now or hereafter
impair his efficiency, he is rejected.
No person who has served in any capacity in the
military or naval service of the so-called
Confederate States during the late rebellion can
receive an appointment as cadet at the Military
Academy.
II. The pay of a cadet is $500 per annum, with one
ration per day, to commence with his admission
into the Military Academy, and is sufficient,
with proper economy, for his support.
III. Each cadet must keep himself supplied with
the following mentioned articles, viz.:
One gray cloth coatee; one gray cloth riding-
jacket; one regulation great-coat; two pairs
of gray cloth pantaloons, for winter; six
pairs of drilling pantaloons for summer; one
fatigue-jacket for the encampment; one black
dress cap; one forage cap; one black stock;
*two pairs of ankle-boots; *six pairs of white
gloves; two sets of white belts; *seven shirts
and twelve collars; *six pairs winter socks;
*six pairs summer socks; *four pairs summer
drawers; *three pairs winter drawers; *six
pocket-handkerchiefs; *six towels; *one clothes-
bag, made of ticking; *one clothes-brush; *one
hair-brush; *one tooth-brush; *one comb; one
mattress; one pillow; *two pillow-cases; *two
pairs sheets; one pair blankets; *one quilted
bed-cover; one chair; one tumbler; *one trunk;
one account-book; and will unite with his room-
mate in purchasing, for their common use, one
looking-glass, one wash-stand, one wash-basin,
one pail, and one broom, and shall he required
to have one table, of the pattern that may be
prescribed by the Superintendent.
The articles marked thus * candidates are required
to bring with them; the others are to be had at
West Point at regulated prices, and it is better
for a candidate to take with him as little clothing
of any description as is possible (excepting what
is marked), and no more money than will defray his
travelling expenses; but for the parent or guardian
to send to "The Treasurer of the Military Academy"
a sum sufficient for his necessary expenses until
he is admitted, and for his clothes, etc.,
thereafter.
The expenses of the candidate for board, washing,
lights, etc., prior to admission, will be about $5
per week, and immediately after being admitted to
the Institution he must be provided with an outfit
of uniform, etc., the cost of which will be $88.79.
If, upon arrival, he has the necessary sum to his
credit on the books of the Treasurer, he will start
with many advantages, in a pecuniary point of view,
over those whose means are more limited, and who
must, if they arrive, as many do, totally unprovided
in this way, go in debt on the credit of their pay
--a burden from which it requires many months to
free themselves; while, if any accident compels
them to leave the Academy, they must of necessity
be in a destitute condition.
No cadet can receive money, or any other supplies,
from his parents, or from any person whomsoever,
without permission from the Superintendent.
IV. If the candidate be a minor, his acceptance
must be accompanied by the written consent of
his parent or guardian to his signing articles,
binding himself to serve the United States eight
years from the time of his admission into the
Military Academy, unless sooner discharged.
V. During the months of July and August the cadets
live in camp, engaged only in military duties and
exercises and receiving practical military
instruction.
The academic duties and exercises commence on the
1st of September, and continue till about the end
of June.
The newly appointed cadets are examined at the
Academy prior to admission, and those not properly
qualified are rejected.
Examinations of the several classes are held in
January and June, and at the former such of the
new cadets as are found proficient in studies
and have been correct in conduct are given the
particular standing in their class to which their
merits entitle them. After either examination
cadets found deficient in conduct or studies are
discharged from the Academy, unless, for special
reasons in each case, the Academic Board should
otherwise recommend.
These examinations are very thorough, and require
from the cadet a close and persevering attention
to study, without evasion or slighting of any part
of the course, as no relaxations of any kind can be
made by the examiners.
VI. A sound body and constitution, a fixed degree
of preparation, good natural capacity, an aptitude
for study, industrious habits, perseverance, an
obedient and orderly disposition, and a correct
moral deportment are such essential qualifications
that candidates knowingly deficient in any of these
respects should not, as many do, subject themselves
and their friends to the chances of future
mortification and disappointment, by accepting
appointments to the Academy and entering upon a
career which they can not successfully pursue.
Method of Examining Candidates for Admission
into the Military Academy.
Candidates must be able to read with facility
from any book, giving the proper intonation
and pauses, and to write portions that are
read aloud for that purpose, spelling the words
and punctuating the sentences properly.
In ARITHMETIC they must be able to perform with
facility examples under the four ground rules,
and hence must be familiar with the tables of
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division, and be able to perform examples in
reduction and in vulgar and decimal fractions,
such as--
Add 2/3 to 3/4; subtract 2/5 from 5/6; multiply
3/4 by 7/8; divide 2/5 by 3/8;
Add together two hundred and thirty-four thousandths
(.234), twenty-six thousandths (.026), and three
thousandths (.003).
Subtract one hundred and sixty-one ten thousandths
(.0161) from twenty-five hundredths (.25).
Multiply or divide twenty-six hundredths (.26) by
sixteen thousandths (.016).
They must also be able to change vulgar fractions
into decimal fractions, and decimals into vulgar
fractions, with examples like the following:
Change 15/16 into a decimal fraction of the same
value.
Change one hundred and two thousandths (.102) into
a vulgar fraction of the same value.
In simple and compound proportion, examples of
various kinds will be given, and candidates will
be expected to understand the principles of the
rules which they follow.
In ENGLISH GRAMMAR candidates will be required
to exhibit a familiarity with the nine parts of
speech and the rules in relation thereto; must
be able to parse any ordinary sentence given to
them, and, generally, must understand those
portions of the subject usually taught in the
higher academies and schools throughout the
country, comprehended under the heads of
Orthography, Etymology, Syntax, and Prosody.
In DESCRIPTIVE GEOGRAPHY they are to name,
locate, and describe the natural grand and
political divisions of the earth, and be able
to delineate any one of the States or Territories
of the American Union, with its principal cities,
rivers, lakes, seaports, and mountains.
In HISTORY they must be able to name the periods
of the discovery and settlement of the North
American continent, of the rise and progress of
the United States, and of the successive wars
and political administrations through which the
country has passed.
THE COURSE OF STUDY AND BOOKS USED AT THE
MILITARY ACADEMY.
[Books marked thus * are for reference only.]
First Year--Fourth Class.
DEPARTMENT TEXT-BOOKS.
Mathematics...............Davies' Boudon's Algebra.
Davies' Legendre's Geometry
and Trigonometry. Church's
Descriptive Geometry.
French Language...........Bolmar's Levizac's Grammar
and Verb Book. Agnel's
Tabular System. Berard's
Lecons Francaises. *Spier's
and Surenne's Dictionary.
Tactics of Artillery......Practical Instruction in the
and Infantry Schools of the Soldier,
Company, and Battalion.
Practical Instruction in
Artillery.
Use of Small Arms.........Instruction in Fencing and
Bayonet Exercise.
Second Year--Third Class.
Mathematics...............Church's Descriptive
Geometry, with its
applications to Spherical
Projections. Church's Shades,
Shadows and Perspective.
Davies' Surveying. Church's
Analytical Geometry.
Church's Calculus.
French Language...........Bolmar's Levizac's Grammar and
Verb Book. Berard's Lecons
Francaises. Chapsal's Lecons
Et Modeles de Litterature
Francaise. Agnel's Tabular
System. Rowan's Morceaux
Choisis des Auteurs Modernes.
*Spier's and Surenne's
Dictionary.
Spanish...................Josse's Grammar. Morales'
Progressive Reader. Ollen-
Dorff's Oral Method applied to
the Spanish, by Velasquez and
Simonne. Seoane's Neuman and
Baretti's Dictionary.
Drawing...................Topography, etc. Art of
Penmanship.
Tactics of Infantry,......Practical Instruction in the
Artillery, and Cavalry Schools of the Soldier, Company,
and Battalion. Practical
Instruction in Artillery and
Cavalry.
Third Year--Second Class.
Natural and Experimental..Bartlett's Mechanics. Bartlett's
Philosophy Acoustics and Optics. Bartlett's
Astronomy.
Chemistry.................Fowne's Chemistry. Chemical
Physics, from Miller.
Drawing...................Landscape. Pencil and Colors.
Tactics of Infantry,......Practical Instruction in the
Artillery, and Cavalry Schools of the Soldier, Company,
and Battalion. Practical
Instruction in Artillery and
Cavalry.
Practical Military........Myers' Manual of Signals.
Engineering Practical and Theoretical
Instruction in Military
Signaling and Telegraphy.
Fourth Year--First Class.
Military and Civil........Mahan's Field Fortification.
Engineering, and Mahan's Outlines of
Sciences of War. Permanent Fortification.
Mahan's Fortification and
Stereotomy. Mahan's
Advanced Guard and Outpost,
etc. *Moseley's Mechanics
of Engineering.
Mineralogy and Geology....Dana's Mineralogy.
Hitchcock's Geology.
Ethics and Law............French's Practical Ethics.
Halleck's International
Law. Kent's Commentaries
(portion on Constitutional
Law). Law and Military
Law, by Prof. French.
Benet's Military Law and
the Practice of Courts-
Martial.
Tactics of Artillery,.....United States Tactics for
Cavalry, and Infantry Calvary. Practical
Instruction in the
Schools of the Soldier,
Company, and Battalion.
Practical Instruction in
Artillery and Cavalry.
Ordnance and Gunnery......Benton's Ordnance and
Gunnery. Practical
Pyrotechny.
Practical Military........Practical Instruction in
Engineering fabricating Fascines, Sap
Faggots, Gabions, Hurdles,
Sap-rollers, etc.; manner
of laying out and
constructing Gun and Mortar
Batteries, Field Fortific-
ations and Works of Siege;
formation of Stockades,
Abatis, and other military
obstacles; and throwing and
dismantling Pontoon Bridges.
Myer's Manual of Signals.
Practical Instruction in
Military Signaling and
Telegraphy.
The second paper was a printed blank, a letter of
acceptance or non-acceptance, to be filled up, as
the case may be, signed by myself, countersigned
by my father, and returned to Washington, D. C.
The third, which follows, is simply a memorandum
for use of the candidate.
MEMORANDUM.
It is suggested to all candidates for admission
into the Military Academy that, before leaving
their place of residence for West Point, they
should cause themselves to be thoroughly examined
by a competent physician, and by a teacher or
instructor in good standing By such an examination
any serious physical disqualification, or deficiency
in mental preparation, would be revealed, and the
candidate probably spared the expense and trouble
of a useless journey and the mortification of
rejection. The circular appended to the letter of
appointment should be carefully studied by the
candidate and the examiners.
It should be understood that the informal examination
herein recommended is solely for the convenience and
benefit of the candidate himself, and can in no manner
affect the decision of the Academic and Medical
Examining Boards at West Point.
NOTE.--There being no provision whatever for the
payment of the travelling expenses of either
accepted or rejected candidates for admission, no
candidate should fail to provide himself in advance
with the means of returning to his home, in case of
his rejection before either of the Examining Boards,
as he may otherwise be put to considerable trouble,
inconvenience, and even suffering, on account of his
destitute situation. If admitted, the money brought
by him to meet such a contingency can be deposited
with the Treasurer on account of his equipment as a
cadet, or returned to his friends.
After I had secured the appointment the editor of
one of our local papers, which was at the time
publishing-- weekly, I think--brief biographies of
some of the leading men of the city, together with
cuts of the persons themselves, desired to thus
bring me into notoriety. I was duly consulted, and,
objecting, the publication did not occur. My chief
reason for objecting was merely this: I feared some
evil might befall me while passing through Georgia
en route for West Point, if too great a knowledge
of me should precede me, such, for instance, as a
publication of that kind would give.
At this interview several other persons--white, of
course--were present, and one of them--after
relating the trials of Cadet Smith and the
circumstances of his dismissal, which, apropos,
had not yet occurred, as he would have me believe--
advised me to abandon altogether the idea of going
to West Point, for, said he, "Them northern boys
wont treat you right." I have a due proportion of
stubbornness in me, I believe, as all of the negro
race are said to have, and my Southern friend might
as well have advised an angel to rebel as to have
counselled me to resign and not go. He was convinced,
too, before we separated, that no change in my
determination was at all likely to occur. Next day,
in a short article, the fact of my appointment was
mentioned, and my age and degree of education. Some
days after this, while in the post-office, a gentleman
beckoned to me, and we withdrew from the crowd. He
mentioned this article, and after relating--indeed,
repeating, to my amusement, the many hardships to
which I should be subjected, and after telling me he
had a very promising son--candid, wasn't he?--whom he
desired to have educated at West Point, offered me
for my appointment the rather large sum of five
thousand dollars. This I refused instantly. I had
so set my mind on West Point that, having the
appointment, neither threats nor excessive bribes
could induce me to relinquish it, even if I had not
possessed sufficient strength of character to resist
them otherwise. However, as I was a minor, I referred
him to my father. I have no information that he ever
consulted him. If he had, my reply to him would have
been sustained. I afterward had reason to believe
the offer was made merely to test me, as I received
from strangers expressions of confidence in me and
in my doing faithfully all that might devolve upon
me from my appointment.
CHAPTER III.
REPORTING.
MAY 20th, 1873! Auspicious day! From the deck of
the little ferry-boat that steamed its way across
from Garrison's on that eventful afternoon I viewed
the hills about West Point, her stone structures
perched thereon, thus rising still higher, as if
providing access to the very pinnacle of fame, and
shuddered. With my mind full of the horrors of the
treatment of all former cadets of color, and the
dread of inevitable ostracism, I approached
tremblingly yet confidently.
The little vessel having been moored, I stepped
ashore and inquired of a soldier there where
candidates should report. He very kindly gave me
all needed information, wished me much success,
for which I thanked him, and set out for the
designated place. I soon reached it, and walked
directly into the adjutant's office. He received
me kindly, asked for my certificate of appointment,
and receiving that--or assurance that I had it: I
do not now remember which--directed me to write in
a book there for the purpose the name and occupation
of my father, the State, Congressional district,
county and city of his residence, my own full name,
age, State, county, and place of my birth, and my
occupation when at home. This done I was sent in
charge of an orderly to cadet barracks, where my
"plebe quarters" were assigned me.
The impression made upon me by what I saw while
going from the adjutant's office to barracks was
certainly not very encouraging. The rear windows
were crowded with cadets watching my unpretending
passage of the area of barracks with apparently
as much astonishment and interest as they would,
perhaps, have watched Hannibal crossing the Alps.
Their words, jeers, etc., were most insulting.
Having reached another office, I was shown in by
the orderly. I walked in, hat in hand--nay, rather
started in-- when three cadets, who were seated in
the room, simultaneously sprang to their feet, and
welcomed me somewhat after this fashion:
"Well, sir, what do you mean by coming into this
office in that manner, sir? Get out of here, sir."
I walked out, followed by one of them, who, in a
similar strain, ordered me to button my coat, get
my hands around--"fins" he said--heels together,
and head up.
"Now, sir," said he, leaving me, "when you are
ready to come in, knock at that door," emphasizing
the word "knock."
The door was open. I knocked. He replied, "Come in."
I went in. I took my position in front of and facing
him, my heels together, head up, the palms of my
hands to the front, and my little fingers on the
seams of my pantaloons, in which position we
habitually carried them. After correcting my
position and making it sufficiently military
to suit himself, one of them, in a much milder
tone, asked what I desired of them. I told him
I had been sent by the adjutant to report there.
He arose, and directing me to follow him, conducted
me to the bath-rooms. Having discharged the necessary
duty there, I returned and was again put in charge of
the orderly, who carried me to the hospital. There I
was subjected to a rigid physical examination, which
I "stood" with the greatest ease. I was given a
certificate of ability by the surgeon, and by him
sent again to the adjutant, who in turn sent me to
the treasurer. From him I returned alone to barracks.
The reception given to "plebes" upon reporting is
often very much more severe than that given me.
Even members of my own class can testify to this.
This reception has, however, I think, been best
described in an anonymous work, where it is thus
set forth:
"How dare you come into the presence of your
superior officer in that grossly careless and
unmilitary manner? I'll have you imprisoned.
Stand, attention, sir!" (Even louder than before.)
"Heels-together-and-on- the-same-line, toes-equally
-turned-out, little-fingers-on-the-seams-of-your-
pantaloons, button-your-coat, draw-in-your-chin,
throw-out-your-chest, cast-your-eyes-fifteen-paces
-to-the-front, don't-let-me-see-you-wearing-standing-
collars-again. Stand-steady, sir. You've evidently
mistaken your profession, sir. In any other service,
or at the seat of war, sir, you would have been shot,
sir, without trial, sir, for such conduct, sir."
The effect of such words can be easily imagined.
A "plebe" will at once recognize the necessity
for absolute obedience, even if he does know all
this is hazing, and that it is doubtless forbidden.
Still "plebes" almost invariably tremble while it
lasts, and when in their own quarters laugh over
it, and even practise it upon each other for mutual
amusement.
On the way to barracks I met the squad of "beasts"
marching to dinner. I was ordered to fall in, did so,
marched to the mess hall, and ate my first dinner at
West Point. After dinner we were marched again to
barracks and dismissed. I hastened to my quarters,
and a short while after was turned out to take
possession of my baggage. I lugged it to my room,
was shown the directions on the back of the door
for arrangement of articles, and ordered to obey
them within half an hour. The parts of the regulations
referred to are the following:
SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR BARRACKS.
ORDERLIES OF ROOMS.
The particular attention of Orderlies is directed
to those paragraphs of the Regulations for the
U. S. Military Academy specifying their duties.
CADETS.
The hours of Recitation of each Cadet will be
posted on the back of the door of his room. When
a room is being washed out by the policeman, on
reporting to the Officer of the Day, and stating
to him the number of some room in his own Division
he wishes to visit, a Cadet will be permitted to
visit that particular room until his own can be
occupied. The uniform coat will be worn from 8
till 10 A.M.; at Inspection before 10 A.M. the
coat will be buttoned throughout; at Sunday
Morning Inspection gloves and side-arms will
also be worn. After 10 A.M. any uniform garment
or dressing-gown may be worn in their own rooms,
but at no time will Cadets be in their shirt-
sleeves unnecessarily. During the "Call to
Quarters," between "Inspection Call" in the
morning and "Tattoo," the following Arrangement
of Furniture, etc., will be required:
ACCOUTREMENTS.
Dress Cap--On gun-rack shelf.
Cartridge Boxes, Waist Belts, Sabres, Forage Caps
--Hung on pegs near gun-rack shelf.
Muskets--In gun--rack, Bayonets in the scabbards.
Spurs--Hung on peg with Sabres.
BEDSTEADS AND BEDDING.
Bedsteads--In alcove, against side wall of the room,
the head against the back wall.
Bedding--Mattress to be folded once; Blankets and
Comforters, each one to be neatly and separately
folded, so that the folds shall be of the width of
an ordinary pillow, and piled at the head of the
BEDSTEAD in the following order, viz.: MATTRESS,
SHEETS, PILLOWS, BLANKETS, and COMFORTERS, the
front edge of sheets, pillows, etc., to be vertical.
On Sunday afternoons the BEDS may be made down and
used.
CLOTHES-PRESS.
Books--On the top of the Press, against the wall,
and with the backs to the front. BRUSHES (tooth
and hair), COMBS, SHAVING IMPLEMENTS and MATERIALS,
such small boxes as may be allowed, vials, etc.,
to be neatly arranged on the upper shelf. BELTS,
COLLARS, GLOVES, HANDKERCHIEFS, SOCKS, etc., to be
neatly arranged on the second shelf from the top.
SHEETS, PILLOW-CASES, SHIRTS, DRAWERS, WHITE PANTS,
etc., to be neatly arranged on the other shelves,
the heaviest articles on the lower shelves.
Arrangement--All articles of the same kind are to
be carefully and neatly placed in separate piles.
The folded edges of these articles to be to the
front, and even with the front edge of the shelf.
Nothing will be allowed between these piles of
clothing and the back of the press, unless the
want of room on the front edge renders it necessary.
Dirty Clothes--To be kept in clothes-bag.
Shoes and Over-Shoes--To be kept clean, dusted,
and arranged in a line where they can be seen by
the Inspector, either at the foot of the bedstead
or at the side near the foot.
Woollen Clothing, Dressing-Gown, and Clothes-Bag--
To be hung on the pegs in alcove in the following
general order, from the front of the alcove to the
back: Over-Coat, Dressing-Gown, Uniform Coats,
Jackets, Pants, Clothes-Bag.
FURNITURE.
Broom--To be kept behind the door. TIN BOX for
CLEANING MATERIALS--To be kept clean and in the
fire-place. SPITTOON-- To be kept on one side of
the hearth near mantel-piece. CHAIRS and TABLES--
On no occasion to be in alcoves, the chairs, when
not in use, to be against the owners' tables.
LOOKING-GLASS--At the centre of the mantel-piece.
WASH-STAND--To be kept clean, in front and against
alcove partition. WASH-BASIN--To be kept clean, and
inverted on the top of the Wash-stand. WATER-BUCKET
--To be kept on shelf of wash-stand. SLOP-BUCKET--
To be kept near to and on side of Wash-stand, opposite
door. Baskets, Pictures, Clocks, Statues, Trunks, and
large Boxes will NOT be allowed in quarters.
Curtains--WINDOW-CURTAINS--Only uniform allowed, and
to be kept drawn back during the day. ALCOVE--
CURTAINS--Only uniform allowed, and to be kept drawn,
except between "Tattoo" and "Reveille" and when
dressing. CURTAINS OF CLOTHES-PRESS--To be kept drawn,
except when policing room.
FLOOR.
To be kept clean, and free from grease-spots and
stains.
WALLS AND WOOD-WORK.
To be kept free from cobwebs, and not to be injured
by nails or otherwise.
HEATING APPARATUS, SCREEN AND TOP.
To be kept clean, and not to be scratched or defaced.
These Regulations will be strictly obeyed and
enforced.
By order of LIEUT.-COLONEL UPTON,
GEORGE L. TURNER,
Cadet Lieut. and Adjutant.
HEADQUARTERS, CORPS OF CADETS,
West Point, N. Y., Sept. 4, 1873.
At the end of the time specified every
article was arranged and the cadet corporal
returned to inspect. He walked deliberately to
the clothes-press, and, informing me that every
thing was arranged wrong, threw every article
upon the floor, repeated his order, and withdrew.
And thus three times in less than two hours did
I arrange and he disarrange my effects. I was
not troubled again by him till after supper,
when he inspected again, merely opening the door,
however, and looking in. He told me I could not
go to sleep till "tattoo." Now tattoo, as he
evidently used it, referred in some manner to
time, and with such reference I had not the
remotest idea of what it meant. I had no knowledge
whatever of military terms or customs. However, as
I was also told that I could do any thing--writing,
etc.--I might wish to do, I found sufficient to
keep me awake until he again returned and told me
it was then tattoo, that I could retire then or at
any time within half an hour, and that at the end
of that time the light must be extinguished
and I must be in bed. I instantly extinguished it
and retired.
Thus passed my first half day at West Point, and
thus began the military career of the fifth colored
cadet. The other four were Smith of South Carolina,
Napier of Tennessee, Howard of Mississippi, and
Gibbs of Florida.
What I had seen and experienced during the few hours
from my arrival till tattoo filled me with fear and
apprehension. I expected every moment to be insulted
or struck, and was not long in persuading myself that
the various reports which I had heard concerning Smith
were true--I had not seen him yet, or, if I had, had
not recognized him--and that my life there was to be
all torture and anguish. I was uneasy and miserable,
ever thinking of the regulations, verbal or written,
which had been given me. How they haunted me! I kept
repeating them over and over, fearful lest I might
forget and violate them, and be dismissed. If I wanted
any thing or wished to go anywhere, I must get permission
of the cadet officers on duty over us. To get such
permission I must enter their office cleanly and neatly
dressed, and, taking my place in the centre of the room,
must salute, report my entrance, make known my wants,
salute again, and report my departure.* At the instant
I heard the sound of a drum I must turn out at a run
and take my place in the ranks.
*Somewhat after this fashion:
"Candidate F----, United States Military Academy,
reports his entrance into this office, sir."
"Well, sir, what do you want in this office?"
"I desire permission, sir, to walk on public lands
till retreat."
"No, sir, you can't walk on public lands till
retreat. Get out of my sight."
"Candidate F----, United States Military Academy,
reports his departure from this office, sir."
At five o'clock the next morning two unusual sounds
greeted my ears--the reveille, and a voice in the
hall below calling out in a loud martial tone:
"Candidates, turn out promptly!" In an astonishingly
short time I had dressed, "turned out," and was in
ranks. We stood there as motionless as statues till
the fifers and drummers had marched up to barracks,
the rolls of the companies had been called, and
they themselves dismissed. We were then dismissed,
our roll having been also called. We withdrew at a
run to our quarters and got them ready for inspection,
which, we were informed, would take place at the
expiration of half an hour. At the end of this time
our quarters were inspected by a corporal. In my own
room he upset my bedding, kicked my shoes into the
middle of the room, and ordered me to arrange them
again and in better order. This order was obeyed
immediately. And this upsetting was done in every room,
as I learned afterward from the occupants, who, strange
to say, manifested no prejudice then. 'Twas not long
ere they learned that they were prejudiced, and that
they abhorred even the sight of a "d--d nigger."
Just before, or perhaps just after breakfast, our
quarters were again inspected. This time I was
somewhat surprised to hear the corporal say, "Very
well, Mr. Flipper, very well, sir."
And this with other things shows there was a friendly
feeling toward me from the first. After having thus
expressed himself, he directed me to print my name on
each of four pieces of paper, and to tack them up in
certain places in the room, which he indicated to me.
I did this several times before I could please him;
but at last succeeded. Another corporal visited me
during the day and declared everything out of order,
although I had not touched a single thing after once
satisfying the first corporal. Of course I had to
rearrange them to suit him, in which I also finally
succeeded.
At eleven o'clock the mail came. I received a letter,
and to my astonishment its postmark was "West Point,
N. Y., May 21st." Of course I was at a loss to know
who the writer was. I turned it over and over, looked
at it, studied the postmark, finally opened it and
read it.*
*This letter by some means has been misplaced, and
all efforts to find it, or to discover what its
exact contents were, have failed. However, it was
from James Webster Smith, the first and then only
cadet of color at West Point. It reassured me very
much, telling me not to fear either blows or insults,
and advising me to avoid any forward conduct if I
wished also to avoid certain consequences, "which,"
said the writer, "I have learned from sad experience,"
would be otherwise inevitable. It was a sad letter.
I don't think any thing has so affected me or so
influenced my conduct at West Point as its melancholy
tone. That "sad experience" gave me a world of warning.
I looked upon it as implying the confession of some
great error made by him at some previous time, and of
its sadder consequences.
This was another surprise--a welcome surprise,
however. I read it over several times. It showed
me plainly that Smith had not been dismissed, as
had been reported to me at home. I at once formed
a better opinion of West Point than I before had,
and from that day my fears gradually wore away.
The candidates now reported rapidly, and we, who
had reported the day previous, were comparatively
undisturbed. At four o'clock I visited Smith at
his quarters by permission. My visit was necessarily
a short one, as he was then preparing for drill. It
sufficed, however, for us to become acquainted, and
for me to receive some valuable advice. An hour and
place were designated for us to meet next day, and I
took my leave of him. The "plebes" turned out en
masse, walked around the grounds and witnessed the
drilling of the battalion. We enjoyed it immensely.
They were that day skirmishing and using blank
cartridges. We thought the drill superb. I was asked
by a fellow-"plebe," "Think you'll like that?"
"Oh yes," said I, "when I can do it as easily as
they do."
We had quite a lengthy conversation about the fine
appearance of the cadets, their forms, so straight
and manly, evoking our greatest admiration. This,
alas! was our only conversation on any subject. The
gentleman discovered ere long that he too was
prejudiced, and thus one by one they "cut" me,
whether for prudential reasons or not I can not
presume to say.
I went into the office one day, and standing
uncovered at about the middle of the room, in
the position of the soldier, saluted and thus
addressed a cadet officer present:
"Candidate Flipper, United States Military Academy,
reports his entrance into this office, sir."
"Well, what do you want?" was the rather gruff
reply.
"I desire permission to visit Smith, sir," answered
I, thoughtlessly saying "Smith," instead of "Mr" or
"Cadet Smith."
He instantly sprang from his seat into rather close
proximity to my person and angrily yelled:
"Well, sir, I want to hear you say 'Mr. Smith.' I
want you to understand, sir, he is a cadet and
you're a 'plebe,' and I don't want to see such
familiarity on your part again, sir," putting
particular emphasis on "Mr."
Having thus delivered himself he resumed his seat,
leaving me, I imagine, more scared than otherwise.
"What do you want?" asked he again, after a pause
of a moment or so.
"Permission to visit Mr. Smith."
Without condescending to notice for the time my
request he gave the interview a rather ludicrous
turn, I thought, by questioning me somewhat after
this manner:
"Can you dance, Mr. Flipper?"
Having answered this to his entire satisfaction,
he further asked:
"Expect to attend the hops this summer?"
"Oh no, sir," replied I, smiling, as he also was,
for I had just discovered the drift of his questions.
After mischievously studying my countenance for a
moment, he returned to the original subject and
queried, "Where do you want to go?"
I told him.
"Well, get out of my sight."
I considered the permission granted, and hastily
withdrew to take advantage of it.
Between breakfast and supper those of us
who had been there at least a day had quite a
pleasant time. We were not troubled with incessant
inspections or otherwise. We either studied for
examination or walked around the grounds. At or near
seven o'clock, the time of retreat parade, we were
formed near our barracks and inspected. Our ranks
were opened and the cadet lieutenant inspected our
clothing and appearance generally. A not infrequent
occurrence on these occasions was:
"Well, mister, what did you shave with--a shoehorn?"
At this we would smile, when the lieutenant,
sergeant, or corporal would jump at us and yell:
"Wipe that smile off your face, sir! What do you
mean, sir, by laughing in ranks?"
If any one attempted to reply he was instantly
silenced with--
"Well, sir, don't reply to me in ranks."
The inspection would be continued. Some one, unable
to restrain himself--the whole affair was so ridiculous--
would laugh right out in ranks. He was a doomed man.
"What do you mean, sir, by laughing in ranks, sir?"
Having been once directed not to reply in ranks, the
poor "plebe" would stand mute.
"Well, sir, don't you intend to answer me?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, sir, step it out. What were you grinning at?"
"Nothing, sir."
"Nothing! Well, sir, you're a pretty thing to be
grinning at nothing. Get in ranks."
The inspection would, after many such interruptions,
be continued. Ranks would at length be closed and the
command, "In place, rest!" given. The battalion would
march in from parade at double time and form in the
area to our rear. The delinquencies of the day previous
would then be published by the cadet adjutant.
What most strikes a "plebe" is this same publication.
He hasn't the remotest idea of what it is. Not a word
uttered by the adjutant is understood by him. He stands
and wonders what it is. A perfect jargon of words,
unintelligible and meaningless to him! I remember
distinctly how I used to wonder, and how I was laughed
at when I asked for information concerning it. We
"plebes" used to speak of it often, and wonder if it
was not French. When we were better acquainted with
the rules and customs of the Academy we learned what
it was. It was something of this nature, read from the
"Delinquency Book:"
DELINQUENCIES, TUESDAY, OCT. 12.
ADAMS.--Late at reveille roll-call.
BEJAY.--Sentinel not coming to "Arms, Port," when
addressed by the officer of the day.
SAME.--Not conversant with orders at same.
BARNES.--Same at same.
SAME.--Sentinel, neglect of duty, not requiring
cadet leaving his post to report his departure and
destination.
SAME.--Hanging head, 4 P.M.
BULOW.--Dust on mantel at inspection, 9.30 A.M.
SAME.--Executing manual of arms with pointer in
section-room, 9 A.M.
SAME.--Using profane expression, 1 P.M.
CULLEN.--Out of bed at taps.
DOUNS.--Light in quarters, 11 p.m.
SAME.--Not prepared on 47 Velasquez.*
*For these delinquencies the cadets are allowed to
write explanations. If the offence is absence from
quarters or any duty without authority, or is one
committed in the Academical Department, called an
Academical Delinquency, such as not being prepared
on some lesson, an explanation is required and must
be written. For all other offences the cadet can
write an explanation or not as he chooses. If the
explanation is satisfactory, the offence is removed
and he gets no demerits, otherwise he does. For form
of explanation see Chapter X., latter part.
On the 26th of May, another colored candidate
reported. It is said he made the best show at the
preliminary examination. Unfortunately, however,
he was "found" at the following semi-annual
examination. He was brought up to my quarters by
a corporal, and I was ordered to give him all
instruction which had previously been given me.
This I did, and his first days at West Point were
much more pleasant than mine had been.
The candidates had now all reported, and Monday
afternoon, May 28th, we were each given by the
Adjutant in person a slip of paper upon which was
written the number of each man's name in an
alphabetically arranged roll. This we had special
directions to preserve. The next day we were
marched up to the Drawing Academy, and examined
in grammar, history, and geography; the following
day in orthography and reading. On the same day,
also, we were required to write out a list of all
the textbooks we had used in our previous school-
days. The day following we were divided into
sections and marched to the library, where the
Academic Board was in readiness to examine us in
mathematics. It took quite a while to examine our
class of more than one hundred members thus orally.
I am not positive about the dates of the examination.
I know it occurred in the immediate vicinity of
those named.
Not many days after this the result of the examination
was made known to us. The familiar cry, "Candidates,
turn out promptly," made at about noon, informed us
that something unusual was about to occur. It was a
fearful moment, and yet I was sure I had "passed."
The only questions I failed on were in geography. I
stood motionless while the order was being read until
I heard my name among the accepted ones. I felt as if
a great burden had been removed from my mind. It was
a beginning, and if not a good one, certainly not a
bad one. What has been the ending? Let the sequel
show.
Now that the examination was over and the deficient
ones gone, we were turned out for drill every morning
at half--past five o'clock and at four in the afternoon.
We were divided into squads of one each, and drilled
twice a day in the "settings up" until about June
20th. After a few drills, however, the squads were
consolidated into others of four, six, and eight each.
The surplus drill-masters were "turned in." Their
hopes were withered, for it was almost a certainty
that those who were "turned in" would not be "made."
They expected to be "made" on their proficiency in
drilling, and when it was shown by being "turned in"
that others had been thought better drill-masters,
they were not a little disappointed. How they "boned"
tactics! What proficiency they manifested! How they
yelled out their commands! What eagerness they showed
to correct errors, etc. And yet some could not overcome
their propensity for hazing, and these were of course
turned in. Not always thus, however. Those who were
not "turned in" were not always "made" corporals.
Often those who were so treated "got the chevrons"
after all.
"Plebe drill," or, more familiarly, "squad drill,"
has always been a source of great amusement to
citizens, but what a horror to plebes. Those
torturous twistings and twirlings, stretching
every nerve, straining every sinew, almost
twisting the joints out of place and making
life one long agonizing effort. Was there ever
a "plebe," or recruit, who did not hate, did not
shudder at the mere mention of squad drill? I did.
Others did. I remember distinctly my first experience
of it. I formed an opinion, a morbid dislike of it
then, and have not changed it. The benefit, however,
of "squad drill" can not be overestimated. It makes
the most crooked, distorted creature an erect, noble,
and manly being, provided, of course, this distortion
be a result of habit and not a natural deformity, the
result of laziness in one's walking, such as hanging
the head, dropping the shoulders, not straightening
the legs, and crossing them when walking.
Squad drill is one of the painful necessities of
military discipline, and no one regrets his
experience of it, however displeasing it may
have been at the time. It is squad drill and
hazing that so successfully mould the coarser
characters who come to West Point into officers
and gentlemen. They teach him how to govern and
be governed. They are more effectual in polishing
his asperities of disposition and forming his
character than any amount of regulations could be.
They tame him, so to speak.
Squad drill was at once a punishment, a mode of
hazing, and a drill. For the least show of
grossness one was sure to be punished with
"settings up, second time!" "settings up,
fourth time! "Continue the motion, settings
up second (or fourth) time!" We would be kept
at these motions until we could scarcely move.
Of course all this was contrary to orders. The
drill-master would be careful not to be "hived."
If he saw an officer even looking at him, he
would add the command "three," which caused a
discontinuance of the motion. He would change,
however, to one of the other exercises immediately,
and thus keep the plebes continually in motion.
When he thought the punishment sufficient he would
discontinue it by the command, "three," and give
"place, rest." When the "place, rest" had been just
about sufficient to allow the plebe to get cool and
in a measure rested, the drill would be resumed by
the command "'tion, squad" (abbreviated from
"attention" and pronounced "shun"). If the plebe
was slow, "place, rest" was again given, and
"When I give the command ''tion, squad,' I want to
see you spring up with life."
"'Tion, squad!"
Plebe is slow again.
"Well, mister, wake up. This is no trifling matter.
Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, sir, don't reply to me in ranks."
And many times and terms even more severe than these.
Now that Williams and myself were admitted, the
newspapers made their usual comments on such
occurrences. I shall quote a single one from The
New National Era and Citizen, published in Washington,
D.C., and the political organ of the colored people.
The article, however, as I present it, is taken from
another paper, having been by it taken from the Era
and Citizen:
"COLORED CADETS AT WEST POINT.
"The New National Era and Citizen, which is the
national organ of the colored people, contains
a sensible article this week on the status of
colored cadets at West Point. After referring
to the colored young men, 'Plebes' Flipper of
Georgia, and Williams of Virginia, who have
passed the examination requisite for entering
the Academy, the Era and Citizen says: 'Now that
they are in, the stiff and starched protègès of
the Government make haste to tell the reporters
that "none of the fellows would hurt them, but
every fellow would let them alone." Our reporter
seems to think that "to be let alone" a terrible
doom. So it is, if one is sent to Coventry by
gentlemen. So it is, if one is neglected by those
who, in point of education, thrift, and morality
are our equals or superiors. So it is not, if done
by the low-minded, the ignorant, and the snobbish.
If it be possible, among the four hundred young
charity students of the Government, that Cadet
Smith, for instance, finds no warm friends, and
has won no respect after the gallant fight he has
made for four years--a harder contest than he will
ever have in the sterner field--then we despair of
the material which West Point is turning out. If
this be true, it is training selfish, snobbish
martinets--not knightly soldiers, not Havelocks,
Hardinges, and Kearneys--but the lowest type of
disciplined and educated force and brutality--the
Bluchers and Marlboroughs. We scarcely believe
this, however, and we know that any young man,
whether he be poor or black, or both, may enter
any first-class college in America and find warm
sympathetic friends, both among students and
faculty, if he but prove himself to be possessed
of some good qualities . . . . If the Smiths,
Flippers, and Williamses in their honorable school
-boy careers can not meet social as well as
intellectual recognition while at West Point, let
them study on and acquit themselves like men, for
they will meet, out in the world, a worthy reception
among men of worth, who have put by the prejudices
of race and the shackles of ignorance. Emerson says
somewhere that "Solitude, the nurse of Genius, is the
foe of mediocrity." If our young men of ability have
the stuff in them to make men out of, they need not
fear "to be let alone" for a while; they will
ultimately come to the surface and attain worthy
recognition.'
"That is plain, practical talk. We like it. It
has the ring of the true metal. It shows that
the writer has faith in the ultimate triumph of
manhood. It is another form for expressing a firm
belief that real worth will find a reward. Never
has any bond people emerged from slavery into a
condition full of such grand opportunities and
splendid possibilities as those which are within
the reach of the colored people of the United
States; but if those opportunities are to be made
available, if those possibilities are to be
realized, the colored people must move into the
fore-front of action and study and work in their
own behalf. The colored cadets at West Point, the
colored students in the public schools, the colored
men in the professions, the trades, and on the
plantations, can not be idlers if they are to
compete with the white race in the acquisition of
knowledge and property. But they have examples of
notable achievements in their own ranks which
should convince them that they have not the
slightest reason to despair of success. The doors
stand wide open, from the plantation to the National
Capitol, and every American citizen can, if he will,
attain worthy recognition."
And thus, ere we had entered upon our new duties,
were we forewarned of the kind of treatment we
should expect. To be "sent to Coventry," "to be
let severely alone," are indeed terrible dooms,
but we cared naught for them. "To be let alone"
was what we wished. To be left to our own
resources for study and improvement, for enjoyment
in whatever way we chose to seek it, was what we
desired. We cared not for social recognition. We
did not expect it, nor were we disappointed in not
getting it. We would not seek it. We would not
obtrude ourselves upon them. We would not accept
recognition unless it was made willingly. We would
be of them at least independent. We would mark out
for ourselves a uniform course of conduct and follow
it rigidly. These were our resolutions. So long as
we were in the right we knew we should be recognized
by those whose views were not limited or bound by
such narrow confines as prejudice and caste, whether
they were at West Point or elsewhere. Confident that
right on our own part would secure us just treatment
from others, that "if we but prove ourselves possessed
of some good qualities" we could find friends among
both faculty and students.
I came to West Point, notwithstanding I had heard
so much about the Academy well fit to dishearten
and keep one away. And then, too, at the time I
had no object in seeking the appointment other
than to gratify an ordinary ambition. Several
friends were opposed to my accepting it, and even
persuaded me, or rather attempted to persuade me,
to give up the idea altogether. I was inexorable.
I had set my mind upon West Point, and no amount
of persuasion, and no number of harrowing narratives
of bad treatment, could have induced me to relinquish
the object I had in view. But I was right. The work I
chose, and from which I could not flinch without
dishonor, proved far more important than either my
friends or myself at first thought it would be.
Let me not, however, anticipate. Of this importance
more anon.
CHAPTER IV.
CANT TERMS, ETC.
AS a narrative of this description is very apt to
be dry and uninteresting, I have thought it possible
to remove in a measure this objection by using as
often as convenient the cant lingo of the corps. A
vocabulary which shall contain it all, or nearly
all, becomes necessary. I have taken great care to
make it as full as possible, and at the same time
as intelligible as possible.
There are a few cant words and expressions which are
directly personal, and in many cases self-explanatory.
They are for such reasons omitted.
"Animal," "animile," "beast," "reptile."-- Synonymous
terms applied to candidates for admission into the
Academy.
"Plebe."--A candidate after admission, a new cadet.
After the candidates are examined and the proficient
ones admitted, these latter are known officially as
"new cadets," but in the cant vernacular of the corps
they are dubbed "plebes," and they retain this
designation till the candidates of the next year
report. They are then called "yearlings," a title
applied usually to them in camp only. After the
encampment they become "furloughmen" until they
return from furlough in August of the following
year. They then are "second-classmen," and are so
officially and à la cadet throughout the year.
From this time till they graduate they are known
as the "graduating class," so that, except the
second class, each class has its own peculiar cant
designation.
Candidates generally report in May--about the 20th
--and during July and August are in camp. This is
their "plebe camp." The next is their, "yearling
camp." During the next, they are en congé, and the
next and last is their "first-class camp." Of "plebe
camp," "yearling camp," and "first-class camp," more
anon.
"Rapid."--A "plebe" is said to be "rapid" when he
shows a disposition to resist hazing, or to "bone
familiarity" with older cadets--i.e., upper classmen.
"Sep."--A cadet who reported for admission in
September.
"Fins."--A term applied to the hands generally,
of course to the hands of "plebes."
"Prelim."--A preliminary examination.
"Pred."--A predecessor.
"Pony."--A key, a corrigé.
"To bone."--To study, to endeavor to do well in any
particular; for instance, to "bone demerits" is to
strive to get as few as possible.
"To bone popularity."--This alludes to a habit
practised, especially by, "yearlings" while in
camp, and is equivalent to our every-day expression
in civil life, viz., "to get in with."
"To bugle it."--To avoid a recitation. To avoid a
recitation is an act seldom done by any cadet. It
is in fact standing at the board during the whole
time of recitation without turning around, and thus
making known a readiness to recite. At the Academy
a bugle takes the place of the bell in civil schools.
When the bugle is blown those sections at recitation
are dismissed, and others come in. Now, if one faces
the board till the bugle blows, there is not then
enough time for him to recite, and he is said to have
"bugled it." Some instructors will call on any one who
shows a disposition to do so, and will require him to
tell what he knows about his subject.
"Busted," "broken."--These words apply only to cadet
officers who are reduced to ranks.
"A cold case."--A sure thing, a foregone conclusion.
To "get chevrons."--To receive an appointment in the
battalion organization. Each year, on the day the
graduates receive their diplomas, and just after--
possibly just before--they are relieved from further
duty at the Academy, the order fixing the appointments
for the next year is read, and those of the year
previous revoked. It has been customary to appoint the
officers, captains, and lieutenants from the first
class, the sergeants from the second, and the corporals
from the third. This custom has at times, and for
reasons, been departed from, and the officers chosen as
seemed best.
For any offence of a grave nature, any one who has
chevrons is liable to lose them, or, in other words,
to be reduced to ranks.
"A cit."--Any citizen.
"To crawl over."--To haze, generally in the severest
manner possible.
"A chapel."--An attendance at church.
"To curse out."--To reprimand, to reprove, and also
simply to interview. This expression does not by any
means imply the use of oaths.
"To cut," "To cut cold."--To avoid, to ostracize.
"Debauch."--Any ceremony or any thing unusual. It may
be a pleasant chat, a drill, or any thing that is out
of the usual routine.
"To drive a squad."--To march it.
"Dropped."--Not promoted.
"To eat up."--See "To crawl over."
"Exaggerations."--It is a habit of the cadets to
exaggerate on certain occasions, and especially
when policing. "A log of wood," "a saw-mill," "a
forest," and kindred expressions, are applied to
any fragment of wood of any description that may
be lying about. A feather is "a pillow;" a straw,
"a broom factory;" a pin, an "iron foundry;" a
cotton string, "a cotton factory;" and I have
known a "plebe" to be told to "get up that sugar
refinery," which "refinery" was a cube of sugar
crushed by some one treading upon it.
Any thing--whatever it may be--which must be
policed, is usually known by some word or term
suggested by its use or the method or the place
of its manufacture.
"To find."--To declare deficient in studies or
discipline.
An "extra" is an extra tour of guard duty given
as punishment. Cadets on "extra" are equipped as
for parade, and walk in the area of Cadet Barracks
from two o'clock until retreat, or from two to five
hours, on Saturday or other days of the week. An
"extra" is sometimes called a "Saturday Punishment."
"A fem," "femme."--Any female person.
"A file."--Any male person.
"Fessed," "fessed cold," "fessed frigid," "fessed
out," and "fessed through."--Made a bad recitation,
failed.
"To get off."--To perpetrate.
"A gag," "Grin," "Grind."--Something witty, a
repartee.
"To hive."--To detect, used in a good and bad sense.
Also to take, to steal.
"To hoop up."--To hasten, to hurry.
"H. M. P."--Hop manager's privileges.
"A keen."--See "Gag," etc.
"To leap on."--See "To crawl over."
"Made."--Given an appointment, given chevrons as an
officer in the battalion organization.
"A make."--Such an appointment.
"Maxed."--Made a thorough recitation.
"Ath."--The last one.
"To pile in."--To retire.
"To pink."--To report for any offence.
"To plant."--To bury with military honors.
"To police one's self."--To bathe.
"To pot."--"To pink," which see.
"Prof."--Professor.
"To put in."--To submit in writing.
"To put into the battalion."--To assign to a company,
as in case of new cadets.
"Ragged," "ragged out."--Made a good recitation.
"Reveilles."--Old shoes, easy and comfortable,
worn to reveille roll-call.
"Reekless, ricochet."--Careless, indifferent.
"To run it."--To do any thing forbidden. To risk.
"To run it on."--To impose upon.
"Shout."--Excellent, i.e., will create much comment
and praise.
"Sketch-house."--The Drawing Academy.
"To skin."--See "To pink" (most common).
"To be spooney."--To be gallant.
"To spoon."--To be attentive to ladies.
"A spoon."--A sweetheart.
"Shungudgeon."--A stew.
"Supe."--Superintendent.
"To step out."--See "To hoop up."
"Topog."--A topographical drawing.
"To turn in."--To repair to one's quarters.
"To be sent in."--To order any thing sent in.
"To turn out."--To come out, or send out.
"To be white," "To treat white."--To be polite,
courteous, and gentlemanly.
"To wheaten."--To be excused by surgeon.
"To yank."--To seize upon violently.
"O. G. P."--Old guard privileges.
"Chem."--Chemistry.
"Math."--Mathematics.
"Phil."--Philosophy.
"Rocks."--Mineralogy.
"Wigwag."--Signalling.
"To get out of."--To shun, to shirk.
"Thing."--A "plebe."
"To extinguish."--To distinguish.
"To go for."--To haze.
"House."--Room, quarters.
"To freeze to."--To hold firmly.
"To wipe out."--To destroy.
"Limbo."--Confinement.
"Solemncholy."--Sad, dejected.
"Plebeskin."--A rubber overcoat issued to new cadets.
"Turnbacks."--Cadets turned back to a lower class.
"Div," "subdiv."--Division, subdivision.
"Devils."--Fellows familiarly.
"Tab."--Tabular system of French.
"To celebrate."--To do.
"A stayback."--A graduate detained at graduation to
instruct the new cadets.*
*When the cadets are in barracks, the officer of the
guard on Sundays either has or assumes authority to
detain from church, for any emergency that might
arise, one or two or more members of his guard, in
addition to those on post on duty. Cadets so detained
are called "staybacks.
"Scratch day."--A day when lessons are hard or
numerous.
"Gum game."--A joke.
"To fudge."--To copy.
BENNY HAVENS O.
[A number of cadets sitting or lounging about the
room. One at table pouring out the drinks. As soon
as he is done he takes up his own glass, and says
to the others, "Come, fellows," and then all together
standing:]
--Stand up in a row,
For sentimental drinking we're going for to go;
In the army there's sobriety, promotion's very slow,
So we'll cheer our hearts with choruses of Benny
Havens' O.
Of Benny Havens' O, of Benny Havens' O,
We'll cheer our hearts with choruses of Benny
Havens' O.
When you and I and Benny, and General Jackson too,
Are brought before the final Board our course of
life t' review,
May we never "fess" on any point, but then be told
to go
To join the army of the blest at Benny Havens' O.
At Benny Havens' O, at Benny Havens' O,
To join the army of the blest at Benny Havens' O.
To the ladies of the army let our bumpers ever flow,
Companions of our exile, our shield 'gainst every woe,
May they see their husbands generals with double pay
to show,
And indulge in reminiscences of Benny Havens' O.
Of Benny Havens O, of Benny Havens' O,
And indulge in reminiscences of Benny Havens' O.
'Tis said by commentators, in the land where we
must go
We follow the same handicraft we followed here
below;
If this be true philosophy (the sexton, he says no),
What days of dance and song we'll have at Benny
Havens' O.
At Benny Havens' O, at Benny Havens' O,
What days of dance and song we'll have at Benny
Havens' O!
To the ladies of the Empire State, whose hearts
and albums too
Bear sad remembrance of the wrongs we stripling
soldiers do,
We bid you all a kind farewell, the best recompense
we know--
Our loves and rhymings had their source at Benny
Havens' O.
At Benny Havens' O, at Benny Havens' O,
Our loves and rhymings had their source at Benny
Havens' O.
[Then, with due solemnity, every head uncovered and
bowed low, they sing:]
There comes a voice from Florida, from Tampa's
lonely shore;
It is the wail of gallant men, O'Brien is no more;
In the land of sun and flowers his head lies
pillowed low,
No more to sing petite coquille at Benny Havens' O.
At Benny Havens' O, at Benny Havens' O,
No more to sing petite coquille at Benny Havens' O,
etc.
CHAPTER V.
PLEBE CAMP.
"PLEBE CAMP!" The very words are suggestive. Those
who have been cadets know what "plebe camp" is. To
a plebe just beginning his military career the first
experience of camp is most trying. To him every thing
is new. Every one seems determined to impose upon him,
and each individual "plebe" fancies at times he's
picked out from all the rest as an especially good
subject for this abuse (?). It is not indeed a very
pleasant prospect before him, nor should he expect
it to be. But what must be his feelings when some
old cadet paints for his pleasure camp scenes and
experiences? Whatever he may have known of camp
life before seems as naught to him now. It is a new
sort of life he is to lead there, and he feels
himself, although curious and anxious to test it,
somewhat shy of entering such a place. There is no
alternative. He accepts it resignedly and goes ahead.
It is not always with smiling countenance that he
marches out and surveys the site after reveille.
Indeed, those who do have almost certainly received
A highly colored sketch of camp life, and are
hastening to sad disappointment, and not at all to
the joys they've been led to expect. He marches
into the company streets. He surveys them carefully
and recognizes what is meant by "the plebes have to
do all the policing," servants being an unknown
luxury. He also sees the sentry-boxes and the paths
the sentinels tread, and shudders as he recollects
the tales of midnight adventure which some wily
cadet has narrated to him. Imagination begins her
cruel work. Already he sees himself lying at the
bottom of Fort Clinton Ditch tied in a blanket, or
perhaps fetterless and free, but helpless. Or he
may imagine his hands are tied to one, and his feet
to the other tent-pole, and himself struggling for
freedom as he recognizes that the reveille gun has
been fired and those merciless fifers and drummers
are rapidly finishing the reveille. And, horror of
horrors! mayhap his fancies picture him standing
tremblingly on post at midnight's solemn hour, his
gun just balanced in his hands, while numbers of
cadets in hideous sheets and other ghostly garb
approach or are already standing around torturing
him. And again, perchance, he challenges some
approaching person in one direction, and finds to
his dismay the officer of the day, the officer of
the guard, and a corporal are crossing and recrossing
his post, or having already advanced without being
challenged, are demanding why it is, and why he has
been so negligent.
Just after reveille on the morning of June 22d the
companies were marched to their company streets,
and the "plebes" assigned to each followed in rear.
At the time only the tent floors and cord stays were
on the ground. These former the plebes were ordered
to align. This we did while the old cadets looked on,
occasionally correcting or making some suggestion. It
required considerable time to do this, as we were
inexperienced and had to await some explanation of
what we were to do.
When at last we were done, tents, or rather tent
floors, were assigned to us. We thence returned to
barracks and to breakfast. Our more bulky effects
were carried into camp on wagons before breakfast,
while the lighter articles were moved over by our
own hands. By, or perhaps before, eleven o'clock
every thing had been taken to camp. By twelve we
were in ranks ready to march in. At the last stroke
of the clock the column was put in march, and we
marched in with all the "glory of war." We stacked
arms in the company streets, broke ranks, and each
repaired to the tent assigned him, which had by this
time been brought over and placed folded on the tent
floors. They were rapidly prepared for raising, and
at a signal made on a drum the tents were raised
simultaneously, 'mid rousing cheers, which told that
another "camp" was begun.
After this we had dinner, and then we put our tents
in order. At four o'clock the police-call was sounded,
and all the "plebes" were turned out to police the
company streets. This new phase of West Point life--
and its phases rapidly developed themselves--was a
hard one indeed. The duties are menial, and very few
discharge them without some show of displeasure, and
often of temper. None are exempt. It is not hard work,
and yet every one objects to doing it. The third and
fourth classes, by regulations, are required to do the
policing. When I was a plebe, the plebes did it all.
Many indeed tried to shirk it, but they were invariably
"hived." Every plebe who attempted any such thing was
closely watched and made to work. The old cadets
generally chose such men for "special dutymen," and
required them to bring water, pile bedding, sweep the
floor, and do all sorts of menial services. Of course
all this last is prohibited, and therefore risky.
Somebody is "hived" and severely punished almost
every year for allowing plebes to perform menial
duties for him. But what of that? The more dangerous
it becomes the more is it practised. Forbidden things
always have an alluring sweetness about them. More
caution, however, is observed. If, for instance, a
cadet should want a pail of water, he causes a plebe
to empty his (the plebe's) into his own (the cadet's).
If it should be empty, he sends him to the hydrant to
fill it, and, when he returns, gets possession of it
as before. An officer seeing a plebe with his own
pail--recognizable by his own name being on it in
huge Roman characters--going for water would say
nothing to him. If the name, however, should be that
of a cadet, the plebe would be fortunate if he
escaped an investigation or a reprimand on the spot,
and the cadet, too, if he were not put in arrest for
allowing a new cadet to perform menial services for
him. If he wants a dipper of iced-water, he calls
out to the first plebe he sees in some such manner
as this: "Oh! Mr.--, don't you want to borrow my
dipper for a little while?" The plebe of course
understands this. He may smile possibly, and if not
serving some punishment will go for the water.
Plebes are also required to clean the
equipments of the older cadets. They do it
cheerfully, and, strange to say, are as careful
not to be "hived" as the cadet whose accoutrements
they are cleaning. I say "required." I do not mean
that regulations or orders require this of the new
cadets, but that the cadets by way of hazing do.
From the heartrending tales of hazing at West Point,
which citizens sometimes read of, one would think
the plebes would offer some resistance or would
complain to the authorities. These tales are for
the most part untrue. In earlier days perhaps
hazing was practised in a more inhuman manner than
now. It may be impossible, and indeed is, for a
plebe to cross a company street without having some
one yell out to him: "Get your hands around, mister.
Hold your head up;" but all that is required by
tactics. Perhaps the frequency and unnecessary
repetition of these cautions give them the appearance
of hazing. However that may be, there seems to be no
way to impress upon a plebe the necessity of carrying
his "palms to the front," or his "head up." To report
him and give him demerits merely causes him to laugh
and joke over the number of them that have been
recorded against him.
I do not mean to defend hazing in any sense of the
word; but I do believe that it is indispensable as
practised at the Academy. It would simply be
impossible to mould and polish the social amalgamation
at West Point without it. Some of the rough specimens
annually admitted care nothing for regulations. It is
fun to them to be punished. Nothing so effectually
makes a plebe submissive as hazing. That contemptuous
look and imperious bearing lowers a plebe, I sometimes
think, in his own estimation. He is in a manner cowed
and made to feel that he must obey, and not disobey;
to feel that he is a plebe, and must expect a plebe's
portion. He is taught by it to stay in his place, and
not to "bone popularity" with the older cadets.
It is frequently said that "plebe camp" and "plebe
life" are the severest parts of life at West Point.
To some they are, and to others they are not. With
my own self I was almost entirely free from hazing,
and while there were features in "plebe life" which
I disliked, I did nevertheless have a far easier
and better time than my own white classmates. Even
white plebes often go through their camp pleasantly
and profitably. Only those who shirk duty have to
suffer any unusual punishment or hazing.
I have known plebes to be permitted to do any thing
they chose while off duty. I have known others to
have been kept working on their guns or other
equipments whole days for several days at a time. It
mattered not how clean they were, or how soon the work
was done. I've known them to be many times interrupted
for the mere sake of hazing, and perhaps to be sent
somewhere or to do something which was unnecessary
and would have been as well undone. Plebes who tent
with first-classmen keep their own tents in order,
and are never permitted by their tentmates to do any
thing of the kind for others unless when wanted, are
entirely unoccupied, and then usually their services
are asked for. A classmate of mine, when a plebe,
tented with a first-classman. He was doing something
for himself one day in a free-and-easy manner, and
had no thought of disturbing any one. A yearling
corporal, who was passing, saw him, thought he was
having too good and soft a time of it, and ordered
him out to tighten cords, an act then highly uncalled
for, save as a means of hazing. The first-classman
happened to come up just as the plebe began to
interfere with the cords, and asked him who told him
to do that. He told him, and was at once directed to
leave them and return to whatever he was doing before
being interrupted. The yearling, confident in his red
tape and his mightiness, ordered the plebe out again.
His corporalship soon discovered his mistake, for the
first-classman gave the plebe full information as to
what could be required of him, and told him to disobey
any improper order of the corporal's which was plainly
given to haze him. The affair was made personal. A
fight ensued. The corporal was worsted, to the delight,
I imagine, of the plebes.
Again, I've known plebes to be stopped from work--if
they were doing something for a cadet--to transfer it
to some other one who was accustomed to shirk all the
duty he could, or who did things slowly and slovenly.
Indeed I may assert generally that plebes who are
willing to work have little to do outside of their
regular duty, and fare in plebe camp quite as well
as yearlings; while those who are stubborn and careless
are required to do most all the work. Cadets purposely
select them and make them work. They, too, are very
frequently objects of hazing in its severest form.
At best, though, plebe camp is rather hard, its
Numerous drills, together with guard and police duty,
make it the severest and most undesirable portion of
the four years a cadet spends at the Academy.
To get up at five o'clock and be present at reveille
roll-call, to police for half an hour, to have squad
drill during the next hour, to put one's tent in
order after that, and then to prepare one's self for
breakfast at seven, make up a rather trying round of
duties. To discharge them all--and that must
certainly be done--keeps one busy; but who would not
prefer little extra work--and not hard work at that--
in the cooler part of the day to an equal amount in
the heated portion of it? I am sure the plebes do. I
know the corporals and other officers who drill them
do, although they lose their after-reveille sleep.
After breakfast comes troop parade at eight o'clock,
guard mounting immediately after, and the establishment
of the "color line." Arms and accoutrements must be in
perfect order. The plebes clean them during the
afternoon, so that before parade it is seldom necessary
to do more than wipe off dust, or adjust a belt, or
something of the kind.
After establishing the "color line," which is done
about 8.30 A.M., all cadets, save those on guard
and those marching on, have time to do whatever
they choose. The cadets generally repair to the
guard tents to see lady friends and other
acquaintances, while the plebes either interest
themselves in the inspection of "color men," or
make ready for artillery drill at nine. The latter
drill, commencing at 9 A.M., continues for one hour.
The yearlings and plebes receive instruction in the
manual and nomenclature of the piece. The drill is
not very trying unless the heavy guns are used--I
mean unless they are drilled at the battery of
twelve-pounders. Of late both classes have been
drilled at batteries of three-inch rifles. These
are light and easily manoeuvred, and unless the
heat be intense the drill is a very pleasant one.
The first class, during this same hour, are drilled
at the siege or seacoast battery. The work here is
sometimes hard and sometimes not. When firing, the
drill is pleasant and interesting, but when we have
mechanical manoeuvres all this pleasantness vanishes.
Then we have hard work. Dismounting and mounting is
not a very pleasant recreation.
At eleven o'clock, every day for a week or ten days,
the plebes have manual drill. This is entirely in the
shade, and when "In place, rest," is frequently given,
is not at all displeasing, except when some yearling
corporal evinces a disposition to haze. At five
o'clock this drill is repeated Then comes parade,
supper, tattoo, and best of all a long night's rest.
The last two drills continue for a few days only, and
sometimes do not take place at all.
The third class, or the yearlings, have dancing from
eleven to twelve, and the plebes from then till one.
In the afternoon the plebes have nothing to do in the
way of duty till four o'clock. The camp is then
policed, and when that is done there may or may not
be any further duty to discharge till retreat parade.
After the plebes are put in the battalion--that is,
after they begin drilling, etc., with their companies
--all cadets attend company drill at five o'clock.
After attending a few of these drills the first class
is excused from further attendance during the
encampment. One officer and the requisite number of
privates, however, are detailed from the class each
day to act as officers at these drills.
I omitted to say that the first class received in the
forenoon instruction in practical military engineering
and ordnance.
What most tries plebes, and yearlings, too, is
guard duty. If their classes are small, each member
of them is put on guard every third or fourth day.
To the plebes, being something entirely new, guard
duty is very, very obnoxious.
During the day they fare well enough, but as soon as
night comes "well enough" disappears. They are liable
at any moment to be visited by cadets on a hazing
tour from the body of the camp, or by the officers
and non- commissioned officers of the guard. The
latter generally leave the post of the guard in groups
of three or four. After getting into camp they
separate, and manage to come upon a sentinel
simultaneously and from all points of the compass.
If the sentinel isn't cool, he will challenge and
Advance one, and possibly let the others come upon
him unchallenged and unseen even. Then woe be to him!
He'll be "crawled over" for a certainty, and to make
his crimes appear as bad as possible, will be reported
for "neglect of duty while a sentinel, allowing the
officers and non--commissioned officers of the guard
to advance upon him, and to cross his post repeatedly
without being challenged." He knows the report to be
true, and if he submits an explanation for the offence
his inexperience will be considered, and he will
probably get no demerits for his neglect of duty.
But the best joke of all is in their manner of
calling off the half-hours at night, and of
challenging. Sometimes we hear No. 2 call off,
"No. 2, ten o'clock, and all is well," in a most
natural and unconcerned tone of voice, while No.
3 may sing out, "No. 3, ten o'clock and all is
well-l-l," changing his tone only on the last
word. Then No. 4, with another variation, may
call off, "No. 4, ten o'clock, and all-l-l-l's
well," changing his tone on "all-l-l-l's," and
speaking the rest, especially the last word, in
a low and natural manner of voice, and sometimes
abruptly. And so on along the entire chain of
sentinels, each one calls off in a manner different
from that of the rest. Sometimes the calling off is
scarcely to be heard, sometimes it is loud and full,
and again it is distinct but squeakish. It is indeed
most delightful to be in one's tent and here the
plebes call off in the still quiet hours of the
night. One can't well help laughing, and yet all
plebes, more or less, call off in the same manner.
Plebe sentinels are very troublesome sometimes to
the non-commissioned officers of the guard. They
receive their orders time after time, and when
inspected for them most frequently spit them out
with ease and readiness; but just as soon as night
comes, and there is a chance to apply them, they
"fess utterly cold," and in the simplest things
at that. Nine plebes out of ten almost invariably
challenge thus, "Who comes here?" "Who stands here?"
"Who goes here?" as the case may be, notwithstanding
they have been repeatedly instructed orally, and have
seen the words, as they should be, in the regulations.
If a person is going, and is a hundred yards or so
off, it is still, "Who goes here?" Everything is
"here."
One night the officer of the day concealed himself
near a sentinel's post, and suddenly appeared on it.
The plebe threw his gun down to the proper position
and yelled out, "Who comes here?" The officer of
the day stopped short, whereupon the plebe jumped
at him and shouted, "Who stands here?" Immediately
the officer started off, saying as he did so, "I'm
not standing; I'm going." Then of course the
challenge was again changed to, "Who goes here? "I'm
not going; I'm coming," said the officer, facing
about and approaching the sentinel. This was kept
up for a considerable time, till the officer of the
day got near a sentry-box and suddenly disappeared.
The plebe knew he was there, and yelled in a louder
tone than before, "Who stands here? "Sentry-box," was
the solemn and ghostly response.
It is hardly reasonable, I think, to say the plebe
was frightened; but he actually stood there
motionless, repeating his challenge over and over
again, "Who stands here?"
There was a light battery in park near by, and
through this, aided by the gloom, the officer
of the day managed to pass unobserved along, but
not on the sentinel's post. He then got upon it
and advanced on him, making the while much noise
with his sword and his heavy tread. He walked
directly up to the sentinel unchallenged, and
startled him by asking, "What are you standing
here yelling for?"
The plebe told him that the officer of the day had
been upon his post, and he had seen him go behind
the sentry-box. And all this to the officer of the
day, standing there before him, "Well, sir, whom
do you take me to be?"
The plebe looks, and for the first time brought to
full consciousness, recognizes the officer of the
day. Of course he is surprised, and the more so
when the officer of the day inspects for his--the
plebe's--satisfaction the sentry-box, and finds
no one there. He "eats" that plebe up entirely,
and then sends a corporal around to instruct him
in his orders. When the corporal comes it may be
just as difficult to advance him. He may, when
challenged, advance without replying, or, if he
replies, he may say, "Steamboat," "Captain Jack,
Queen of the Modocs," as one did say to me, or
something or somebody else not entitled to the
countersign. Possibly the plebe remembers this,
and he may command "Halt!" and call another corporal.
This latter may come on a run at "charge bayonets,"
and may not stop till within a foot or so of the
sentinel. He then gets another "cursing out." By
this time the corporal who first came and was halted
has advanced unchallenged and unnoticed since the
arrival of the second. And then another cursing out.
Thus it is that plebe camp is made so hard.
Surely the officers and non-commissioned officers
are right in testing by all manner of ruses the
ability of the sentinels. It is their duty to
instruct them, to see that they know their orders,
and are not afraid to apply them.
Sometimes plebes enjoy it, and like to be cursed
out. Sometimes they purposely advance toward a
party improperly, to see what will be said to them.
It is fun to some, and to others most serious. At
best it gives a plebe a poor opinion of West Point,
and while he may bear it meekly he nevertheless
sighs for the "-- touch of a vanished hand," the
caressing hand of a loving mother or sister. I know
I used to hate the very name of camp, and I had an
easier time, too, than the other plebes.
Of course the plebes, being inexperienced for the
most part, are "high privates in the rear rank."
For another reason, also, this is the case. The
first and second classes have the right established
by immemorial custom of marching in the front rank,
which right necessarily keeps the plebes in the rear
rank, and the yearlings too, except so many as are
required in the front rank for the proper formation
of the company. Another reason, perhaps, may be
given to the same end. We have what we call class
rank, or, in other words, class standing. Every
class has certain privileges and immunities, which
the junior classes do not enjoy; for example, first-
classmen, and second-classmen too--by General Orders
of September, 1876--are excused from guard duty in
the capacity of privates, and are detailed-- first-
classmen for officers of the day and officers of the
guard, and second-classmen for non-commissioned
officers of the guard. All members of the third and
fourth classes are privates, and from them the
privates of the guard are detailed. All officers,
commissioned and non-commissioned, are exempt from
"Saturday punishment." I mean they do not walk
extra tours of guard for punishment. The non-
commissioned officers are sometimes required to
serve such punishments by discharging the duties
of corporal or sergeant in connection with the
punishment squad. Third-and fourth-classmen enjoy
no such immunities. Plebes, then, having no rank
whatever, being in fact conditional cadets until
they shall have received their warrants in the
following January, must give way to those who have.
One half or more of the privates of the company must
be in the front rank. This half is made up of those
who rank highest, first-classmen and second-classmen,
and also, if necessary, a number of third-classmen.
Plebes must then, except in rare cases, march in the
rear rank, and from the time they are put in the
battalion till the close of the summer encampment,
they are required to carry their hands with palms to
the front as prescribed in the tactics.
All this is kept up till the close of camp, and makes,
I think, plebe camp the most trying part of one's cadet
life.
On the 28th of August the furloughmen return, and
report to the commandant at two o'clock for duty.
In the afternoon the battalion is sized and quarters
are assigned under the supervision of the assistant-
instructors of tactics.
At parade the appointment of officers and non-
commissioned officers for the ensuing year is
published, and also orders for the discontinuance
of the encampment.
In the evening the "twenty-eighth hop" takes place,
and is the last of the season. On the 29th--and
beginning at reveille--the cadets move their effects
into winter quarters in barracks. All heavy articles
are moved in on wagons, while all lighter ones are
carried over by cadets themselves. By seven o'clock
every thing is moved away from camp, save each cadet's
accoutrements.
Breakfast is served at 7 A.M., and immediately
afterward comes "troop" and guard-mounting, after
which the entire camp is thoroughly policed. This
requires an hour or more, and when all is done the
"general" is sounded. At this the companies are
formed under arm in their respective company
streets. The arms are then stacked and ranks
broken. At least two cadets repair to each tent,
and at the first tap of the drum remove and roll
up all the cords save the corner ones. At the
second tap, while one cadet steadies the tent the
other removes and rolls the corner cords nearest
him. The tents in the body of the encampment are
moved. Back two feet, more or less, from the
color line, while the guard tents and those of
the company officers are moved in a northerly
direction. At the third tap the tents fall
simultaneously toward the color line and the south
cardinal point, amid rousing cheers. The tents
being neatly rolled up and placed on the floors,
the companies are reformed and on the centre. The
battalion then marches out to take up its winter
quarters in barracks.
When camp is over the plebes are no longer required
to depress their toes or to carry their hands with
palms to the front. They are, in fact, "cadets and
gentlemen," and must take care of themselves.
CHAPTER VI.
STUDIES, ETC.
THE academic year begins July 1st, and continues
till about June 20th the following year. As soon
after this as practicable--depending upon what
time the examination is finished--the corps moves
into camp, with the exception of the second class,
who go on furlough instead.
Between the 20th of August and the 1st of September,
the "Seps," or those candidates who were unable to
do so in the spring previous, report. Before the 1st
they have been examined and the deficient ones
dismissed. On the 1st, unless that be Sunday,
academic duties begin. The classes are arranged
into a number of sections, according to their class
rank, as determined at the previous annual examination,
or according to rank in some particular study--for
instance, for instruction in engineering the first
class is arranged according to merit in philosophy,
and not according to general merit or class rank. The
fourth, or "plebe" class, however, is arranged
alphabetically since they as yet have no class rank.
The first class study, during the first term,
engineering law, and ordnance and gunnery. They
recite on civil engineering from 8 to 11 A.M.
daily, on ordnance and gunnery from 2 to 4 P.M.,
alternating with law.
The second class have natural and experimental
philosophy from 8 to 11 A.M. daily, and chemistry,
alternating with riding, from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.;
also drawing in pencil from 2 to 4 P.M. For
instruction in this department the class is divided
into two as nearly equal parts as practicable, which
alternate in attendance at the Drawing Academy.
The third class have pure mathematics, analytical
Geometry, descriptive geometry, and the principles
of shades, shadows, and perspective, from 8 to 11
A.M. daily. They also have French from 11 A.M.,
till 1 P.M., alternating with Spanish.
The entire class attend drawing daily till November
1st, when it is divided into two equal parts or
platoons, which attend drawing and riding on
alternate clays. Riding! "Yearling riding!" I must
advert to that before I go further. First let me
describe it. A platoon of yearlings, twenty, thirty,
forty perhaps; as many horses; a spacious riding-
hall, with galleries that seat but too many mischievous
young ladies, and whose interior is well supplied with
tan bark, make up the principal objects in the play.
Nay, I omit the most important characters, the
Instructor and the necessary number of enlisted, men.
ACT I.
SCENE I.
Area of barracks. At guard-house door stands an
orderly, with drum in hands. In the area a number
of cadets, some in every-day attire, others dressed
à la cavalier. These à la cavalier fellows are going
to take their first lesson in riding. About four-
fifths of them were never on a horse in their lives,
and hence what dire expectations hover over their
ordinarily placid heads! They have heard from the
upper classmen what trials the novice experiences
in his first efforts, and they do not go to the
riding-hall without some dread. Four o'clock and ten
minutes. The drum is beaten.
Officer of the Day.--Form your platoon! Right, face!
Call your roll!
Section Marcher.--Bejay! Barnes! Du Furing!
Swikeheimer! Du Flicket, etc.
Platoon (answering to their names).--Here! Here-re-
re! ho-o-o! hi-i-i! har-ar-ar! Heer-r!
Section Marcher (facing about salutes).--All are
present, sir!
Officer of the Day (returning salute).--March off
your platoon, sir!
Section Marcher (facing about).--Left face! forward.
March! (Curtain falls.)
ACT II.
SCENE I.
The riding-hall, a large, spacious, rectangular
structure, door on each side and at each end,
floor well covered with tan bark, spacious
gallery over each side door, staircases outside
leading to them. Galleries are occupied, one by
ladies, and, perhaps a number of gentlemen, and
the other by enlisted men usually. In the centre
of the hall are a number of horses, each equipped
with a surcingle, blanket, and watering bridle.
A soldier stands at the head of each one of them.
As curtain rises enter platoon by side door, and
marches around the left flank of the line of
horses and as far forward as necessary.
Section Marcher.--Platoon, halt! left, face!
(Saluting Instructor) All are present, sir!
Instructor (saluting).--The Section Marcher will
take his place on the left.
He then gives all necessary instruction.
"To mount the trooper the Instructor first causes
him to stand to horse by the command 'Stand to
horse!' At this command--" Well, see "Cavalry
Tactics."
We've got the trooper mounted now. After some
further explanation the Instructor forms them
into a column of files by the commands:
"By file, by the right (or left) flank. March!"
They are now going around the hall at a walk, a
slow, snail-like pace, but what figures some of
them present! Still all goes on quite well. The
Instructor is speaking:
"To trot," says he, "raise the hands" ("yearlings"
use both hands) "slightly. This is to apprise the
horse that you want his attention. Then lower the
hands slightly, and at the same time gently press
the horse with the legs until he takes the gait
desired. As soon as he does, relax the pressure."
A long pause. The occupants of the galleries are
looking anxiously on. They know what is coming next.
They have seen these drills over and over again. And
so each trooper awaits anxiously the next command.
Alas! It comes! "Trot!"
What peals of laughter from that cruel gallery! But
why? Ah! See there that trooper struggling in the
tan bark while a soldier pursues his steed. He is
not hurt. He gets up, brushes away the tan bark,
remounts and starts off again. But there, he's off
again! He's continually falling off or jumping off
purposely (?). What confusion! There comes one at a
full gallop, sticking on as best he can; but there,
the poor fellow is off. The horses are running away.
The troopers are dropping off everywhere in the hall.
No one is hurt. Alas! they pressed too hard to keep
on, and instead of relaxing the pressure at the
desired gait, the trot, they kept on pressing, the
horse taking the trot, the gallop, the run, and the
trooper, alas! the dust. Again they had the reins
too long, and instead of holding on by the flat of
the thighs with their feet parallel to the horse,
we see them making all sorts of angles. But that
gallery! that gallery! how I used to wish it wasn't
there! The very sight of a lady under such
circumstances is most embarrassing.
Fair ones, why will you thus torture the "yearlings"
by your at other times so desirable presence?
The fourth class have pure mathematics, and algebra,
daily from 8 to 11 A.M., and French also, daily,
from 2 to 4 P.M. Beginning on October 15th, or as
near that time as practicable, they have fencing,
and the use of the bayonet and small-sword.
During the month of September cadets of all classes,
or the battalion, are instructed in the infantry
tactics in the "School of the Battalion." Near the
end of the month it is customary to excuse the
officers of the first class from these drills, and
to detail privates to perform their duties for one
drill only at a time. The other classes are in ranks,
or the line of file-closers, according as they are
sergeants, guides, or privates.
During October the several classes receive practical
instruction as follows: The first class in military
engineering, the manner of making and recording the
details of a military reconnoissance, and field
sketching; the second class in siege and sea-coast
artillery, and military signalling and telegraphy.
The class is divided into two parts, composed of the
odd and even numbers, which attend drills on alternate
days--that is, artillery one day and signalling the
next; the third class in light or field artillery,
and the theory and principles of "target practice."
Sometimes this latter is given during camp, as is
most convenient. Sometimes, also, they receive
instruction in ordnance. This, however, is generally
deferred till they become first-classmen.
For further instruction of the first class the
following part of the personnel of a light battery
is detailed from that class, viz.: three chiefs
of platoon, one chief of caissons, one guidon, and
six chiefs of section. Each member of the class is
detailed for each of these offices in his proper order.
The fourth class receives instruction in field
artillery at the "foot batteries." This instruction
is limited to the nomenclature and manual of the
piece. Here, also, to assist the instructor, a chief
of piece for each piece is detailed. They are required
to correct all errors made by the plebes, and sometimes
even to drill them. Hence a knowledge of tactics is
indispensable, and the means of fixing such knowledge
in the mind is afforded.
Sometimes also two first-classmen are required to
assist at the siege or sea-coast batteries.
Every day throughout the year a guard is mounted.
It consists of two officers of the guard--sometimes
only one--one sergeant, three corporals--or more--
and twenty-four privates--sometimes, also, eighteen
or twenty-one in camp, and twenty-seven in barracks.
Every day, also, there is one officer of the day
detailed from the first class.
The weather permitting, we have "dress parade" daily.
When unfavorable, on account of snow, rain, or severe
cold, we have "undress parade"--that is, parade without
arms and in undress or fatigue uniform, the object
being to get us all together to publish the orders,
etc., for the morrow. After November 1st we usually
have "undress parade," and then "supper mess parade."
Between these two ceremonies the cadets amuse themselves
at the gymnasium, dancing or skating, or "spooneying,"
or at the library; generally, I think--the upper classmen
at any rate--at the library. After supper we have
recreation and then study. 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.
Parades, guard duty, etc., remain as previously
described until about the middle of March usually.
At that time the ordinary routine of drills, dress
parades, etc., is resumed; but drills in this order,
viz., from March 15th to April 1st instruction in
the school of the company; in artillery tactics, as
before described during April; and in infantry
tactics, in the "School of the Battalion," during
May. The annual examination takes place in June. The
following diary, made for the purpose of insertion
here, will best explain what generally occurs during
the month:
MEMORANDA.
Thursday, June 1, 1876.--Resumed white pants at 5.10
P.M. Received Board of Visitors by a review at 5.10
P.M. Examination begun at 9 A.M. First class,
engineering. Salute of fifteen guns at meridian to
Board of Visitors.
Friday, June 2.--First class, engineering finished.
Second class, philosophy commenced. Siege battery
drill at 5.10 P.M.
Saturday, June 3.--Second class, philosophy
continued.
Monday, June 5.--Light battery at 5.10 P.M. A
yearling lost his "white continuations." Plebes
went to parade.
Tuesday, June 6.--Fourth class, entire in French.
Examination written. Second class, philosophy
finished. First class, mineralogy and geology
begun. Third class, mathematics begun. Battalion
drill at 5.10 P.M.
Wednesday, June 7.--Second class turned out, marched
to sea-coast battery at 11 A.M. Three detachments
selected. Rest marched back and dismissed. Cavalry
drill at 5.10 P.M. Six second-classmen turned out.
Plebes put in battalion.
Thursday, June 8.--Plebes put on guard. Pontoon
bridging, 5.10 P. M.
Friday, June 9.--Battalion skirmish drill 5.10 P.M.
Deployed to front at double time. Second, fourth,
and seventh companies reserve. Almost all manoeuvres
at double time. Deployed by numbers and charged.
Marched in in line, band on right. Broke into
column of companies to the left, changed direction
to the right, obliqued to the left, moved forward and
formed "front into line, faced to the rear." Arms
inspected, ammunition returned. Dismissed.
Saturday, June 10.--Third class, mathematics finished.
Miss Philips sang to cadets in mess hall after supper.
First class, ordnance begun.
Sunday, June 11.--Graduating sermon by Hon.--, of
Princeton, N. J., closing "hime," "When shall we meet
again?" Graduating dinner at 2 P.M.
Monday, June 12.--Detail from first class to ride in
hall. Use of sabre and pistol on horseback. First
class, ordnance finished. Law begun.
Tuesday, June 13.--First class finished. Board divided
into committees. Second class, chemistry begun.
Graduating parade. Corps cheered by graduates after
parade. Hop in evening; also German; whole continuing
till 3 A.M. Rumor has it two first-classmen, Slocum
and Guilfoyle, are "found" in ordnance and engineering.
Wednesday, June 14.--Fourth class, mathematics begun.
Salute seventeen guns at 10 A.M. in honor of arrival
at post of General Sherman and Colonel Poe of his
staff. Graduating exercises from 11 A.M. till near
1 P.M. Addresses to graduates. Mortar practice and
fireworks at night.
This ended the "gala" days at West Point in '76.
Thursday, June 15.--Usual routine of duties resumed.
Company drills in the afternoon from 5.10 to 6.10
P.M. Rather unusual, but we're going to the Centennial.
Rumor has it we encamp Saturday the 17th for ten days.
Friday, June 16.--Dom Pedro, emperador de la Brasil
estaba recibiado para un "review" a las cuatro
horas y quarenta y cinco minutos. El embarcó por la
ciudad de Nueva York inmediatemente Second class,
chemistry finished. Third class, French begun.
Saturday, June 17.--Third class, French finished.
Third class, Spanish begun. "Camp rumor" not true.
Monday, June 19.--Moved into camp, aligned tent
floors at 5 A. M. in the rain. Required by order
to move in effects at 9 A. M., and to march in and
pitch tents at 12 M. Rained in torrents. Marched
in, etc., at 9 A.M. Effects moved in afterwards.
Rain ceased by 12 M. Marched in. Second class,
tactics finished. Third class, Spanish finished.
Ordinarily as soon as the examination is over the
third class take advantage of the two months'
furlough allowed them, while other classes go into
camp. This encampment begins June 17th, or a day or
two earlier or later, according to circumstances.
This brings me to the end of the first year. I have
described camp life, and also, I observe, each of
the remaining years of cadet life. On July 1st the
plebes become the fourth class; the original fourth
the third; the third, now on furlough, the second;
and the second the first. I have given in an earlier
part of my narrative the studies, etc., of these
several classes.
The plebe, or fourth class of the previous year, are
now become yearlings, and are therefore in their
"yearling camp." At the end of every month an extract
from the class and conduct report of each cadet is
sent to his parents or guardian for their information.
I insert a copy of one of these monthly reports.
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY,
West Point, N. Y., March 26, 1875.
EXTRACT from the Class and Conduct Reports of the
MILITARY ACADEMY for the month of February, 1875,
furnished for the information of Parents and Guardians,
THIRD CLASS--Composed of 83 Members.
Cadet Henry O. Flipper
Was, in Mathematics.........No. 48
" French..............No. 48
" Spanish,............No. 37
" Drawing.............No. 40
His demerit for the month is 2, and since the
commencement of the academic half year, 23.
Robt. H. Hall,
Captain 10th Infantry,
Adjutant Military Academy.
REGULATIONS FOR THE MILITARY ACADEMY.
Par. 71.--When any Cadet shall have a total of
numbers [of demerit] thus recorded, exceeding one
hundred in six months, he shall be declared deficient
in discipline.
Par. 153.--No Cadet shall apply for, or receive money,
or any other supplies from his parents, or from any
person whomsoever, without permission of the
Superintendent.
Note.--The attention of Parents and Guardians is
invited to the foregoing Regulations. The permission
referred to in paragraph 153 must be obtained before
the shipment to the cadet of the supplies desired.
[Tables omitted.]
CHAPTER VII.
YEARLING CAMP.
IN this chapter I shall describe only those phases
of cadet life which are experienced by "yearlings"
in their "yearling camp."
Beginning July 5th, or as soon after as practicable,
the third class receive practical instruction in the
nomenclature and manual of the field-piece. This drill
continues till August 1st, when they begin the "School
of the Battery."
The class attend dancing daily. Attendance at dancing
is optional with that part of the third class called
"yearlings," and compulsory for the "Seps," who of
course do not become yearlings till the following
September. The third class also receive instruction
in the duties of a military laboratory, and "target
practice." These instructions are not always given
during camp. They may be given in the autumn or spring.
Another delight of the yearling is to "bone colors."
Immediately in front of camp proper is a narrow path
extending entirely across the ground, and known as the
"color line." On the 1st of August--sometimes before--
the "color line" is established, this name being
applied also to the purpose of the color line. This
ceremony consists in stacking arms just in rear of the
color line, and placing the colors on the two stacks
nearest the centre of the line.
From the privates of the guard three are chosen to
guard the stacks and to require every one who crosses
the color line or passes within fifteen paces of the
colors to salute them. These three sentinels are known
as the "colors," or "color men," and are numbered
"first," "second," and "third."
Those are chosen who are neatest and most soldierlike
in their appearance. Cadets prepare themselves
specially for this, and they toss up their guns to
the adjutant at guard-mounting. This signifies that
they intend competing for "colors." The adjutant falls
them out after the guard has marched to its post, and
inspects them. Absolute cleanliness is necessary. Any
spot of dirt, dust, or any thing unclean will often
defeat one. Yearlings "bone" their guns and accoutrements
for "colors," and sometimes get them every time they
toss up.
A "color man" must use only those equipments issued to
him. He cannot borrow those of a man who has "boned
them up" and expect to get colors. Sometimes-- but
rarely--plebes compete and win.
The inducement for this extra labor is simply this:
Instead of being on duty twenty-four hours, color men
are relieved from 4 P. M. till 8 A. M. the next day,
when they march off. They of course enjoy all other
privileges given the "Old Guard."
"Sentinels for the Color Line.--The sentinels for the
color line will be permitted to go to their tents from
the time the stacks are broken till 8 A.M. the following
morning, when they will rejoin the guard. They will be
excused from marching to meals, but will report to the
officer of the guard at the roll-call for each meal, and
also at tattoo and reveille."--(From Résumé of Existing
Orders, U. S. C. C.)
It is the yearling who does most of the hazing. Just
emerged from his chrysalis state, having the year
before received similar treatment at the hands of other
yearlings, he retaliates, so to speak, upon the now
plebe, and finds in such retaliation his share of
enjoyment.
The practice, however, is losing ground. The cadets
are more generous, and, with few exceptions, never
interfere with a plebe. This is certainly an advance
in the right direction; for although hazing does
comprise some good, it is, notwithstanding, a low
practice, one which manliness alone should condemn.
None need information and assistance more than plebes,
and it is unkind to refuse it ; nay, it is even not
humane to refuse it and also to haze the asker. Such
conduct, more than any thing else, discourages and
disheartens him. It takes from him all desire to do
and earn, to study or strive for success. At best it
can be defended only as being effective where
regulations are not, viz., in the cases of rough
specimens who now not infrequently manage to win
their appointments.
Formerly in yearling camp the corporals were all
"acting sergeants." They were so acting in the
absence of the de facto sergeants. These corporals
got the idea into their heads that to retain their
appointments they had to do a certain amount of
"skinning," and often "skins" were more fancied
than real. This was a rather sad condition of
affairs. Plebes would find their demerits
accumulating and become disheartened. It was all
due to this unnecessary rigor, and "being military,"
which some of the yearling corporals affected. No
one bears, or rather did bear, such a reputation
as the yearling corporal. As such he was disliked
by everybody, and plebes have frequently fought
them for their unmanly treatment. This, however,
was. It is no more. We have no yearling corporals,
and plebes fare better generally than ever before.
Not because all yearling corporals thus subserved
their ambition by reporting men for little things
that might as well have been overlooked, did they
get this bad reputation, but rather because with it
they coupled the severest hazing, and sometimes even
insults. That was unmanly as well as mean. Hazing
could be endured, but not always insults.
Whether for this reason or not I cannot say, the
authorities now appoint the corporals from the
second class, men who are more dignified and courteous
in their conduct toward all, and especially toward
plebes. The advantages of this system are evident.
One scarcely appreciates cadet life--if such
appreciation is possible--till he becomes a
yearling. It is not till in yearling camp that
a cadet begins to "spoon." Not till then is he
permitted to attend the hops, and of course he
has but little opportunity to cultivate female
society, nor is he expected to do so till then,
for to assume any familiarity with the upper
classes would be considered rather in advance of
his "plebeship's" rights. How then can he--he is
little more than a stranger--become acquainted
with the fair ones who either dwell at or are
visiting West Point. Indeed, knowing "femmes" are
quite as prone to haze as the cadets, and most
unmercifully cut the unfortunate plebe. Some are
also so very haughty: they will admit only first-
classmen to their acquaintance and favor.
But Mr. Plebe, having become a yearling finds that
the "Mr." is dropped, and that he is allowed all
necessary familiarity. He then begins to enjoy his
cadetship, a position which for pleasure and happiness
has untold advantages, for what woman can resist those
glorious buttons? A yearling has another advantage. The
furlough class is absent, and the plebes--well, they
are "plebes." Sufficient, isn't it? The spooneying
must all be done, then, by the first and third classes.
Often a great number of the first class are bachelors,
or not inclined to be spooney; and that duty then of
course devolves on the more gallant part of that class
and the yearlings.
The hop managers of the third class have been mentioned
elsewhere. They enjoy peculiar facilities for pleasure,
and, where a good selection has been made, do much to
dispel the monotony of academic military life. Indeed,
they do very much toward inducing others to cultivate a
high sense of gallantry and respect for women. The
refining influence of female society has greater play,
and its good results are inevitable.
But what a wretched existence was mine when all this
was denied me! One would be unwilling to believe I had
not, from October, 1875, till May, 1876, spoken to a
female of any age, and yet it was so. There was no
society for me to enjoy--no friends, male or female,
for me to visit, or with whom I could have any social
intercourse, so absolute was my isolation.* Indeed, I
had friends who often visited me, but they did so only
when the weather was favorable. In the winter season,
when nature, usually so attractive, presented nothing
to amuse or dispel one's gloom, and when, therefore,
something or some one suited for that purpose was so
desirable, no one of course visited me. But I will not
murmur. I suppose this was but another constituent of
that mechanical mixture of ills and anxieties and
suspense that characterized my cadet life. At any rate
I can console myself in my victory over prejudice,
whether that victory be admitted or not. I know I have
so lived that they could find in me no fault different
from those at least common to themselves, and have
thus forced upon their consciences a just and merited
recognition whether or not they are disposed to follow
conscience and openly accept my claim to their brotherly
love.
*I could and did have a pleasant chat every day, more
or less, with "Bentz the bugler," the tailor, barber,
commissary clerk, the policeman who scrubbed out my
room and brought around the mail, the treasurer's
clerk, cadets occasionally, and others. The statement
made in some of the newspapers, that from one year's
end to another I never heard the sound of my own voice,
except in the recitation room, is thus seen to be
untrue.
CHAPTER VIII.
FIRST-CLASS CAMP.
IT is a common saying among cadets that "first-class
camp is just like furlough." I rather think the
assertion is an inheritance from former days and the
cadets of those days, for the similarity at present
between first-class camp and furlough is beyond our
conception. There is none, or if any it is chimerical,
depending entirely on circumstances. In the case of
a small class it would be greater than in that of a
large one. For instance, in "train drill" a certain
number of men are required. No more are necessary. It
would be inexpedient to employ a whole class when the
class had more men in it than were required for the
drill. In such cases the supernumeraries are instructed
in something else, and alternate with those who attend
train drill. In the case of a small class all attend the
same drill daily, and that other duty or drill is
reserved for autumn. Thus there is less drill in camp,
and it becomes more like furlough when there is none
at all.
Again, first-classmen enjoy more privileges than
others, and for this reason their camp is more like
furlough. If, however, there are numerous drills,
the analogy will fail; for how can duty, drills,
etc., coexist with privileges such as first-class
privileges? Time which otherwise would be devoted
to enjoyment of privileges is now consumed in drills.
Still there is much in it which makes first-class
camp the most delightful part of a cadet's life.
There are more privileges, the duties are lighter
and more attractive, and make it withal more enjoyable.
First, members of the class attend drill both as
assistants and as students. They are detailed as
chiefs of platoon, chiefs of section, chiefs of
caissons, and as guidons at the light battery; as
chiefs of pieces at the several foot batteries;
attend themselves at the siege or sea-coast batteries,
train drill, pontoon drill, engineering, ordnance, and
astronomy, and they are also detailed as officers of
the guard. These duties are generally not very
difficult nor unpleasant to discharge. Second, from the
nature of the privileges allowed first-classmen, they
have more opportunity for pleasure than other cadets,
and therefore avoid the rather serious consequences of
their monotonous academic military life. A solitary
monotonous life is rather apt to engender a dislike for
mankind, and no high sense of honor or respect for women.
I deem these privileges of especial importance, as they
enable one to avoid that danger and to cultivate the
highest possible regard for women, and those virtues and
other Christian attributes of which they are the better
exponents. A soldier is particularly liable to fall into
this sans-souci way of looking at life, and those to
whom its pleasures, as well as its ills, are largely
due. We are indebted to our fellows for every thing
which affects our life as regards its happiness or
unhappiness, and this latter misfortune will rarely
be ours if we properly appreciate our friends and
those who can and will make life less wretched. To
shut one's self up in one's self is merely to trust,
or rather to set up, one's own judgment as superior
to the world's. That cannot be, nor can there be
happiness in such false views of our organization as
being of and for each other.
At this point of the course many of the first-class
have attained their majority. They are men, and in
one year more will be officers of the army. It becomes
them, therefore, to lay aside the ordinary student's
rôle, and assume a more dignified one, one more in
conformity with their age and position. They leave
all cadet rôles, etc., to the younger classes, and
put on the proper dignity of men.
There are for them more privileges. They are more
independent--more like men; and consequently they
find another kind of enjoyment in camp than that
of the cadet. It is a general, a proper, a rational
sort of pleasure such as one would enjoy at home
among relatives or friends, and hence the similarity
between first-class camp and furlough.
But it is not thus with all first-classmen. Many,
indeed the majority, are cadets till they graduate.
They see every thing as a cadet, enjoy every thing
as a cadet, and find the duties, etc., of first-class
camp as irksome as those of plebe or yearling camp.
Of course such men see no similarity between first-
class camp and furlough. It is their misfortune. We
should enjoy as many things as we can, and not sorrow
over them. We should not make our life one of sorrow
when it could as well be one of comfort and pleasure.
I don't mean comfort and pleasure in an epicurean
sense, but in a moral one. Still first-classmen do
have many duties to perform, but there is withal one
consolation at least, there are no upper classmen to
keep the plebe or yearling in his place. There is no
feeling of humbleness because of junior rank, for the
first class is the first in rank, and therefore need
humble itself to none other than the proper authorities.
Again, their honor, as "cadets and gentlemen," is
relied upon as surety for obedience and regard for
regulations. They are not subject to constant watching
as plebes are. The rigor of discipline is not so severe
upon them as upon others. It was expended upon them
during their earlier years at the Academy, and, as a
natural consequence, any violation of regulations, etc.,
by a first-classman, merits and receives a severer
punishment than would be visited upon a junior classman
for a like infringement on his part.
The duties of first-classmen in first-class camp are
as follows: The officer of the day and two officers
of the guard are detailed each day from the class.
Their duties are precisely those of similar officers
in the regular army. The junior officer of the guard
daily reports to the observatory to find the error of
the tower clock. Also each day are detailed the
necessary assistants for the several light batteries,
who are on foot or mounted, as the case may require.
The remainder of the class receive instructions in
the service of the siege and sea-coast artillery.
These drills come in the early forenoon. After them
come ordnance and engineering.
The entire class is divided as equally as may be into
two parts, which alternate in attendance at ordnance
and engineering.
In ordnance the instructions are on the preparation
of military fireworks, fixing of ammunition and
packing it, the battery wagon and forge. This
instruction is thoroughly practical. The cadets
make the cases for rockets, paper shells, etc., and
fill them, leaving them ready for immediate use. The
stands of fixed ammunition prepared are the grape and
canister, and shell and shot, with their sabots.
The battery wagon and forge are packed as prescribed
in the "Ordnance Manual."
The instructions in engineering are also practical
and military. They are in the modes of throwing and
dismantling pontoon bridges, construction of fascines,
gabions, hurdles, etc., and revetting batteries with
them. Sometimes also during camp, more often after,
foot reconnoissances are made. A morning and night
detail is made daily from the class to receive
practical instruction in astronomy in the field
observatory.
Night signalling with torches, and telegraphy by day,
form other sources of instruction for the first class.
Telegraphy, or train drill, as the drill is called,
consists in erecting the telegraph line and opening
communication between two stations, and when this is
done, in communicating so as to acquire a practical
knowledge of the instruments and their use.
These various drills--all of them occurring daily,
Sunday of course excepted, and for part of them
Saturday also--complete the course of instruction
given the first class only during their first-class
camp. It will be observed that they all of them are
of a military nature and of the greatest importance.
The instruction is thorough accordingly.
I have sufficiently described, I think, a cadet's
first-class camp. I shall, therefore, close the
chapter here.
CHAPTER IX.
OUR FUTURE HEROES.
THE WEST POINT CADETS' VACATION.
Ten Days of Centennial Sport for Prospective Warriors
--The Miseries of three hundred Young Gentlemen who
are limited to Ten Pairs of White Trousers each.
"ALMOST at the foot of George's Hill, and not far
to the westward of Machinery Hall, is the camp of
the West Point cadets. From morning till night the
domestic economy of the three hundred young gentlemen
who compose the corps is closely watched, and their
guard mountings and dress parades attract throngs of
spectators. It would be hard to find anywhere a body
of young men so manly in appearance, so perfect in
discipline, and so soldier-like and intelligent. The
system of competitive examination for admission, so
largely adopted within the past few years in many of
our large cities, has resulted in recruiting the corps
with lads of bright intellect and more than ordinary
attainments, while the strict physical examination has
rigorously excluded all but those of good form and
perfect health. The competitive system has also given
to the Academy students who want to learn, instead of
lads who are content to scramble through the prescribed
course as best they can, escaping the disgrace of being
"found" (a cadet term equivalent to the old college word
"plucked") by nearly a hair's-breadth.
"The camp.--The camp is laid out in regulation style,
and has four company streets. Near the western limit
of the Centennial grounds are the tents of the
commandant and the cadet captains and lieutenants.
Below, on a gentle incline, are the wall tents,
occupied by the cadets. Each of these has a board
floor, and it is so arranged that when desired it
may be thrown open on all sides. From two to four
narrow iron cots, a bucket for water, an occasional
chair, and now and then a mirror, comprise the
furniture. But scanty as it is, every article of this
little outfit has a place, and must be kept in it, or
woe to the unlucky wight upon whom the duty of
housekeeping devolves for the day. The bucket must
stand on the left-hand side of the tent, in front;
the beds must be made at a certain hour and in a
certain style--for the coming heroes of America have
to be their own chambermaids; while valises and other
baggage must be stowed away in as orderly a way as
possible. Every morning the tents are inspected, and
any lack of neatness or order insures for the
chambermaid of the day a misconduct mark. It may be
easily conceived that under a regime so strict as
this the cadets are particularly careful as to their
quarters, inasmuch as one hundred of these marks mean
dismissal from the Academy.
"At daybreak the reveille sounds, and the cadets turn
out for roll-call. Then come breakfast, guard mounting,
and camp and general police duty, which consume the
time until 8.30 A.M., from which hour those who are not
on guard have the freedom of the Centennial grounds. At
5 P.M. they must fall in for dress parade; at 9 they
answer to 'tattoo' roll-call, and a few minutes later
'taps' or 'lights out' consigns them to darkness and
quiet.
"West Point Aristocracy.--Small as is this corps, it
is still patent that the distinction of caste is very
strong. A first-classman--cadet officers are selected
from this class--looks down upon lower grade men, while
second-class cadets view their juniors with something
nearly allied to contempt, and third-class men are
amusingly patronizing in their treatment of 'plebes'
or new-comers. For the first year of their Academy
life the 'plebes' have rather a hard time of it; but
no sooner do they emerge from their chrysalis state
than they are as hard upon their unfortunate successors
as the third-class men of the year before were upon
them.
"The cadets are delighted with their reception and
kind treatment in Philadelphia, and look upon their
ten days' visit to the Centennial as a most pleasant
break in the monotony of Academy life. That they
maintain the reputation of the Academy for gallantry
and devotion to the fair sex is evidenced by the
presence of numbers of beautiful young ladies in
their camp after dress parade every evening. Given,
a pretty girl, the twilight of a summer evening, and
a youth in uniform, and the result is easily guessed.
"The Cadet Corps is to return to West Point to-morrow
morning. There the cadets are to go into camp until
September. General Sherman at one time purposed to
have them march from this city to the Academy, but
it was finally decided that the march would consume
time which might be more profitably devoted to drill.
"One of the complaints of the cadets is that in the
arrangements for their visit, the Quartermaster's
Department was stricken with a spasm of economy as
regarded transportation, and each of the future heroes
was limited to the miserably insufficient allowance of
ten pairs of white trousers.
"The cadets speak in warmly eulogistic terms of the
Seventh New York, to whose kindly attentions, they
say, much of their pleasure is due."
Of this article, which was taken from the Philadelphia
Times, I need only say, those "two or four narrow iron
cots" and that "occasional chair" existed solely in the
imagination of the reporter, as they were nowhere
visible within the limits of our encampment.
CHAPTER X.
TREATMENT.
A brave and honorable and courteous man
Will not insult me; and none other can."--Cowper.
"How do they treat you?" "How do you get along?" and
multitudes of analogous questions have been asked me
over and over again. Many have asked them for mere
curiosity's sake, and to all such my answers have been
as short and abrupt as was consistent with common
politeness. I have observed that it is this class of
people who start rumors, sometimes harmless, but more
often the cause of needless trouble and ill-feeling.
I have considered such a class dangerous, and have
therefore avoided them as much as it was possible. I
will mention a single instance where such danger has
been made manifest.
A Democratic newspaper, published I know not where,
in summing up the faults of the Republican party,
took occasion to advert to West Point. It asserted in
bold characters that I had stolen a number of articles
from two cadets, had by them been detected in the very
act, had been seen by several other cadets who had been
summoned for the purpose that they might testify
against me, had been reported to the proper authorities,
the affair had been thoroughly investigated by them, my
guilt established beyond the possibility of doubt, and
yet my accusers had actually been dismissed while I was
retained.* This is cited as an example of Republican
rule; and the writer had the effrontery to ask, "How
long shall such things be?" I did not reply to it then,
nor do I intend to do so now. Such assertions from such
sources need no replies. I merely mention the incident
to show how wholly given to party prejudices some men
can be. They seem to have no thought of right and
justice, but favor whatever promotes the aims and
interests of their own party, a party not Democratic
but hellish. How different is the following article
from the Philadelphia North American, of July 7th,
1876:
*This article was cut from a newspaper, and, together
with the name of the paper, was posted in a conspicuous
place, where other cadets, as well as myself, saw and
read it.
"It is very little to the credit of the West Point
cadets, a body of young men in whose superior
discipline and thoroughly excellent deportment we
feel in common with nearly all others a gratified
pride, that they should be so ungenerous and unjust
as they confess themselves to be in their treatment
of the colored boy, who, like themselves, has been
made a ward of the nation. We know nothing of this
young man's personal character or habits, but we
have seen no unkind criticism of them. For that
reason we condemn as beneath contempt the spirit
which drives him to an isolation, in bearing which
the black shows himself the superior of the white.
We do not ask nor do we care to encourage any thing
more than decent courtesy. But the young gentlemen
who boast of holding only official intercourse with
their comrade should remember that no one of them
stands before the country in any different light
from him. West Point is an academy for the training
of young men, presumably representative of the people,
for a career sufficiently honorable to gratify any
ambition. The cadets come from all parts of the
country, from all ranks of the social scale. Amalgamated
by the uniform course of studies and the similarity of
discipline, the separating fragments at the end of the
student life carry similar qualities into the life
before them, and step with almost remarkable social
equality into the world where they must find their
level. It would be expecting too much to hope that the
companionship which surmounts or breaks down all the
barriers of caste, should tread with equal heel the
prejudices of color. But it would be more manly in
these boys, if they would remember how easy ordinary
courtesy would be to them, how much it would lighten
the life of a young man whose rights are equal to
their own. It is useless to ignore the inevitable.
This colored boy has his place; he should have fair,
encouragement to hold it. Heaping neglect upon him
does not overcome the principle involved in his
appointment, and while we by no means approve of
such appointments we do believe in common justice."
On the other hand, many have desired this information
for a practical use, and that, too, whether they were
prejudiced or not. That is, if friends, they were
anxious to know how I fared, whether or not I was to
be a success, and if a success to use that fact in
the interest of the people; and if enemies, they
wanted naturally to know the same things in order to
use the knowledge to the injury of the people if I
proved a failure.
I have not always been able to distinguish one class
from the other, and have therefore been quite reticent
about my life and treatment at West Point. I have, too,
avoided the newspapers as much as possible. I succeeded
in this so well that it was scarcely known that I was
at the Academy. Much surprise was manifested when I
appeared in Philadelphia at the Centennial. One gentleman
said to me in the Government building: "You are quite
an exhibition yourself. No one was expecting to see a
colored cadet."
But I wander from my theme. It is a remarkable fact
that the new cadets, in only a very few instances,
show any unwillingness to speak or fraternize. It is
not till they come in contact with the rougher elements
of the corps that they manifest any disposition to
avoid one. It was so in my own class, and has been so
in all succeeding classes.
When I was a plebe those of us who lived on the same
floor of barracks visited each other, borrowed books,
heard each other recite when preparing for examination,
and were really on most intimate terms. But alas! in
less than a month they learned to call me "nigger,"
and ceased altogether to visit me. We did the Point
together, shared with each other whatever we purchased
at the sulter's, and knew not what prejudice was. Alas!
we were soon to be informed! In camp, brought into
close contact with the old cadets, these once friends
discovered that they were prejudiced, and learned to
abhor even the presence or sight of a "d--d nigger."
Just two years after my entrance into the Academy, I
met in New York a young man who was a plebe at the
time I was, and who then associated with me. He
recognized me, hurried to me from across the street,
shook my hand heartily, and expressed great delight at
seeing me. He showed me the photograph of a classmate,
told me where I could find him, evidently ignorant of
my ostracism, and, wishing me all sorts of success,
took his leave. After he left me I involuntarily asked
myself, "Would it have been thus if he had not been
'found on his prelim?' " Possibly not, but it is very,
very doubtful.
There are some, indeed the majority of the corps are
such, who treat me on all occasions with proper
politeness. They are gentlemen themselves, and treat
others as it becomes gentlemen to do. They do not
associate, nor do they speak other than officially,
except in a few cases. They are perhaps as much
prejudiced as the others, but prejudice does not
prevent all from being gentlemen. On the other hand,
there are some from the very lowest classes of our
population. They are uncouth and rough in appearance,
have only a rudimentary education, have little or no
idea of courtesy, use the very worst language, and in
most cases are much inferior to the average negro. What
can be expected of such people? They are low, and their
conduct must be in keeping with their breeding. I am
not at all surprised to find it so. Indeed, in ordinary
civil life I should consider such people beneath me in
the social scale, should even reckon some of them as
roughs, and consequently give them a wide berth.
What surprises me most is the control this class seems
to have over the other. It is in this class I have
observed most prejudice, and from it, or rather by it,
the other becomes tainted. It seems to rule the corps
by fear. Indeed, I know there are many who would
associate, who would treat me as a brother cadet, were
they not held in constant dread of this class. The
bullies, the fighting men of the corps are in it. It
rules by fear, and whoever disobeys its beck is "cut."
The rest of the corps follows like so many menials
subject to command. In short, there is a fearful lack
of backbone. There is, it seems at first sight, more
prejudice at West Point than elsewhere. It is not
really so I think.
The officers of the institution have never, so far
as I can say, shown any prejudice at all. They have
treated me with uniform courtesy and impartiality.
The cadets, at least some of them, away from West
Point, have also treated me with such gentlemanly
propriety. The want of backbone predominates to such
an alarming extent at West Point they are afraid to
do so there. I will mention a few cases under this
subject of treatment.
During my first-class camp I was rather surprised on
one occasion to have a plebe--we had been to the
Centennial Exhibition and returned, and of course my
status must have been known to him--come to my tent
to borrow ink of me. I readily complied with his
request, feeling proud of what I thought was the
beginning of a new era in my cadet life. I felt he
would surely prove himself manly enough, after thus
recognizing me, to keep it up, and thus bring others
under his influence to the same cause. And I was
still further assured in this when I observed he
made his visits frequent and open. At length, sure of
my willingness to oblige him, he came to me, and, after
expressing a desire to "bone up" a part of the fourth-
class course, and the need he felt for such "boning,"
begged me to lend him my algebra. I of course readily
consented, gave him my key, and sent him to my trunk
in the trunk rooms to get it. He went. He got it, and
returned the key. He went into ecstasies, and made no
end of thanks to me for my kindness, etc. All this
naturally confirmed my opinion and hope of better
recognition ultimately. Indeed, I was glad of an
opportunity to prove that I was not unkind or ungenerous.
I supposed he would keep the book till about September,
at which time he would get one of his own, as every
cadet at that time was required to procure a full
course of text-books, these being necessary for
reference, etc., in future life. And so he did. Some
time after borrowing the book, he came to me and
asked for India ink. I handed him a stick, or rather
part of one, and received as usual his many thanks.
Several days after this, and at night, during my
absence--I was, if I remember aright, at Fort Clinton
making a series of observations with a zenith telescope
in the observatory there--he came to the rear of my
tent, raised the wall near one corner, and placed the
ink on the floor, just inside the wall, which he left
down as he found it.
I found the ink there when I returned. I was utterly
disgusted with the man. The low, unmanly way in which
he acted was wholly without my approval. If he was
disposed to be friendly, why be cowardly about it? If
he must recognize me secretly, why, I would rather
not have such recognition. Acting a lie to his fellow-
cadets by appearing to be inimical to me and my
interests, while he pretended the reverse to me,
proved him to have a baseness of character with which
I didn't care to identify myself.
September came at last, and my algebra was returned.
The book was the one I had used my first year at the
Academy. I had preserved it, as I have all of my
books, for future use and as a sort of souvenir of
my cadet life. It was for that sole reason of great
value to me. I enjoined upon him to take care of the
book, and in nowise to injure it. My name was on the
back, on the cover, and my initial, "F," in two other
places on the cover. When the book was returned he
had cut the calfskin from the cover, so as to remove
my name. The result was a horrible disfiguration of
the book, and a serious impairment of its durability.
The mere sight of the book angered me, and I found it
difficult to retrain from manifesting as much. He
undoubtedly did it to conceal the fact that the book
was borrowed from me. Such unmanliness, such cowardice,
such baseness even, was most disgusting; and I felt
very much as if I would like to--well, I don't know
that I would. There was no reason at all for mutilating
the book. If he was not man enough to use it with my
name on it, why did he borrow it and agree not to
injure it? On that sole condition I lent it. Why did
he not borrow some one else's and return mine?
I have been asked, "What is the general feeling of the
corps towards you? Is it a kindly one, or is it an
unfriendly one. Do they purposely ill-treat you or do
they avoid you merely?" I have found it rather difficult
to answer unqualifiedly such questions; and yet I
believe, and have always believed, that the general
feeling of the corps towards me was a kindly one.
This has been manifested in multitudes of ways, on
innumerably occasions, and under the most various
circumstances. And while there are some who treat me
at times in an unbecoming manner, the majority of the
corps have ever treated me as I would desire to be
treated. I mean, of course, by this assertion that
they have treated me as I expected and really desired
them to treat me, so long as they were prejudiced.
They have held certain opinions more or less
prejudicial to me and my interests, but so long as
they have not exercised their theories to my
displeasure or discomfort, or so long as they have
"let me severely alone," I had no just reason for
complaint. Again, others, who have no theory of their
own, and almost no manliness, have been accustomed "to
pick quarrels," or to endeavor to do so, to satisfy I
don't know what; and while they have had no real
opinions of their own, they have not respected those
of others. Their feeling toward me has been any thing
but one of justice, and yet at times even they have
shown a remarkable tendency to recognize me as having
certain rights entitled to their respect, if not their
appreciation.
As I have been practically isolated from the cadets,
I have had little or no intercourse with them. I have
therefore had but little chance to know what was
really the feeling of the corps as a unit toward
myself. Judging, however, from such evidences as I
have, I am forced to conclude that it is as given
above, viz., a feeling of kindness, restrained
kindness if you please.
Here are some of the evidences which have come under
my notice.
I once heard a cadet make the following unchristian
remark about myself when a classmate had been
accidentally hurt at light-battery drill: "I wish it
had been the nigger, and it had killed him." I couldn't
help looking at him, and I did; but that, and nothing
more. Some time after this, at cavalry drill, we were
side by side, and I had a rather vicious horse, one in
fact which I could not manage. He gave a sudden jump
unexpectedly to me. I almost lost my seat in the saddle.
This cadet seized me by the arm, and in a tone of voice
that was evidently kind and generous, said to me, "For
heaven's sake be careful. You'll be thrown and get
hurt if you don't." How different from that other wish
given above!
Another evidence, and an important one, may be given
in these words. It is customary for the senior, or,
as we say, the first class, to choose, each member,
a horse, and ride him exclusively during the term.
The choice is usually made by lot, and each man
chooses according to the number he draws. By
remarkable good fortune I drew No. 1, and had
therefore the first choice of all the horses in the
stables.
As soon as the numbers drawn were published, several
classmates hastened to me for the purpose of effecting
an exchange of choice. It will at once be seen that
any such change would in no manner benefit me, for
if I lost the first choice I might also lose the
chance of selecting a good horse. With the avowed
intention of proving that I had at least a generous
disposition, and also that I was not disposed to
consider, in my reciprocal relations with the cadets,
how I had been, and was even then treated by them, I
consented to exchange my first choice for the
fourteenth.
This agreement was made with the first that asked for
an exchange. Several others came, and, when informed
of the previous agreement, of course went their way.
A day or two after this a number of cadets were
discussing the choice of horses, etc., and reverted to
the exchange which I had made. One of them suggested
that if an exchange of a choice higher than fourteen
were suggested to me, I might accept it.
What an idea, he must have had of my character to
suppose me base enough to disregard an agreement I
had already made!
However, all in the crowd were not as base as he was,
and one of them was man enough to say:
"Oh no! that would be imposing upon Mr. Flipper's
good nature." He went on to show how ungentlemanly
and unbecoming in a "cadet and gentleman" such an
act would be. The idea was abandoned, or at least
was never broached to me, and if it had been I would
never have entertained it. Such an act on the part
of the cadet could have arisen only from a high sense
of manly honor or from a feeling of kindness.
There are multitudes of little acts of kindness
similar to these, and even different ones. I need
not--indeed as I do not remember them all I cannot
--mention them all. They all show, however, that
the cadets are not avowedly inclined to ill-treat
me, but rather to assist me to make my life under
the circumstances as pleasant as can be. And there
may be outside influences, such as relatives or
friends, which bias their own better judgments and
keep them from fully and openly recognizing me. For
however hard either way may be, it is far easier to
do as friends wish than as conscience may dictate,
when conscience and friends differ. Under such
conditions it would manifestly be unjust for me to
expect recognition of them, even though they
themselves were disposed to make it. I am sure this
is at least a Christian view of the case, and with
such view I have ever kept aloof from the cadets. I
have not obtruded myself upon them, nor in any way
attempted to force recognition from them. This has
proved itself to be by far the better way, and I
don't think it could well be otherwise.
The one principle which has controlled my conduct
while a cadet, and which is apparent throughout my
narrative, is briefly this: to find, if possible,
for every insult or other offence a reason or motive
which is consistent with the character of a gentleman.
Whenever I have been insulted, or any thing has been
done or said to me which might have that construction,
I have endeavored to find some excuse, some reason
for it, which was not founded on prejudice or on
baseness of character or any other ungentlemanly
attribute; or, in other words, I wanted to prove that
it was not done because of my color. If I could find
such a reason--and I have found them--I have been
disposed not only to overlook the offence, but to
forgive and forget it. Thus there are many cadets who
would associate, etc., were they not restrained by the
force of opinion of relatives and friends. This cringing
dependence, this vassalage, this mesmerism we may call
it, we all know exists. Why, many a cadet has openly
confessed to me that he did not recognize us because
he was afraid of being "cut."
Again, I find some too high-toned, too punctilious,
to recognize me. I attribute this not to the
loftiness of their highnesses nor to prejudice, but
to the depth of their ignorance, and of course I
forgive and forget. Others again are so "reckless,"
so "don't care" disposed, that they treat me as fancy
dictates, now friendly, now vacillating, and now
inimical. With these I simply do as the Romans do.
If they are friendly, so am I; if they scorn me, I
do not obtrude myself upon them; if they are
indifferent, I am indifferent too.
There is a rather remarkable case under this subject
which has caused me no little surprise and
disappointment. I refer to those cadets appointed by
colored members of Congress.
It was quite natural to expect of them better treatment
than of others, and yet if in any thing at all they
differed from the former, they were the more reserved
and discourteous. They most "severely let me alone."
They never associated, nor did they speak, except
officially, and then they always spoke in a haughty
and insolent manner that was to me most exasperating.
And in one case in particular was this so. One of those
so appointed was the son of the colored Congressman who
sent him there, and from him at least good treatment
was reasonably expected. There have been only two such
appointments to my knowledge, and it is a singular fact
that they were both overbearing, conceited, and by no
means popular with their comrades. The status of one
was but little better than my own, and only in that
his comrades would speak and associate. He was not
"cut," but avoided as much as possible without making
the offence too patent.
There was a cadet in the corps with myself who
invariably dropped his head whenever our eyes met.
His complexion was any thing but white, his features
were rough and homely, and his person almost entirely
without symmetry or beauty. From this singular
circumstance and his physique, I draw the conclusion
that he was more African than Anglo-Saxon. Indeed, I
once heard as much insinuated by a fellow-cadet, to
whom his reply was: "It's an honor to be black."
Near the close of this chapter I have occason to
speak of fear. There I mean by fear a sort of
shrinking demeanor or disposition to accept insults
and other petty persecutions as just dues, or to
leave them unpunished from actual cowardice, to
which fear some have been pleased to attribute my
generally good treatment. This latter fact has been
by many, to my personal knowledge, attributed to
fear in another quarter, viz., in the cadets
themselves. It has many times been said to me by
persons at West Point and elsewhere: "I don't suppose
many of those fellows would care to encounter you?"
This idea was doubtless founded upon my physical
proportions--I am six feet one and three-quarter
inches high, and weigh one hundred and seventy-five
pounds. In behalf of the corps of cadets I would
disclaim any such notions of fear,
First. Because the conception of the idea is not
logical. I was not the tallest, nor yet the largest
man in the corps, nor even did I give any evidence
of a disposition to fight or bully others.
Second. Because I did not come to West Point purposely
to "go through on my muscle." I am not a fighting
character, as the cadets--those who know me--can well
testify.
Third. Because it is ungenerous to attribute what
can result from man's better nature only to such
base causes as fear or cowardice. This seems to be
about the only way in which many have endeavored to
explain the difference between my life at West Point
and that of other colored cadets. They seem to think
that my physique inspired a sort of fear in the cadets,
and forced them at least to let me alone, while the
former ones, smaller in size, did therefore create no
such fear until by persistent retaliation it was shown
they were able to defend themselves.
Now this, I think, is the most shallow of all reasoning
and entirely unworthy our further notice.
Fourth. I should be grieved to suppose any one
feared me. It is not my desire to go through life
feared by any one. I can derive no pleasure from
any thing which is accorded me through motives of
fear. The grant must be spontaneous and voluntary
to give me the most pleasure. I want nothing, not
even recognition, unless it be freely given, hence
have I not forced myself upon my comrades.
"But the sensible Flipper accepted the situation,
and proudly refused to intrude himself on the white
boys." -- Atlanta (Ga.) Herald.
Fifth. Because it is incompatible with the dignity
of a "cadet and a gentleman" for one to fear another.
Sixth. Because it is positively absurd to suppose
that one man of three hundred more or less would
be feared by the rest individually and collectively,
and no rational being would for an instant entertain
any such idea. There is, however, a single case
which may imply fear on the part of the cadet most
concerned. A number of plebes, among them a colored
one, were standing on the stoop of barracks. There
were also several cadets standing in the doorway,
and a sentinel was posted in the hall. This latter
individual went up to one of the cadets and said to
him, "Make that nigger out there get his hands
around," referring to this plebe mentioned above.
I happened to come down stairs just at that time,
and as soon as he uttered those words he turned
and saw me. He hung his head, and in a cowardly
manner sneaked off, while the cadets in the door
also dispersed with lowered heads. Was it fear?
Verily I know not. Possibly it was shame.
Again I recall a rather peculiar circumstance
which will perhaps sustain this notion of fear
on the part of the cadets. I have on every
occasion when I had command over my fellow-cadets
in any degree, noticed that they were generally
more orderly and more obedient than when this
authority was exercised by another.
Thus whenever I commanded the guard there
were very few reports for offences committed by
members of the guard. They have ever been obedient
and military. In camp, when I was first in command
of the guard, I had a most orderly guard and a very
pleasant tour, and that too, observe, while some of
the members of it were plebes and on for the first
time. On all such occasions it is an immemorial
custom for the yearlings to interfere with and haze
the plebe sentinels. Not a sentinel was disturbed,
not a thing went amiss, and why? Manifestly because
it was thought --and rightly too--that I would not
connive at such interference, and because they feared
to attempt it lest they be watched and reported.
Later, however, even this semblance of fear disappeared,
and they acted under me precisely as they do under
others, because they are convinced that I will not
stoop to spy or retaliate.
"The boys were rather afraid that when he should come
to hold the position as officer of the guard that he
would swagger over them; but he showed good sense and
taste, merely assuming the rank formally and leaving
his junior to carry out the duty."--New York Herald.
And just here it is worthy of notice that the press,
in commenting upon my chances of graduating, has
never, so far as I know, entertained any doubts of
my ability to do so. It has, on the contrary,
expressed the belief that the probability of my
graduating depended upon the officers of the Academy,
and upon any others who, by influence or otherwise,
were connected with the Academy. Some have even
hinted at politics as a possible ground upon which
they might drop me.
All such opinions have been created and nurtured by
the hostile portion of the press, and, I regret to
say, by that part also which ought to have been more
friendly, if not more discreet. No branch of the
government is freer from the influences and whims
of politicians than the National Military Academy.
Scarcely any paper has considered how the chances
of any cadet depended upon himself alone. The
authorities of the Academy are, or have been,
officers of the army. They are, with one or two
exceptions, graduates, and therefore, presumably,
"officers and gentlemen." To transform young men
into a like ilk as themselves is their duty. The
country intrusts them with this great responsibility.
To prove faithless to such a charge would be to risk
position, and even those dearer attributes of the
soldier, honor and reputation. They would not dare
ill-treat a colored cadet or a white one. Of course
the prejudice of race is not yet overcome entirely,
and possibly they may be led into some indiscretion
on account of it; but I do not think it would be
different at any other college in the country. It is
natural.
There are prejudices of caste as well as prejudices
of race, and I am most unwilling to believe it
possible that any officer would treat with injustice
a colored cadet who in true gentlemanly qualities,
intelligence, and assiduousness equals or excels
certain white ones who are treated with perfect
equanimity. With me it has not been so. I have been
treated as I would wish to be in the majority of cases.
There have been of course occasions where I've fancied
wrong had been done me. I expected to be ill-treated.
I went to West Point fully convinced that I'd have "a
rough time of it." Who that has read the many newspaper
versions of the treatment of colored cadets, and of
Smith in particular would not have been so convinced?
When, therefore, any affront or any thing seemingly of
that nature was offered me, I have been disposed,
naturally I think, to unduly magnify it, because I
expected it. This was hasty and unjust, and so I
admit, now that I am better informed. What was
apparently done to incommode or discourage me has
been shown to have been done either for my own
benefit or for some other purpose, not to my harm.
In every single instance I have, after knowing better
the reason for such acts, felt obliged to acknowledge
the injustice of my fears. At other times I have been
agreeably surprised at the kindnesses shown me both by
officers and cadets, and have found myself at great
loss to reconcile them with acts I had already adjudged
as malicious wrongs.
I have, too, been particularly careful not to fall
into an error, which, I think, has been the cause
of misfortune to at least one of the cadets of color.
If a cadet affront another, if a white cadet insult a
colored one for instance, the latter can complain to
The proper authorities, and, if there be good reason
for it, can always get proper redress. This undoubtedly
gives the consolation of knowing that the offence will
not be repeated, but beyond that I think it a great
mistake to have so sought it. A person who constantly
complains, even with some show of reason, loses more or
less the respect of the authorities. And the offenders,
while they refrain from open acts, do nevertheless
conduct their petty persecutions in such a manner that
one can shape no charge against them, and consequently
finds himself helpless. One must endure these little
tortures--the sneer, the shrug of the shoulder, the
epithet, the effort to avoid, to disdain, to ignore--
and thus suffer; for any of them are--to me at least--
far more hard to bear than a blow. A blow I may resist
or ignore. In either case I soon forget it. But a sneer,
a shrug of the shoulder, mean more. Either is a blow at
my sensitiveness, my inner feelings, and which through
no ordinary effort of mind can be altogether forgotten.
It is a sting that burns long and fiercely. How much
better to have ignored the greater offences which could
be reached, and to have thus avoided the lesser ones,
which nothing can destroy! How much wiser to stand like
a vast front of fortification, on some rocky moral height
absolutely unassailable, passively resisting alike the
attack by open assault and the surer one by regular
approaches! The assault can be repulsed, but who can, who
has ever successfully stopped the mines and the galleries
through which an entrance is at length forced into the
interior?
"We cannot expect the sons to forget the lessons of the
sires; but we have a right to demand from the general
government the rooting out of all snobbery at West Point,
whether it is of that kind which sends poor white boys to
Coventry, because they haven't a family name or wealth,
or whether it be that smallest, meanest, and shallowest
of all aristocracies--the one founded upon color.
"If the government is not able to root out these
unrepublican seeds in these hotbeds of disloyalty and
snobbery, let Congress shut up the useless and expensive
appendages and educate its officers at the colleges of
the country, where they may learn lessons in true
Republican equality and nationality. The remedy lies
with Congress. A remonstrance, at least, should be heard
from the colored members of Congress, who are insulted
whenever a colored boy is ill-treated by the students
or the officers of these institutions. So far from being
discouraged by defeats, the unjust treatment meted out
to the young men should redouble the efforts of others
of their class to conquer this new Bastile by storm. It
should lead every colored Congressman to make sure that
he either sends a colored applicant or a white one who
has not the seeds of snobbery or caste in his soul."
I shall consider this last clause at the end of this
chapter, where I shall quote at length the article
from which this passage is taken.
If I may be pardoned an opinion on this article, I do
not think the true remedy lies with Congress at all.
I do not question the right to demand of Congress any
thing, but I do doubt the propriety or need of such a
proceeding, of course, in the case under consideration.
As to "that kind which sends poor white boys to Coventry,"
because of their poverty, etc., I can say with absolute
truthfulness it no longer exists. When it did exist the
power to discontinue it did not lie with Congress.
Congress has no control over personal whims or prejudices.
But I make a slight mistake. There was a time when
influence, wealth, or position was able to secure a
cadetship. At that time poor boys very rarely succeeded
in getting an appointment, and when they did they were
most unmercifully "cut" by the snobs of aristocracy who
were at the Academy. Then the remedy did lie with
Congress. The appointments could have been so made as
to exclude those snobs whose only recommendation was
their position in society, and so also as to admit boys
who were deserving, although they were perhaps poor.
This remedy has been made, and all classes (white),
whether poor or rich, influential or not, are on terms
of absolute equality.
But for that other kind, "the one founded upon color,"
Congress has no remedy, no more than for fanaticism or
something of that kind.
This article also tells us that "the government has been
remiss in not throwing around them the protection of its
authority." I disdainfully scout the idea of such
protection. If my manhood cannot stand without a
governmental prop, then let it fall. If I am to stand
on any other ground than the one white cadets stand
upon, then I don't want the cadetship. If I cannot
endure prejudice and persecutions, even if they are
offered, then I don't deserve the cadetship, and much
less the commission of an army officer. But there is a
remedy, a way to root out snobbery and prejudice which
but needs adoption to have the desired effect. Of
course its adoption by a single person, myself for
instance, will not be sufficient to break away all
the barriers which prejudice has brought into existence.
I am quite confident, however, if adopted by all colored
cadets, it will eventually work out the difficult
though by no means insoluble problem, and give us further
cause for joy and congratulations.
The remedy lies solely in our case with us. We can
make our life at West Point what we will. We shall
be treated by the cadets as we treat them. Of course
some of the cadets are low--they belong to the younger
classes-- and good treatment cannot be expected of
them at West Point nor away from there. The others,
presumably gentlemen, will treat everybody else as
becomes gentlemen, or at any rate as they themselves
are treated. For, as Josh Billings quaintly tells us,
"a gentleman kant hide hiz true karakter enny more
than a loafer kan."
Prejudice does not necessarily prevent a man's being
courteous and gentlemanly in his relations with others.
If, then, they be prejudiced and treat one with ordinary
civility, or even if they let one "severely alone," is
there any harm done? Is such a course of conduct to be
denounced? Religiously, yes; but in the manner of every
-day life and its conventionalities, I say not by any
means. I have the right--no one will deny it--of
choosing or rejecting as companions whomsoever I will.
If my choice be based upon color, am I more wrong in
adopting it than I should be in adopting any other
reason? it may be an unchristian opinion or fancy that
causes me to do it, but such opinion or fancy is my own,
and I have a right to it. No one objects to prejudice
as such, but to the treatment it is supposed to cause.
If one is disposed to ill-treat another, he'll do it,
prejudiced or not prejudiced. Only low persons are so
disposed, and happily so for West Point, and indeed for
the whole country.
"The system of competitive examination for admission,
so largely adopted within the past few years in many
of our large cities, has resulted in recruiting the
corps with lads of bright intellect and more than
ordinary attainments, while the strict physical
examination has rigorously excluded all but those of
good form and perfect health. The competitive system
has also given to the Academy students who want to
learn, instead of lads who are content to scramble
through the prescribed course as best they can,
escaping being "found" (a cadet term equivalent to
the old college word 'plucked') by merely a hair's-
breadth."
The old way of getting rid of the rough, uncouth
characters was to "find" them. Few, very few of
them, ever got into the army. Now they are excluded
by the system of competitive examination even from
entering the Military Academy, and if they should
succeed in getting to West Point, they eventually
fail, since men with no fixed purpose cannot
graduate at West Point.
Now if the "colored cadets" be not of this class
also, then their life at West Point will not be
much harder than that of the others. The cadets
may not associate, but what of that? Am I to blame
a man who prefers not to associate with me? If that
be the only charge against him, then my verdict is
for acquittal. Though his conduct arises from, to
us, false premises, it is to his sincere convictions
right, and we would not in the slightest degree be
justified in forcing him into our way of looking at
it. In other words, the remedy does not lie with
Congress.
The kind of treatment we are to receive at the
hands of others depends entirely upon ourselves.
I think my life at West Point sufficiently proves
the truth of this assertion. I entered the Academy
at a time when, as one paper had it, West Point
was a "hotbed of disloyalty and snobbery, a useless
and expensive appendage." I expected all sorts of
ill-treatment, and yet from the day I entered till
the day I graduated I had not cause to utter so much
as an angry word. I refused to obtrude myself upon
the white cadets, and treated them all with uniform
courtesy. I have been treated likewise. It simply
depended on me what sort of treatment I should
receive. I was careful to give no cause for bad
treatment, and it was never put upon me. In making
this assertion I purposely disregard the instances
of malice, etc., mentioned elsewhere, for the reason
that I do not believe they were due to any deep
personal convictions of my inferiority or personal
desire to impose upon me, but rather were due to the
fear of being "cut" if they had acted otherwise.
Our relations have been such, as any one will
readily observe, that even officially they would
have been obliged to recognize me to a greater or
less extent, or at the expense of their consciences
ignore me. They have done both, as circumstances
and not inclination have led them to do.
A rather unexpected incident occurred in the summer
of '73, which will show perhaps how intense is that
gravitating force--if I may so term it--which so
completely changes the feelings of the plebes, and
even cadets, who, when they reported, were not at
all prejudiced on account of color.
It was rather late at night and extremely dark. I
was on guard and on post at the time. Approaching
the lower end of my post, No. 5, I heard my name
called in a low tone by some one whom I did not
recognize. I stopped and listened. The calling was
repeated, and I drew near the place whence it came.
It proved to be a cadet, a classmate of mine, and
then a sentinel on the adjacent post, No. 4. We
stood and talked quite awhile, as there was no
danger either of being seen by other cadets--an
event which those who in any manner have recognized
me have strenuously avoided--or "hived standing on
post." It was too dark. He expressed great regret
at my treatment, hoped it would be bettered, assured
me that he would ever be a friend and treat me as a
gentleman should.
Another classmate told me, at another time, in
effect the same thing. I very naturally expected a
fulfilment of these promises, but alas! for such
hopes! They not only never fulfilled them, but
treated me even as badly as all the others. One of
them was assigned a seat next to me at table. He
would eat scarcely anything, and when done with that
he would draw his chair away and pretend to be imposed
upon in the most degrading manner possible. The other
practised similar manoeuvres whenever we fell in at
any formation of company or section. They both called
me "nigger," or "d--d nigger," as suited their
inclination. Yet this ought, I verily believe, to be
attributed not to them, but to the circumstances that
led them to adopt such a course.
On one occasion, however, one of them brought to
my room the integration of some differential
equation in mechanics which had been sent me by
our instructor. He was very friendly then,
apparently. He told me upon leaving, if I
desired any further information to come to his
"house," and he would give it. I observed that he
called me "Mr. Flipper."
One winter's night, while on guard in barracks
during supper, a cadet of the next class above
my own stopped on my post and conversed with me
as long as it was safe to do so. He expressed--
as all have who have spoken to me--great regret
that I should be so isolated, asked how I got
along in my studies, and many other like questions.
He spoke at great length of my general treatment. He
assured me that he was wholly unprejudiced, and would
ever be a friend. He even went far enough to say, to
my great astonishment, that he cursed me and my race
among the cadets to keep up appearances with them,
and that I must think none the less well of him for
so doing. It was a sort of necessity, he said, for he
would not only be "cut," but would be treated a great
deal worse than I was if he should fraternize with me.
Upon leaving me he said, "I'm d--d sorry to see you
come here to be treated so, but I am glad to see you
stay."
Unfortunately the gentleman failed at the
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