Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-06-18


of the Cadets, to his friends in this city, gives
an affecting account of the melancholy oc-
currence:-
WEST POINT, June Cd, 1885.
"The pleasure which is usually felt at the
near approach of my graduation and return
home, has been damped by an accident ofthe
most tragical nature, which has cast gloom
over the whole Of our little community. The
room Immediately opposite to mine, is occu-
pied by Cadet James G. Carter, Of Virginia,
of whose family you have probably heard
He has venerable grandfather, who tender
ly loves him. He had anxiouSly expected
the return of his grandson from West Point,
next week, to accompany him on journey to
the Sulphur Springs. James Carter was de-
cidedly the gayest and liyeliest young man,
whom have ever seen. He always seemed
cheerful and happy, and was proverbal for
his animation, and never failing flow of spr-
its. lie had written but few days since, to
his parents, describing the pleasure which he
anticipated on his return to his home, and how
ardeEtly he longed once more to be pressed
in their arms. Oh God what change!
81 was passing yesterday afternoon along
the hall which separates our rooms, when my
attention was attracted by some one brush
ing hastily past me with a backct Of water,
at the same time crying, "help! help" i'm
mediately rushed into the room, and discov-
cred poor young Garter stretched on the
floor, with the blood tricklng from his right
eye, over his pale ashy face. 1t appears that
he and youth named Kennedy, who is bare
ly over IA years of age, had been fencing
with some pointed foils, ioittom masks
Young Kennedy had made lounge at Car
ter, which he could not parry, and Kenneddy's
sword pierced his eye into blood vessel
Carter dropped senseless on the floor. Poor
little Kennedy was alone in the room at the
time, and ran screaming out for assistance
| Immediately unfastened his leather stock,
and with the aid OF two or three cadets, laid
him on his bed, and sent for the surgeon. |
began bathing his temples with water, CO.
logne, &c. He gradually opened one Of his
eyes, and acquired some degree ofconscious-
ness. We have been intimate friends for a
long time, and he soon recognized me, and as
soon as he opened his mouth, he thanked me.
At every application of the water on his hot
forehead, he would say, "good how good
that feels thank you Corporal" ] was so
much agitated, that | was nigh falling upon
him. All eyes were glistening. The sur
geon arrived as quickly as possible, but poor
Carter had become delirious, and in a few
minutes he was pronounced hopeless New
er shall forget the manner in which this de-
claration was received by the eager crowd
who had collected in the hall, and to whom
announced it. He died this morning, per-
fectly delirious, raving of his home, &c.
have just returned from viewing the body
| will not attempt to describe its appearance;
/ thought of the handsome animated features
over which a mother had often hung, now SO
sadl y.transformed and still, convulsed by the
agony OF his last moments. l thought o.
that fond parent whose heart even now may
hap swells with pride and JOY, IN the longet
for embrace and then thought of the hope
less misery Of that fond doating old grand
father. But who can describe the hopeless:
wretchedness of poor little Kennedy. He il
very sensitive boy, and seems to think tina
the Cadets all blame him for carelessness.-
Poor little fellow! could he but know how
largely he shares our sympathies! To-mor
row we give a soldiers buriaPto all that was
/ mortal of James Gibbon Carter And Goo
/ grant that his guiltess heart may find it,
! home in Heaven. With an aching head ant
heart, must now sit down and prepare for
second examination at six o'clock Tomorrow
morning. You may iInagine the feelings
with which enter on this task. May they
never be yours"