The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-10-22
THE CoLoRED CADET ON TRIAL.
Fight with Dippcfs Between two West
Point Youths One smnsbinr tho Others
ucnd-Thc Truth yet 10 be Told.


Yesterday morning the officers Of the general
eouft-martial recommended business. Tie morning
session orened at o'clock, but owing to the sb-
sence Of Capt. r. c. Binbridge, one Of its members
tie court was adjourned until the arrival OF
the absentee by the ne1' train at ~ o'clock Ae he
did not come at thst hour, the court was duly re-
opened. Eight tables placed In the centre OF
the rooms Of one end was a raised platform for the
President, Gen. o. o. Howard at the other end
was the Judge Advocate Major Winthrop. all facing
each other LieutCol. c. C, Parsons counsel for
Cidet J. W. Smith occupied q desk on one
side. The tables were occupied By the
various ofncers according to their rank,
next to the President Gen. Howard called
the case Of the colored cndet, j. w Smith. who en-
tered In company with Lieut.. Col. c. c. Parsons,
his attorney and counsellor. The proceedings were
begun without the administration Of the usual oath
to the members OF the court. The Judge Advocate,
Major Winthrop, then arose aud read the special
order ftom the War Department authorizing the
court. AMI tile charges and specifications 10 the &C
cused. Smith stood rigidly erect, and
sTRovs TO HIDE ALL NERVOUSNESS,
bat the pa idity OF his tswny countensnce was
mauircs,ly maintained by strong effort In response
TO the for nil question he pleaded mot guilty" TO
every point in the complaint
Col Parsons here in,erposed an objection, that
inasnuch as the court had not been properly or
ganized by the administration OF the oath to the
members, the entire proceedings we're Illegal, &C
siderable argument cnsued, aud the court was
cleared OF hun-ocials and went into secret session
tpon its reopeuing, Gen. Howard announced that
the objection should ho placed record, but would
not be entertained. The cercmonisl OF reIeadinx
tie order ana cl srges wns repeated Smith perssting
in u G sarie plea. Smith maintained quiet de-
meanor, and during all the proceedings leaned Tor.
ward, listening to every word and watching every
tidily
ArrIrED IN his CADET uSivoRu,
and his curly hair parted In the centre well set on
tie prominent retreating forehead and protruding
lace. EIcept when occasionally liz consutaton with
MS counsel lie presented a rigidness OF feature
and attitude throughout the day. Col. Parsons di'
not volunteer. hut acccded to the request OF the
court. to act for Smith. The following are the
charges:
cuArGE Conduct prejre!e!,l 10 good order and
srrCiric,Tios-In ttp tha, Cadet J W. Smith OF the
see %'H IA e@r anG dd aS S f.fa wson rs
snit Academy with MS d,lper and ests nll this at
no mi tie 2lth day oi August iS7o wtoes'cS-Csdes
n. NJ. Andrsws. L. H. Cabaan!s, Jr, ard L. u. Robert.
CnAno, n.-ccncuct unbeconing On officer aud n
Hrny sRse RSraHns Ssn Mag 81 ksGcs ~ Of the
inc bsr re dn s M t 'S Of Ms
ms to "ne closer" In highly dlTcspcctlui manner,
c! dutS. DID sub1t 10 tic m,nsGdant wFiiien ex.
ulNnaton thereon stating snokc to no nlo closer
10 me dniing lie dr at any time watch statement
was false; An ms q Wet Point, New York, on OF
tsisngd, 7. .ui'I0Y, Lieut. Colonel U. $ A.
Comn!tn liant OF Cadr It's nrc'crrinc charses
Niinc.'es; Cadets beacon. rabcr. Dyer, Davies, and
a. G. Tyler.
Cadet j. W. wilson was tie nrst ono sworn ard
examined iu evidence. lie stated that the day Ia
question he came TO the tank
40 GIT DRINK or ICE WATER;
there lc met bir terminate, who drank frrt, and
tncn banded him his diprcr; he took 1t, stopped
down TO ire sptigsut and drew some water; lust
then colcrcd Cadet Smith came mp with tire guard
rall in lis hand witch he pushed a:anst Wilson
| the latter told him to - sway; lie then stepped
back Wilson arNse and went toward Lis tent there
was but one way to 10 without trausrressins rule
| piss between where smith stood amt the tank
| ere was only ten inches space wilson said, Let
me pass" Smith would not move. and Wilson tried
| TO rass, ARD elhnwcd iim>clt against smith. who
| shouted "Ood damn you" and other words and
struck Wilson with n eoconut dippcr: the nrst blow
| lrCke tie dipvcr CuH, leaving sharp cdge IN
second blow laid open his len temple, cutting vein
| and causing
GsvAr FLow OF RLoon, WHICH BLINDED MN;
several more blows were eScnGrccd, each bcla0uur
Ia. the other with clippers and L,ts; comrades then
arrived, part"d the two, and urged Wilson to 20 with
hi bieclins wound 10 the conmaudaAt: he refused
aud was sent TO tho hospital tic nrIt morning he
was able 10 return TO ls duties witness then Dis,
| played the scar, which was very p!.tly mar&cl.I
Cadet G. u. Cahanris testified corroboratve IN
Wilson's evidence. and explained the scene Of the
conflict more fully also Nat SmitI twice LicEt
His pail uRHnst wilson before they came to blows.
aud tnu L was duue In rn e2ssgciat.nE manner On
his cross examination he stated that urcvou, to the
dinculti lie saw no disposition un tbs part OF any vi
the cadets To quarrel with Saith.
| Cadet f.. II. Robertson made a similar statement
| somewhat confused however: Saw Smith strike
wilson four oMs TO the best OF his recollection
he had never spoken to smith nor had any diGnculty
Cadet IL. N. Andrew. told much OF the same
| story: lie saw tie blows exchanged. and great
many cadets running down to the place. smith IN
an angry manner did push the pail against Wilson
Several times during the day the roora was cleared
and secret sessions on disputed points held. Al 4
O'Clock the Court adJourncl stGf ale. A salute OF