The New York herald., 1870-10-22
WEST POINT.

Court Martial the COl0red Cadet J. w.
Smith-Ch rxes and Specifications and Tes-
timony-The Case Closed.
WEST POINT Oct. 81, 1870.
The court martial in the sase OF the coored cadet
]. W. Smith was held to-dy. The following are the
charges and specifications
CHARGE L-Conduct preudicial to good order and
military discipline.
SPECIFlCArIoN.-In this, that cadet J. W. Smith, Of
the United States Miitar Academy. did create
disturbance In camp, and did assault cadet J. W.
Wilson, OF said academy, With his dipper and fists.
All this at camp "Georgt II. Thomas West Point,
N. r., on or about the 9th day OF August. 1870.
Witnesses-Cadets II. M.Andrews O. II. Cabannis,
Jr., and H. b. Robertson.
CHARGE II.-COnduct ulbecomtng an officer and
gentleman. IN yiolatlonol paragraph ~ ol % the
SPECIFICArlON.-In TINS, that cadet J. W. Smith
having been reported Onthe 18th OF August, 1870
for replying to "ie closen in highly dsrespectlul
manner, at drill r. NJ. ater having been spoken to
In the line OF duty, did submit to the cOmmandant
written tsrel0 l H,d spoKs csdes
Corporal Reacnm speak to me during the drill at
any Time" which statement was false. All this at
West Point, N. T., on or about the 20tn day or
August, 1870. =. UPTON.
COmmandanC or cadets preferrlng charges.
Witnesses-Cadets Beacon, Taber, Dyer, Davies
and A. q. Tyler
Cadet I. w. Wilson was the first one sworn and
examined in evdence:-He stated that on the day
In question he came to the tent to get drink Of
ice water; there he met his tent mate who drank
first and then handed him mis- dipper; he took it,
stopped down to the spiggOt and drew some water;
just then CO ored cadet tSmin) came up with the
guard pail In his hand, which he pushed against
Wilson: the latter told him to go away; he then
stepped back; Wilson arose and went towards his
tent; there was but one way. to go without trans
crossing rule by crossing the sentry post Nos 2,
and that was TO pass between where Smith
stood and the tank; there was only ten
inches space; Wilson said, "Let me pass"
to pass and elbowed himself against Smith, VINO
shouted, cd d--n your and other words, and
struck Wilson with q cocoanut dipper; the first
blow broke the dipper cup, leaving sharp edge;
the second blow laid open his left temple cutting a
VEN and causing great now OF blood which
blinded him. several more blows were exchanged,
each belaborlng the other with dippers and fists;
comrades then arrived, parted the two and urged
Wilson to 90 with his bleeding wound the COM
mandant; he re used and sent to the hospital;
the next morning he was able TO return 10 his du-
ties. (Wltness then dlspayel the scar which was
very plainly marked).
Cadet G. Il. Cabannis testified corroborative to
Wilson's evidence and explained the scene Of tile
conflict more fully; also that Smith twice
Knocked his pail against Wilson before they
came to blows, and that IL was done in an exaSpe-
rating manner. On his cross-examlnalion he stated
that prcviou, to the difficulty he disposition
on the part OF any OF the cadets TO quarrel with
SmlIa
| Cadet E. B. Robertson made O similar statement
| somewhat confused, however; saw Smith strike
Wilson four blows: to the best Of his recollection he
had never spoken to smith nor had any dlnicuty
with him.
Cadet H. M. Andrews told much the same story
| He saw the blows exchanged and great many
cadets running down to the place: Smith, in an an
cry manner, did push the pail against Wilson.
Several times during the day the room was
cleared and secret sessions on disputed points held
At four O'Clock the court adjourned stne die.
salute OF eleven guns was fired from the field
guns IN honor OF General Howard.