The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-13
The MObbed Cadets.

A correspondent of the New York Sun,
writing from Poughkeepsie, relates the fol-
lowing in regard to the three Plebes who
were mobbed and driven away from West
Point by the graduating class:
A short time ago three pebes got on spree,
and after dark repaired to their quarters
The sentinel on post inquired at their window
whether all was right, and was answered in
the affirmative. Soon afterward the inquiry
was repeated, and a similar answer was given,
though at the time one of the three was alb
sent. He returned just in time to answer
responses all were reported. Then, accord
ing to the statement of one of them,
named Barnes, the first class almost en- masss
dragged the pebes from their quarters, and
unceremoniously conveyed them to Fort Put
in the dead of night, when they bade them
leave the post, and never return, assuring
them thatif they did they would receives coat
supplied one of the victims with coat and
some spending money; and then the mobbed
plebes struck into the woods and disappeared
In the darkness. Their absence next morning
was q mystery, and SO secret was the whole
affair kept that over twenty-four hours elapsed
before the first inkling was had, and even then
no one could tell what had become of the poor
city yesterday, having arrived here the night
before, penniless and hungry, when they were
given shelter at the house of an old schoolmate,
to whom they related the above story. They
expressed themselves extremely sorry for the
intoxication which occasioned the trouble, and
then sat down and wrote a statement of the
transaction to the commandant at West Point,
asking to be allowed to return to the post, not
as deserters, but to resign or be dismissed.
Soon afterward an officer arrived from the
Point, and last night he conveyed the absen-
tees back.
CADETS EXPLANATION.
A cadet is supposed to answer "on bis
honor as cadet and gentleman" when asked
BY the sentinel if Gall is right in his quar-
ters at inspection. By "all right" is meant
that nobody is visiting without permission,
aud that the inmates of the room are there and
at their studies.
These three fellows, when addressed by the
sentinel, answered on their honor (implied)
that all was right, thus in three words telling
as many lies; for. they were not at their
studies, were drunk, and there was visiting in
the room.
I'll wager a sixpence that there will not be
one officer of the court martial who did not
some time during his cadet life help to "clear"
some black sheep discovered in bis own or
some other class. 1t has been the custom since
the days when old John Conlin, Dennis
mhnoHy Anu hll tuOso Ulu UuJS Woio ia to
corps.
However reprehensible it may be to tell
black lies, or even "white lies" yet we
know that both ladies and gentlemen are
in the habit of indulging in the latter, and
soSe even in the former, without loss OF
character or standing. We think it is
drawing it rather fine" and that the
members of the graduating class are a little
too squeamish. They are growing entirely
too pure for soldiers; who, it is well
known, in their profession, have to do a
good deal of just such strategcal lying"
The Plebes were only misleading their
common enemy, the officer of the day
and thus periecting themselves in that part
Of warlike education. If all who tell
lies are to be read out of the society OF
+" Truthful Jameses," who shall escape2