New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-08-20
From South Carolina.
The Honor of Cadet and Gentleman


SIR: In relating the events of my first
year at West Point, 1 omitted one little affair
which took place, and will now relate the
circumstances. One Sunday, at dinner.
helped myself to some soup, and one cadet,
Clark, Of Kentucky, who sat opposite me at
table, asked me what 1 meant by taking
soup before he had done so. told him that
took it because wished it, and that there
was plenty left. He seemed to be insulted
at that, and asked: 500 you think would
eat after id nigger?" l replied: 81 have
not thought at all on the subject, and,
moreover, don't quite understand you, as
can't find that last word in the dictionary"
He then took up glass and said he would
knock my head OF. L told him to throw as
soon as he pleased, and as soon as he got
through l would throw mine. The COM
mandant Of the table here interfered and
ordered US to stop creating a disturbance at
the table, and gave me to understand that
thereafter should not touch anything on that
table until the rhte cadets rere served.
When we came back from dinner, as was
going into my room, Cadet Clark struck at
me from behind. lie hit me on the back of
my neck, causing me to get into my room
with little more haste than 1 anticipated,
but he did not knock me down. He came
into my room, following up his advantage,
and attempted to take me by the throat, but
he only succeeded in scratching me little
with his nails, as l defended myself as we'll
as possible, until succeeded in getting near
my bayOnet, which snatched from the scab.
bard and then tried to put it through him.
But, being much larger and stronger than L,
he kept me off until he got to the door, but
then he couldn't get out, for some one ,cas
holding the door on the outside, for the purpose,
l suppose, of preventing my escape, as no
doubt they thought l would try to get out.
There were great many cadets outside, on
the stOop, looking through the window, and
cheering their champion, with cries of ''that's
right, Clark, kill the id nigger," "choke
him. "put head on him." &C., but when
they saw HIM giving way before the bayonet,
they cried, "Open the door, boys" and the
door was opened, and Mr.. Clark went forth
to rejoice in the bosom Of his friends as the
hero of the day. The cadet officer of the
day happened around'' Just after Clark had
LEFT, and wanted to know what did | mean
by making all that noise in and around my
my quarters. l told him what the trouble
was about, and soon after was sent for by
the ''otiicer in charge" and questioned in
reference to the affair. Charges were pre-
ferred against Clark for entering my room
and assaultng me, but before they were
brought to trial he sent two of his friends to
me asking if 1 would withdraw the charges
providing he made written apology. L told
these cadets that would think of the matter
evening.
l was perfectly we'll satisfied that he
would be convicted by any court that tried
HIM; but the cadets could easily prove (ac-
cording to their way of giving evidence) that
l provoked the assault, and 1 besides, was
utterly disguised with so much wranglinG,
so when the cadets called that evening told
them that if his written apology was salts
factory would sign it, submit it to the APP
prevail of the Commandant of Cadets, and
have the charges withdrawn.
They then showed me the written apology
offered by Clark, in which he stated that his
oliense was caused by passion, because he
thought that when passed him on the steps
in going to my room tried to brush against
him. He also expressed his regret for what
he had done, and asked forgiveness. 1 was
satisfied with his apology, and signed it,
asking that the charges be withdrawn, which
was done, of course, and Clark was released
from arrest. will, in justice to Cadet Clark,
state that never had any further trouble
with him, for, while he kept aloof from me
as the other cadets did, he always thereafter
acted perfectly fair by me whenever had
any official relations with him.
a few days after the settlement of oul
dispute l found on my return from fencing
one day that some one had entered my room
and had thrown all my clothes and other
property around the floor, and had thrown
the water out Of my water pail upon my bed
and reported the affair to the officer Of the
day, who, with the "oficer in CHARGE" came
to my room to see what had been done
The officer of the day said that he had in
spected my quarters soon after went to the
fencing academy and found everything in
order, and that it must have been done within
halfihour. The commandant of the cadet!
made an investigation Of the matter, but
could not find out what young gentleman
did it, for every cadet stated that he knew
nothing of it, although the corps of cadets
has the reputation Of being truthful set o
young men.
Upon my honor as cadet and gen
tleman," is a favorte expression with tn
West Point cadet, but what kind of honor il
that by which young man can quiet hi
conscience while telling base falsehood TO
the purpose of shielding fellow studen
from punishment for a disgraceful act
They boast Of the esprit du corps existin!
among the cadets but it is merely cloal
for the purpose Of covering up their iniquitie
and silencing those (for there are some) VIII
would, if allowed to act according to the die
tatcs of their own cOnsciences, be abov
such disgraceful acts. Some persons nigh
attribute TO me the same motives that actu
ated the fox in crying "sour grapes" and
such will say that never asked for soci0
equQlifu at West Point / never visited h