New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-09-01
The Stray West Pointer Again.

Inc following l6 1rOu uuo odA An'oAIo
Herald of August "a. 1t appeared in the
shape Of editorial comments on the extract
from the Baltimore paper, stating that Sit
ting Bull was graduate from West Point:
Meeting with the above some time ago in
the Baltimore Gazette, We clipped it for the
purpose of transferring it to our columns,
but believing the reports which we had
heard, that Bison Mclean had died a violent
death on the Pacific coat in 1870, we con-
cluded that it was merely sensational, and
anxious to avoid all that is merely so, we
let it pass. Subsequently on comparing
notes with Colonel John Withers, class
mate of Bison Mclean, we are led to doubt
the rumor of McLeans death, and it may
be that Bison Mclean is Sitting Bull. The
history of this man, Bison Mclean, in brief
is in substance that he entered West Point
from Western Missouri, and the impression
prevailed that lie had walked all the way
from his home to the academy. For the
first two years he was at the academy, he
was remarkable for his strict Observ-
ance of the rules, and had but few
marks against him, and in his examination
stood high, though he was not popular.
Though he was assiduOus in his studies, the
animal largely predOminated in his temper
ament. After being at the Point about two
years, D. X. Jones, then captain. or other
high officer, of cadet company, in the dis
charge of his duty reported Mclean for
some delinquency which brought upon him
the disfavor of his superiors and its cores
ponding punishment, and resulted in his
Waylaying Mr.. D. r. Jones, and intiioting
upon him severe castigstion, which led to
a wild and reckless career on the part Of
Mclean, manifested in systematically
violating every rule of the academy, but
with such art and address that he was
rarely caught in fagrante delicto. He
maintained his position at the Academy,
and graduated high up on the list of
was courtmArtialed, but was not proven
guilty. Instead of giving him his GER
tiicate of examination, which carried with
it his diploma, the academic board arbi-
trarily and despotically withheld it from
him. He became wanderer. At Calves
ton his course of conduct is within the
knowledge of several now in Texas. From
thence he found his way to the City of
Mexico, where his turbulent career led to
his incarceration. But from some extenu-
ating circumstances, Mr.. Black, the Ameri-
authorities, who consented to his liberation
provided he left the country forthwith. He
then wendell his way to the Pacific coast,
and found himself at Acapulco, and an
American steamer entering the harbor,
among the passeng gers soon sauntering
along the narrow barquettes of its streets,
Mclean recognized a claasmate at West
Point in Lieutenant John Withers, and in
terviewed him; told his history and the ne
cessity for leaving Mexico. Colonel With
ers used his influence with the commander
of the California steamer, an offic Or of the
navy, Lieutenant Carlyle Patterson, who
stated that he could not take him
on his steamer, as he was over
crowded, but made provision with the
agent of the line of at Gamers for his pas
sage on the next steamer. On the voyage,
on the show of tickets, a passenger was
found without one, who turned out to be
Bison Mclean, who had smuggled himself
aboard, and was ordered to be set to work,
which he peremptorily refused to obey;
that he was a gentleman and would do no
manual labor. He was ordered in irons,
which order he resisted, but was soon over
powered. At Monterey ne was put ashore
The interview, as detailed with Colonel
Ives, is undoubtedly correct. Hence the
impression that obtains with army officers
who were at West Point at that period of
time Is that it is probable that Sitting Bull
is no less q parsonage than Bison Mclean.
General D. Z. Jones, who appears to have
been the first to have won his deadly en-
nifty, died general officer in the Confed-
crate service, beloved as a gentleman and
admired as o soldier.