The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-09-02
CADET MINNIE's SUCCESS.
A Not Very Friendly Cadets Comments on
tho situation-Trtals Ahead.

At five minutes before one o'clock yestcr-
day spruce drummer strutted across the
quadrangle OF the cadets barracks at West
Point. and at tho sally-port opposite tho officer
Of the days headquarters beat rafting tattoo.
The gray old barracks instantly swarmed with
cadets. among whom were the sixty nine APP
picants for admission to the Academy. The
latter. their arms es though cementcd to their
sides. and the palms Of their hands turned
rigidly to the front. formed at the upper end Of
the quadrangle. The last OF them at tho left Of
the rear rank was Chas. A. Minnie. Congress-
man Mullcrs niulatto nominee for q cadetshp.
captain OF cadets called the roll. Meanwhile
sergeant and six cOrporals, ut the front and in
tho rear OF the awkward array. busted them
selves In putting II into military shape. They
squared this mans shoulders. turned out that
Some Of this activity looked like serious faced
sport.for the sergeant and corporas. the APP
pn GHb1s yac4G eE, 1 wa b wa
Att o'clock bugler wound his bugle. The
DONE Then ip 'ReT roll was called. and after that
thcy wheeled into platoons. and. with the spruce
drmmnlcr at their head marched away to mess
shallcd into column OF four. and, with sharp
commands and plentiful pushes by the pers-
pirtnR corpOrals. they stumbled after the Jaunty
battalion In Tho mess hall. however. they nc
quilted themselves handsomely
"A young cadet. who. having an invitation to
dine at private table; ignored mess hall fare,
said: You my say that it is the earnest hope q
the corps that Minnie may be found ,treje. ted
negro element in the corps ut least for while.
Whitaker will probably be dismissed in Janu-
airy, after the examination; or. II he survives
IL the toughest course in the whole curriculum
OF the Academy. Brains are required for II.
as he needs He is now in the sixth of the seven
mathematical sections in the third class. Even
II be gets through the entire curriculum Of the
last moment FOR dement's. and fail to receive his
diploma or place in the rcgu lar army. He we
say, q very black niger, Last winter he
The cadet bore the rudeness patiently. Whit
taker again iostled him. without. apologzing.
stunning blows before some Of us interiered.
Whitaker did not boar the punishment like a
man. but complained to Superintendent Scho-
tailed, and sentenced to dismissal but nfiucn-
tial Washington friends procured his rcinstate-
me1tt, The corps is now enjoying the spectacle
OF Whitaker undergoing punishment. Re-
Gently the officer in command at artillery prac-
tice NOTICED THAT Whitaker did not thumb the
while the cartridge was being rammed home.
This was very dangerous omission on his
and LIMITED the cartridge. the cannonlcr who
was ramming might have been manned or
killed by the ramrod: Whitaker was ntenced
to six extra tours, OF duty, and he paradcs the
quadrangle in full rig. including muskct. with
fixed bayonot from Ito 6 o'clock every other
afternoon, while we look calmly down from our
windows"
At2 o'clock the heavy doors Of the library par
cd. ana the board Of elderly gentloinen In old
fashioned blue swallow-tail coats. with saucer
Ike brass buttons hurried out. and scurricd
over the pnrale To their waiting dinner tables.
From one OF them the reporter learned that the
result OF Mnnie's examination was thoroughly
tisfatory and that he had been admitted to
the Academy, Thirty-eight other applicants out
OF the siXty-lyc that had been examined had
been admitted. Tho others had been found
much below the standard OF the Academy.