Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-09
WEST POINT HAzING.
Hartigan Dismissed for an Out.
rage on a Tennessee Cadet

va - ACAnCl4CC Os4OtAs
A Washington special says that the
action Of the Secretary of War in dis
missing nom the Military Academy
Cadet Hartigan, OF the first class, will
not only not be reversed, but if the Su.
perintendent should ascertain the
names of those associated with Harti-
gan they too, it is said at the War
Department, will be summarily dis
missed. As 1t is, a number of cadets
of the FIRST class have been given extra
hours Of duty and restricted in their
privileges, while those of the third
class, some seven or eight in number,
are informed that there will be no ca
det iurlough for them next year. I'm.
mediately after Cadet Hartigan was
dismissed he came to Washington and
addressed q respectful letter to
the Secretary Of War complaining
that the grossest injustice had
been doGe him, and asking
that he be reinstated. In his letter he
alleged many reasons why be should
not be adjudged guilty, and Virtual
made an apparently reasonable appeal
In his own behalf. The Secretary Of
War had the letter referred TO Super
intendent Merritt for report, and it
has just been received at the War
Department. In it Superintendent
Merritt says: From the lime the new
cadets reported this year until the
present everything has been done by
the authorities of the Academy to
prevent haziug. Both commandant
and Superintendent have given many
verbal orders and cautions on the sub.
ject. The sentinel who was prosecuted
seems to have been selected because of
his isolation. His post. No. 3, was
along the flank of the encsmpment,
next Fort Clinton, and the posts next
to his were occupied by fourth class
men. The facts in the case are as
reported in my letter of July 18th,
to the Adjutant General of the
army, and stated by the new cadet,
AcuH, who is a manly young fellow
FROM Tennessee, and who made his
statements under the positive
orders Of the commandant and super
intendent in separate interviews, and
only after being told that it was his
duty and that he must answer the
questions OF his superior officer"
TO believe for moment that the
new cadet, Acuf, states other than the
truth is simply impossible. There is
now no question in my mind but that
there was deliberate plan formed
and entered into to throw the senti-
mel into the ditch of Fort Clinton and
to do him violence and bodily injury,
and that eX-Cadet Hartigan was the
prime mover in the matter. As there
was not positive proof of this when |
wrote my letter above referred to, |
did not mention the evidence. 1t APP
pears, however, from the statements of
the corporal of the guard and the sem
tinel thatafter the visit of the corporal
some cadet, not known to the author
ties, was stabbed with the bayonet BY
the sentinel. This, in consequence Of
orders given by the corporal to the
sentinel to defend himself with bis
arms in case he was further annoyed
On this ex. Cadet Hartigan appeared as
an officer armed with q sword, provi-
9ed With the Oountersign, was chal-
lenged and advanced, gave the coun-
tersign and then asked the sentinel
his orders, gave him additional orders
and said, You have used your arms
too freely. Some one may be hurt
and Immediately aiterward babe the
sentinel face outward, when he called
out the hour at which time he was
hurled into the ditch by persons from
abroad"
"All this points to design and col
fusion and to ex Cadet Hartigan, whose
record is one Of hsbitual neglect Of
the regulations and az c ringIeader.
1t ia to be regretted that the guilt OF
those who shared with ex>Cadet Har.
tigan in this shameful and exceptional
abuse of sentinel cannot be estab
lished. If it could be done | would
recommend for them the same pun,
ishment as has been given to Harti-
gan. But certainly the fact that it is
difficult in the corps o! cadets to get
evidence against those guilty of the
brutal and unmanly practice Of haging
should be the least reason urged for
permitting the escape OF those known
to be guilty"