The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-15
CADETS IN THE RING.
Two of West Points Embryo Soldiers
Fight to Draw.
From the Philadelphia Press

From the Philadelphia Press.
Newburg, NJ Y, July s.--As the gray
dawn lit up the rugged sides of Turks
Head and Storm King this morning q
small party of men emerged from tent
on the northern side of Camp Cullom at
West Point, and after accommodating,
jumped across the sentinels post and
climbed the parapet Of Fort Clinton. In-
side the fort hasty consultation took
place, and then the men went forward to
the southwest corner where the big gun,
which is used in practical military engi-
neering instruction, stands.
In this snug corner, sheltered on all
sides from the prying eyes of tactical
officers and sentinels, two well built lads
Invested themselves of their outer cloth
ing and took the positions usually as
signed to men in the prize ring. Two
seconds for each and a timekeeper were
the only others present. The principals
were Cadet Henry Carpenter Smithers, a
member Of the third class. who received
his appointment at large, and Cadet
Scales, ''plebe" who entered the acad-
envy last month being appointed from
Texas. 1t is said that the cause of the
fight was the refusal of Cadet Scales to
submit TO the usual discipline, carrying
his insubordination so far as TO disobey
orders in the ranks.
The recent hazing episode of Cadet
Valentine, who was caught in the act Of
hazing plebe by tactical officer, in all
probability had something to do with the
affair. Both Valentine and Smithers are
corporals with the rank of sergeant while
In camp and there can hardly be doubt
that some sort Of concerted action is be-
ing taken by the plebes TO escape the rigid
discipline which is necessary 10 bring raw
recruits into line.
A . L. A Os.1caly m both maj
stepped forward and shook hands. The
fight was TO be to a finish, Marquis OF
Queensberry rules. The first round be-
gan by SmiIhers landing a right-hander
on the Texas mans jaw, which sent him
sprawling TO earth. The Texan was up
again In an instant, however, and aimed
q vicious blow at his antagonists nose,
which was neatly lodged Another
swinging right-hander landed at the back
of Scales ear, and down went the plebe
again. It was then thought that the
fight was over, and the referee was about
TO declare Smithers the winner, when
Scales stumbled TO his feet and pluckily
held out TO the end OF the round.
In the second round Scales looked de-
cidedly groggy. but managed TO dodge his
antagonist until time was called
In the third round the plebe came up
with more confidence, but that terrible
right hand of the third class man caught
him mapping and down he went for the
third time. He now became more eau
tious and lodged around In every direction
TO escape the well-directed blows of his
antagonist. Several times the referee
warned him that he would be compelled
10 award the fight TO his opponent if &c
continued such tactics, and ii was at
last decided 10 rope the ring in so that
Scales could be kept within bounds.
The fourth round was finished without
any serious blows being delivered, but In
the fifth the plebe slanded an upper cut
rather unexpectedly on the corporals
nose, and the third-class man bit the
dust.
The fight continued until interrupted
by the sound Of reveille, at 6 o'clock,
when the referee declared 1T draw. 10
had lasted one hour ana thirty minutes
and eighteen rounds had been fought.
Corporal Smithers has badly sprained
wrist and Scales is 50 badly disabled that
he cannot Leave bis bed.