Year: 1867

/


bardiers, attached to the Ordnance Department.


This daring revolt of the students created quite


sensation at the time, not only in the high


places of Government, but throughout the land


and, as L was an observer and actor too, | shall
furnish the reader with the only iaside account
| that has ever appeared.


Many of the Students more particularly those


hailing from the Southern section of the Union,
| felt themselves aggrieved by the severe system
OF police carried out by the then authorized Su-
perntendent, Col. Thayer--a man of urbane


manners, though a strict diseiplinarian. The
dlsaffected party drew up petition, couched in
ding duties to which the sons of gentlemen were
subjected. They contended that no cadet ought
to be compelled to do the duty Of menials- s-sueh
as scrubblng their own hoors-sweeping the
grounds in front of the buildings-making
tires--bringing water and splitting wood
Their argument was that in order to make the
officers of the Republic gentlemen, they should
be educated as gentlemen and not as common
hirelings


The plea seemed reasonable enough. but the
Superintendent thought differently He had
visited the celebrated Polytechnic School of
France, and imbibed the notion that an officer,
In order to be good soldier, must learn the
common duties of a private in the ranks-hard-
ships and drudgery were part of the modus OPP
erandi for making good commanders He, con-
sequently treated the prayer of the petitioners
with contempt. This stern indifference to their
application caused much lndignation-the spark
OF revolt being thus thrown amidst combustible
material, adeliberate plan was drawn up and
adopted, to take possession of the Post--its ar
senal park OF artillery. magazine and barracks


A restiessness of disposition and continual
longing for excitement, induced me to JOIN
these hot-braIned mutineers; and, having
signed The rejected petition, felt myself ANAL
gainated with the oppressed party, and became
an active spirit in their secret conclayes. The
plan OF rebellion was Systematically niatured
and select committees We're chosen to perforn.
certain duties A night was fixed for the out


break and |, with some others, on the discharge
OF he signal cannon, was to fire the out houses
The canoon was an Is FOUNDER; it was loaded
nearly to the muzzle with ball, grape shot,
nals and broken glass, and planted directly in
front OF the Superintendent dwelling the
muzzle elevated at an angle with the window of
the Colonel sleeping ROOM On the discharge
OF this piece. which, it was presumed, would
blow an inoHeusive man into eternity, the du.
ties OF the detailed committee were to COM
nence A strong force was to attack the Bonn
bardier' S barrack with fixed bayonet, sublue
the soldiers and make prisoners of the officers
IN command. Another party were to seize the





procure ammunition, take charge of the park
of artillery, and load as quickly as possible The
North and South barracks of the cadets were to
be the points OF defence In case of a retreat, and
the burning out houses a signal of victory


L stood at my post ready to perform my part
In this foolish, yet fearful tragedy. [ thought
not, for moment Of the consequences that
would result from my rashness there was
tlnge OF romance about the affair that pleased
my fancy 1t would read 50 charningly IN the
Journals OF the day-''A revolt among the stu
dents OF the Military Academy-The post en-
tirely III their posseSsion-Daring acts of youth
ful bravery. Killed and wounded &C., &c"


The night was dark and gloomy, drizzling
Scots mist prevailed at the time and heavy
vapors hung over the calm bosom of the males
TIC Hudson. All was qulet-not light could
be seen burning, for it was long after tattoo
beating, aDd all but the restless spirits in the
barracks, seemed to have sought Sleep The
detailed committees were in readiness awaiting
the boom Of the terrible GUT whose explosion
would have sent back echoes of shame from the
crumhling walls Of the venerated Putnam. and,
perehanoe, forever have blasted the fair fame
OF one Of the finest institutions in the world
The rebelllous youths had ample space for re-
iiectlon; for the appointed time of the signal
had long since passed, and no gun awakened
the echoes OF the Grow nest. Some of them
yielded to conviction and skulked off to their
quarters, resolving to have nothing more to do
with the affair." while others, more determined
waited patiently the report of the cannon
Cadet GuIon lsince killed in duel) had charge
OF the gun. He was youth of great courage
and no one doubted his loyalty What then
could be the cause of the delay? He at length |
made his appearance, and stated that he had
IN vain endeavored to discharge the piece, but
the damp atmosphere had so wet the powder,
that the match would not ignite it. Thus, by
a Provldentlal interference were the honor, and
may say lives Of many of the students saved |
while the Superintendent was preserved from
harm


The party who were to attack the Bombarder
barracks, however, were not to be deprived of
their sport they made the assault noleas rOlens,
and had some pretty sharp fighting with officers
and men sans culotte, and finally retreated, find
ing, that they were not supported by the main
body. The next morning the cannon spoke
but silently 1t told the tale of the night pre-
vl"us, and the sun had scarcely cleared the cas-.
tern horizon, when Lieut.. lGriswold, who com
mauded the Bombardiers, was seen crossing the |
parade ground in full uniform, which signi6ed
something in the wind He entered the house
OF Col Ihayer. An orderly was shortly after
wards seen approaching the quarters Of the Al
jutant Of the Post, with orders in his hand In
few minutes that officer sent for the officer of
the day--and, IN fact, before the bugle sounded
he break fast CALL there was very sensible
commotion among the professors, officers and
denizens generally Of West Point


The charge was drawn from the unruly gum
and its contents exposed to public view. After
breakfast the morning parade took place. The
battalion was drawn up as usual, and more than
the ordinary number of spectators were on the
ground. Some very expressive glances shot
from under the vsOrs of the marshalled youths
Eye met eye, and seemed to speak of the storm
that was brewing At length the Adjutant APP
peared in front of the line his looks were stern
and his lips curled with apparent indignation as
he read an order from the Superintendent pro-
claiming the Post in a state of rebellion, an
nouncing the arrest of five of the prime movers
Of the insurrection, and severely repremanding
those who were In any way, either directly or
indirectly, connected with the affair.


Thus ended the mutiny of 1920. A court
martial was convened, and the leaders tried and
expelled They were young men OF highly IN
huentIal parentage-sOme of them have since
represented Southern constituency on the
floor of Congress- If the affair was a reckless
folly of youth, it brought partial remedy for
the evils that originated it. The police regula
tions have since been considerably modified, and
no student is now compelled TO do an office
which would detract from his dignity as a gen
teman. | was glad to get off with the repri
mand. | pursued my studies diligently. and
kept on the even teuo or OF my way, always ex-
ceiling in the light branches, but keeping the
81 Il, l, ii