"One night about twelve o'clock some one came into
our room, and threw the contents of his slop-pail
over us while we were asleep. We got to our door
just in time to hear the 'gentleman' go into his
room on the floor above us. This affair reported
itself the next morning at 'Police Inspection,' and
the inspector ordered us to search among the tobacco
quids, and other rubbish on the floor, for something
by which we might identify the perpetrator of the
affair. The search resulted in the finding of an old
envelope, addressed to one McCord, of Kentucky. That
young 'gentleman' was questioned in reference, but
succeeded in convincing the authorities that he had
nothing to do with the affair and knew nothing of it.
"A few days after that, Howard was struck in the
face by that young 'gentleman,' 'because,' as he
says, 'the d--d nigger didn't get out of the way
when I was going into the boot-black's shop.' For
that offence Mr. McCord was confined to his room,
but was never punished, as in a few days thereafter
he failed at the preliminary examination, and was
sent away with all the other unfortunates, including
Howard.
"On the 28th of June, 1870, those of us who had
succeeded in passing the preliminary examination
were taken in 'plebe camp,' and there I got my taste
of 'military discipline,' as the petty persecutions
of about two hundred cadets were called.
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