Left alone
as I was, by Howard's failure, I had to take every
insult that was offered, without saying any thing,
for I had complained several times to the Commandant
of Cadets, and, after 'investigating the matter,' he
invariably came to the conclusion, 'from the evidence
deduced,' that I was in the wrong, and I was cautioned
that I had better be very particular about any statements
that I might make, as the regulations were very strict
on the subject of veracity.
"Whenever the 'plebes' (new cadets) were turned out to
'police' camp, as they were each day at 5 A.M. and 4
P.M., certain cadets would come into the company street
and spit out quids of tobacco which they would call for
me to pick up. I would get a broom and shovel for the
purpose, but they would immediately begin swearing at
and abusing me for not using my fingers, and then the
corporal of police would order me to put down that broom
and shovel, 'and not to try to play the gentleman here,'
for my fingers were 'made for that purpose.' Finding
there was no redress to be had there, I wrote my friend
Mr. David Clark, of Hartford, Ct., to do something for
me. He had my letter published, and that drew the
attention of Congress to the matter, and a board was
sent to West Point to inquire into the matter and
report thereon. That board found out that several
cadets were guilty of conduct unbecoming a cadet and
a gentleman and recommended that they be court-
martialled, but the Secretary of War thought a
reprimand would be sufficient.
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