The Colored Cadet at West Point | Page 7

some petty sort any colored boy who may obtain

admittance there. The story does not seem to have any substantial basis;
still, it possesses considerable vitality.'
"We don't profess to understand exactly what sort of a story that is
which has 'considerable vitality' without any substantial basis, and can
only conclude that the darkness of the subject has engendered a little
confusion in the mind of the Tribune as well as in that of the writer of
the Times. But the Tribune acquires more confidence as it warms in the
discussion, and it assures us finally that 'there is, of course, no doubt
that some colored boys are capable of receiving a military education;
and eventually the presence of colored officers in the regular army must
be an accepted fact.' Well, we don't know about that 'accepted fact.' The
white man is mighty uncertain, and the nigger won't do to trust to, in
view of which truths it would be unwise to bet too high on the 'colored
officers,' for some years to come at least.
"But let not Flipper wring his flippers in despair, notwithstanding. Let
him think of Smith, and take heart of hope. Smith was another colored
cadet who was sent to West Point from South Carolina. Smith mastered
readin', 'ritin', and 'rithmetic, but chemistry mastered Smith.* They
gave him three trials, but it was to no purpose ; so they had to change
his base and send him back to South Carolina. But what of that?
They've just made him inspector of militia in South Carolina, with the
rank of brigadier-general. How long might he have remained in the
army before he would have become 'General Smith?' Why, even Fred
Grant's only a lieutenant-colonel. Smith evidently has reason to
congratulate himself upon being 'plucked;' and so the young gentleman
from Georgia, with the 'light, coffee-colored complexion,' if he meets
with a similar misfortune, may console himself with the hope that to
him also in his extremity will be extended from some source a helping
flipper."
*Cadet Smith failed in Natural and Experimental Philosophy. In
Chemistry he was up to the average. He was never appointed
Inspector-General of South Carolina. He was Commandant of Cadets in
the South Carolina Agricultural Institute at Orangeburg, S. C., Which
position he held till his death November 29th, 1876.

CHAPTER II.
COMMUNICATIONS, ETC.
HAVING given in the previous chapter a brief account of
myself--dropping now, by permission, the third person--prior to my
appointment, I shall here give in full what led me to seek that
appointment, and how I obtained it. It was while sitting "in his father's
quiet shoeshop on Decatur Street"--as a local paper had it--that I
overheard a conversation concerning the then cadet from my own
district. In the course of the conversation I learned that this cadet was to
graduate the following June; and that therefore a vacancy would occur.
This was in the autumn of 1872, and before the election. It occurred to
me that I might fill that vacancy, and I accordingly determined to make
an endeavor to do so, provided the Republican nominee for Congress
should be elected. He was elected. I applied for and obtained the
appointment. In 1865 or 1866--I do not now remember which: perhaps
it was even later than either--it was suggested to my father to send me
to West Point. He was unwilling to do so, and, not knowing very much
about the place, was reluctant to make any inquiries. I was then of
course too young for admission, being only ten or twelve years old; and
knowing nothing of the place myself, I did not care to venture the
attempt to become a cadet.
At the time I obtained the appointment I had quite forgotten this early
recommendation of my father's friend; indeed, I did not recall it until I
began compiling my manuscript.
The suggestion given me by the conversation above mentioned was at
once acted upon, and decision made in a very short time; and so fully
was I determined, so absolutely was my mind set on West Point, that I
persisted in my desire even to getting the appointment, staying at the
Academy four years, and finally graduating. The following
communications will explain how I got the appointment.*
*It has been impossible for the author to obtain copies of his own

letters to the Hon. Congressman who appointed him, which is to be
regretted. The replies are inserted in such order that they will readily
suggest the tenor of the first communications.
Reply No. 1
GRIFFIN, January 23,1873.
MR. H. O. FLIPPER.
DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 21st, asking me, as member-elect to
Congress from this State, to appoint you cadet to West Point, was
received this morning. You are a stranger to me, and before I