Henry Ossian Flipper Collections – Page 2 of 2

Furlough – Henry Flipper

Of all privileges or sources of pleasure which tend to remove the monotony of military life, there are none to which the stripling soldier looks forward with more delight than furlough. Indeed it is hard to say which is the stronger emotion that we experience when we first receive information of our appointment to a cadetship, or that which comes upon us when we are apprised that a furlough has been granted us. Possibly the latter is the stronger feeling. It is so with some, with those, at least, who received the former announcement with indifference, as many do, accepting … Read more

Flip Fires Off – Henry Flipper

He arose with martial mien, and his left hand resting on his sabre hilt. He said: “Some weeks ago he had been called upon at a reception in New York to make a speech, but he had reminded the gentleman who called upon him that he had been taught to be a soldier and not an orator. While upon this occasion he still maintained that lie was not an orator, yet he would tell them something of his career at West Point. He referred to his colored predecessors in the Academy and their fates, particularly of Smith, whose last year … Read more

First Class Camp – Henry Flipper

It is a common saying among cadets that “first-class camp is just like furlough.” I rather think the assertion is an inheritance from former days and the cadets of those days, for the similarity at present between first-class camp and furlough is beyond our conception. There is none, or if any it is chimerical, depending entirely on circumstances. In the case of a small class it would be greater than in that of a large one. For instance, in “train drill” a certain number of men are required. No more are necessary. It would be inexpedient to employ a whole … Read more

Course of Study and Books used at the Military Academy – Henry Flipper

First Year Fourth Class Department Text-Books. Mathematics, Davies Boudon s Algebra. Davies Legendre s Geometry and Trigonometry. Church’s Descriptive Geometry. French Language, Bolmar s Levizac s Grammar and Verb Book. Agnel’s Tabular System. Berard s Lecons Francaises. Spier s and Surenne s Dictionary. Tactics of Artillery, Practical Instruction in the and Infantry Schools of the Soldier, Company, and Battalion. Practical Instruction in Artillery. Use of Small Arms, Instruction in Fencing and Bayonet Exercise. Second Year Third Class French Language, Bolmar s Levizac s Grammar and Verb Book. Berard s Lecons Francaises. Chapsal s Lecons Et Modeles de Litterature Francaise. Agnel … Read more

Communications – Henry Flipper

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 … Read more

Color determines how the Negro is treated – Henry Flipper

But it is color, they say, color only, which determines how the Negro must be treated. Color is his misfortune, and his treatment must be his misfortune also. Mistaken idea! and one of which we should speedily rid ourselves. It may be color in some cases, but in the great majority of instances it is mental and moral condition. Little or no education, little moral refinement, and all their repulsive consequences will never be accepted as equals of education, intellectual or moral. Color is absolutely nothing in the consideration of the question, unless we mean by it not color of … Read more

Cant Terms – Henry Flipper

As a narrative of this description is very apt to be dry and uninteresting, I have thought it possible to remove in a measure this objection by using as often as convenient the cant lingo of the corps. A vocabulary which shall contain it all, or nearly all, becomes necessary. I have taken great care to make it as full as possible, and at the same time as intelligible as possible. There are a few cant words and expressions which are directly personal, and in many cases self explanatory. They are for such reasons omitted. “Animal,” “animile,” “beast,” “reptile.” Synonymous … Read more

A Case of Downright Malice – Henry Flipper

The only case of downright malice that has come to my knowledge and I’m sure the only one that ever occurred is the following: It is a custom, as old as the institution I dare say, for cadets of the first and second classes to march in the front rank, while all others take their places in the rear rank, with the exception that third-classmen may be in the front rank whenever it is necessary for the proper formation of the company to put them there. The need of such a custom is apparent. Fourth-classmen, or plebes not accustomed to … Read more