Create a new account

It's simple, and free.

COURT MARTIAL OF LT. HENRY O. FLIPPER Thi

COURT MARTIAL OF LIEUTENANT HENRY O. FLIPPER

This research paper discusses the court martial of Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper (Flipper) (1856-1940). Flipper, the first African-American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point and one of only three who did so in the 19th century, was dismissed (given a dishonorable discharge) from the Army on June 30, 1882 after President Chester Arthur confirmed a verdict of an Army Court of Honor (court martial court) at Fort Davis, Texas, which acquitted Flipper of embezzlement of Army funds but found him guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer. Flipper failed to secure a reversal of his sentence during his lifetime. He was pardoned by President Bill Clinton on February 19, 1999. Flipper's conviction was supported by some evidence; however, his dismissal from the Army was an unjustifiably harsh sentence which can only be explained as the product of racism.

Flipper was born in Georgia to enslaved black parents. Johnson speculated that he might have had some white blood inasmuch as he had "a light, coffee-colored complexion." After 1865, his father, a skilled artisan, saved enough money to pay for Flipper's private tutoring by the widow of an ex-Confederate officer. He continued his education at an American Missionary Association school in Atlanta. He was fortunate to receive an appointment to West Point by a Republican Congressman.

He graduated in 1877 50th in a class of 76 after having endured the 'silent treatment' from other cadets. Commissioned a lieutenant, he joined the 10th Cavalry, one of four all black regiments (except for the officers) in the frontier West which were known as the Buffalo Soldiers. For four years, Flipper served with distinction, including as a combat officer against the Apaches, at a number of frontier posts. According to Harris, "in every field assignment, he proved himself stalwart and competent." In his last assignment before he was arrest...

Page 1 of 9 Next >

More on COURT MARTIAL OF LT. HENRY O. FLIPPER Thi...

Loading...
APA     MLA     Chicago
COURT MARTIAL OF LT. HENRY O. FLIPPER Thi. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 13:08, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1700471.html