The Colored Cadet at West Point

Description

Henry Ossian Flipper was a fighter, a survivor and, for all intents and purposes, a remarkable winner, especially in a world where blacks were still largely regarded as inferior in the United States. He was the first African American to graduate at the West Point Military Academy, and he was also a remarkably intelligent individual who later in life became a true scholar, historian and even inventor.

The Colored Cadet at West Point is an extremely eloquent and detailed autobiographical work written by Flipper after he was dismissed from military service in 1882. The book contains a full account of the author’s time spent at West Point, as well as invaluable details about his birth, family history, education, significant events in his early life, as well as a comprehensive account of the social ostracism that he had to endure because of being the only black student at West Point.

Despite all the hardships he had to endure, Flipper demonstrated an outstanding strength of character and a level of endurance that very few individuals would have been capable of. Describing his outlook on events in an eloquent and humble fashion through his writings, he also presents many historically relevant accounts of the rules and regulations at West Point, as well as the military training that would lead him to become a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army.

The book also contains a biographical essay written by a reputable historian by the name of Quintard Taylor, who speaks of Flipper’s life after his discharge from military service. The army officer was stripped of his rank after an 1882 court-martial, and spent a great deal of time attempting to clear his own name.

However, Henry Ossian Flipper did not allow this setback to deter him from being the best that he could become, later on being known as an interpreter, translator, mining engineer, newspaper editor and special agent for the Justice Department, during his long and eventful life.
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