Moreover, from that night on he ignored both Brightly and Belcher; the men in the ranks noticed that he grew more quick-tempered and morose; the principal and teachers in the school found that he became less careful of his standing.
On the evening following the fight between Brightly and Belcher the following order was published at retreat:—
Headquarters, Riverpark Academy.
April 30, 186-.
SPECIAL ORDER, NO. 15.
Paragraph I.—Cadet Lieutenant Horace E. Brightly, for conduct unbecoming an officer, is hereby suspended from the office of first lieutenant and adjutant of the battalion, for a period of two weeks, the suspension to date from the 29th inst.
Paragraph II.—Sergeant Major J. R. Finkelton will act as adjutant of the battalion during the period of Lieutenant Brightly’s suspension, and all papers pertaining to said office of adjutant will be turned over to him at once.
By order of the Principal,
Col. Jonas Silsbee.
Brightly promptly gave to the acting adjutant all papers pertaining to the office, which were principally tables showing the merits and demerits credited to each student in the line of conduct.