One day a misunderstanding arose between a yearling and a plebe that nothing but a fight could settle. Seconds and a referee were chosen, and they and others wishing to see the fight repaired to old Fort Clinton. The fight was begun and several rounds fought, when one of those present heard footsteps, and peeping through the brush he saw a blue uniform and gave the alarm. A stampede followed, and in a moment the whole party scaled the parapet, and almost tumbled over one another in their mad haste down toward Flirtation Walk, where trees and bushes covered their retreat. The referee declared the fight off. The principals respected one another’s fighting qualities and afterward became warm friends. The only one in the party that the officer recognized was B⸺p, the referee and a captain of my class, and for being present at the fight he was reduced to the ranks.
A PERMIT (OLD FORM).
West Point, March __, 1873.
Cadet ________, Private 1st Class “B” Co., has permission to get a drawing table from the Engineering Drawing Room and keep it in his quarters until he finishes his drawing of Noizet’s Front, having been in the hospital and excused from attending recitations for over a week, he was not able to complete the drawing in the Academy.
_____________,
Com’d’g Co “B.”
Respectfully referred to the Professor of Engineering,
By command of
Col. _____________
_____________,
Adjutant.
Respectfully returned app’d,
_____________,
Prof. of Eng.