On View
Military History Gallery
Exhibition
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
Issued by
United States Army, American, founded 1775
Received by
Flipper, Henry Ossian, American, 1856 - 1940
Date
June 17, 1882
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 7 1/8 x 4 3/4 in. (18.1 x 12.1 cm)
Caption
Henry O. Flipper became the first black graduate of West Point in 1877 and served as a second lieutenant in the 10th Calvary regiment. When Flipper was arrested for embezzlement by Colonel William Rufus Shafter at Fort Davis in August 1881, it was largely believed to be a set up. Shafter called a court-martial in September despite the missing funds being repayed from a collection gathered by soldiers and the community. In December 1881, Flipper was found innocent of the embezzlement charge, but guilty of "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman." He was dismissed from the army, which was a much harsher sentence than white officers found guilty in prior instances of embezzlement. Flipper unsuccessfully contested the charges and attempted to regain his commission until his death in 1940.
In 1976, Flipper's descendants and other supporters continued to fight Flipper's conviction, appealing to the Army Board for the Correction of Military Records. The board did not have the authority to overturn the conviction, but found Flipper's conviction and punishment to be "unduly harsh and unjust," and subsequently the Department of the Army issued Flipper a Certificate of Honorable Discharge. The legal battle on Flipper's behalf continued until Flipper was finally pardoned by President Bill Clinton on February 19, 1999.
Description
A booklet printing of the court martial proceedings against Second Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper of the U.S. 10th Cavalry. The five page booklet is printed in black ink on off-white paper, with taped binding at the left. Printed at the top left of the first page is [GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL / ORDERS, NO. 39.] and at top right is [HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, / ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, / Washington, June 17, 1882.]. The document lists the charges against Flipper, "Embezzlement, in violation of the 60th Article of War," and "Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman" along with the "specifications." It then continues with the findings, not guilty of the first charge and guilty of all specifications of the second charge, and the sentence "to be dismissed from the service of the United States." A handwritten inscription at the top of the first page reads “West Points 1st Black officer!” There are no printings, marks or inscriptions on the back page.
Place depicted
Fort Davis, Jeff Davis County, Texas, United States, North and Central America
Place printed
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Books and Published Materials
Type
orders (military records)
Topic
American West
Justice
Military
Race discrimination
U.S. History, 1865-1921
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2011.155.16
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd503b9a593-40b2-4db8-b6dd-259f6efb2c69

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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