No. 76. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, May 23, 1901. Before a general court-martial which convened at West Point, New York, pursuant to Special Orders. No. 87, May 6, 1901, Headquarters, U. S. Military Academy, West Point, New York, and of which Captain FRANK E. HOBBS, Ordnance Department, was president, and 1st Lieutenant WILLIAM S. GUIGNARD, Artillery Corps, was judge advocate, were arraigned and tried 1. Cadet Stephen B. Vernon, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy. CHARGE I.-"Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, contrary to paragraph 146, Regulations of the United States Military Academy, in violation of the 62d Article of War." Specification 1st-"That Cadet Stephen B. Vernon, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy, did write an official letter in words and figures as follows: WEST POINT, New York, May 4, 1901. The Adjutant of the U. S. Military Academy (through the commandant of cadets). SIR: I have the honor to apply for leave of absence from 3 p. m. till 9.30 p.m. to-day, May 4, 1901, for the purpose of going to Newburgh, to dine, by invitation, and for this purpose to be allowed $3.00. During the months of December, January and March I was in the first grade of conduct. I have never submitted a similar permit and no money has been expended by me for this purpose. At the date of the last settlement with the treasurer I was $10.51 in debt. Very respectfully, STEPHEN B. VERNON, that the statement in the said letter to the effect that he, the said Cadet Vernon, wished to go to Newburgh to dine, by invitation, was deceitful and misleading, and was made with the intention to give the authorities of the Military Academy an impression that he, the said Cadet Vernon, had received a bona fide invitation to dine in Newburgh, whereas, in fact, he has received no such invitation, and merely intended to accompany and dine with Cadet Charles S. Perry, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy, in Newburgh. This at West Point, N. Y., May 4, 1901." Specification 24-"That Cadet Stephen B. Vernon, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy, having been granted a permit by the superintendent to accept an invitation to dine in Newburgh, N. Y., did take undue advantage of the permit by visiting a public bar. This at Newburgh, N. Y., on or about May 4, 1901." CHARGE II.-"Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, contrary to paragraph 161, Regulations for the U. S. Military Academy, in violation of the 62d Article of War." Specification-"That Cadet Stephen B. Vernon, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy, having been granted by the superintendent permission to visit Newburgh, N. Y., to accept an invitation to dinner, was found seated in a public barroom in his uniform, smoking and with intoxicating liquor in front of him, to the scandal and disgrace of the U. S. Corps of Cadets and of the service of United States. This at Newburgh, N. Y., on or about May 4, 1901.” CHARGE III.-"Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, contrary to paragraph 129, Regulations for the U. S. Military Academy, in violation of the 62d Article of War." This Specification-"That Cadet Stephen B. Vernon, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy, did drink intoxicating liquor. at Newburgh, N. Y., on or about May 4, 1901." PLEA. To the 1st Specification, "Guilty, except of the words 'that the statement in the said letter to the effect that he, the said Cadet Vernon, wished to go to Newburgh to dine, by invita tion, was deceitful and misleading and was made with the intention to give to the authorities of the Military Academy an impression that he, the said cadet, had received a bona fide invitation to dine in Newburgh, whereas, in fact, he has received no such invitation and merely intended to accompany and dine with Cadet Charles S. Perry, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy, in Newburgh,' and of the excepted words not guilty." To the 2d Specification, "Not guilty." "Not guilty." Charge II. To the Specification, "Guilty, except of the words 'smoking and with intoxicating liquor in front of him, to the scandal and disgrace of the United States Corps of Cadets and of the service of the United States,' and of the excepted words not guilty." And the court does therefore sentence him, Cadet Stephen B. Vernon, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy, "To be dismissed from the service of the United States." The record of the proceedings of the general court-martial in the foregoing case of Cadet Stephen B. Vernon, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy, having been forwarded to the Secretary of War for the action of the President, the following is his action thereon: WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, May 23, 1901. The proceedings and findings in the foregoing case are approved: By direction of the President the sentence is confirmed and will be duly executed. ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War. 2. Cadet Charles S. Perry, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy. CHARGE I.-"Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, contrary to paragraph 146, Regulations of the United States Military Academy, in violation of the 62d Article of War." Specification 1st-"That Cadet Charles S. Perry, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy, did write an official letter in words and figures as follows: WEST POINT, N. Y., May 3, 1901. The Adjutant of the U. S. Military Academy (through the commandant of cadets). SIR: I have the honor to apply for leave of absence from 3.00 p. m. till tattoo, Saturday, May 4, 1901, and to be allowed five dollars to pay my expenses. I wish to go to Newburgh to dine with a friend. Last settlement I was in debt $77.01. I was in the first grade during January, February, and March. I have never be. fore submitted a permit for a six hour leave, and have spent four dollars for this purpose during a three days leave at Christmas. Very respectfully, CHARLES S. PERRY, Cadet Sgt. Co. D, 2d Class. that the statement in the said letter that he, the said Cadet Perry, wished to go to Newburgh to dine with a friend was deceitful and misleading, and was made with the intention to give to the authorities of the Military Academy an impression that he, the said Cadet Perry, had received a bona fide invitation to dine in Newburgh, whereas, in fact, he had received no such invitation, and merely intended to accompany and dine with Cadet Stephen B. Vernon, 2d Class, U. S. Military Academy, in Newburgh. This at West Point, N. Y., May 3, 1901. Specification 2d-“That Cadet Charles S. Perry, 2d Class, U.S. Military Academy, having written an official letter in words and figures as follows: WEST POINT, N. Y., May, 3, 1901. The Adjutant of the U. S. Military Academy (through the commandant of cadets). SIR: I have the honor to apply for leave of absence from 3.00 p. m. until tattoo, Saturday, May 4, 1901, and to be allowed five dollars to pay my expenses. I wish to go to Newburgh, to dine with a friend. Last settlement I was in debt $77.01. I was in the first grade during January, February and March. I have never before submitted a permit for a six hour leave, and have spent four dollars for this purpose during a three days leave at Christmas. Very respectfully, CHARLES S. PERRY, Cadet Sgt., Co. D, 2d Class. and having had the said letter returned to him by an indorsement as follows: [Fourth indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS U. S. MILITARY ACADEMY, West Point, N. Y., May 3, 1901. Respectfully returned to the commandant of cadets calling attention to the fact that the privilege asked for is, by the Regulations, granted to accept an invitation. Information is desired by the superintendent as to whether the cadet has an invitation, and also as to why he asks for so large a sum to visit Newburgh when he is more than $75.00 in debt. By order of Colonel Mills: W. C. RIVERS, Captain 11th Cavalry, Adjutant. did write on the said letter an indosement in words and figures as follows: [Sixth indorsement.] WEST POINT, N. Y., May 3, 1901. Respectfully returned to the adjutant of the U. S. Military Academy (through the commandant of cadets). I have an invitation to dine at Newburgh. I asked for five dollars to pay trav elling and other expenses, expecting to turn in all I did not need upon my return. I do not think that more than two dollars is absolutely necessary. CHARLES S. PERRY, Cadet Sergt., Co. D., 2d Class. which indorsement, in so far as it states 'I have an invitation to dine at Newburgh,' was deceitful and misleading, and was written with intent to give the authorities of the Military Academy an impression that he, the said Cadet Perry, had a bona fide invitation to dine in Newburgh, whereas, in fact, he had received no such invita |