Lot 133
Flipper, Henry O (1856-1940) Born into slavery; graduated from West Point in 1877; served on the frontier with the 10th Cavalry. Document from Headquarters U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. January 19, 1877, ranking engineering students according to merit. Flipper is listed as number 58 out of 76 students. Document is signed by an adjutant for Major General Schofield, who was superintendent of West Point. Light toning; mounting remnants at one edge of verso. Fine. After his graduation, Flipper was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to the 10th Cavalry. He served on the frontier from 1878 until 1880, including Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Concho, Texas. His duties included scouting, serving as post engineer surveyor, construction supervisor, post adjutant, acting assistant and post quartermaster, and commissary officer. In 1881, his commanding officer accused him of "embezzling funds and of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman," and he was court martialed. (It has also been reported that he was seeing a white woman, an unforgivable offense). Acquitted of the embezzlement charge, he was found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and on June 30, 1882, he was dismissed from the Army. As a civilian, Flipper went on to distinguish himself in a variety of governmental and private engineering positions, as well as writing and publishing several works. He died in 1940, having made numerous attempts to have his conviction reversed. Finally, on February 19, 1999, President Clinton pardoned Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper, recognizing an error and acknowledging Flipper's lifetime achievements.
Estimated Value $500 - 600.
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| Realized $380 |
