Charles Cabaniss
Charles Cabaniss (October 14, 1859 – January 19, 1882) was a midshipman in the United States Navy and early player of American football.
He grew up in Central Virginia until he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy at the age of sixteen years and eight months.
[2] Cabaniss had the fewest demerits of any member of his sophomore class and earned a spot on the academy's summer cruise on the USS Constellation.
He played alongside future admiral Hugh Rodman and eventual Governor of Guam William John Maxwell.
[9] Navy's rushers forced the Baltimore A.C. backwards into their own end zone for safeties on three separate occasions, and generally outplayed and overpowered their opponents the entire game.
[11][12] For sixteen months, the ship was docked in Kobe, Japan, during which time Cabaniss earned himself a positive reputation with other sailors.
His disciplined nature remained; he reportedly was one of the best-behaved sailors, who spent all of his time either carrying out his duties or practicing to be a better officer.
He was reportedly a favorite of the superior officers stationed in Kobe, and was appointed to a spot on the admiral's staff as a reward for his conduct.
According to the report, before-noon exercises on board the ship had just been completed when an order was made to prepare rifles for target practice.
The New York Times published an article on its second page, and among other papers that carried the story were the Wilmington Morning Star and the Petersburg Index-Appeal.
