Eggnog riot
Two days prior to the incident, a large quantity of whiskey was smuggled into the academy to make eggnog for the party, giving the riot its name.
A subsequent investigation by academy officials resulted in the implication of 70 cadets and the court-martialing of 20 of them along with one enlisted soldier.
The large number of small dairy farms in America in the early 19th century made milk, cream, and eggnog more accessible to the American public.
[1] George Washington drank eggnog that contained not only rum, but also significant amounts of sherry, brandy, and whiskey.
[2] By 1826, the academy had 36 men serving as faculty and staff with four recognized departments – mathematics, engineering, natural philosophy (now physics,[3] chemistry, and life sciences[4]), and military tactics.
[8][9] The cadets were informed that, due to the alcohol prohibition on the site, their Christmas eggnog would be alcohol-free, prompting the decision to smuggle liquor into the academy.
Center (New York), and Samuel Alexander Roberts (Alabama) almost got into a fight with the proprietors of another tavern concerning getting whiskey back to West Point.
Private James Dougan, the duty security guard, agreed to let the three cadets take a boat across the Hudson to smuggle the whiskey.
The cadets planned to purchase one-half US gallon (1.9 L) of whiskey as an alcohol base for the eggnog party that would take place in the North Barracks two nights later.
[12] Burnley, Center, and Roberts successfully obtained two US gallons (7.6 L) of whiskey, smuggling them into North Barracks room No.
[1][13] Cadet T. M. Lewis (Kentucky) also returned with one US gallon (3.8 L) of rum from Benny's Tavern to North Barracks room No.
[21][22][self-published source] Nathaniel Eaton (Massachusetts) was the cadet in charge of the external post of the North Barracks.
[23] Captain Ethan Allen Hitchcock, a faculty member in military tactics, was also stationed in the North Barracks.
[1][6][25] Cadet Charles Whipple (Michigan Territory), the division superintendent during the first part of the incident, went to North Barracks room No.
[1][6][30] Meanwhile, Thornton had strolled the North Barracks between 21:00 on the 24th and 02:00 on Christmas Day observing the ongoing partying, before going to sleep at 02:00.
[34] Hitchcock continued restoring order in the North Barracks, getting into a fight with cadet Walter Otey (Virginia).
[42] Worth met with superintendent Thayer after the first formation to discuss what had happened in the North Barracks the previous evening.
[44] Captain Mackay, academy quartermaster, took down details of the damages to the property at North Barracks so repairs could take place in the following days.
Chapel formation took place after breakfast, followed by two hours of service, with most of the drunk cadets still recovering.
[47] Later that day, Thayer met with Gouverneur Kemble, an ordnance manufacturer in Cold Spring, New York, to discuss different items, including the events at West Point.
[48] A faculty and staff meeting took place, with all but Captain Thomas C. Legate of the 2nd Artillery A Battery and a few assistant professors in attendance.
[49] Cadet Battalion Order 98 was read at formation and posted at several prominent locations at the academy.
Twenty-two cadets were placed under house arrest until further notice; among them was Davis, who had been reported as a malefactor by Hitchcock and Thornton.
If the inquiry determined that further disciplinary action was necessary, Thayer was empowered to court-martial any cadet or other military personnel.
[52] In the midst of the academy exams, Gird informed the cadets of the court of inquiry, which was to begin the next day.
Thayer picked the worst offenders (those who smuggled the whiskey, the cadets who incited the riots, and several others) for prosecution at court-martial.
A standard trial began with the charges being read, the defendant giving his plea, and opening statements by the prosecution and defense attorneys.
Witness testimony then began, followed by closing statements given by the prosecution and defense attorneys, and the jury's decision.
[61] Gird stayed as trial judge advocate until 8 March, when he asked to be released; he was replaced by Lieutenant William H. C.
[66] Private John Dougan was sentenced to one month of hard labor, and forfeited his whiskey ration for the same period.
