Trial of Cadet Edgar Allan Poe
1/28/1831
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Edgar Allan Poe arrived at West Point in June 1830 and submitted himself to the rigors and regimens of the Academy. There were long days filled with study and military drills. The food was poor, the quarters crowded and spartan, and discipline rigid. Poe did well academically, but was soon undone by continuing quarrels with his foster father and money problems.
During his first term, he decided to leave West Point but could not resign without the consent of his foster father. When Allan did not consent, Poe set out to get himself court-martialed and dismissed. He neglected his studies and failed to report for parades, roll-calls, and guard duty.
On January 28, 1831, he was court-martialed. These papers from the trial list charges against Cadet Poe: gross neglect of duty and absence from his "academical duties." On March 6, 1831, he was dismissed from West Point by sentence of court-martial.
During his first term, he decided to leave West Point but could not resign without the consent of his foster father. When Allan did not consent, Poe set out to get himself court-martialed and dismissed. He neglected his studies and failed to report for parades, roll-calls, and guard duty.
On January 28, 1831, he was court-martialed. These papers from the trial list charges against Cadet Poe: gross neglect of duty and absence from his "academical duties." On March 6, 1831, he was dismissed from West Point by sentence of court-martial.
Transcript
[handwritten center of page] Trial of Cadet E. A. Poe[stamp] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES
Proceedings of a General Court Martial, which convened at West Point, New York, on the 7 January 1831, by virtue of the following order, and was continued by adjoinment until the 28 January 1831.
Engineer department
Washington 31 Dec. 1830
Military Academy [bracket] Order No 46. [end bracket] A General court martial to consist of seven members, that being the greatest number that can be detailed without manifest injury to the same, will convene at West Point New York on Friday ^next^ the 7 January 1831,
or as soon thereafter as practicable for the trial of Cadets Jones and Tilghman and such other previous as may be brought before it. The Commanding officer of the Military Academy will detail the court from the officers of the post and designate the Judge Advocate.
By order of the Secretary of War
(Signed) J. C. Gratiot
Br. Genl. & Schup. M. A.
W. P. Military Academy
5 January 1831
Order [bracket] No. 2 [end bracket] The following officers will compose the General Court Martial directed to convene at this place by
virtue of Military Academy order No. 46 dated Engineer Department, Washington, 31 December 1830.
Lt. T. J. Leslie Corps of Engrs. President.
Lt. Z. J. D. Kinsley 3. Art. [bracket]
Lt. L. B. Webster --1. Art.
2. Lt. T. J. Crane -- 4. Art.
2. Lt. J. L. Locke -- 2. Art.
2. Lt. J. A. Smith -- 3. Art.
Bt. 2. Lt. J. B. Smith -- 4. Art. [end bracket > Members
Bt. 2. Lt. C. W. Hackley 3. Art. [bracket]
Bt. 2. Lt. M. Knowlton 1. Art.
Bt. 2. Lt. O. M. Mitchell 2. Art. [end bracket] [?]
2. Lt. C. F. Smith 2. Art. Judge Advocate
By order of Lt. Col. Thayer
(Signed) C. F. Smith
Actg Adjt.
28 January 1831.
The court met pursuant to adjournment
[stamp] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES
The court being duly sworn in the presence of the prisoner, proceeded to the trial
of Cadet E. A. Poe of the U. S. Military Academy, who being previously asked if he had
Any objections to being tried by either of the members named in the order, and replying
in the negative, was arraigned on the following charges and specifications:
Charge 1. Gross neglect of Duty. Specification 1. In this, that he the said Cadet Poe did absent himself from the following parades and roll-calls between the 7 and 27 january 1831; vis, absent from evening parade on the 8, 9, 15, 20, 24 and 25 January 1831; absent from
reveille roll call on the 8, 16, 17, 19, 21, 25 and 26 January 1831; absent from class
parade on the 17, 18, 19, 20, 24 and 25 January 1831; absent from guard mounting on
the 16 January 1831; and absent from church parade on the 23 January 1831; all of which at West Point New York.
Specification 2… In this, that he the said Cadet Poe did absent himself from all his
academical duties between the 15 and 27 January 1831: vis, absent from Mathematical
recitation on the 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25 and 26 January 1831: all of which at
West Point, New York.
Charge 2. Disobedience of Orders. Specification 1. In this, that he the said Cadet Poe,
after having been [struck through] directed by the officer of day to attend church on the
23 January 1831, did fail to obey such order, this at West Point, New York.
Specification 2. In this, that he the said Cadet Poe, did fail to attend the Academy on the
25 January 1831, after having been directed so to do by the officer of the day: this at
West Point, New York.
By order of Lt. Col. Thayer
(Signed) C. F. Smith
Actg Adjt.
Witnesses:
Cadet B Bennett
- R. Allen
- F. Ogden
- Curtis
- S. H. Miller
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Judge Advocate General (Army).
National Archives Identifier: 301660
Full Citation: Trial of Cadet E. A. Poe; 1/28/1831; Court Martial Case Files, 12/1800 - 10/1894; Records of the Office of the Judge Advocate General (Army), Record Group 153; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/trial-edgar-allan-poe, March 27, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
