Lotus Niles, West Point Cadet Oct. 31. 1873
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Lotus Niles, West Point Cadet, 2 ALS', one 4p, West Point NY, Oct. 31. 1873. and the other a 1P follow-up letter. from Lotus Niles to Col. Thomas H. Ruger.
Lotus Niles, the author was a suspended West Pointer at the time of the writing. The recipient, Maj. General Thomas H. Ruger, was the superintendant of West Point.
Mr. Lotus Niles, an alumni at West Point, was in a state of suspension from the school. He and a number of other cadets had participated in a "whiskey ring” which involved the chief consumption of strong spirits. After this, the cadet became at least a little unruly, conducting himself in a manner most contrary to that by which a West Point attendee should. One of Niles’
most-stressed points was that he was the only one punished, and that the whole class looks upon the instance as a gross injustice. In perhaps an act of mercy, Mr. Ruger only suspended the young man. However, Lotus Niles was being counted upon by his family to graduate, for there were five younger siblings that depended upon his support. The only means that the young man had was the hospitality that West Point provided. Aside from this, he had no money other than
Letter #2
12020 Lotus Niles, West Point Cadet, ALS, 1p, West Point NY, Nov. 7. 1873., from Lotus Niles to Col. Thomas H. Ruger.
This letter, being the follow-up to the letter above, possibly represents the most emotional moment in one man’s life. Mr. Niles, was suspended as a result of a great offense. Mr. Niles’ previous letter, beseeching Mr. Ruger to change his punishment, had gone unanswered. Now, a week later, the cadet writes again, in a decidedly desperate effort. The punishment levied was especially severe to the particular case. Suspension dealt a grievous blow, as Mr. Niles relied upon West Point’s enrollment to house and feed his five younger siblings. Family pressure and responsibility goaded the young man into his present course. That course had yielded no fruit, and this letter is a young man’s final and poignant effort to right his life. Niles surely spent much time and emotion to word the document to convey his feelings.
Niles would go on to graduate, eventually working his way through the ranks up to Major in 1902, serving in the Artillery.
Lotus Niles, the author was a suspended West Pointer at the time of the writing. The recipient, Maj. General Thomas H. Ruger, was the superintendant of West Point.
Mr. Lotus Niles, an alumni at West Point, was in a state of suspension from the school. He and a number of other cadets had participated in a "whiskey ring” which involved the chief consumption of strong spirits. After this, the cadet became at least a little unruly, conducting himself in a manner most contrary to that by which a West Point attendee should. One of Niles’
most-stressed points was that he was the only one punished, and that the whole class looks upon the instance as a gross injustice. In perhaps an act of mercy, Mr. Ruger only suspended the young man. However, Lotus Niles was being counted upon by his family to graduate, for there were five younger siblings that depended upon his support. The only means that the young man had was the hospitality that West Point provided. Aside from this, he had no money other than
that which was brought to the school.
Letter #2
12020 Lotus Niles, West Point Cadet, ALS, 1p, West Point NY, Nov. 7. 1873., from Lotus Niles to Col. Thomas H. Ruger.
This letter, being the follow-up to the letter above, possibly represents the most emotional moment in one man’s life. Mr. Niles, was suspended as a result of a great offense. Mr. Niles’ previous letter, beseeching Mr. Ruger to change his punishment, had gone unanswered. Now, a week later, the cadet writes again, in a decidedly desperate effort. The punishment levied was especially severe to the particular case. Suspension dealt a grievous blow, as Mr. Niles relied upon West Point’s enrollment to house and feed his five younger siblings. Family pressure and responsibility goaded the young man into his present course. That course had yielded no fruit, and this letter is a young man’s final and poignant effort to right his life. Niles surely spent much time and emotion to word the document to convey his feelings.
Niles would go on to graduate, eventually working his way through the ranks up to Major in 1902, serving in the Artillery.
Shipping Weight:
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Item # 12019
$100.00 USD
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