Henry Ossian Flipper, a remarkable individual whose story resonates through the pages of American history, defied the odds and shattered barriers during a time of racial prejudice and inequality.
He is the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point, paving the way for future generations to pursue their dreams beyond societal limitations.
Henry Ossian Flipper (1856-1940) was an exceptional American soldier, engineer, and author. He made history in 1877 as the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
He served with distinction in the Buffalo Soldiers’ 10th Cavalry as an officer, becoming the first non-white officer to lead the troops.
Henry Ossian Flipper’s competence and bravery were evident during the Apache Wars and the Victorio Campaign.
Unfortunately, rumors of misconduct plagued Flipper’s career, leading to a court-martial and his dismissal from the Army.
However, his descendants sought justice in later years, leading to a review that acknowledged the harsh and unjust treatment he received.
In 1999, President Bill Clinton posthumously pardoned Flipper, acknowledging the wrongful conviction and changing his dismissal to a good conduct discharge.
Following his military career, Flipper continued to make contributions as an assistant to the Secretary of the Interior, working in Mexico and Latin America.
He retired to Atlanta in 1931, where he lived until his passing from natural causes in 1940. Henry Ossian Flipper’s story is one of resilience and perseverance.
Despite facing discrimination and adversity, he broke barriers and opened doors for future generations.
Flipper’s achievements extended far beyond his military accomplishments, as he also excelled as an engineer, author, and public servant.
Through his unwavering determination and courage, Flipper left an enduring legacy that inspires us to overcome obstacles and strive for excellence, regardless of the challenges we face.
The Early Life of Henry Ossian Flipper
In Thomasville, Georgia, Henry Ossian Flipper, the eldest of five brothers, was born into slavery. A wealthy human trafficker named Ephraim G. Ponder had his parents, Isabelle and Festus Flipper, as slaves.
Flipper was determined, and despite the difficult circumstances, he attended Atlanta University during the Reconstruction era.
Henry Ossian Flipper was given a wonderful opportunity while he was a student at Atlanta University. Representative James C. Freeman chose him to enroll at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Flipper enrolled in the academy alongside four other black cadets who were already enrolled. Their arrival was met with hostility and rejection from white students, which presented challenges for the organization.
Flipper persisted despite the difficulties and remained unfazed. Henry Ossian Flipper made history in 1877 when he became the first member of his cohort to get a West Point diploma.
He was appointed to the 10th Cavalry Regiment, one of the legendary all-black “buffalo soldier” units in the Army, after receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army cavalry.
Flipper broke through barriers in a military structure where all-black regiments were previously led by white officers by becoming the first black officer to command regular troops in the U.S. Army.
Henry Ossian Flipper reported to Fort Sill in the Indian Territory in July 1877 after receiving his West Point diploma.
However, he soon discovered that the 10th Cavalry, his assigned unit, was actually stationed at Fort Concho in Texas.
At Fort Sill, Flipper undertook various work assignments, including engineering a drainage ditch for a malaria-infested swamp and overseeing the construction of roads and telegraph lines.
In October 1877, Flipper finally received orders to report to Fort Concho and was assigned to ‘A’ Troop.
This assignment marked a significant milestone, as he became the first non-white officer to lead the buffalo soldiers of the 10th Cavalry.
Captain Nicholas M. Nolan, the troop’s commander, faced criticism from white officers for allowing Flipper to join him for dinner, defending his decision by acknowledging Flipper as an “officer and a gentleman” like any other.
During his time at Fort Concho, Flipper formed a friendship with Mollie Dwyer, the sister of Captain Nolan’s second wife.
Flipper’s exceptional performance led Nolan to appoint him as his adjutant, earning high praise from his commander.
However, rumors and letters insinuating improprieties between Flipper, an African American, and Dwyer, a Caucasian, began to circulate, marking the beginning of a smear campaign against Flipper.
In the fall of 1879, a conflict involving a Federal Marshal named Norton and local officials led to Flipper’s involvement.
Norton arrested the county officials and brought them to Fort Elliott, where Nolan was required by law to accept the prisoners.
With two soldiers Flipper attempted to transport the prisoners to another fort in Indian Territory but was apprehended by Norton. Eventually, the charges against Flipper and his soldier were dismissed.
In May 1880, Flipper and Nolan reunited during the Victorio Campaign, but it marked their final meeting.
Throughout his military career, Flipper faced racism within the ranks, although he found support from some officers and impressed many white civilians with his competence.
Later in 1880, he was transferred to Fort Davis in West Texas, where he served as the post quartermaster and commissary officer.
The End of Henry Ossian Flipper’s Military Career
In March 1881, Colonel William Rufus Shafter took over command of Fort Davis, where Henry Ossian Flipper was posted.
Shafter was known for stirring up issues for officers he didn’t like. Within days of Shafter’s arrival, Flipper’s quartermaster job was abruptly terminated without cause.
Flipper, however, cooperated with Shafter’s request to keep the quartermaster secure in his quarters because it amounted to an order.
Flipper found a shortfall of more than $2,000 in the quartermaster’s safe in July 1881. Flipper made an effort to conceal the inconsistency out of concern that officers who wanted him out of the army may use it against him.
When the lost money was eventually found, Flipper claimed he had nothing to do with it when questioned.
Shafter detained Flipper in August for stealing from the government. As soon as word of the missing money circulated, soldiers and the local community gathered the money necessary to replace it within four days.
On September 17, 1881, Shafter ordered a court-martial against Flipper after taking the money.
Flipper was cleared of the primary accusation of embezzlement at the court-martial in December 1881, but he was found guilty of “conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman” on a separate charge.
The ruling resulted in the defendant’s termination from the US military. It was a harsh penalty, especially in light of the fact that white officers convicted of theft in prior cases were not fired or treated unfairly.
The letters exchanged between Flipper and Mollie Dwyer were used against him, as relationships between white and black individuals were strictly forbidden in the eyes of the white officers on the court-martial board.
Despite appeals and the denial of a lighter sentence by President Chester A. Arthur, Flipper was officially discharged from the army on June 30, 1882.
After his dismissal, Flipper remained in Texas and worked as a civil engineer in El Paso. In 1898, he volunteered to serve in the Spanish-American War, but his requests to have his commission restored were ignored by Congress.
Flipper later spent time in Mexico, where he attempted to find the legendary lost silver mine of Tayopa.
Upon returning to the United States, he became an adviser to Senator Albert Fall on Mexican politics. When Senator Fall became Secretary of the Interior in 1921, Flipper accompanied him to Washington, D.C., serving as his assistant.
In 1923, Flipper worked as an engineer in the petroleum industry in Venezuela. He retired to Atlanta in 1931 and passed away in 1940.
Initially buried in the family plot at South-View Cemetery, he was later exhumed in February 1978 and reburied in his hometown of Thomasville.
Throughout his life, Flipper fought to contest the charges against him and regain his commission.
In 1976, descendants and supporters of Henry O. Flipper made an application to the Army Board for the Correction of Military Records on his behalf.
While the board stated that it did not have the authority to overturn his court-martial conviction, it acknowledged that the conviction and punishment were excessively severe and unjust.
As a result, the board recommended changing Flipper’s dismissal to a good conduct discharge. This recommendation was approved by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) and the Adjutant General.
They directed the Department of the Army to issue Flipper a Certificate of Honorable Discharge, dated June 30, 1882, instead of the dismissal.
Later, in October 1997, an application for a pardon on behalf of Flipper was filed with the Secretary of the Army by a private law firm.
After seven months, the application was forwarded to the Office of the Pardon Attorney at the Department of Justice with a recommendation for approval.
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Although many pardon applications for deceased individuals had been rejected in the past, President Bill Clinton made an exception and granted Flipper a pardon on February 19, 1999.
Following the change in his discharge status, a bust of Flipper was unveiled at West Point, symbolizing his significant achievements.
Additionally, an annual Henry O. Flipper Award has been established, recognizing graduating cadets at the academy who demonstrate exceptional leadership, self-discipline, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Throughout his life, Flipper was a prolific author, covering various subjects such as science, the history of the Southwest, and his own personal experiences.
His notable works include “The Colored Cadet at West Point” (1878), where he recounts his time at the military academy, and the posthumously published “Negro Frontiersman: The Western Memoirs of Henry O. Flipper” (1963), providing insights into his life in Texas and Arizona following his discharge from the Army.
Conclusion
Henry Ossian Flipper’s life was a remarkable journey of perseverance, courage, and resilience. Born into slavery, he overcame significant obstacles to become the first African American graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Despite facing racial discrimination and false accusations during his military career, Flipper demonstrated exceptional competence and dedication in his service to the country.
