The Eggnog Riot took place at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, on 24–25 December 1826. It was caused by a drunken Christmas Day party in the North Barracks of the academy. 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. The riot eventually involved more than one-third of the cadets by the time it ceased on Christmas morning.
About Eggnog Riot in brief
The Eggnog Riot took place at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, on 24–25 December 1826. It was caused by a drunken Christmas Day party in the North Barracks of the academy. 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. The riot eventually involved more than one-third of the cadets by the time it ceased on Christmas morning. A subsequent investigation by academy officials resulted in the implication of 70 cadets and the court-martialing of 20 of them and one enlisted soldier. Among the participants in the riot was future Confederate States President Jefferson Davis, though he was not court-Martialed—though he was among the participants. The eggnogs were made using rum, sherry, brandy, and whiskey from small dairy farms in America in the early 19th century. By 1826, the academy had 36 men serving as faculty and staff with four recognized departments – mathematics, engineering, natural philosophy chemistry, and life sciences, and military tactics. Alcohol possession at the academy was prohibited along with drunkenness and intoxication, both of which could lead to expulsion. Tobacco use and gambling could also lead to demerits, minor incarceration, or a loss of privileges. The Cadets were informed that, due to the alcohol prohibition on the site, their Christmas egg nog would be alcohol-free, prompting the decision to smuggle liquor into the Academy.
The party started among nine cadets in theNorth Barracks room No. 28. Numerous cadets appeared as the party progressed, including seven cadets including Jefferson Davis. The first part of the incident was a commotion after a round of singing among eight cadets. The second part was a hearing after a hearing of eight cadet singing among six cadets, including Davis, and another round of commotion among the Cadets in room No 5. The third and final day of the party ended at 21: 30, with entertainment provided by the West Point band. In 1817, Sylvanus Thayer took command at the U.S. Military Academy. He met with George Bomford and Robert E. Lee. Bomford was questioned about his parental correspondence by Thayer while Lee questioned Thayer about trigonometry problems for artillery gunnery. They left before academy quartermaster Aeneas Mackay arrived. Meanwhile, cadets were planning the party. Preparations included stealing bits and pieces of food during their visits to the mess hall. During this time, cadet Phillip St. George was the 24-hour duty cadet guard of the day. He successfully obtained two gallons of whiskey, smuggling them into North Barrack room No 33. He also returned with a gallon of rum from Benny’s Tavern to North Barracked room No 5. He returned again with another gallon of whiskey and returned to Benny’s or Haven’s and returned with another half-gallon of whiskey.
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This page is based on the article Eggnog Riot published in Wikipedia (as of Dec. 28, 2020) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
