James Webster Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Webster Smith
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| Born | June 1850 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | November 30, 1876 (aged 26) Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1870—1874 |
| Rank |  Second lieutenant(posthumous) |
| Other work | University professor |
James Webster Smith (June 1850 – November 30, 1876) was an American professor and a student, called a cadet, at the United States Military Academy. He was born into slavery. Smith became a very smart student and was the first Black person ever accepted as a cadet at West Point.
He studied at the academy from 1870 to 1874. During this time, he faced a lot of unfair treatment because of his race. He was dismissed from West Point a year before he could finish his studies. Even though his experience was difficult, Smith became a successful professor. He taught at the South Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical Institute. Smith passed away in 1876 from a sickness called tuberculosis.
Even though racism cut short his military career, Smith later became the Commander of Cadets at South Carolina State. In 1996, a congressman named John Spratt asked President Bill Clinton to honor James Webster Smith. President Clinton agreed to make Smith a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, even though he had passed away. This was a way to make up for the unfairness Smith faced at West Point.
James Webster Smith's story is sometimes forgotten in Black history. This is because Henry Ossian Flipper later became the first Black cadet to graduate from West Point.
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James Webster Smith's Early Life
James Webster Smith was born in 1850 in Columbia, South Carolina. His parents, Israel and Catherine Smith, were enslaved people. After slavery ended, his father, Israel, worked as a carpenter. He later became an important local leader in Columbia.
After the Civil War ended, Smith went to school. This schooling was provided by the Freedmen's Bureau. This group helped formerly enslaved people get an education during the Reconstruction Era. A kind person named David Clark from Connecticut was very impressed by Smith's progress. Clark arranged for Smith to go with him to Hartford to continue his education. They arrived in April 1867.
Education and West Point
In Hartford, Smith continued to do very well in school. He later attended Hartford High School and graduated with honors on April 22, 1870. On May 1, 1870, he enrolled at Howard University. This was a respected school founded by Oliver Otis Howard, who also supported Smith.
However, Smith only stayed at Howard University for a short time. A representative from South Carolina, Solomon L. Hoge, suggested him for entry into West Point. Mr. Clark was worried about the racism Smith might face there. But he reluctantly agreed to send Smith for his entrance exams.
Smith and another Black student, Michael Howard, often faced unfair treatment and bullying from other cadets. Smith passed his exams, but Howard was sent home. This left Smith as the first and only Black cadet at West Point. He was officially accepted into the academy on July 9, 1870.
Challenges at West Point
Many of his classmates did not like Smith. He lived a lonely life at West Point, dealing with harassment and damage to his belongings. His squadmates would only practice with him if they were threatened with punishment.
On August 13, 1870, Smith had an argument with a classmate. Both cadets were arrested. This incident led to the first of three military trials against Smith. The first trial decided that his three-week arrest was enough punishment. But a few months later, in January 1871, his third trial accused him of bad conduct. This resulted in him being suspended from West Point for one year.
Dismissal and Later Life
Smith's time at West Point ended suddenly in June 1874. His professor said he was not doing well enough in his philosophy classes. Because of this, he was recommended for official dismissal. Smith tried to get a re-examination. He met with the Secretary of War, William W. Belknap, but his request was denied.
Three years later, Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American to graduate from West Point. This achievement unfortunately overshadowed Smith's own efforts. Smith was very upset by what happened. He wrote about his experiences at the Academy in a Black newspaper called New National Era and Citizen.
In 1875, Smith moved to Orangeburg, South Carolina. He took a teaching job at the State Agricultural College & Mechanics Institute. He taught math and military tactics there.
Smith taught at the university until he passed away from tuberculosis on November 30, 1876. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Columbia. Later, in 1997, several political leaders asked for Smith to be honored. He was officially made a second lieutenant on September 22, 1997, even though he had already passed away.
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