Whittaker, the third black to enter West Point, was accused of faking an attack on himself to get sympathy from the public and from his professors.

Originally published: Court-martial. New York : Scribner, 1972. Originally published: Court-martial : a Black man in America. New York : Scribner, 1972.

The Black man and West Point in Gilded Age America -- From slave to cadet -- The attack and the beginning of a mystery -- The court of inquiry begins amid national publicity -- The court of inquiry : a lawyer, a milkman, and a tavernkeeper -- The court of inquiry : handwriting experts and the decision -- Between the courtrooms -- The court-martial organizes -- The court-martial : the prosecution case -- The court-martial : the defense rebuts -- The court-martial : the final words -- The court-martial : decision and after -- Johnson Chesnut Wittaker : civilian -- Conclusion -- Afterword.