Eggnog and Fist Fights

On the eve of Christmas, 1826, cadets in the North barracks at West Point gathered through the night with their smuggled whiskey, rum, and brandy, beginning their annual Christmas Eve drinking party. Cadets would use the liquor to add a bit of punch to their holiday eggnog, which was supposed to be alcohol-free as drink was prohibited on campus. Though Captain Hitchcock, the barracks master, had been warned of the raucous imbibery, he nestled in for the wintry night, unaware the cadets had begun their festivities. 

            Close to 4 am, Captain Hitchcock awoke to the raucousness and read his cadets the riot act. Choosing to ignore him, a fight began. The South barracks were now involved as the festivities had spread. A Captain Thornton attempted to thwart their fun and was knocked out for his effort. Cadets then smashed windows in the room of Hitchcock, a pistol being fired from his cabin at the same time. Subsequent arrests took place, resulting in the expulsion of ten cadets, court martialing of nineteen, and six more cadets resigning on their own recognizance. Those expelled included a future justice of the Supreme Court and two impending Confederate Generals. Another future CSA General, Jefferson Davis, would be confined to barracks for a month because of his roll in the Eggnog Riots. 

This event may be lost to the annals of history, but the rowdy happenings during the Eggnog Riots of 1826 are not contained to West Point cadets. This holiday season will look a bit different than years past and gatherings may not be what they were, though there will still be laughter, joy, and holiday grog in abundance. Perhaps, this past event cautions us to heed our intoxication levels, refrain from broken glass brawls, and ensure we awake on Christmas Day to enjoy all it may hold in store.

By Ms. Sara Glass, SMA