Jefferson Davis

President, Confederate States of America

23rd of 32, Class of 1828

In 1825 future Confederate President Jefferson Davis was in the first group of cadets ever to be court-martialed for carousing at Benny Havens’. Cadet Davis and four others were charged with two specifications of a new regulation, namely, “drinking spirituous and intoxicating liquor” and “going to a public house or place where spirituous liquors are sold,” as well as leaving post without permission.

Davis, who was then eighteen years old and had just completed his plebe year, defended himself with the skill of a natural legal mind. He pled guilty to the charge of leaving the post, which was a well-known provision of regulations, but noted the special circumstances.  Davis decried the “weak evidence” that had been put before the court, especially on a charge “so contrary to the principles of a soldier and man of honor.” He pointed out that no one had witnessed him in the act of drinking – and if he was behaving like a man who was intoxicated, it was due to the embarrassment of being caught, “which was certainly enough to have confused any cadet.” Davis further denied that the regulations even covered Benny Havens’, saying that it depends on what the definition of “public house” is.

Davis’ clever word play did not impress the court. He was found guilty of all charges and specifications, and sentenced to be dismissed. However, the court added “in consideration of his former good conduct [it] respectfully recommend the remission of said sentence.” Of all the Benny Havens’ Five, only Jefferson Davis graduated.

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