LOL...Martin, I suspect you too have read "Jefferson Davis, American" by William J. Cooper Jr.

Mr. Chase, you have found me out. I just bought the book, but have not finished it yet. The part about Davis being brought before a general court-martial at West Point is hilarious. The incident remains me of that British tv series Wooster and Jeeves, did you ever watch it?

I'm sure you remember what the charges were, that he had ventured beyond the limits prescribed to Cadets at West Point without permission and ,secondly that (1) that on July 31 he "did drink spirituous and intoxicating liquor and (2) he did go to a public house or place where spirituous and intoxicating liquors are sold.

Davis used the "strict interpretation" of spirituous liquor, so as to exclude hard cider or porter. Closing, he told the court "I do trust that the Court will bear in mind the maxim that it is better a hundred guilty escape than one righteous person be condemned. His eloquence didn't do him any good as the Court found Jefferson Davis and his friends guilty as charged on that very day. They were sentenced to be dismissed from the service of the United States. Simultaneously the court "in consideration of his former good conduct recommended the remission of said sentence." He had survived, barely.

Martin Carmack.