Last in Their Class: Custer, Pickett and the Goats of West Point

by James S. Robbins

Today's Goat, the West Point cadet finishing at the bottom of his class, is temporary celebrity among his classmates. But in the 19th century, he was something of a cult figure. Custer's contemporaries at the Academy believed that the same spirit of adventure that led him to carouse at local taverns motivated his dramatic cavalry attacks in the Civil War and afterwards. And the same willingness to accept punishment from Academy authorities also sent George Pickett into the teeth of the Union guns at Gettsyburg. The story James S. Robbins tells goes from the beginnings of West Point through the carnage of the Civil War to the grassy bluffs over the Little Big Horn. The Goats he profiles tell us much about the soul of the American solider, his daring, imagination and desire to prove himself against high odds.

Genres: History, Civil War, Nonfiction, American History, Military History

412 pages, Hardcover

First published March 9, 2006

Reviews

[Katherine Addison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book (subtitle, "Custer, Pickett and the Goats of West Point") unsatisfying. It's partly a history of West Point, partly a set of mini-biographies of the men who finished last in their class (the Goats) at West Point, and partly, at the end, a biography of Custer in the couple of years leading up to Little Big Horn. It talks about Pickett, but does not single him out as much as the subtitle would suggest.

It does none of these things particularly well.

It teeters on the edge of the hagiographic in its mini-biographies and is much more concerned about the friendships between West Point graduates than it is about any of the causes of the Civil War. He quotes Morris Schaff saying, "My heart leaps with pride, for on that day two West Point men met, with more at stake than has ever fallen to the lot of two Americans to decide....These two West Point men knew the ideals of their old Alma Mater, they knew each other only as graduates of that institution know each other, and they met on the plane of that common knowledge....The greatest hour that has ever come in the march of our country's years was on that April day when Grant and Lee shaped the terms at Appomattox." And Robbins goes on, "And the next day as well, when the healing began, when the United States was reborn; when classmates and brothers came together reunited in purpose and friendship..." (305). Which makes it sound like the end of the Civil War was based on the old boys' network of West Point. WHICH MAY BE TRUE. But if it IS true, I would like some examination of what that means in a whole host of contexts, not just beaming pride. With this lens, the brotherhood of white men is certainly considered far more important than the emancipation of Black people. Which could be a searing indictment of white patriarchy and privilege...but is not.

I've read too many biographies of Custer (4? 5?) to be very impressed with Robbins's rehashing of the same old facts, and I'm not quite sure why Custer gets singled out, aside from the fact that he's the most famous Goat, and his last couple of years HAVE been chronicled in exhaustive detail. I would at least have liked to have seen a tally of the Goats who died in battle, because the impression I got is that it was definitely the majority. Which, again, could be an elegy to all this passion and skill lost to the U.S. in war after war after war, but is---insofar as there's any summing up at all---simply a source of pride.

The only thing Robbins get heated up about is the abolishment of the official Goat in the 1970s as counter to the ideals and purpose of West Point (unofficially, cadets continue to keep track of their class rankings, so the Goat is still celebrated). Robbins defends the Goat as "not the product of defeatism but one of esprit[....] Competing for the coveted hindmost spot required a certain audacity and courage, traits with which Custer, Pickett and the rest would be on familiar terms" (411). (He's arguing that the brinksmanship involved in doing badly enough to be last, but NOT badly enough to wash out is a marker of merit rather than shame.) And that probably is the thesis of his book: academic standing is not a predictor of success, and Goats have more audacity and courage than those with class ranks higher than theirs. Which is okay as a thesis, but not great.

[Zella Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this book is 5 stars and is one of the most fun things I've read in awhile.

That part focuses on the so-called "goats" who finish last in each graduating class at West Point, as well as the Immortals in the bottom of the class and the ones who get kicked out before graduation (That includes Edgar Alan Poe).

This particular part of the book is a weird mixture of general West Point history and chronicle of cadet hijinks. 19th century West Point cadets were much more creative in breaking rules than anyone I went to school with. This book also touches on early American military history and highlights the contributions of the goats and immortals to campaigns that don't get a lot of attention, like the Seminole Wars, the Mexican War, and--my personal favorite--the Pig War.

It bogs down, though, once it gets to the Civil War and abandons its best feature--highlighting little-known figures or the backstory on more famous figures--to try to be a general overview of the war and West Point graduates' participation. That's just too broad of a topic for any book. The subsequent chapters on the Indian Wars gains a little of the earlier momentum but is still probably trying to tackle too much for the confines of this book.

I was also hoping for more analysis. I think Robbins makes compelling points concerning the contributions of the people who were at the bottom of the class--especially by putting it within the context of how many others in each class washed out completely and how the various branches they were more likely to end up in were more likely to see combat and that the qualities associated with being goat, like being daring and stubborn, were advantages.

At the same time, I was quite curious about how these various figures who tended to distinguish themselves in combat handled higher commands, seeing as two of the most famous goats--Custer and Pickett--are more famous for the issues they experienced at this level after gaining solid reputations as more junior officers. I wish Robbins had delved into this more.

Nonetheless, I had so much fun reading the first part and learned so much while reading it that I feel wrong giving the book anything less than 4 stars.

[Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes the often time colorful characters who were the “Goats” in their United States Military Academy at West Point graduating class. The “Goats” were the cadets who graduated last in their class because they had the poorest academic record. The two most famous “Goats”, Confederate General George Pickett and Colonel George Armstrong Custer, receive the most coverage in this book. However, several such goats went on to military achievements that might not have been expected of a goat. Their exploits are also covered in this book. Many of their achievements took place during the much less well know wars of America, such as the Seminole War and the Mexican War along with various encounters with native Americans in the West. Both Georges, Pickett and Custer, achieved their fame during the American Civil War and there are extensive chapters on this aspect of each man. The careers of all these goats while at West Point are also detailed as are their lives after departing from the military. Many times, their poor academic standing was adversely affected by a nonconformist and happy-go-lucky attitude that did not place much emphasis on academic achievement. Instead, goats tended to focus on card playing, pranks and trips to Benny Haven’s nearby tavern during much of their time at West Point. Most goats racked up high numbers of demerits as well. Academic records of cadets did not necessarily predict a successful military career. Several top academic performers did little or nothing of note in their military careers while goats often performed with great physical courage and a strong sense of duty. The goats portrayed in this book lived lives of service and sacrifice in the United States Army. The book does focus on the goats from West Points’ establishment in 1802 until the Civil War. Scant coverage is given to post Civil War goats. Finally, the United States Military Academy stopped publicly releasing class academic standing in 1978 and now call all students forward to receive a diploma in alphabetical order. However, the author states that the cadets still know who the class goat is and that person receives the loudest cheers from their classmates when they are called forward to receive their diploma.

[Donald Paulsrud · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book, but you need to be a real history nut in order to enjoy it. At times it reads like a textbook and the author tends to repeat himself numerous times. If you are not a real history buff go ahead and skip this one. If you are a real history buff, give it a shot, but don't expect it to be a real page turner.

[Brian Aubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal and quirky tales of goats and underperformers at West Point. Interesting stories from less famous wars: frontier, Seminole, and Mexican. Heavy on Civil War.

Great middle aged Dad reading.

[C Teahouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The single best book about West Point that I've ever read.

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather weak premise turns out to deliver more of a story than might be expected, but less enjoyment than could be asked for. Split rather awkwardly between slice-of-life anecdotes of antebellum West Point cadet life and a cursory overview of Civil War battles, this book is entertaining and zesty in the former and muddled and prosaic in the latter. Robbins has a great deal of fun relating the high-jinks of young cadets and the idiosyncratic campus culture of West Point, but when the War rolls around and the fighting begins, the narrative quickly loses steam and interest. I wish the effects of a West Point education on the actual outcome of the Civil War had been more clearly delineated, and in a more engaging manner. Overall, a mixed bag: it started off well, but I lost interest fairly quickly.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 (a 5 but for a few organization issues). Best non-fiction book I read this year. There's so much history that has not been forgotten . . . it's never been taught, and this book has much of it. Plus superb profiles of some West Point greats that I wasn't previously familiar with--guys like Kirby Smith, James McIntosh (and relatives); William Crittenden (and relatives); and Henry Heth. If at all interested in U.S. military history in the 19th century, you like this book. If in addition you're a grad, it's a must read. Thanks to BG Enzenhauer for recommending and sending this book to me in Kuwait.

[Ryan Laughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this unique history of my Alma mater: told through the stories of the GOATs (the cadets who graduate last in their class). As Robbins puts it: “the stories of the GOATs are not tales of failure but of redemption. These were men who were last in their class academically but who persevered to live extraordinary lives of service and sacrifice.” (Pg 412). This book is not only a history of West Point but a survey of the wars our nation has fought, including many I did not know much about.

[Bernadette Loeffel-Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delightful, eye opening read. It spans the early years of West Point through the Civil War and beyond. It has amusing stories, sad stories..stories of young men being molded into young leaders despite trips to Benny Havens' Tavern, Egg Nog riots and other disciplinary problems. It covers the bad boys, Custer, Heth, Pickett, Jeff Davis and Edgar Allan Poe. A wonderful read.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bographical sketches that offer interesting insights into some of the lesser known conflicts of 19th century North America, as well as the US Civil War. Also charts some of the changes to military education and training during the period.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining read!

[Ramon4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history. This is a history of the United States Army, told from the perspective of the West Point cadet who graduates last in his class.

[Rob Dhillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why West Point is so cool ... the story behind the story.

[Eric]

I need to get this, soon.