Righting 19th century wrong: black chaplain honorably discharged

Received by Newsfinder from APJul 1, 2005 16:52 Eastern Time * Editors Note Note Colorado interest, 4th graf * Photo Advisory planned By STEPHEN MANNINGAssociated Press WriterLANDOVER, Md. (AP) _ For the last 10 years of his life, Henry Vinton Plummer struggled to overturn the dishonorable discharge that forced him out of his post as the Army’s first black chaplain. He wrote a torrent of letters to politicians, the military, even presidents, pleading his case and asking to be reinstated. He even offered to serve in the Spanish American War to make amends. Yet Plummer’s fruitless efforts died along with him in 1905. More than 100 years later, he finally got his wish. With an honor guard, 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps,” the Army formally overturned Plummer’s 1894 dishonorable discharge Friday, presenting his great grandchildren with discharge papers, a tightly folded American flag and the message that an injustice committed long ago had been righted. “It seems like it’s been so many years of our family trying to vindicate him,” said his great-granddaughter, Olga Plummer-Talley, of Aurora, Colo., who stood quivering with emotion after a solider handed her the flag. “It finally has happened.” Plummer’s descendants petitioned the Army last year to overturn the dishonorable discharge and court martial the chaplain received in 1894 for allegedly drinking with enlisted men and swearing in front of a woman. The appeal claimed the decision was made on little evidence by an all-white judicial panel that convicted him because of his race. In February, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records upheld the court martial, saying modern legal standards couldn’t be applied to a century-old case and would set a bad precedent. But the board did reverse the discharge, allowing Plummer to have a military memorial service at National Harmony Memorial Park in Landover. Maj. Gen. David Hicks, chief of Army chaplains, said the service and decision to reverse Plummer’s dismissal is symbolic of the military’s change over the past 100 years from a segregated institution to a fully integrated force. There are now 143 black chaplains in the Army, said Hicks, who is himself black. “It is very significant in terms of what it means to where we have come as an Army,” he said. Plummer was born a slave in 1844 on a Prince George’s County plantation, but escaped at 18. He eventually joined the Union Navy during the Civil War, and was awarded an honorable discharge in 1865. He went on to become an ordained Baptist minister, living in Prince George’s. On recommendations that included Frederick Douglass, Plummer was commissioned in 1884 as an officer in the Army’s 9th Cavalry, a black unit also known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Eventually posted at Fort Robinson in Nebraska, Plummer’s descendants say he riled white officers by demanding access to the officer’s quarters. He also tried to block liquor sales on the base, an unpopular move. His relatives say that the animosity led to his downfall. On June 2, 1894, Plummer joined a group of men celebrating a fellow soldier’s promotion. He later left and visited the home of one of the men, Sgt. Robert Benjamin, speaking with Benjamin’s wife while he waited. Benjamin, who had previously clashed with Plummer, returned home and became enraged when he discovered Plummer there. Benjamin filed a complaint, accusing Plummer of swearing in front of his wife and children and claiming Plummer had given him money to buy alcohol. Plummer’s descendants deny those charges. After an 11-day trial, Plummer was court-martialed on charges of “conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman,” and was dismissed from the Army. He later moved his family to Kansas City, where he became pastor of a Baptist church before his death. Plummer’s family, who gathered at the cemetery as part of their annual family reunion, plans to build a memorial to him on the grounds. They are also considering asking Congress and President Bush to issue a proclamation or resolution honoring Plummer. But some of his descendants say there is still more to be done. Peggy Triplett, related to Plummer on her father’s side of the family, said “Uncle Henry’s” court martial should also be reversed. “It hasn’t gone far enough,” said the Clinton woman, fanning herself in the sweltering heat as she awaited the service. “Until that is reversed, we won’t be satisfied.”