Military

- On March 27, 1827 he enlisted in the United States Army as a private.

- He used the name "Edgar A. Perry".

- He said that he was 22 when he was really 18.

- The first place he served was Fort Independence at Boston Harbor.

- Promoted to artificer.

- Discharged on April 15, 1829 after John Allan agreed to support his attempt to be
discharged in order to receive an appointment to the United States Military Academy at
West Point and after securing a replacement to finish his term.

- He traveled to West Point and became a cadet on June 1, 1830.

- Decided to leave West Point by purposely getting court- martialed.

- On February 8, 1831 he was tried for gross neglect of duty and disobedience of orders for
refusing to attend formations, classes, or church.

- He pled not guilty to cause dismissal knowing he would be found guilty.