The Goats of West Point

The last-ranked cadet in a graduating class at West Point used to be known as the "goat." A writer named Jim Robbins has written a book on the 19th century goats called Last in Their Class: Custer, Pickett and the Goats of West Point. Here is an interview with the writer. According to the book's promotional website, several prominent Virginians are listed, including Virginian epigram provider George E. Pickett (Richmond), his fellow Confederate General Henry Heth, and Jefferson Davis (a Mississippian but a resident of Richmond for a few years). The author even works in West Point "washout" (and University of Virginia washout) Edgar Allen Poe. (Keep in mind that these low class rankings were generally the result of conduct-related demerits, and were not necessarily a consequence of low academic achievement.)