Poe wanted to get a college education in preparation for his career plans, and he got some support from his foster father, John Allan. Allan had sent Poe to the University of Virginia with about one-third the money needed for one year of education. When Poe realized this, he attempted to make-up the difference by gambling resulting in about $2,000 in debts. His foster father not only refused to help pay them, but he also refused to pay for Poe's tuition. Needing a job to pay the debts and not having the tuition forced Poe to leave the University and join the US Army.
Chat with our AI personalities
Poe was dismissed from West Point for academic and disciplinary reasons. He accumulated too many demerits for various infractions, such as missing classes, neglecting duties, and disobeying orders. Additionally, Poe's focus on his writing and creative pursuits clashed with the strict military environment of the academy.
Edgar Allan Poe thought West Point was too strict, so he skipped classes and was court-martialed where he was found guilty and kicked out.
Poe was dismissed from West Point because he was court martialled for failing to obey regulations. Poe disliked being in West Point and he engineered his own dismissal by deliberately flouting army regulations requiring atttendance at classes and church.
Poe served in the Quartermaster's Office and was also assigned to a battery of artillery. He was discharged with the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major, the highest rank an enlisted man could receive in the army.
As an enlisted man, Poe's military career was successful since he completed his tour of duty and was discharged at the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major, the highest rank an enlisted man can attain. At West Point, he decided the military was no longer for him so he orchestrated his own court martial and discharge by deliberately failing to follow orders in order to be court martialed and discharged.
Edgar Allan Poe was discharged from the US army on two occasions. The first discharge as an enlisted man came because he completed his term of service after rising to the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major, the highest rank an enlisted man could attain.
His second discharge came after he entered the US Military Academy at West Point as a result of a court martial for failing and refusing to obey orders. Poe wanted to get out of the army this time so he deliberately refused to obey orders just so that he would be court martialed and discharged from the service.
Poe was court-martialed after he stopped going to class, parade, roll calls and chapel in January 1831. The following month, he was dismissed.