Army Situation Report Documents Harassment and Continued Military Security at Little Rock Central High School (1958)

Date: February 14, 1958

Created By: The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations

Original or Replica: Original

Era: The Presidency, Civil Rights

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: Office of the Staff Secretary, Subject Series, Alphabetical Subseries, Box 17, Little Rock Vol. I—Reports (8); NAID #17367504

This February 14, 1958 confidential U.S. Army situation report documents continuing tensions at Little Rock Central High School during the 1957–1958 school year. Eight Black students attended Central High that day, while Minnie Brown remained suspended. Federalized troops of the 153rd Infantry continued to provide security, with one platoon stationed at Central High during school hours and additional forces maintained on alert at Camp Robinson.

The report records several incidents involving the Black students. Ernest Green reported that his locker had been damaged and his books stolen, adding to earlier reports of damaged lockers. The document also notes that no disciplinary action would be taken against white student Raymond Robinson, who had reportedly spit on two Black students the previous day. Meanwhile, Brown’s original three-day suspension from February 6 had been increased to two weeks. Three white students who had previously been suspended for starting a fire inside Central High were permitted to return to school.

The report concludes with an incident after school in which students began throwing envelopes at one another. The activity escalated when some students began throwing stones and gravel, with the cars of Black students’ parents becoming the primary targets. Two police cars were called, although officers did not intervene before the disturbance ended. The document illustrates the persistent harassment, disciplinary disputes, and security concerns surrounding the Little Rock Nine months after Central High was formally integrated.