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

Date: February 17, 1958

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

Original or Replica: Original

Era: Civil Rights, The Presidency

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: Office of the Staff Secretary, Subject Series, Alphabetical Subseries, Box 17, Little Rock Vol. I—Reports (8); NAID #17367509

This February 17, 1958 confidential U.S. Army situation report documents conditions at Little Rock Central High School several months after the school’s integration under federal protection. Eight Black students attended school that day, while Minnie Brown remained suspended. Because of snowy conditions, school officials allowed the Black students to arrive after classes had begun in an effort to prevent students from targeting them with snowballs. The report also shows the continued federal military presence at Central High, with a platoon of the 153rd Infantry stationed at the school and additional troops maintained on alert at Camp Robinson.

The report records several examples of continuing racial hostility. Shortly after school opened, white students distributed cards reading “One down and eight to go,” apparently referring to Brown’s suspension and the eight remaining Black students. White student Billy Ferguson received a three-day suspension for pushing Gloria Ray down a flight of stairs, although Ray remained standing and was not injured. Another student, Howard Cooper, received a three-day suspension for wearing one of the cards, while Sammie Dean Parker received an indefinite suspension for distributing them.

The document provides a valuable snapshot of daily life during the Little Rock Crisis after the initial confrontation of September 1957. It demonstrates that integration did not end the conflict at Central High and that Black students continued to face organized harassment and physical intimidation while federal troops remained necessary to help maintain security.