Former Cadet’s Research Revives the Memory of Forgotten Fifer

Five years ago, Cadet Taylor Diggs approached Felice F. Knight, Ph.D., then an assistant professor of African American history, with an idea for a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience project. Her focus: Arthur B. Mitchell, an African American man who served as the fifer for the Corps of Cadets from 1844 until his death in 1893.

“Arthur Mitchell’s story spoke to me. He was revered by The Citadel community and dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to the college, yet his legacy has been largely forgotten,” said Diggs, who is currently pursuing a law degree at Harvard University. “I sought to find truth in the archives to honor his life and contributions to The Citadel’s history.”

Diggs’ research evolved into an honors thesis, and after her graduation in 2022, she and Knight continued their work together. The result is a coauthored academic article that was recently published in Carolina Currents, a peer-reviewed journal of South Carolina history and culture produced by the University of South Carolina Press.

“As soon as Taylor completed her research, I knew this story had to be published,” said Knight. “Her work on Arthur Mitchell is thoughtful, well researched and brings much-needed attention to a significant part of The Citadel’s history.”

Knight, who served on The Citadel faculty from 2018 to 2023, is now the director of education at the International African American Museum in Charleston. Her connection to Citadel history is also personal—she is the daughter of Dr. Larry J. Ferguson, DMD, ’73, one of the first Black cadets to attend The Citadel during the era of desegregation.

“Even though we both moved on before it was published—Taylor to graduate school and I to a new position—I stayed committed to seeing it through to publication because I believe in the power of student-faculty collaboration,” said Knight. “What began as a summer project is now part of the public record, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”