While studying at West Point, it came to light in the course of an examination that James Whistler was unable to date the battle of Buena Vista.

"What!" one of his examiners exclaimed. "Suppose you went out to dinner and the company got talking about the Mexican War, and you, a West Point man, did not know the date of this battle. What would you do!?"

"I should refuse," Whistler replied, "to associate with people who talked of such things at dinner."