Interesting that you are citing the Naval Academy ... West Point taught me that Poe showed up to formation naked ... except for his ammo belts and rifle .... hence he was drummed out....
I have always liked to read Poe's poetry. It seems his sensitivities towards life were magnified, and yet he has a feeling of well-being. I knew he had a conflicted life as a young man, but his work has inspired millions since. Thanks for this posting, I enjoyed reading it.
While at West Point, Poe heard a tale about several soldiers burying a fellow soldier alive (He was a jerk.). It was where he got the idea for "The Cask of Amontillado."
I'm doing some research on Poe and just came across your post. Read it with great interest. I've always been a fan of Poe's short stories.