Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-29
P,,nnar,s Defense.

of the colored people, In Its issue OF sat
urday last publishes private letter from
Lieutenant Henry o. Ffpper, Of the
Tenth Cavalry, to his former teacher
Jno. F. Quarles, in which he gives MS
version Of the charges recently preferred
against himself and servant ripper
starts out with the statement that Coi'
Shsfter. of the First Infantry the posi-
commandant at Fort Davis prs1esseo
great interest in him, and altnough ne
G7l;nnerl was warned against him. he
never expected the blow that came upon
him He states that he carried his funds
for July on August 9TH to Skaters Of
fee for examination, as was customary
every Sunday morning. At this time
there were four camps dependent upon
the post, and all Of them were In debt to
the subsistence department, and though
the bills had been rendered they had not
been paid. Colonel Shsfter told Flipper
if he had any money to add it to the
amount reported, so that the proper pa
pers could be sent of. Flipper had
money belonging to the fiscal year end
ing June Both. From this he took the
required sum, and the certificate was
signed.
The next day Flipper went to Chihua-
hua, where he was notified by the Adiu-
tant, who followed him, that Colonel
shafter wished him to turn over the de-
partment to Lieutenant Edmunds. This
he did. He alleges that this was trap
which be did not expect, else he would
not have turned over anything. As it
was, he turned over everything in fifteen
minutes. His mistake was in making
one hole in his funds to I'LL another, but
he denies that there was any fraud.
The funds for the expired fiscal year, in
which he made the hole, should have
been sent to the Chief Commissary at
San Antonio. That officer had sent
word, however, not to send funds until
further notice, and TO remit only by
check. Funds for three months had
accumulated, and checks were hard
to procure. His statement was ready,
but for want of sufficient checks was
not forwarded.
When his quarters were searched this
statement was found. The officers who
conducted the search scattered every
thing about His servant woman came
in to straighten things up, found
two envelopes containing checks, let
tiers, etc, and placed them in her bosom
in FliDper's presence. The Colonel
searched her; found these, and said:
you are going to the penitentiary, and
Mr.. Flipper. with an oath). l have got
him where 1 want him" She was taken
before the United States Commissioner,
denied an interview with Flipper, re-
fused witnesses and committed to Jail in
default of 81 600 bail. Gen. Anger or
dered Flipper TO be removed
from the guard house to his quarters.
Col Shafter visited him and asked him
if he could make up the missing money,
which, he informed him, was $2,074-
Flipper said he thought he could. He
saw the four leading merchants, and
they promptly paid it in the assurance
that Shafter did not think Flipper in
tended fraud, and that in payment Of
the deficiency the matter would be drop
ped. He merely extended Flippers
limits of movement, however, and gave
him the freedom of the garrison.
A number of articles, the private prop
erty of Flipper, were taken from his
quarters, including his watch. These
were, after several requests, returned to
him, except the watch, on which Shafter
demanded a lien for one hundred dol.
lars, which he had contributed, saying
that if it were not paid he would put
him under close arrest. This, too, was
paid.
Flipper concludes by stating that he is
constantly spied upon, that he wishes to
be tried at Fort Davis, that he has the
confidence of leading citizens, and has
engaged good counsel that Register
Bruce Is fully advised of the case, and
that he Clipper is confident of his vim
dication.
As we have published the allegations
made against Flipper, we give place to
his version of the case, which, the Globe
states, is published without his consent.
His plea is ingenious, but to believe it
his best friends must regard the officers
concerned in the preferment of the
charges as guilty of conduct unworthy
of soldiers and gentlemen. As repre-
sentative of his race, we should like to
see Flipper honorably acquitted, and it
is possible that at his approaching trial
much that now looks grave may be
lightened.
In any event Flipper's case shows that
the negro's path to military distinction
is a thorny one. For if he is guilty
after being so favored it augurs badly
for the elevation of his race in that line.
II he 10 the victim of plot it shows
a spirit in the army hostile to this inno-
walton, against which it will be hard to
make Roadway.