Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-09-12

Charles s. zrIpIers5 story sfHis Pleasant
Lie at Fort Monroe.


Charles s. Eriplersg story oFHis Pleasant
Lie at Fort Monroe.
san FRANCISCO Alta
/ was In 1856 first lieutenant in the
18th United States infantry, and In the
absence Of my captain, commanded
company 3. of the 1st battalion Of that
regiment. Early In October was order
ed TO Fort Monroe, and reported for duty
to Gen. n. A. Miles. My rank as lieuten-
ant subjected me to detail as officer of
guard, and as such, I had for the twenty
four hours of my detail immediate
charge of our distinguished prisoner, my
orders being 'nOt to allow him out Of my
sight during my tour of duty" Mr.
Davis was confined to a room in Carroll
Hall, which was designed as quarters fer
heutenants, who are entitled to two
rooms only, so all the rooms, except the
mess hall and library, are in suits Of two
rooms each. The COOrWays were all
grated with iron, and a sentry walked
before each on a pile of cocoa mating
some 4 inches thick. The officer of the
guard was not allowed to leave the room
unless relieved by the officer of the day,
nor to sleep at all during his twenty
four hours of duty. The grated windows
were locked, the keys being In the Gus
tOdy Of the officer of the day. As was
the custom, on my first day Of duty as
officer of the guard I was introduced by
my predecessor to Mr.. Davis thus: " Mr.
Tripler, Of the 18th" Mr.. Davis said "Are
you Stuart Tripler ?" said: Eyes sir"
He then said he remembered my grand
mother Mrs. HUNT and had very pleas
Tripler, Of the army.) We had that first
day no further conversation until the
time came fOI his daily walk around the
parapet. At that time the officer Of the
day came, accompanied by two negro
prisoners, unlocked the door, when Mr..
Davis, dressed in snuh-ColOred clothes
it'll Raglan OYerCOat and soft high
owned felt hat, stepped into my room.
Gen. Miles entered at this time with the
daily papers, which were placed on
table in Mr.. DIS room. The prisoners
commenced at once to clean up the room,
and we left in the following order: Mr.
Davis and officer Of the guard, ten PAGES
behind two sentries, a couple Of PAGES
behind them the officer of the day, and
lastly, some distance of, Gen. Miles
strolled along reading.
We took our time, and Mr.. Davis, by
his instructive and most entertaining
conversation, rendered this a most de
lightful duty. He seemed to know
everything. He had the useful faculty
of drawing a young man out and making
him show his best side. We would some
times stop ARREST Of the water bat
terry, IN front Of the commanding officers
quarters, and reCline on the crest of the
works, where he would relate pleasant
stories of the old army, ask after common
friends, and often give me points in my
profession which were invaluable. To
show how small q matter he would
notice and speak of, there was a number
Of trees growing along one Of the fronts
of casemates which bore clusters of small
white berries. Mr.. Davis said: "Liet.
Tripler, I saw you riding nice-lOoking
horse the other DAY, but it is out Of con-
ditiOn. Those berries you see there are
one of the best condition medicines I
know of, and you can find them all over
the south; remember that; it's worth
knowing" On our return D. COopers
Cc-vant came in with Mr.. Davis lunch.
All his meals were supplied from Dr..
COOper's table, and Mrs. Cooper was a
notable housewife, and the markets Of
Fort Monroe were well supplied; you
may be sure Mr.. Davis did not suffer.
The only request he ever made me dur
ing the time 1 was stationed there was
to bring him a few apples each time 1
came on guard, which 1 did. I rather
think he asked me for the sake of let
ting me think I was doing him a favor
my grandmother when he was secretary
of war. He could make a request in
such a way that you felt he had confer
red a favor on you in preferring it.
@. O. Clay was confined in the rooms
directly beneath Mr.. Davis, but had Mrs.
Clay with him, and was not guarded as
Mr.. Davis was. Mrs. Clay used to send
sometimes a pitcher Of punch TO Mr..
Davis. My orders not forbidding it, the
pitcher was always passed in. Mr.. Davis
was supplied with good cigars by his
friends. 1 knew they were good because
Mr.. Davis remarked that smokers are
gregariOus, and can't enjoy a cigar
alone" and offered me one nearly every
night, after he had assumed his most
satanic-looking night robe-he wore a
red flannel nightgOWn, cap and drawers.
He was never annoyed, insulted or WOr-
ried during his stay. Gen Miles was
cOldly civil, and others Officially polite. :"
/, perhaps, and as was usual, was more
kindly disposed, but I never exceeded
my instructions. / think Mr.. Davis him
self gave the lie to the exaggerated &C
counts of his suferings. imprisonment
is not pleasant under the most favorable
circumstances, and no fallen chief of a
great movement could have expected or
received more cOnsiderate treatment
than did Mr.. Davis.
Some fine specimens Of yellow oche
have been found In a well at CaWker
City.