The National tribune., 1900-07-19
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Some Men of the Old Army.
By PATRICK BREEN.

up the turbulent Missouri occupied Just
10 days. The first stop was made at
Fort Leayenworth. In passing Omaha
the log houses of which the city was made
up could be counted from the hurricane
deck of the boat. After passing that
frontier city when stops We're made to
wood up the Indiars would be seen for
miles around on ponies of all descriptions
galloping to the landing to satisfy Their
curiosity concerning boat and command
Hard bread by the barrel was given them
at several landings.
On June IS the boat reached Fort Ran
dali. The troops stationed at the Post
comprised five companies of the I'd y. S.
and the band. The 4th Art. not having
yet arrived to relieve the infantry, the ar
the Fort. The houses, with the eXcep-
ton of one or two. We're built of logs,
chinked in with mud-plaster.
In the early part of July the headquar-
ters and band were ordered to Fort Rip
ley, Minn., accompanied by Adjt. George
d: Ruggles and Serg't,Maj. koontlner
The company (C) to which we were as
signed, being at Ripley, we also went with
the headquarters and band to that post.
Arriving at st. Louis, boat had again
to be taken to st. Paul. One was found,
to sail the following day. The party in
all numbered 20 men. Adjt. Ruggles being
the commanding officer
From st. Paul to Port Ripley, on the
Upper Mississippi, the distance was 154
miles; this was made by easy stages in
spring wagons hired for the occasion at
st. Paul. Camping at night, getting sup
per, and breakfast before the morning
start; stopping at or near noon at some
halfway house for dinner.
Six days time carried the party to the
Fort, which was garrisoned by Co.'S q
and X, commanded, respectively, by
Capt's n. II. Davis and G.. w. Patton,
the latter officer a BrevetMajor for con-
spicuous gallantry in Mexico. as n resr.t
one hand and which was always denOm-
mated by the Major as his lilly white
hand" His habit when out walking was
TO carry his thumbs in his vest arm-holes.
and when meeting one of the men, and
after the proper salute had been given
and returned; would query. DO you be
ing answered in the negative, the Major
would say. "Ah, by cad. l thought so.
You then belong to Capt Davis's COM
pany," which officer the Major had the
greatest liking for, and with only one
drawback, that Capt. ID. was Republi-
can. which did not coincide with the
Majors Qthode Island) Democratic prin-
ciples, Capt. Davis being from Massachu-
sets.
The commanding officer Of the post
was Lieut.-Col. John j. Abercrombic,
whom we knew at Governors Island four
years before. The Colonel was from
Tennessee. He was afterward promoted
Colonel of the 7th U. S. Col Abercrom-
bic, as Brigadier- General of Volunteers,
commanding a brigade in Couch's Divi-
sion. in the Army of the Potomac, distin-
guished himself highly at the battle of
Malvern Hill.
The subaltern officers at Fort Ripley
were Lieut.. Latimer, from South Caro-
lima; Watson, from Indiana; Spencer,
from Maryland, and Stone, from AIinneso-
ia, besides Lieut.. Ruggles. the Regiment
al Adjutant and Lieut.. Hawkins, Post
Quartermaster, who hailed from New
York. The Post Surgeon was civilian,
doing duty under specified contract. The
foregoing mentioned officers were strict
disciplinarians and men of fine soldierly
| learning, under whom it was pleasure
to serve.
LIFE AT RIPLEY.
Indians of the Chippewa tribe were the
most numerous in the vicinity of the post
and at times gave the command consider
able trouble. The great reserve of the
tribe was at Leech Lake, Do miles north
of the fort, to which place a part of the
command went semi-annually to guard
the Paymaster and the Agent in distrib.
uting money and clothing.
| RumOrS of war gave the garrison to un.