Gilpin observer., 1906-12-27
GUARDED JEFF DAVIS
SOLDIER WHO WATCHED OVER
CONFEDERATE PRESIDENT.
Was on Duty at Fortress Monroe
When Davis Was Prisoner There.
HE Served Thirty Years in
the Regular Army.

Gently resigned as assistant marshal
Of Webster Groves, Mo-, and who
served many years in the United
States regular army, was at one time
guard over Jefferson Davis, the
leader of the confederacy, while the
latter was a prisoner at Fortress Mon.
roe, Va, soon after the close OF the
civil war.
For 80 years, he has been a wearer
of the blue, having served for 80 years
i'll the regular army and for two years
and six months served as conducto"
on the Suburban railway in this city
He has occupied the position he lately
resigned for a period of two years and
four months.
He removed to ST. Louis on his re-
tirement from the army, and has
lived here up to the date of his ap-
pointment as assistant marshal of
Webster Groves, when he moved,
with his family, to that place.
Trask participated in many of the
most important campaigns and en-
of Indians in the west notably the
great winter campaign in the Big
Horn country, under Gen. George
Crook, and which terminated with
the battle of Red Rock Canyon, on the
north fork of the Powder River No
vember 25, 1876. In this battle there
were engaged from 5000 to 5000
Sioux and Cheyennes under White
Antelope, and $4,000 cavalry under
nj Eol,
suited in breaking the spirit of the
red men, who had slaughtered Gen.
Custer and his brave band.
Trask served under Gen. Crook in
Arizona during the campaign of 1872
and 1878, when six months of scout
ing and skirmishing subdued the Ton
to Apaches. His troop, under COM
mand of Capt. George Price, was the
first that ever succeeded in marching
through the Tonto basin, which for
ages was the stronghold of the Ton
tos. He was at Fort Grant, Ariz.,
when the Tonic chief surrendered to
Gen. Crook.
He was also present at Fort Lar
rime, Wyo., when the great Chief
Red Cloud made his last treaty with
the government, and was selected as
orderly to the Indian commissioner
when 5000 feathered and painted
braves, the picked men of the Sioux
Nation, came to the fort to listen to
the speeches of their chiefs and the
commissioner in regard to that treaty
Scouting. escorting and campaign
ing took up the first Is years service
of Mr.. Trask, and he can relate many
hair-raising incidents in which he
participated.
Mr.. Trask served Is years as post
quartermaster sargeant. He was ap-
pointed from regimental quartermas-
ter sergeant, and was among the first
to fill that important position.
He was on duty at Fort Bowie,
Ariz., when the noted Chief Geronimo
surrendered. He took an important
part in that campaign by supplying
and issuing stories to the troops on
the field.
Lincoln, N. D., in 1887, and under
Lieut.. A. G. Sharp, wound up the busi-
ness of that post after it had been
ordered abandoned. He lowered the
last flag that fioated over that histor-
ic post, and has it as a sacred me-
mento.
He was then sent to Fort Bennett,
s. D., where he took similar part in
the abandonment of that post, and
with his family went through some
thrilling experiences with the treach-
erous Mission River and Dakota bliz-
yards.
For his faithful services he was or
dered to duty at West Point, where
he served for two Years and half
in charge of the quartermaster stores.
He can relate many interesting anec-
dotes of that famous military school.
At his own request, he was then or
dered to report for duty at Fort
Meade, S. D., at that time one of the
most important points in the north
west. There he served for five years,
and for his faithful service during
that time received special mention
from the inspector general.
At the close of hostilities with
Spain Mr.. Trask, having reached the
period of 80 years service, and hav-
ing a family of interesting children,
applied for his retirement from active
service. His request was granted,
and with his wife and children Mr..
Trask came to st. Louis to take up
his residence.
Though IS years old, he is still hale
and hearty, and looks as rugged and
active as young soldier.