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(Editor’s Note: The following autobiographical notes written by Colonel <em>Percy E. Trippe</em> were forwarded to the editor by Major General Charles J. Bailey shortly before General Bailey’s death on 21 September 1946. The last two sentences were added by General Bailey to Colonel Trippe’s notes. Rather than risk the probability of injury which any editing might cause to the eloquent succinctness of the notes, it is believed preferable to publish them exactly as originally written.)</p>
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I was born in Newnan, Georgia, July 9th, 1857, son of Dr. John H. and Catharine Cole Edwards Trippe. Before marriage my mother had graduated number 1 at College Temple, a school in Newnan. Soon after my birth, my parents took me to Crawfordville, their old home. During the Civil War, my father was a surgeon with rank of Captain. After the war my mother, a widow, taught school and was postmistress at the same time until, in 1868, she married Mr. George W. Mitchell. Of this union is Judge Frank Mitchell, born 1871, a lawyer in Swainsboro, Georgia.</p>
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I attended school, first to my mother, later at different schools, including the University of Georgia at Athens, where I completed Junior year with A.B. course. In this course mathematic played a minor role, so I had little trouble taking a good stand. In Crawfordville lived the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, former Vice President of the Confederate States, a friend of my mother’s. I have a letter she wrote him asking him to appoint me to West Point or Annapolis, Mr. Stephens being our Representative in Congress. My mother having died in May, I did not return to college after completing Junior, but clerked in a store and did other work to give me a living. In October 1875, my stepfather died. In 1876 Mr. Stephens gave me the appointment to West Point. Soon after I left his house, I found Bill Fleming sitting on the Academy steps, having come up from Augusta to try for appointment as Cadet. Fleming was one of the most brilliant men at Georgia. Taking a scientific course leading to B.S. degree, he added the studies for A.B., so would have graduated Master of Arts, and probably did. I have often thought that Carter and Goethals would have had a strong competitor, had Fleming secured the appointment. He later became our representative in Congress.</p>
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In March, ‘76, I think it was, I received a letter from Edgar Hubert, also an appointee, stating that his “pred” had informed him that he had better go to Sing Sing to Col. Symond’s school to prepare, if he wished to pass the entrance examination. So I went there, too, and about May 1st, we became Cadets and by June 15th were in the battalion, ready to accompany it to Philadelphia for the Fourth of July exercises. We paid our own way till the Class of ‘76 had graduated. That made my check book look sick. However, I “boned check book” and was ahead by furlough. Whoever wrote Goode’s obituary stated that there were 120 of us after the “Seps” came and only 52 graduated. I know about the 52.</p>
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Upon graduation I was assigned to the 10th Cavalry. So was Watson. We reported to Col. Benj. H. Grierson (Bv’t Brig. Gen’l) commanding regiment at Ft. Concho, Texas. The Captain of my Company, “G”, Phillip Lee, was in arrest, while the company was in the field. Cavalry units then were designated as “companies” As soon as practicable, we proceeded by stage to Fort Davis. Soon after I accompanied Co. D. Capt. Keyes, to Viejo Pass for action against Victoria, hostile Indian. 1st. Lieut. T. W. Jones, 10th Cav. was there in command of Co. G. Word having come of the annihilation of Victoria and his band in Mexico, we proceeded to Fort Stockton at our new station. Usual garrison duties at Stockton, Capt. Lee having returned to duty.</p>
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I was in the field on Concho and North Concho rivers from May till December, ‘81, returning to Stockton in December. During months of March and April ‘81, I marched with regiment overland to Arizona and took station at Fort Thomas, remaining there until September. During part of this time I participated in campaign against Geronimo and other Apache hostiles. From September ‘85 to June ‘87, I attended Infantry and Cavalry School at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, graduating. After short leave rejoined regiment at Ft. Thomas, Sept. 1st. At Ft. Thomas, San Carlos and Ft. Grant. On January 17th, 1888, promoted 1st Lieutenant and assigned to Troop “D”, Capt. Keyes, at Ft. Bayard, N. M., May 1888 to February 1892. On detached service in command of Cavalry escort to international boundary commission at Fort Bliss, Texas during February.</p>
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On detached service on special recruiting duty at Cavalry depot, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, March, 1892, to March, 1894. At Ft. Buford, North Dakota, March ‘94 to October ‘95. On detached service at South Dakota Agricultural College, Brookings, S. D. March (‘96) to February ‘98. Promoted Captain March 11th, ‘98. On D.S. at Ouachita Baptist College, Arkadelphia, Ark., to May ‘98. On D.S. Mustering in Arkansas Volunteers at Little Rock, May 1st to 31st, ‘98. On D.S. St. Louis, Missouri, June and July ‘98 mustering in Seventh Immunes. On D.S. in Georgia mustering out volunteers, August ‘98 to May ‘99. Rejoined Regiment as Adjutant June ‘99 at Manzanillo, Cuba. On sick leave July to October 1900. In command of troop “F” and post of Fort McIntosh, Texas, October 1900 to April, 1901. En-route to Philippine Islands commanding troop April 9th to May 13th, 1901. Transferred to 12th Cavalry April 13, 1901, remaining on duty with 10th. In field at Calbayog Samar, P.I. latter part of May till latter part of August 1901. In action in command of troop, May 27, 1901 against Insurrectos under Buque, part of Lucban’s command. Joined 12th Cavalry at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, October 1901. Assigned to command of troop “A” at Ft. Clark, Texas, on duty there till May 1902. Marched to Ft. Sam Houston. On duty there commanding troop until latter part of May, 1903. On D.S. on general recruiting service in Wilkesbarre and Williamsport, PA., and Richmond, VA., June 1903 to April 1905. In command of recruit company at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, April 1st to November 1st, 1905. Rejoined regiment at Ft. Oglethorpe, GA., November 3rd, 1905 in command of Troop “K”. Promoted Major 3rd Cavalry and ordered to join regiment at Camp Stotsenburg, P.I., March 1906. Joined regiment June 1906. Regiment ordered home 1908— headquarters Ft. Clark, Texas. I was soon ordered to Ft. Sam Houston to command 3rd squadron in absence of Major Brown. Usual garrison duty alternating with target practice at Leon Springs.</p>
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It was during this period that I was operated on for hernia. A stitch infection kept me on sick report several months, terminating with a sick leave and a Cook’s tour of Europe. In 1910 I was in command of post of Ft. Clark and two troops of 3rd Cavalry, being relieved by a battalion of 4 Infantry (Major Muir) and returning to Sam Houston. In December I transferred with Major George Morgan to the 14th Cavalry and proceeded to join my new regiment at Camp Stotsenburg, P. I., returning home with same, found myself promoted Lt. Colonel and ordered to Ft. Riley, Kansas for duty at field officer’s course mounted service school. In one week I had been thrown from my horse and my back injured. After waiting on sick report a couple of weeks, I asked to be retired for over 30 years’ service. I was retired in September and detailed on recruiting service in New Orleans. Relieved from same in June 1914. The U.S. having entered the World War, I asked for active service and was detailed on college duty at the University of Georgia, Athens. In 1918 I was transferred to Junior College, San Diego, CA. Was relieved at my own request, and went to Pasadena, near my son, Graham, who was in Air service as 2nd Lieutenant at Arcadia. Congress had passed a law giving increased rank to retired officers who had served on active duty such length of time that would have promoted them. So, I was promoted to Colonel, retired list in 1918.</p>
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November 9, 1882, I married Miss Lydia R. Heiner at her home in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. That night we took the night express north to Buffalo, thence to Niagara Falls. Left New York City and thence back to old Fort Stockton. We have had five children. Hubert Heiner, B. August 7, ‘83, Richard Edwards, January 1, ‘85, Percy Brodhead, January 21, 1887, Graham, October 8, 1890, Katharine Mary, June 1, 1895. Percy lived only 6 months and is buried in Crawfordville, GA. Hubert lacked four months of being 20 years old. Is buried in the national cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. Richard Edwards (Dick) served 20 months in France during world war in Engineers National Army. We have 8 grandchildren, only 2 of whom are males. Joseph Trippe Whitaker, 20 years, is now enlisted in Field Artillery at Ft. Sill. Richard Edwards, 2nd, is 19 and liable to service soon.</p>
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All above written in September, 1942. At my death ascertain if General Charles J. Bailey, 34 Grant St., Jamestown, New York, is alive. If so, he might condense above for benefit of Association of Graduates, U.S.M.A. He is our class president.</p>
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Lt. Joseph Trippe Whitaker was killed in maneuvers at Camp Mackall, X. C., October 29, 1943. He belonged to the 457th Paratroop Field Artillery, 11th Airborne Division.</p>
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