<p>
<em>Almon Lee Parmerter</em>, upon graduation from West Point in 1885, reported for duty with the 21st Infantry at Fort Sidney, Nebraska, on the eastern frontier of the “Indian country". The contrast between that dreary plains region of those days, and his home country of northern New York, at Plattsburg, his home town, must have been impressive, both to him and to his bride, also a native of Plattsburg. The writer of this brief note of appreciation was a small boy of four when Lieutenant Parmerter arrived at Sidney, but my memory of the Parmerters has always been crystal clear, throughout the years from 1885 on up to and through the days of the Cuban War of ’98, and I have always held them in friendly esteem, as did my parents, the late Colonel and Mrs. Charles A. Williams, whose life in the Army likewise began in the 21st Infantry, at Vancouver Barracks, Washington, in 1874, the year of my father's graduation from West Point.</p>
<p>
I therefore write as a boyhood friend of Colonel Parmerter, and not as a brother officer; but from what I know of his army service 'in the 21st Infantry, as a Captain and Major, during the years from 1905 to 1911 when my father commanded that regiment, and from what his surviving classmates and associates have written me, I feel that my knowledge of him and of his service is probably as complete as that of anyone now living,—scanty though it is in many details and for certain periods.</p>
<p>
As a cadet, his qualities as a student and a man are finely set forth in a letter from his classmate, Major General Beaumont C. Buck, U.S.A.. Retired, who writes as follows:</p>
<p>
“San Antonio, Texas, “April 26, 1948.</p>
<p>
"Dear Major Williams:</p>
<p>
“I do not recall that I ever saw my dear old friend Parmerter after our class separated on graduation from the Academy in June 1885. I am wholly unable for this reason to help you in preparing any memories of his career in the Army. I can say this, however; he was beloved by every man in our class and held the high respect of all cadets contemporary with him at the Academy. My recollection of him is that be was an excellent gentleman, a dutiful cadet, somewhat modest, always somewhat retiring, and invariably met everyone with a smile, and ready to help out in our class performances. If he ever had a rough moment at the Academy it never came to my notice. His bearing was soldierly and courteous, and he participated with readiness in all social functions with the class, and was honored and loved by every member of the class.</p>
<p>
“I regret exceedingly my inability to give you more information. Let me add, he was loved, honored and respected by every cadet, and held in highest esteem by all officers and their families at West Point.</p>
<p>
“Sincerely yours,</p>
<p>
"(Signed) B. B. Buck."</p>
<p>
From another classmate. Brigadier General Daniel B. Devore, U.S.A., Ret., I quote as follows:</p>
<p>
“January 21, 1948.</p>
<p>
“Dear Major Williams:</p>
<p>
“In reply to your letter of January 4, I don't feel qualified to write an obituary notice of Parmerter to which he is entitled. It was not my good fortune to serve with him after our graduation. He was a fine man and would naturally have an excellent record as a man and In any line of duty. I wish I might have helped at least a little in the last record of one of my classmates.</p>
<p>
“Very sincerely,</p>
<p>
“(Signed) Daniel B. Devore."</p>
<p>
From a third classmate (there are only three living, as far as I can learn), Brigadier General J. M. Carson, U.S.A., Ret., I learn that Cadet Parmerter graduated No. 16, above the middle of his class of 39 graduates; that he was an earnest and industrious student, careful to observe all regulations, and apparently determined to let nothing interfere with graduating successfully; that he worked hard, joined in all class affairs, but never approved anything in the way of an escapade.</p>
<p>
Among my memories of Lieutenant Parmerter during his first five years of service, one in particular always comes vividly to mind,—the great encampment in August and September. 1888, at Kearney, Neb., named Camp John R. Brooke, stated to have been “the largest body of regular troops that has been brought together for maneuvers since the close of the Civil War”. There were twenty-three infantry companies, organized into a brigade, under Colonel (Brevet Major General) Frank Wheaton, commanding the 2nd Infantry. All participating troops marched to and from their regular stations to this camp; the 21st Infantry schedule is before me as I write, and shows 215 miles covered, each way, from August 12 to September 1, the longest daily march being 16 miles. Quoting from the story of the encampment, in <em>Harper's Weekly</em> of October 27, 1888; "The policy of putting a portion of the troops of the departments into summer camps and cantonments for exercises in many of the minor operations of war, such as otherwise would not become familiar to them in the long continuance of peace, is now well established, and there can be no quetsion as to its value”. In this big military event of 1888, 2nd Lieutenant Almon L. Parmerter is listed as the only 2nd Lieutenant of his regiment to participate. The writer, aged 7, with his mother and Mrs. Parmerter, "attended” the maneuvers, staying at the Midway Hotel, in Kearney. It was one of the big events of my childhood, indelibly linked with my memories of the Parmerters.</p>
<p>
Just ten years after the Camp Brooke maneuvers, came the real test of the Santiago campaign. Here again Lieutenant Parmerter comes to mind as one of the participants in the battle of San Juan Hill; as commander of Company H, 21st Infantry, he performed gallant service, for which he was awarded the Silver Star Citation.</p>
<p>
Lieutenant Parmerter was promoted to Captain on March 2, 1899 and to Major April 24, 1908, and continued to serve with his old regiment until 1915, when he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. During this period of fifteen years he served with efficiency, and his loyalty to his commanding officer at all times, through difficult and trying circumstances, was outstanding. Among his many duties in the Philippines, aside from those of Company and Battalion Commander, were: Supervisor of Internal Revenue Affairs in 1900; Acting Assistant Adjutant General. Dept, of Northern Luzon, 1900-1901; and Regimental Quartermaster, 1905-06. He was Regimental Quartermaster of his regiment for a total of about five years, and Inspector-Instructor, National Guard, D.C., for three years, 1912-1915.</p>
<p>
In the grades of lieutenant colonel and colonel, with the 19th and 36th Infantries, respectively, he served in Texas during the border troubles of 1915-1917; and after three years duty as regimental commander at Fort Snelling and Camp Devens, he was retired at his own request after over 38 years' service on April 1, 1920. He was an honor graduate of the Infantry and Cavalry School, Class of 1893.</p>
<p>
Colonel Parmerter was born September 17, 1860 in Plattsburg. N. Y., and died at Great Neck. L. I., N. Y., September 10, 1946. He was buried in Arlington, with full military honors, on September 16. Attending the last rites at Arlington were: Col. Frank J. Morrow, U.S.A., Ret., and Mrs. Isabelle Morrow Boniface, son and daughter of Gen. Henry A. Morrow, Col. Parmerter's first Regimental Commander; Major General Charles H. Bonesteel. U.S.A., whose father served with Col. Parmerter from 1885 to 1898 in the 21st Infantry; Brig. General Louis M. Nuttman, U.S.A., Ret., who served through the Cuban War with Col. Parmerter in the 21st Infantry; Mr. Edgar Williams, whose father, the late Col. Charles A. Williams, served with Col. Parmerter in the 21st Infantry through most of his service and enjoyed loyal and efficient service from him; mid a group of Col. Parmerter’s friends with whom he had made his home in recent years, following the death of his wife In February 1917.</p>
<p>
<em>Charles L. Williams, Major, U.S.A, Retired</em></p>
<p>
</p>