ed, he served as quartermaster and commissary of subsistence at Fort Davis. Cox said that "he was well received by some of the officers in the regiment, especially the younger ones, but his presence was bitterly resented by others. They were especially incensed because one of the few white women in the area [a Ms. Mollie Dwyer, sister-in-law of Captain Nicholas Nolan] often went riding with him." On March 10, 1881 Col. William Shafter assumed command at Fort Davis. Shafter, whose nickname was Pecos Bill, was, according to Robinson, "known as a martinet, who played favorites, and harassed subordinates." In a routine move, Shafter removed Flipper from his position but ordered him to continue performing commissary duties until his replacement arrived. After the Chief of Commissary in San Antonio reported that checks and statements had not arrived from Fort Davis, which Flipper had told Shafter he had sent, Shafter on August 13, 1881 ordered a search of Flipper's office and quarters. An initial deficit in Flipper's accounts of $2,074.26 rose to a final total of $3,791.77. Part of the difference was a personal check for $1440 written by Flipper, which he mistakenly assumed would be covered in time by some royalty payments he was due from the publisher of his autobiography. Flipper never denied that there was a discrepancy in his accounts. In his written statement to the Court Martial Court, he said: "Sometime in May the actual cash on hand did not meet the amount for which I was responsible." Shortly thereafter, Shafter noticed that Flipper's horse with a full saddlebag appeared to be ready for departure. He later testified that he had Flipper arrested because he believed he was about to flee to Mexico with Army funds. Flipper was held incommunicado in the brig for several months until one of Shafter's superiors ordered him released pending his court-martial. Johnson said "it was not unlawful to confine an officer in the guardhouse, but i...