New Orleans daily crescent., 1859-11-10
Capt. shreve and Gen. jackson.
From the Cleveland Review. |

From the Cleveland Revew.l
Editor Rerien: Jabez Lorwell Esq, Of Wayne
county, recently communicated to me character
istic anecdote of Gen. Jackson, which | have
never seen in print, and which will certainly bear
repetition. Mr.. Lorwell was personally acquainted
with Capt. Shreve, mentioned, and represents him
as possessed of much of the unyielding and ener-
getic character which so distinguished Gen. Jack
son. Shreve was well known throughout the South
during his life.
During the last war with England, Capt shreve
was commander and owner Of a vessel which Piled
the Father of Waters,'' and which during the
period Gen. Jackson had New Orleans under mar
tal law, made its appearance at the levee OF that
city. Gen. Jackson being apprised of the arrival
of the vessel at once sent for Captain Shreve, an
nounced to him that he should consider himself,
his crew and vessel, as in the service of Govern
ment and hold himself in readiness to discharge
any duty that might be imposed upon him. Cap
tain Shreve unhestatingly accepted the conditions
thus stated to him, and obtained permission from
General Jackson to make some necessary repairs
to his vessel, before being compelled to do active
service.
While these repairs were in progress, and the
appearance of the British army was daily expected
before the city, a number of citizens applied to
Can't Shreve, requesting him to convey their
families some fifty miles up the river to place of
safety. The captain explained to the applicants
his situation, and the orders he was under, but
assured them that if they could obtain Gen. Jack
sons consent, he would himself interpose no OBJ
iectons to their request. deputation OF the
citizens then apple9to Gen. Jackson and obtained
his consent and Capt. Shreve had freighted his
vessel with the persons OF many ladies and children
and also considerable quantity OF very valuable
goods, when he received a message from General
jackson ordering him to perform some service
which would compel him at once to discharge his
living freight, and completely dsarrange his plans.
Capt. Shreve bunty told the officer who had
brought the message, that he would not obey the
order The officer warmly eXpostulated with
shreve and held up to him, in glowing colors, the
terror's of Jacksons dspleasure: but Captain
Shreye was built of quite unbending metal as
Gen. Jackson, and indignantly refused to do the
bidding.
The officer returned to the "Old Chief and de-
tailed to him the circumstances Of Capt. Shreyes
refusal In a towering passion, the General or
dered file of men to arrest Shreve and bring him
at once into his presence.
the enraged Captain stood in the presence of the
equally enraged General. The latter, fercely eye
ing Capt Shreve, in voice husky with intense
passion, made the inquiry:
"By Cd, Capt. Shreve, dare you dtso6ey my
"Yes, by Cd, l dare - was the vehement and
impetuous reply of the undaunted Captain.
jackson could not repress the expression OF sur
prise which spread itself over his face at the upeN
plected and emphatic reply of the daring captain,
and in tone of voice considerably milder than ms
first inquiry, bade Shreve explain his conduct.
| IJpon the explanation being given Jackson dis
missed him, simply saying that he had forgotten
his promise to the citizens whose wives and child
ren Capt. Shreve then had upon his vessel.
Afterward, during Jackson's Presidency Con-
gress made appropriations of large sum of money
for the removal of the innumerable snags and
other Instructions which made the navigation OF
the Mississippi river at that time very dangerous to
life and property Notwithstanding the fact thai
many OF his warmest political friends applied te
General Jackson to secure the appointment of one
of his friends to superintend that important work
and that Captain Shrevc was his resolute and unre
lenting political enemy, General Jackson persiste,
in awarding the place to the stern and honest olt
captain and the success with which he performed
| the duty attested Jackson's sagacty in making hi
choice. Shreye invented machinery and apparatus
especially adapted to the successful prosecution o
the work, and completed it to the perfect satisfac
ton of all interested in it,; and at late day sue
ceeded in removing the great Red River Ratt
which had previously been considered an impracti
cable undertaking. This raft was over thirty mile
in length, and for years had blocked up the entlr