Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1860-01-19
Captain Shreve and Gen. jackson

the following characteristic aneedot
of General jackson to the Clsvelan
{Ohio) Review:
During the last war with England
Captain Shreve was commander an,
owner Of a vessel which piled th
s.Fatkar Of Waters" and which du
during the period General Jaeksol
had New Orleans under martial Law
made its appearance at the levee 0
that city. General Jackson being
appriseJ OF the arrival of the vessel
at once sent for Captain Sbrsye, an'
nounced to him that he should CON
slider himself his crew, and vessel, as
in the service of government, and
hold himself in readiness to discharge
any duty that might be imposed up
on him. Captain Shreye unhesita-
tingly accepted the conditions thus
stated to him, ane obtained psrmis-
sion from General Jackson to make
some necessary repairs TO his vessel,
before being compelled to do active
service.
While these repairs were 10 pro-
gress, and the appearance Of the Brit
ish army was daily expected beloTe
the city. a number Of citizens applied
to Capt. Shreve, requesting him to
carry their families some fifty miles
up the river to place Of safety.
The captain explained to the sppli-
cants his situation, and the orders he
was under, but assured them that if
they could obtain Gen. Jackson S
consent, he would himself interpose no
objections to their request. A depu-
tation Of the citizens then applied to
Gen. jackson and obtained his con-
sent; and Capt. Shreve had freighted
his vessel with the persons OF many
ladies and children and also q consids-
rable quantity Of very valuable goods.
when be received message from
Gen. Jackson ordering him 10 per-
form some service which would conl-
pei him at once to discharge his liv-
ing freight, and completely disarrange
bis plans. Capt. Shreve bldntly
told the officer who had brought the
message that he would not obey the
order. The officer warmly expostu-
lated with Shreye, and held up to
him, in glowing eolors, the terrors of
displeasuIe: but Capt.
Shreve vas built Of quite as unbend-
ing metal as Gen. Jackson, and in-
refused to do the bid
ding.
The officer returned to the @Oid |
Chief" and detailed to him the cir
Of Captain Shreye refn-
sal. In towering passion, the gem
eral ordered a file of men to arrest
Shreve and bring him at once into
his presence. /
But comparatively little tims had
elapsed before the enraged captain
stood in the presence of the equally |
enraged general. The latter fiercely |
eyeing Captain Shreve, in voice
husky with intense passion, made
the inquiry:
"By Cd, Capt. Sbreve, dare you
disobsy my ordefsg'
"Yes, BY Cd, / darev' was the
vehement and impetuous reply Of
the undaunted captain. |
jackson could not suppress the ex-
preston of surprise which spread it
self over his face at the unexpected
and emphatic reply of the daring
captain,a and in tone ofvoice consider
ably milder than his iirstinquiry, ,bade
Shreve explain bis conduct. Upon
the explanation being given. jackson
dismissed him, simply saying that he
had forgotten bis promise to the clti-
zens whose wives and children Capt
Shreve then had upon his vessel
Afterwards. during Jackson's Pres
idenoy, Congress made appropriations
Of large snm Of money Tor the reno
val of the innu merable snags and 9TH
er distractions which made the nav
igation Of the Mississippi river at that
time very dangerous to life and prop
erty. notwithstanding the fact that
many OF his Warmest political friends
applied to General jackson to secure
the appointment Of one of his friends
to supsrintend that important work,
and that Capt. Shreye was his reso-
lutte and uurelenting enemy, Gen. j.
persisted in awarding the place to
the stern and honest old Captain: and
the success With which he perf0r med