Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-02-11
NMs have obtained from Captain

AF w e nave oDbafHeu from NdpIdin
Regnier of Che steamboat B. c.
Levi, the following particulars
relative to the capture of the boat.
His statement may be relied upon
as correct. W
On Tuesday I'd INST at 6 o'clock
p. NJ. the boat left Pt. Pleasant for
Charleston, much against the will Of
the Captain and crew, but under or
ders from General E. P. Scammon,
then on board who was anxious to
return to his post The night be-
ing very dark and stormy, it was
found impossible to run the "chutes"
ip Kanawha, and the boat was ac-
cordingly tied up at Red House
Shoals about II III. and there re-
mained until 6 A. NJ. of Wednes-
day. At that hour the pilot being
at the wheel, engineer at his post,
and the mate in the act of drawing
in the line, about ten men under
Ii eut. verdigan of Major Ncwning's
gang of guerrillas, suddenly ap-
peared on the bank, and sprang on
board well armed and demanded
possession.
All on board save the above
named officers were asleep, which
rendered her capture no difficult
task. She was taken at once, with
General E. P. Scammon, Capt. Pinck-
ard, A. @, NJ some members of Gen.
Scammon's staff, and a few unarmed
soldiers returning on furlough.
The boat was run over to Winfield,
on the opposite side, and after rob-
bing the mails on board, was run
down to Hurricane creek, some dis
tance below, when all on board were
ordered ashore with their baggage
and the boat set on fire.
The soldiers who were willing
to accept a parole were then re-
LEASED. General Scammon, Capt.
Pinckard, two Lieutenants and one
sergeant were started for Richmond,
and the whole gang under Nown-
ming decamped in hot haste. The
sergeant above alluded to whose
name is given as Thomas MeCor-
mick of the 9th Virginia Infantry, re-
fused to accept his psrole, giving the
thieves to understand they could
take him to Richmond, shoot him,
or do as they pleased, but he would
tako no parole from id rebel
The brave fellow was obliged to
march off on foot, leaving behind
him many who cared less for their
honor, than their personal safety
1t is to be hoped such true courage
will not fail Of being duly rewarded
should he live to return to his regi-
ment.
The boat after being set on fire,
drifted to the opposite side of the
Kanawha. Being loaded with green
timber, which burned slowly and
the officers and crew managing to
cross in old skiffs they succeeded in
putting out the fire, so as to save the
hull and machinery, which now lies
at our wharf.
The private property Of those on
board was not taken from them, and
on the whole the treatment given our
men was much better than ex-
pected.
General Scam anon offered to head
a force of ten men if so many would !
volunteer to recapture the boat, but
being unarmed and the rebels fully |
armed his offer was not acceded to.
He acted under the circumstances,
as brave officer only could do, nor
can any blame be attached to any
one on board, uni ess in not placing |
q picket on shore when obliged to
tie up.
Captain Pinckard's loss will be
very seriously felt in the department.
His business as Quarter Master, was
extensive and conducted with great
efic iency. Up to the hour of going
to press we have no tidings of any
of the prisoners. 4s l
HOur friend Thomas Leddy Jr.
who for one year past has acted as
chief clerk under Captain Stealey,
A. @. M. at this post, has resigned
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