Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-05-11
mis- scELLkREo oUs.
a SEA WARRIOR,


SSF MONG the arrivals here, writes Hous,
g too, Texas correspondent, is Captain J
q. Brain, the last prisoner of war. with
whom the writer had the pleasure of brief
talk. This is not the FIRST visit to Texas.
having been here several years ago
Kenarking upon his former visit Captain
Brain told the following nnccdnte: Uavinu
business in the small village OF HARRISBURG.
six miles from Houston, on Buffalo BAYOU
Captain Brain visited the place. In the
course OF his stay. he observed a middle.
aged gentleman, ond, as it afterward turned
out, the proprietor of saw>mill in the vii.
lage. inten,y aud cu,iously staring at him
Finally, coming up to the ex opiederate
commander, the mGn remarked:
Il think l have seen you somewhere bo.
fore" $40
Every likely" answered Brain, "I've
been IN good many parts of the country
''Didn't you capture the United Stn,es
mail steamship Roanoke off the Island of
Cuba, in 1s64?"
Yes"
"That's where saw you. was one of
your pris"nets. but guess you have for.
gotten me-"
"Oh, don't know" replied Brain, look
ing ct his ormer prisoner closely.
DO you remember when the shin was
taken end ynn cano into the cabin, and one
OF the passengers remarked, seeing tho Con-
tedernfe flag: THAT looks kinder like n
rebel flag"
Captain Brain recalled the incident w;.b =
smile
81 am the man ani the prisoner"
it was indeed strange 'mcctiny-avav off
here in the back woods of Tcxas-of tho
Confederate naval commander and his oron.
dsm prisoner
Captain Brain delights to talk of his cx.
p'"t's, aud langhs at some of the incidents.
According to an accoun, from his own lips. it
was in the carly fall Of 1864. when the war
was drawing to close, thnt Brain received
orders FROM the Confederate raw don,rt>
ment at Richmond to co to Cuba Under
his command were five officers and four son.
men. disguised civilians. of course. md
showing none Of the insgnia Of the Confed
crate service Repairing to Havana. Cant
Brain and his disguised mvrmidops took
passage on tho ROanoko This was on the
29th of September, 1864.
Totally unaware OF the Gloss or intention
OF the passengers he had on board the Cam
tain of the Roanoke steamed out of the har
Dor into the gulf dnuhtlcs< calcnI,tino on
pleasant voyage! Onward the steamship
ps"uShed the waves Of tho gulf. and The
Confederate commander and his under ofi
GERS quietly awaited the moment of ac,inp.
ana at putting their plans into execution
At midnight. hy coup de,of. the Confed
crste crew found themselves in possession of
the ship. aud its crew. consisting Of so men
aud ~ passengers, prisoners of Capt. Brain
n" resistance was offered cxrept by tho shin
carpenter. who was killed It was lust after
the capture thHt Captain Brain entered tbc
cabin with the Confederate col"rs in his hand
ond he was met by tho Harrisburg saw mill
man.
ri kinder guess that's q rebel fac. ain,
it, cAptaiu?" said he.
You never were more mistaken in vour
lille, sir; thst's Confederate Gag, rep!ied
the csptor of the vessel
The passenger was st the sare time noti-
fed that such remarks were not in particular
demand. and So he shut up.
The commander soon disposed of the pas
scngors. and then he turned his attention to
the crew. lie laid the case before them. and
alter Int"rming them he was now commander
Of the ship, and they his prisoners, Brain
gave them the choice either to wear irons In
the black hole of tho ship, its prisoners. or
to keep their places undisturbed and to get
one mon tbs pay as soon as they touched
port. To this they asserted.
"V gam was tney resumed
their varInus duties. Captain Brain relates
with great satisfaction how he ran down 20
the Island Of Bermuda, his intention being
to coal the Roanoke; but in this he was mis-
taken aud found that it could not be done.
1t was therefore resolved to burn her Brain
gave orders, aud the Roanoke steamed
around the lsland several times, in full view
of the United States consul. He then landed
his men aud prisoners. and took out of the
vessel all that vas valuable. He go, $50
600 10 greenbacks. Sl1 900 in Sp1nish gold
and over 81 900 in lottery tickets At
o'cl'c ck on the morning of the Sth of Octo>
Der. 1864. he set FIRE to the Roanoke. and
watched the vessel burn TO the waters edge
The money and tickets were given out to the
men, but mono of those tickets ever drew
cent
Captain Brain is middle aged gentleman
still with an air of command, Roman head.
honked nose-just the sort of a man for
such daring adventures as the capture of the
Roanoke.
DALoARw. opposite the Carter House. has
just received large supply of Shoes for
men. women and children, and. will sell them
at very short profits. Call and examine them
before mskiug your purcbasss.