Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-10
GEN. RowErrs FIRST CAPTURE
How He Failed to Win Glory and
Promotion.

f'f'HH We tHicIg0 y e2CS.
Gen. Dick ROwett has been given much
credit for me part be played in the de-
tense at Altoona, bat he complains trat
ne was never given what was due him tor
the hrst important capture made in the
war. The story, rs he told il at the time
OF the Soldiers Home dedication last
month, runs thus:
he was one of the junior Captains IN the
old Seventh regiment OF three-morths
men, stationed at the time at Mound CIV,
Ill. One evening the whistle OF a steam
boat was heard up the Ohlo river, and
WORD came that 1t was Confederate boat
bearing cavalry which was going to dis-
embark near there. Capt Rowett was
burning to be sent on an expedition
against that boat, but was surprised and
pleased beyond expression when be was
ordered to take command OF the eXpedi-
ton. Crossing over to the Kentucky side
ne followed the river up some distance
until he learned that the boat had put up
into the tennessee river and made fast
just around the first bend. Then he
started across the country to save dis
tance, and soon neared the spot where the
boat was tied at the bank In little grove.
Leaving horses and everything not needed
IN battle at convenient place some
distance away, the Captain and his COM
mana stole on foot through the grove till
they came within sight OF the boat, and
there on the bank were the horses, which
had already been disembarked, though
none OF the soldiers were in sight. Cant.
R0Wett ordered halt and began to take
observations and form plan of attack
More than once he found himself thinking
of the glory with which the capture of this
boat and all hat Confederate cavalry
would cover him, and he could not keep
down joyous feeling when he thou Oh
how jealous the senior Captains would be
when they saw him bring In this import
ant prize. Visions of promotion and
high-sOunding praise from Washington
aud the country at large filled his mind
and swelled his soul, but he finally man
aged in spite OF 1T all to form plan of
attack,
The command was: "Boys, | don't know
the right command, but just follow me
quietly anG when We reach the boat Wen
swarm aboard and take them unaware -
so they tiptOed along behind their COM
mander part OF the way and crawled the
rest. When they had reached the boat
they scrambled aboard, and Capt. ROwett,
mounting the steps at a bound or two,
burst into the cabin with loud shout:
surrender, every id one of you"
But the heroic Captain was not pre-.
pared for the scene that lay before him.
A dozen or more men in civilian dress and
half as many women sat around table
eating supper and washing it down with
champagne.
"Who are you," asked q gentleman who
arose from his scat at the head OF the
table.
II am" said Capt. Rowett, in a some
what milder tone, II am Capt. Rowett,
sir, of the Seventh Illinois volunteers"
NV ell, Captain" said the GENIAL gentle
man, "sit down and have some supper
with US. ! am Dan Rice and this is my
circus company"
toast to the stars and stripes, which Dan
said he had hauled down from the jack
staff OF his little steamer because there
were good many people in those parts
who wouldn't patronize his circus if he
didn't