The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-14
GEN. RowETTs FIRST CAPTURE.

Desperate Dash Which Resulted in Captur-
Ing Dan Rice's Circus.
Chicago News
Gen. Dick Rowett has been given much credit
for the part he played in the defense at Allatoona
but he complains that he was never given what
was due him for the first important capture
made in the war. The story. as he told it at the
time of the Soldiers Home dedication, last
month, runs thus:
He one of the junior captains in the old
Seventh Regiment of three months men, sta
ton at the time at Mound City. ILL., One even
ing the whistle of steamboa was heard up the
Ohio river, and word in that it was q
rebel boat bearing cavalry, which was going to
disembark near there. Captain Rowett was
burning to be sent on an expedition
against that boat, but was surprised and
pleased beyond expression when he was ordered
to take command of the expedition. Crossing
over to the Kentucky side he 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 distance, and soon
reared the spot where the boat was tied at the
bank in a little grove. Leaving horses and
everything not needed in battle at conveR-
lent place some distance away. the captain and
his command stole on foot through the grove till
they came within sight of the boat, and there
on the bank the horses, which had
already been disembarked, though none of the
soldiers were in sight. Captain Rowett ordered
a halt and began to take observations and form q
plan of attack. More than he found him
self thinking of the glory with which the capture
of this boat and all thatrebel cavalry would
him, and he could not keep down joyful feel
ing when he thought how jealous the senior cap
tains would be. when they saw him bring in this
important prize. Visions of promotion and high
sounding praise from Washington and the coun-
try at large filled his mind and swelled his soul,
but he finally managed, in spite of all, 30 form
plan of attack.
The command was: "Boys, don't know the
right command, but just follow me quietly and
when we reach the boat we'll swarm aboard and
take them unaware" SO they tiptoed along be-
hind their commander part of the way and
crawled the rest When they had reached the
boat they scrambled aboard, and Capt Rowett,
mounting the steps at bound or two, burst into
the cabin with loud shout:
Surrender every id one Of you"
But the heroic captain not prepared 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 your asked gentleman who arose
from his seat at the head of the table
Il am" said Captain Rowett, in somewhat
milder tone, Il am Captain Rowett, sir of the
Seventh Illinois Volunteers"
"Well, Captain" said the genial gentleman.
'sit down and have some supper with l am
Dan Rice. and this is my circus company.
Captain Rowett did sit down and drank a
toast to the stars and stripes which Dan said he
had hauled down from the iackstaff of his little
steamer because there were good many people
in those parts who wouldn't patronize his circus
if he didn't.