The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-26

phis. Three men belonging to Dobbins'
regiment OF Arkansas forces, among the
list being Capt. Mark Cheek, now OF the
steamer Kate Adams, did the work,
and they were detailed for the serv-
ice by Capt. McGehee, a planter Of
| Crittonden county, to whose company the
men belonged. The trio set Off with
muflied oars in askiti from above Hopefield
! moved cautiously out toward the steamer
about an hour after midnight. boarded
the craft at her mOorings Just above the
mouth of Wolf river. and, finding all
hands asleep, proceeded to fire up to raise
steam without delay. As the men climbed
on deck near the bows one put his pistol
near the watchman's head. Cheek went
TO the engine-room to find a small pressure
OF steam still on, and the others took
charge OF the cabin and boiler deck.
| The captain OF the boat, when aroused
| from his slumbers, was inclined TO behave
badly and threatened mischief. The
members Of the capturing party said:
keep your tongue 10 yourself and obey
orders or you be shot," and that settled
him, 50 he did not give further annoy
ance.
The boat was gotten under way and
moved up the river quietly, while those
aboard OF the gunboat viewed the move
ment complacently, doubtless believing
the boat was merely off on a business trip.
After reaching Mound City the captors
enjoyed themselves for few hours, then
set the boat ON fire and she burned 10 the
waters edge. The father of Capt. Check
had been held as hostage prisoner
aboard the Musselman for some time, and
the captain had made his time pass in Il
rather disagreeable way. The captive
crew were afterwards marched over to
Cotton Plant, Ark, where Col. Dobbins
paroled and released them.
Retaliation was the order after the burn
ing of the steamer Musselman, and next
day naval force was sent 10 destroy
Mound City. The hotel, the store, the
residence OF Capt. Check and two or three
other houses were all fired and burned TO
ashes during the visit OF the gun-boat.
As an offset 10 this the steamer Grampus
No. was aftcrward cut out and captured
! the same way as the Musselman had been,
except that four or five men participated
in the adventure. Capt James Mctiehoe
himself, together with Blackwell Patrick,
Mark Cheek and one or two others,
boarded the boat in the late hours OF the
night, steered her of up the river, kept
her up around Island 10 for two or three
DAYS, took in q flat-bJat loaded with cattle
and poultry on its way from the Rcelloot
Lake country to Memphis, and had the
| cattle-boat lowed over TO the
| Arkansas shore. There the live stock
was unloaded and sent out 10 be
used by the soldiers, thereafter going
/ through the boat she was set on fire and
| DESTROYED near Bradleys Landing. The
Federal forces here at Memphis, including
| those aioat and ashore, missed the
Grampus from the wharf, but had no idea
where she had gone until thoy saw her
| blaze illuminate the sky a dozen miles or
more up the river. The fine ~. Louis packet
Belle Memphis was boarded by squad Of
men under Lieut.. Thurman, OF Mctihee's
company, under Orders fTum that officer,
on one occasion while the boat was taking
ON wood. The boat backed out from the
| shore, breaking her hawser and leaving
them on the bank, also carrying of the
| commanding lieutenant, who was the only
one that succeeded in getting on board
when the attacking parry made its rushing
charge down the bank. The men ashore
| in their excitement fired into the boat and
/ killed their own commander with the vol
| Icy The boat and those on board escaped
without damage.
| Shortly after the steamer Belle Memphis
| episode the War Eagle was taken by Mark
Cheek singly and without any supporting
| force. The boat had landed for wood near
| Bradley's and man recognized rs a
neutral by both sides was sent on the boat
for a bottle Of the beverage 50 much
wanted by men on active duty no matter
| which cause they served. An ugly mes
sage and no spirits was all tho neutral
carried into tho woods. Ten minutes
later Check, wearing u lieutenants uni
form, raised up out Of the cane brake near
the boats headline, and called out,
WHERE'S the captain Of that boat" A
stampede resulted on the part OF the crew,
every man making tracks for the engine
room amidship. The captain came TO
tho front and ordered hands out TO
cut the lines. A pistol in the hands
| of Lieut. Check served 10 check their
/ progress; In fact caused every one
u tumble suddenly down the bank OF
the river aud slip close along the water \
edge 10 gain the boats deck and safe
| quarters. Tho boats captain came for.
ward with both hands raised, aud about
a. badly frightened man ~ was ever
seen, and lac suug out. Come aboard
and take anything you want" A package
containing the proper liquid was sent
ashore In good style with compliments,
after which the boat was permitted to 90
on her way. the crew aitcrwarl swearing
that the woods wero full OF guerrillas,
when really there was only one man
bearing arms within several miles OF the
craft. Some OF the men ON the boat, WIS.,
tied m suddenly by their foes, were 10
shocked by fright that they did not re-
/ cover Tor years, aud IL IL related that Capt.
Dan Conway, Of the Belle Memphis, really
never did get over IL, but carried evidence
/ OF It's effects 10 his grave.
There were captures by the belligcrenls on
both sides during those days, but il would
require more space 10 relate them than
can DO allotted now. The great gunboai
eight in front Of this city in juno, 1862, has
been related over aud Oft with moro OF less
4 accuracy, but some OF the visiaiions to
steamers by guerilla, rs they were called.
have not been told. Thcy would mako
chapter OF good and stirring reading mat
ter, aud may be worked up at some future
/ time.
Tho Capt McGehec. alluded 10 herein.
was born commander ct men. lie was
| n large-iramcd, vigorous aud healthy man.
whose very look caused implicit Obedience
to his will. lie was as bold as q lion, too,
aud used discretion ia al of his exploits.
/ Ii Is said OF him that with two soldiers lac
ou one occasion caused iorly.soyon men
/ behind ditch 10 lay down
/ their arms aud surrender across
/ the river opposite this city. He boldly
Stepped 10 the front and demanded their