The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-26
CUTTING OUTSTEAMBOATS
THE WAY 1T WAS MANAGRDDU DURING
THE WAR DAYS.
Exciting Adventures OF Both Marines
and Soldiers--The Part Played by
Several Well Known Hereabout on
the Waters and Along Shore.


The exploits Of various bold warriors in
the long ago, when war ragged over this fair
land of the south, and strife and blood
shed occupied the time and thought OF
almost every able-bodicd man VIII failed to
leave the country or secure what was then
known as bomb.proof place, have often
formed themes iorsong or story Of highly
interesting nature. Hundreds OF the ex-
citing incidents OF that four years OF inter.
nicene warfare have never as yet been
described, and many that have were in
correctly reported. And speaking of
reports serves to cause a thought OF what
a grand field that war was for the news
reporter, OF the type used by the newspa-
per OF the current period. Many Of the
the very best writer's on the daily press
of today had their training aboard ship or
along the front of the armies then oper-
ating against each other. For example,
there is Gath, tho racy, prolific man of
romance, and whose constructive ability
il unrivaled, did his earliest and somo
of his very best descriptive work
rs a writer for New York daily, when
the first battles were fought in Virginia.
10 eager was the reading public for more
matter from his pen that after he had ex-
hausted his fountain of inspiratian on one
occasion, people actually followed him
about when he visited the great city to get
him TO tell more. Then there was Me-
Cullagh. now OF the Globe Democrat, tho
Mack" OF a Cincinnati paper when inter
views and other writings OF the times
were always OF absorbing interest. Then,
too, Agate" also of Cincinnati journal,
now Whltelaw Reid, OF the New York
Tribune, and score Of Others might be re-
ierrcd to; while on the side of the south
there were dozens equally felicitous, not
least ON the list being our own J. NJ.
keating and Harvey Mathes. But 1t is
with u few stirring events Of the war,
wherein several now among us, were prom
incnt actors, and which happened al
most under the very noses OF those who
then ruled the Bluff City, that this article
is To deal.
The capture Of the steamer Blue Wing,
commanded by Capt. Dave Hukill, now
resident here, by band OF Coniederates,
at Ozark island, below the mouth OF the
Arkansas river, was stirring episode that
deserves to be told in print, rs nothing
heretofore seen, even about the time OF its
action, did more than make brief men
ton Of the sudden taking in aud change
Of ownership OF the craft.
II happened in the early part of '03.
when Gen. Hurlburt commanded the post
OF Memphis, and Gen. Grant was opcrat.
ing among the bayous and streams north
Of Nicksburg with view to reduce tina:
stronghold. The Blue Wing was a small
side-wheel boat, built to run in the Ken
lucky river and Louisville trade. In make
up, shape and size the craft was similar 10 the
Macready, OF the Lee line, now plying out
of our port. II was the same boat that
one DOcsticks, n humorous writer OF a gen
Grafton ago, described as having hinge
in the middle 80 she could 10 around
the sharp bends OF the river also rs carry
ing two captains, one on each end OF the
craft, and two cream colorcd chamber
maids. OF course this was burlesque, for
II wasn't that sort Of a boat
The main owner Of the steamer Blue
Wing al the time was Mr.. Frank Brooks.
who put so, 900 worth OF supplies aboard
for cotton trading with the southerners
down among the bayous and small rivers
ia the Iazoo and Tcnsas basins. Capt.
lIukcll had an interest in both boat and
cargo, and his all was in the venture. BE.
sides the trading supplies mentioned, tho
cargo included $50 tons OF fixed ammuni-
ton consigned TO the ordnance officers OF
Gen. Grants army.
The boats progress on the VOYAGE was
quiet and unoycntful until Ozark island
was sighted, some twelve miles below
Napoleon, below the mouth OF tho Arkansas
river. Here tho trouble began suddenly
and without previous notice. A section
Of Louisiana battery, commanded by
Capt Mutt, Of Shreveport, opened ON the
descending boat ~ she ncared tho shore
In her passage, and out OF eleven shots
fired from twelve pound Parrott, seven
hit the target aimed NJ. The boat was not
wrecked or sunk, but was badly disabled
by a shot knocking OF tho stop-cock AT
the end Of the boilers. The captain cut
loose from two bargcs he hal In tow, and
sending them adrift, ho tried 10 get his
vessel 10 place Of safety on the Missis-
sippi shore, but she ran aground, aud sur.
rendered 90 the southcrncns with nobody
hurt on either side.
An engineer was detailed and sent over
from the Confederate band. Within q
few houis the break was repaired and the
boat was under way for the Arkansas post,
where Gen. Churchill was In command OF
several thousand Coniedotatos. Can't
llukill and his crcw remained aboard and
aided in managing the boat They were
treated clcvcrly enough personally, though
their property was coniiScatcd in accord.
nncc with the usagcs Of war. The captain
WIS allowed by Gen. Churchill 20 send
about wagon load OF stores 10 his sister.
a minister's wife, mt Little Rock, though
hall Of the goods were used by parties dur.
ing the passage, and few days later the
captive crow was sent by the steamer
Bracelet to Helena where, after being
paplcd, they was turned over 10 the
Federal authorities. They were then put
IN the guard. housc for three weeks on sus-
picion OF having purposcly run the Hue
Wing into the hands Of the enemy.
Tho stores and ammunition ON board OF
the Blue Wing proved invaluable 10 the
Conlcderatcs at the post Of Arkansas, aud
the ammunition was especially useful Ia
tho resistance offered 10 Shcrman's forces
shortly altcrward when a spirited battle
was fought which resulted in the surrcn-
der OF the Conicdcrutcs 10 tho national
iorcrs NJ prisoners OF war. The ammuni.
ton enabled the Conicdcratcs 10 make the
fight. Tho Hue Wing was surrendered
with the post, but was aiierNard recap.
turcd and burned ON Black river above
Jacksonport
An incident Of the capture Of the Blue
Wing near Ozark island worth relating
was that of a merchant jew, ON board rs
a passenger, with large roll OF money In
a belt, on his way 10 trade aud buy
cotton. Before the Conicdoraios boarded
tho boat the lsraelito was In a badly