Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-29
aailg eagle
THE THREE CAPTAINS.
NERvY BLUFF OF A PLUcKY OHIO
RIVER BOAT COMMANDER.

His P-otection and Put an Angry Mill
tarv officer to Shame-A Pleasant Little
Affair That Came Near Ending Traxically.
II was in 1863, and we were going up the
Ohio with two companies Of Federal soldiers
on board, probably $50 Of them. The officers,
of course, were CHARTERED in the cabin. We
had, besides, as many cabin passengers as we
could carry, among them number OF Con-
federate officers who had been prisoners and
were released on parole. Just before reach
ing Louisville the captain In command OF the
Federal troops called meeting OF the pasSen-
gers, and after setting forth the efforts OF the
Officers of the boat TO contribute to the COM
fort of those on board, suggested that 1t
would be altogether proper to put their teei-
ines in words and to present the captain in
due form with a set of resolutions expressive
of their sentiments. Everybody, of course,
acouiesced, and committee, with the Fec
eraI captain at its head, wes appointed to
draw up the resolutions. In due time the pa
per was ready for signatures.
THE OBJECTIONABLE INITIALS.
Opposite q number OF their names were
written military titles, followed by the let
tiers u. S. A Finally it came the turn OF a
gentleman, I think his name was Roberts or
Robbins. to sign He did so in a neat round
hand, very much resembling the writing OF
a lady. and after his name he wrote Gap
tain. C.. s. A" The Federal captain stood
by the table and acted as a sort Of master OF
ceremonies, and of course saw what the Con-
federate captain had written. In tones not
loud. but imperative, he said: "Scratch that
out. STRIP The young Confederate officer col
ored up and replied in a voice heard distinct
" by everybody in the vicinity: "I'll not do
it. sirr' Then followed a painful silence OF
probably a minute The silence was broken
bv the Federal officer, who, speaking to the
assembly. said: This man, a paroled pris-
oner. has grossly insulted me and every loyal
person present by writing opposite his name
the title, Captain, C. S A. l insist he shall
scratch it out"
The Confederate officer drew himself up to
his full height and responded: Il notice that
a number of gentlemen here have thought
proper to write their military titles after
their names Following their examples, l
have done the same. The title / have written
was won by me on the field of battle, and L
have never disgraced it. nor have | ever, by
any act of mine, deprived myself of the right
to use it. | am Confederate officer, and |
am now a paroied prisoner. When brought
in the presence of the commanding officer OF
the division. brigade, regiment and company
after being made a prisoner, each and all OF
them acknowledged my right to my title by
addressing me by it, and | deny the right OF
any man to forbid my using it."
At the close of this little speech the Federal
captain turned on his heel and strobe up the
cabin.
While all this was going on in the cabin
the captain was on the roof in blissful igno-
rance that there was anything wrong below,
until some one ran up and told him that
there was trouble between the Federal and
Confederate officers. He hastened below, en-
tering the cabin Just in time 10 see the Fed
eral officer emerge from his state room and
stride down the cabin, with his sword rat
Ting against his side and his hand on its hilt.
It was evident that he was in very fierce
humor Marching up to the table where the
paper Law, the Federal officer, half drawing
his sword, said, addressing the Confederate
captain: ''Sir. am Capt. -, of the United
States army, and I command you to erase
either the title or your entire signature from
that paper"
Capt -, am glad to know you, sir.
am Capt. -, of the Confederate State:
army, and cannot obey your command"
1.-THE OLD MANI STEPS IN.
The two military gentlemen glared at each
other in a manner that boded serious cul
nination Of the scene, when the commander
Of the boat stepped to the front and said
sGentlemenl gentlemenl this is all wrong
What does it mean?
Mean, sir; means Why, it means thai
that fellow has dared insult this entire com
pany, sir, by writing the letters G. s. A. op
poste his name, and insist he shall erase
them. and mean to make him do it"
The Confederate captain said, addressing
the boats commander: 81 have lnsulted no
body. Nobody but the gentleman who ha,
Just spoken pretends to be insulted. GER
tainlv meant no insult; but the title l have
written was honorably won by me, and
having written it, | refuse TO erase it. L an
passenger on your boat, and claim youi
protection from that fellows brutality. II
YOU do not or cannot protect me, will have
10 protect myself.
The Federal officer was fairly beside him
self with rage, as he rejoined: Il Will pui
you in irons, sir, if You do not at once apollo
gize for. your mSoience."
Then the commander of the boat took hi
turn. You'll do nothing of the kind, sir
That gentleman, / do not care what title h'
uses, is a passenger on my boat, and as sucl
is my guest and entitled TO my protection
which | will certainly give him"
''Do you presume TO take issue with mef
exclaimed the Federal officer. do you know
that am an officer and have enough soldier
at NV command to seize this boat and maxi
prisoners Of everybody hereE'
This made 1.-The Old man" mad, and tina
he didn't care who knew it was plain from
his response: II know you're an ass! and
know YOU haven't enough soldiers under yol
to take one person prisoner on my boat /
is YOU who arc insolent, and if YOU continu
GO VIII land this boat and put you ashore. "
The Federal captain hall way drew hi
sword as he said, Il viii call the guard, sir
and arrest your
You'll do no such thing. Why, if yo'
dared make any such foolish move, woul'
arm my crew with capstan bars and chaS
You and your soldiers into the river. Ii yoI
were not crazed with anger YOU would know
that on vessel the commanders authorit.
Is supreme, and it is mutinous 60 resist 1t
Now don't make any further spectacle o
yourself but retire to YOUR room, and II
catch you out of ii wearing thar sword agar
before we reach Louisville viii put Shackle
and handouts on you and chuck you down
the scuttle in the forecastle.n
The steamboat captain was in the RICH
and knew it He meant what he said ant
everybody else knew it. Associates and bro
Tiers in arms came 10 the rescue of the Fed
oral fI;,,- end r,.rSr, iai bir, n rerira N hi