San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-12-31
THE THREE CAPTAINS.
Merry BLUFF OF A PLUCKY OHIO
RIVER BOAT COMMANDERS.

tary Omcer TO SnAme-A Pheasant Littio
Affair That Came Near Ending Tragically.
1t was in 1868, and we were going up the
Ohio with two companies of Federal soldiers
on board, probably $50 of them. The officers,
Of course, were quartered in the cabin. We
had, besides, as many cabin passengers as We
could carry, among them a number of Con-
f,derate 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 it
would be altogether proper to put their feel
ings in words and to present the captain in
due form with a set of resolutions expressive
of their sentiments. Everybody, of course
acquiesced, and a committee, with the Fed
eral captain at its head, was appointed to
draw up the resolutions. In due time the pa
per was ready for signatures.
THE OBJECTIONABLE INITIALS
Opposite a number of their names were
written military titles, followed by the let
tiers U. s. A Finally it came the turn of a
gentleman, think his name was Roberts or
Robbins, to sign He did so in neat round
hand, very much resembling the writing Of
lady, and after his name he wrote Gap
tain, C.. s. A" The Federal captain stood
by the table and acted as 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, sirl" The young Confederate officer col
ored up and replied in u voice heard distinct
ly by everybody in the vicinity: "I'll not do
- -. Oil f..ta Ill. -
probably minute The silence was broken
by the Federal officer, who, speaking to the
assembly, said: "This m;rn, paroled pris
oner, has grossly insulted ME and every loyal
person present by writing opposite his name
the title, Captain. c. S A. insist he shall
scratch it out"
The Confederate officer drew himself up to
his full height and responded: II notice that
a number of gentlemen here have thought
proper to write their military titles after
their names Following their examples, !
have done the same. The title have written
was won by me on the field of battle, and
have never disgraced it, nor have ever, by
any act of mine, deprived myself of the right
to use it. am a Confederate officer, and |
am now paroled prisoner. When brought
in the presence of the commanding officer of
Tue ulN lslOll, pilSd'Nt, IcS5 luleuL anu 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 ! 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 fastened below en-.
tering the cabin just in time to 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
1t was evident that he was in very fierce
humor. Marching up to the table where the
paper lay, the Federal officer, half drawing
his sword, said, addressing the Confederate
captain: "Sir, am Capt. -, of the United
States army, and | 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 States
army, and cannot obey your command"
THE OLD MAN. STEPS IN
The two military gentlemen glared at each
other i'll manner that BODIED serious cul
mination of the scene. when the commander
of the boat stepped to the front and said
Gentlemen! gentlemen! this is all wrong