Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-10-29
BETRAYED BY A ROOSTER.
Admiral Jouett's Favorite Story o.
the Capture OF a Blockade Run

Admiral JOuett'R FavOrfte Story OF
the Capture Of a Blockade Run
OF no officer in the navy are more
amusing stories told than Of the late
Admiral Jouett, says Washington let
ter. He was not only a conscientious
and brilliant officer but also one OF
the kindest men, the merriest souls
and the cleverest storytellers that ever
wore the navy blue.
A favorite tale with him, and one
that his cronies never tired Of hearing
repeated, was his account Of the cap
ture of blockade runner which came
about by his hearing rooster crow.
"In the early days Of the war" the
admiral would say, II was a youngster
Of a lieutenant in command Of the
Montgomery. an old sea monster Of
merchantmen converted into a man.
Of war, which, like the Mary Dun OF
Dover. had three decks and no bottom
Her battery was poor, and the chase
gun, a 10-inch Columbiad, had been
condemned years before. The powder
was wet and the fuses of the shells
defective.
1--WE were cruising off the coast of
Louisiana, out of sight of land, await
ing the supply steamer from the north
There was little to eat, nothing to dc
and I was still suffering from the
wound I received when we catured the
Royal Yacht.
lone densely foggy morning at about
4 o'clock I was pacing up and down
the deck with the midwatch when
suddenly heard a rooster crow. 1t was
some moments before the significance
Of that crow occurred to me. Then
turning to one of the officers, I said.
"'Are there any chickens abroad"
"'No. SIR
"'Didn't the boats bring off any yes
terday?
"'I think not was the answer.
"'Well,' said I, when we swung uI
north / heard a rooster crow. A block
ade-runner has certainly gone out
Call all hands. Make sail-it was a
stiff wind-'for Havana. Send word tc
the engineer to give me all the steam
he can and send extra men to the fire.
ROOM
II had been i'll for a long time, dan
gerously i'll, and at this order the under
officers exchanged significant chances.
"'No, gentlemen said I divinine
their thoughts, I am not crazy.
heard a rooster crow and We'll find him
when this fog lifts
when the fog lifted at 7.3O a. m. be-
fore us lay a schooner, all sails set
making for Havana. The condemned
gun was fired, but the powder was
worse than the gun, and the ball after
rolling on the water for half a mile
sank.
1--WE soon overlook her, however
She was flying the Louisiana state
flag, showing a pelican. and as VIC
ranged alongside her we found fourteen
hard and desperate-looking men in the
stern.
Haul down that rag I yelled al
the top of my voice.
my order met with no response
Thirty marines stood on the poop deck
Of the Montgomery with muskets load
ed with ball and buckshot cartridges
Sergeant, ready was the COM
and. Haul down that - rag, - you,
I called out again and down fell the
pelican from its proud position.
"'How in thunder did you know we
were off here?' asked the captured cap
tain.
you've got a rooster on board re-
piled l, and he gave us warning OF
your vicinity at o'clock this morning.
"I'll wiring his neck! growled the
furious rebel.
"'No you won't I sharply announc-
ed, he's mine by right of capture and
since then / have always maintained
that the Biblical rooster was not the
only historic chanticleer."