The National tribune., 1906-01-18
Capture of Gen. Rheft.

Editor National Tribune: In a re-
cent issue of your paper there was a
communication referring to the capture
and treatment of Col. Alfred Rhett, who
commanded brigade of Gen. Taliafer-
ro's Division of Heavy Artillery up to
the day before the battle OF Averasboro,
y. c., the date on which he was cap
tured, not by the foragers, as your cor
respondent says, but by Capt. North
rop, commanding Gen. Fitzpatrick 8
scouts, and three of his men-Grey, of
the 9Th Iowa; Fry, of the 10th Ohio, and
one other, either of the 10th Ohio or
9Th Ind.
Col. Rhett was taken within his own
lines. He had advanced one or a part
Of one Of his regiments to drive back
the scouts and foragers who had been
halted some time In his 'front.' and had
butted into either the 9th Ohio or the
9th Pa. Cav, the advance guard OF Gen.
Kilpatrick's main body, following an
hour or two behind the scouts.
While returning from his front, evil
IDENTIFY with the intention Of commune
eating with Gen. Hampton and Gen.
Taliaferro, he got up against the four
scouts heretofore mentioned. Taking
them for friends, he asked If they could
tell him where he could find Gen.
quite a delicate operation to reveal to
him the fact that we were Yanks and
that he must be our prisoner. Ungrace-
fully he submitted, after feeling the
wrong end of Grey's Spencer in contact
with one of his ears. At this time he
was accompanied by another officer,
who was also captured. l do not re-
member his name, but recollect he was
a fine fellow.
We now found it quite difficult to get
out of their lines and into ours, but
knowing the woods pretty we'll we sue
ceeded within an hour in reaching Gen.
Fitzpatrick with our prisoners.
After Gen. Fitzpatrick had had a con-
versation with Col. Rhett he told Capt
Northrop to take him to Gen. Sherman's
headquarters, report what he had seen,
and turn over his prisoners, If Gen.
Sherman desired to keep them.
After several minutes conversation
Gen. Sherman asked Gen. Rhett If he
knew any General at, whose headquar-
ters he would like to go on parole. He
mentioned some one, and ] suppose was
sent there, but day or two afterward,
on Gen. Fitzpatrick being informed by
some OF his officers who had been cap
tured at Monroe's Crossroads that they
had been ill-treated by Col. Rhett, he
sent for him, and for a short time he
was put in what we called the bull pen.
with the other prisoners then held by
us. One day communication was re-
ceived from him stating that they were
inviting MIN 10 come up out OF his
boots" which, by the way, were su-
perior to any others that l had seen
In either army. 1t WAS fortunate for
| him that very few could wear them, or
he would probably have made a trade
long before. After this he may have
| been sent where your correspondent
came In daily contact with him, as he
| says. as this was the last l knew of him.
Before closing this communication
| want to say word about Gen. Kilpat-
ricks scouts, as brave and as able q
body Of rough-riders as ever fought on
horseback.
They were first organized by Lieut.
Griffin. 9Th Ky. Cav. and numbe Is
men. who. after volunteering, were de-
tailed from the different regiments Of
Gen. Kilpatrick's Division Of Cavalry
They were picked fighters, If there were
ever such body, and their services
were certainly very substantial. At Sa-
vannah they We're increased to SO men.
and commanded by Capt. Theo f..
Northrop through the campaign of the
Carolinas. | hope II may reach the eyes
or some OF ther'. who no doubt read
your intereS,ir@ raper-Theodore +.
Northrop. l29 y. 131st ST.. New York
. City. N. Y.