Captain Rowan called him "Captain Fox", and if a contemporary called him "captain", that's good enough for me, surely he would know.
Surely Captain Rowan, USN, knew full well that "Captain" Fox was not a military officer. Commander Rowan, USN, reported to Commander Gillis as the Senior Officer Present. He documented that he did not report to the civilian "Captain."
I am not riled at all. I am merely determined to document your ignorance.
Commander Rowan of the USS Pawnee had reported in 1861:
At this time the Pocahontas came in, and her commander [nc - Commander Gillis], at my request, came on board this ship and joined our council. I related to him all the circumstances and what preparations we had made for the purpose of throwing provisions into the fort, and, delivering the copies of orders I had received, I placed myself under his order as senior officer present.