Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-07-02
That Yankee Horse.
BY AN EX REBEL.
Detroit Free Press ]

lDelTOlt rTee ITc5b'l
In one of the early cavalry engage
ments around Brandy Station the
squadron to which | was attached
captured a Federal Captain who be
longed, if remember right, toa COM
maud called the Harris Light Caval-
ny. We got several other prisoners
at the same time, but the incident
would not be worth recording except
for the fact that we captured with the
Captain horse which was destined
TO make the Southern COnfedcracy
considerable trouble. lie was apow-
erful black stallion, and had been
purchased of a Maryland farmer on
account of his beauty, action and ell
durance. The purchaser knew that
beast had all evil temper, but he de-
pended on army life 10 cure him.
The Captain, having been fairly
captured in armed conflict, could on
ly expect honorable treatment, but he
did feel awfully cut up at losing that
horse. lie claimed to 5e the only
man who had succeeded in riding
him, or who could control his out
break of temper, and he warned us
to look out for deviltry. Our Cap
tain appropriated the beast for his
own use, but it was only a day or
two before he discovered that he had
a Tartar on his hands. His orderly
attempted to saddle the horse, and
xvas eniva1 on1 Oh n lynn obnuf nntil Ian
was laid up for month. Then three
soldiers tried it, and one had leg
broken by kick and the others
abandoned the job, The beast was
chucked full of old Satan, and on the
night of the day he laid out the two
men he broke loose from the feed
line and disabled three horses before
he could be secured.
The Captain was advised to REIN
quish his prize to the artillery, but
he refused. A more perfect horse
you never saw, and one could tell by
the look of him that lie had all the
speed reckless rider could ask for
and all the bottom needed for long
marches. lie was starved for two OF
three days, and this progress seemed
TO work cure. lie became good.
natured and gentle, and during the
next ten days was as humble as any
beast bestrode by a private. Theu
early one morning we got the call oil
"boots and saddles" and made skip
of ten miles TO head off party Of
Federal raiders. Our battery took
position on a hill over which the
highway led, and we deployed to the
right and left TO support it. The ell.
envy was not going back without {
fight. They planted their guns ant
got to work, and their cavalry flee
into the fields to test our metal.
Whether it was the firing, the sigh
of the Yankee flag, or because hi
term Of good behavior was ended
know not, but that black horse sud
denly began his antics. The Captain
could stick to the saddle, but coulC
not control him. The beast plunged
i'll and out of our lines, pushing owe
horses and destroying our alignment
and then made rush on our guns
1 saw him jump over two of tn
pieces with my own eyes, and l learn
ed afterwards that he severely injur
ed three of the artillerists. For tiv
minutes he prevented the use of tw
pieces, and during this time the Fed
erals were pounding us hot and heavy
The horse finally reared, fell back o
the Captain and crushed him to jeI
Iy, and then sprang up and rushe
for our left wing. Half a dozen dis
mounted men tried to catch him, an
when they failed we opened on hi
with our revolvers. Out of fit
shots one or two bullets raked hin
and then he was mad. lie rushe
into our ranks with open mouth, BIZ
ing, striking and kicking, and jus
when we were in hubbub the Fed
erals charged us. We were licke
inside of three minutes, and but fc
the way the other wing and batter
held Oh every one Of us would hav
been gobbled. AS it was we lost flv
killed, seven wounded and thrice
taken prisoners, and were thankfr
TO get of with those results. Til
Federals got the black horse as wei
and some of the men who were take
prisoners afterwards told mo that til
animal quieted right down as soon a
he saw the blue uniforms about hin