The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-06
BLACK PRINCE.
The Fastest Horse in the COnfeder.
ate Cavalry.
WHEN HE DIEn, HE WAS GIVEN A
SOLDIERS FUNERAL.


How He Bore His Master to Safety in an
Exciting Race With McPherson's Gal
liant Gray-The Hero of Battles-He
Died of Exposure.
ATLANTA Correspondence of the New
York Evening Post.)
In a secluded valley about midway be-
tween Dalton and Ringgold there is a
grassy mound. marked by rough stone.
on which is rudely chiseled the name and
date OF burial of the swiftest charger in
the western army of the confederacy.
1t is the last resting place of Black
Prince, thoroughbred, owned and ridden
by confederate major for two years, The
grave was dug by Johnstone's troopers
in the winter of 1S63-64, and the name
was picked out with the point of bayo-
net.
Black Prince was Kentucky thorough
bred with coat as black and glossy as a
ravens wing, a white star in his face,
clean limbed, and with all the points that
marked noble pedigree. He was de-
scendant of an Arab stallion imported
several years before the war, and short
time prior to his entry into the army he
won $4,000 in a race at Lexington, and
was regarded as one of the feetest horses
on the track. But he was high spirited,
ard his intractability bordered on the
vicious, which lessened the admiration
which his other qualities would have
| won for him among racing men. 1t was
almost impossible for the jockey to con-
troll him, and under the excitement of a
close race he had a way OF. taking the bit
between his teeth and running at his own
sweet will. His master was an inveterate
gambler, and, getting into financial
straits, sold the horse to farmer for a
good deal less than his real value
1t was not long after that, in the fall of
1862, that the farmer decided to dispose
of him to the confederate army, which
was then operating in the West young
major, who was skilled rider, saw the
horse and took fancy to him. He finally
paid $3.50 in gold for.the horse. This sum
amounted to good deal in those days of
doubtful currency, but the major be-
longed to regiment of volunteers, the
very elite of middle Georgia planters. and
he took great pride in being well mount
ed.
~ don't wish to deceive you," said the
farmer, '"that horse has got the very
old Satan in him, and if you are not care
full, he will break your neck and his own,
too, before you have had him month.
That is my only reason for parting with
him; he is so high-strung and intractable
that he is unfit for work about the plan
tation.'
ST have never seen the horse yet that
I couldn't MANAGE, replied the major,
"and I am willing to assume all risks
At first the horse was hard to manage
as he had been spoiled by ignorant farm,
hands, but in less than month the
major had him as docile and obedient to
the touch Of the rein as any horse in the
entire command. His excitability re-
quired that the rider should keep.a close
watch on him during fight, but the
major soon learned all his ways, and
humored and petted him until the ami
NAL would follow him about the camp
like an affectionate dog, and the bond of
sympathy existing between horse and
rider grew stronger after they had gone
through many close places together.
One day the major rode out all alone to
reconnoiuer, and, becoming abstraoted
forgot where he was going, until sud
denly, riding out into little clearing,
he found that he had wandered within
full view of the federal camp, which was
nearer to him than his own camp, and,
to add to the danger of his position, he
observed an officer, mounted on splen-
did gray, with two aids, riding along the
brow Of hill less than half mile away.
The federals caught sight of him Just as
he saw them. and, wheeling around. he
dashed down the road at the top of his
speed in the direction of the confederate
camp.
The road was rough. and we heard the
popping of the pistols as the aids fred at
him at long range, and turning his head
he saw that the federal officer had started
along cross-road to intercept him, leav-
ing his followers, who were not SO we'll
mounted. Bending low on the neck of
Black Prince, he gave the animal free
rein, and ovor the rocks and fallen trees
they went like the wind, the distance be-
tween him and his pursurer lessening at
every bound. He knew that he must ride
| around the head of small stream that
| ay between him and his own camp, as
tho ground was Doggy in the bottom, and
| that unless he could reach the point where
the roads forked ahead of the federal Off
Ger, he would be brought to bay and even
| if he escaped being endorsed, he would
| be held up until the aids could reach the
spot and effect his capture.
| 1t was wild ride for life and liberty,
and right nobly did Black Prince do his
duty as he cleared every obstacle that lay
| in the rugged path. In about the same
time that it takes to tell it he had shot
past the danger point, and turning his
head. the major whipped off his can and