Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-03-30
THE BLACK HORSE TROOP.

The fOllo6ing interesting and breezy
sketch of the Black Horse troop, Of
which the late General Payne was the
first commander, was written June 26,
1899, by General Payne to Richmond
editor, and is presented here without
alteration:
June 26, 1899.
The Black Horse troop was formed in
1858. A letter from my neighbor and
friend, Colonel John Scott, gives the
following account, which | recognize as
substantially correct. The colonel (then
Mr.. Scott was dining with me at my
father-in-law's, near Warrenton. DIN
ner was over, and the diners were dis
persed in groups enjoying their cigars,
etc. Scott says l abruptly turned to him
and asked chow would you like to com
mand a squadron of cavalry" He re-
piled: every well but why do you
ask?" To which l answered: "Be-
cause the union will certainly be dis
solved in few years and it ought to be
prepared for"
my impression was that l liked the
"next election" as the date.) The col
onel, who was an out an out disunion-
ist, said he would be delighted. "Lets
90 to work at once, then," | responded
The young farmers of the neighbor-
hood we're called togetherin my office, in
Warrenton, not at Waterloo, company
was speedily recruited and officered.
Scott YVES elected as agreed on, captain;
Robert Randolph, first lieutenant;
Chas. H. Gordon, second lieutenant;
Alexander Dixon Payne, third lieuten-
ant. I had been disunionist from my
boyhood, was at the time lieutenant.col-
onel on Governor Wise's staff and as
such authorized to wear as many cooked
hats and as much gold braid as General
Boone, commandant of the army of her
serene highness the Grand Duchess OF
Gerolstein.
Not having proper appreciation OF
''fuss and feathers" and entertaining the
extreme, impatient opinions ! have men
toned, l thought it my duty to set an ex-
ample to show that | was willing to serve
Virginia wherever she needed soldier
Ny name is therefore the first on the
muster roll. From 1858 to April 1861,
we had nothing to do but meet, drill and
wait. Waterloo was pleasant rendez-
vous and we often met there.
The b. II. was called out in the John
Brown raid and did whatever duty was
assigned to them, and, better still, got a
clear idea of coming events" D." | was
in Louisiana when this affair occurred.
On April II, 1861, the ordinance OF
secession passed and by some curious but
common instinct the whole State started
to its feet, equipped with any weapon
which foresight or accident supplied and
rushed towards Harper's Ferry. The
Black Horse, of course, joined the rusb,
but none arrived in time to capture the
place. This movement was well intend
ed, wisely aimed, but moblike and fruit
less.
On April 26 the command was recalled
by order of Colonel afterwards generaD
Hunton, of Warrenton, and directed to
complete its organization, be mustered
into service and prepared to move at any
moment.
| should have stated that Captain Scott
apprehensive that Virginia would not
secede, or tired of waiting, had resigned
the captaincy in February, 1861, gone
off 10 Montgomery. where he sought and
found rank in the regular army OF the
then Confederate States.
The company met in Warrenton as or
dered, was elected from the ranks cap
tain, and in a few days removed to
Manassas.
/ was thus its first commander in war
and led it to its first battlefield (Mapas-
sas). remained captain until Sept l,
1861, when l was made major of the
Fourth. The Black Horse became part
of that regiment and was known as Com
pany H; butts old and heroic name clung
to it through the war and is endeared to
the survivors.
We did not all enter the war on black
horses had ridden one, a gift from
an honored friend
'In truth he was a noble steed,
A tartar of the ukraine breed
or some other just as good, no doubt.
There were many black horses in the
company and that color was probably
preferred, but good horse, without re-
gard to trace, color or previous con-
dition" soon became the favorite.
Colonel Dick Dulany, noble amongst
the noblest, did supply hisown company
largely with horses, arms and above all.
poured his own patriotic and heroic spirit
into the hearts of his men. The colonies 5
company was from Uppervile.
There was no Prince William Black
Horse. but there was "Prince William
ca7alry," was second to none. it formed
part of the Fourth, also
Its captain was William Willis Thorn
ton. He was one of the men whom the
gods make after their own image.
Excuse this rambling and garrulous
letter, but if you we're writing an edi-
torial surrounded BY a half dozen pretty