Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1910-07-29
BLACK HAWK.


1T is one of the most pathetic horse
stories Of the war" declared the col.
onel. Then. when the veterans Of the
blue pressed him, the old Confederate
soldier closed his eyes and began to
tell of the incident he referred to,
which happened at the Battle of Shi-
loh. General b. Bate. who died a
United States Senator from Tonnes
see. was colonel of the Second Ten
nessee. He had two horses. one an
ordinary horse which he used on the
march and for other rough service,
the other. Black Hawk, a thorough
bred, black as crow and of great
beauty and stamina.
The night before the battle the
commoner horse was stolen, and the
next morning at daylight I well re-,
member what superb picture our
colonel made on Black Hawk, who
looked fit to race for kingdom.
THE usual position Of a colonel is
thirty feet to the rear of his regiment,
and it was in that position that Colo
mel Bate first went into the fight.
At the second standard I want
to see no stubborner fight than we
had down there amid the woods.
round that little church on the banks
Of the Tennessee-th Federals gave
1t to US hot, and 1t was here our lines
were nearly broken; 1t was here also
that Colonel Bate had to put himself
in front of his regiment before they
would charge with enough determine
ton to drive the boys in blue again.
All this time the battle was raging
everywhere.
Time and again Colonel Bate led
us against sherman's brave boys
that thoroughbred horse and rider al
ways in front. Once he made us
short speech just before we had to
charge again, having been repulsed
at the first attempt. He said he
wanted us only to follow him, that he
would not take US where he would not
go himself, and we believed him.
This last fight was terrible. Be.
fore we struck the enemy Colonel
Bate was shot out of the saddle, tha
men dropped round us right and left,
but we charged on, leaving all as they
fell.
when Colonel Bate dropped, Black
Hawk seemed to be at loss what to
do. but as the regiment swept on he
quickly fell into his place Just in the
rear Of the regiment and followed US
on into battle. We must have fought
on for half-mile after that. and 1t
was strange sight to see that horse
following the regiment as stately as
ii on dress parade. and 1t touched
every man TO see him riderless
AT the first opportunity an ambu-
lance was sent back to find the colonel
and take him TO the field hospital,
some three miles in the rear. IN the
confusion nQ-nns thought Of Black
i li7T q, out he had not forgotten his
brave rider, for he actually followed
the path of those who carried the col
onel to the hospital straight up to the
hospital tent Then. to the surprise
OF Colonel Bate. who had been badly
but not fatally wounded in two places.
one ball passing through his shoulder
Black Hawk poked his head in at the
tent door and affectionately whinnied
to his master. who was then in the
hands OF the surgeon.
THE next instant he turned,
walked few PAGES in the woods.
staggered and fell down dead.
IAN examination showed what no
one had noticed. that he had several
bad wounds one of which proved ia
tai.
AS long as General Bate lived"
concluded the colonel, he used to say
that he could still see the almost hui
man look Black Hawk gave him as he
turned away, with that last gentle
whinny. to die