Headquarters Twelfth Army Corps,
March 23, 1863.
I bought me a horse in a very unpremeditated way this
afternoon. I was out riding and met a surgeon whom I know; he told me that he
was going home for good, that he must sell his horse; I liked the animal's
appearance very much, so asked permission to try him. After a short trial I
made up my mind that if he would pass muster before our Chief Quartermaster, a
great horse man, I would buy him. Colonel Hopkins, Quartermaster, advised me
strongly to do so, and pronounced him sound and a very good beast; so after
some haggling, I called him mine to the tune of one hundred and twenty-five
dollars, saddle and bridle thrown in. I believe I have a very good horse; he's
a powerful, great, black fellow, very spirited, and will be handsome with a
little care. He was taken from the rebels at the first Bull Run, and is said to
have belonged to the Black Horse Cavalry. I've been thinking of buying for some
time; it is not very satisfactory riding government horses; it is very hard to
get a very good one, and I hate to ride an ordinary beast.
SOURCE: Charles Fessenden Morse, Letters Written
During the Civil War, 1861-1865, p. 122-3
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