Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1891 — ARMY HORSES. [ARTICLE]

ARMY HORSES.

A Big; Black Stallion That Used to Do His Share of the Fighting;. Speaking of horses, there are horses and “bosses,” but the greatest horse I ever knew was the big black stallion ridden by Sergeant Muchler, of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, in Sheridan’s valley campaign. I never could find out how this horse got into the army. He was a magnificent specimen of horseflesh, and pretty nearly thoroughbred. One day, along in the late fall of 1864, the enemy was met near Front Royal, Va., and “then there was charging and counter-charging. The black stallion, with a courage that was magnificent, would carry his rider far into the enemy’s lines, and while his rider was slashing away with his saber right and left, the stallion would lash out with his heels at every opportunity at the steed ridden by his opponent, and rear and strike and bite as savagely at him as if he were possessed of the very devil. Muchler was teaching him tricks all the time, and finally, after considerable practice, he got him so he would pursue another cavalryman, and, catching him by the blouse at the back of his neck, pull him off his horse. Along in the winter of 1864 Sheridan sent Custer after Rosser, near Strasburg, and there was in a short time the prettiest horse race up the valley that you over saw. Custer’s men soon caught up with Rosser, and then they had it hammer and tongs. The black stallion, as usual, outran everything in the chase, and singling out a victim, went for him with savage fury. Then, swinging the man clear out of his saddle, carried him in liis teeth several feet and held him until his rider got hold of the prisoner by the scruff of his neck and sent him to the rear. On another occasion he got so interested and excited in a fight up the valley that he carried his rider into the enemy’s lines, where both - were captured. A few days later, in a fight near Mount Jackson, much to our amazement the black stallion was seen running away with a rebel Captain on his back, and before his rider could control him he was safely withiu our lines with his rider, and thus made an even exchange for his dereliction a few days previous.— Congressman Allen.