Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1891 — “Grant Rode Like a Demon.” [ARTICLE]

“Grant Rode Like a Demon.”

“Speaking of General Grant’s fine horsemanship,” said General N. P. Banks, ‘'reminds me of an incident that occurred soon after the b ittle oi Port Hudson, in which he gave me the race of my life. General Grant paid the army under my comm ind a visit at the period mdutiooed and was asked to review it. He brought with him ao horses and I loaned him for the occasion the magnificent bav parade horse which the patriotic dltlzens of Massachusetts presented to me when I went to the front in 1862. All of my old soldiers will remember that bay horse. I rode on the review a thoroughbred black mare, and I was in a constant state of anxiety lest she would run away with me when warmed. Well, the troops were drawn up in line and we rode down the front lines at a slow pace, but when we reached the rear lines Grant would put the bay at hie utmost speed, and as he Was nearly thoroughbred he could run. Gftint sat on the hay as if he were part of him. but the difficulty I found myself in was not to keep up at the regulation distance, but to prevent ray auira 1 from,distancing the general and running off with me. Grant rode Kke a demon and I after him until the review was finished, the troops in the meantime watching the scene with interest mingled with astonishment For some days afterwards the troops were hoard discussing the event and, as far ms 1 can learn, nevrr settled the question as to whether it was a horse raoe or a military review."