The FReeper Foxhole - Profiles The Black Horse Troop - March 19th, 2004

see educational sources

[snippy_about_it]

'Bravest of the Brave'


The Black Horse Cavalry was part of Williams Carter Wickam's 4th Virginia cavalry, Fitz Lee's Division, JEB Stuart's Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.

Mustered in Fauquier County, Virginia
Escorts to Gen. Stonewall Jackson

Description of the Black Horse Cavalry:

In their care was placed the fate of a new nation. They composed a single company of the 4th Virginia Cavalry - but they were better known as the Confederate "Black Horse Cavalry." Raised in Virginia's Fauquier County, they had answered the Southern call to arms in 1861, and had immediately distinguished themselves in combat.


At the Battle of First Manassas, their hammer-like strike against Federal troops at Cub Run had helped turn the Northern retreat into a panicky rout. Their calm courage under fire eventually earned them a unique post of honor: scouts to protective escorts for the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, General Robert E. Lee, and his irreplaceable "right arm," General Stonewall Jackson.


In the winter of 1862-63, their wartime duty had become personal: the war had come to their homes. A mammoth Northern army had poured into their native counties in a campaign to destroy Lee's army. Now, as the scouts of Lee's army, the Black Horse Cavalry did double duty, mounting repeated reconnaissance patrols, pinpointing Federal positions - and thus defending their homeland. Deep snows and winter downpours left the roads in the Warrenton region almost impassable at times, but the Black horse Cavalry always found a way through.


When high waters flooded the region's waterways, they found a way across. When food and forage were dangerously low, they kept going. The troops of the Black Horse Cavalry, said their admirers, were "the bravest of the brave." In the winter of 1863, they kept Lee posted on the movements of the enemy, conducted countless bold raids - and captured hundreds of Northern troops.

They defended their homes, served their commander - and did their duty. On February 28, 1863, General Lee officially cited them for their efforts and sacrifices. The "bravest of the brave" - the Black Horse Cavalry - had lived up to their name.

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Today's Educational Sources and suggestions for further reading:
Article By Lewis Helm, Special to the Washington Times

www.washtimes.com/civilwar/
http://blackhorsecavalry.org/
http://blackhorsetroop.org/

[snippy_about_it]

MORE ABOUT THE TERRIBLE BLACK HORSE.

Alexandria, July 25, 1861.
I overheard one of the men sitting on the door step of the house describing the charge of the Black Horse Cavalry, part of which, I believe, is Capt. Scott's Fauquier cavalry.

He said they advanced in a wedge form, then opened, disclosing a battery which fired upon his regiment, and that then the cavalry charged upon the regiment, hem­ming it in on all sides; and, cutting right and left with tremendous blows, each blow powerful enough to take off a man's head.

He said he never wished to see such a charge again.

-- The Richmond Daily Inquirer, quoting the Baltimore Exchange

[snippy_about_it]

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[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

Brunelli "Wing" (1946)

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Aeronaut. I flying skateboard ramp? ;-)

[Aeronaut]

Well, at least the engines are in front on this one.

[snippy_about_it]

That's a plus! Have a good day.

[SAMWolf]

Good morning Snippy. Good thread today. Free Dixie!

Formed as an Independent Volunteer Cavalry Company in 1859 from Fauquier County, Virginia of some of the finest sons of the “old Dominion,” the “Black Horse Troop” was one of the first Confederate units on the field at First Manassas. Their reputation as horsemen and fighters was already so renowned that the cry “The Black Horse” spread panic in the Union ranks when J.E.B. Stuart’s charge turned the tide of battle. Throughout the war the gallant riders of the “Black Horse” brought honor and glory to the Confederate Cavalry in the Army of Northern Virginia. Depicted is a First Lieutenant of this renowned Troop during the initial stages of the War.

The Black Horse was mustered into state service in May of 1861 to later become Company H of the 4th VA Cavalry but kept their “nom de guerre” of “The Black Horse Troop.” The uniform is early war cadet-grey trimmed in black, as many state militia and volunteer companies were. His arms consist of a “brace” of Colt Army .44’s supplied, along with his Federal issue sabre belt, cap box (used for carrying spare pistol cartridges) overcoat, poncho and canteen by a ‘generous joe. The black ostrich plume is a classic statement of ‘Southern Chivalry.’ The saddle is a Jenifer, popular in the South, and the bridle is a private purchase (or capture) combination halter/bridle with an imported English bit. The horse is his own, as all CS cavalrymen had to provide their own horse, and is of finer breeding than the Federal issue.

The sabre, a captured Federal Cavalry officers Model 1860, is being returned to comrades of its original owner.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Aeronaut. That one's right out of a Sci-Fi movie.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Sam. Many things have been tried in aviation.

[SAMWolf]

Starting today, my computer time is going to be real limited and I'm not going to be home much if at all until about April 1st. I'm not sure yet what my schedule is going to be or even where I'll end up each day. Spring break is here and everyone wants (needs really) to just get out. So far the only sure thing on the schedule for sure is that I'll be gone all today, after that my schedule is pretty much up for grabs but I'm sure I'm gonna be doing a lot of running around. We're gonna try and get in as much as we can because it may be a while before we can do this again.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Sam. You're up early. As you know I'll be busy too but our readers will keep the threads alive I'm sure and I bet between the two of us we will be able to post everyday. Don't get in trouble on spring break or go wild like the youngins' do. LOL. Have a good time "off"..

[SAMWolf]

Many things have been tried in aviation.

And they come up with new ideas all the time. I'm waiting for sub- orbital commercial aviation . :-)

[SAMWolf]

Don't get in trouble on spring break or go wild like the youngins' do.

Gee, why don't you just come out a say "Don't have any fun"?

[Aeronaut]

I'm waiting for sub- orbital commercial aviation . :-)

[SAMWolf]

YEAH! Hopefully in my life-time.

[AnAmericanMother]

Good morning, y'all, from the gg grandchild of Private Nimrod William Ezekiel Long, 51st Alabama (Cavalry) Partisan Rangers.

His horse's name was "Doctor".

[jriemer]

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[The Mayor]

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