Autobiography of Arab

Front matter

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Autobiography

Chapter I

I was born (or foaled) on the nth of March, 1857, on the plantation of Dr. E. R. Henderson, in the District of Colleton, S. C. My mother before me was owned by the Doctor's second son, Prioleau. Now I will say to my readers at the beginning of this book, who perhaps may think I write and converse remarkably well for a horse, that it is not at all remarkable, for I was educated by my mother, Pocahontas, who was known and noted over the entire District, for her sagacity, as well as her speed and endurance. The hardest part of my education was learning the human language. But my mother was very patient and kind. She insisted that a colt of hers, with -the blood' from her side of the Burrel Sanders stock of horses, and on my father's side from the famous Bonaparte stock of South Carolina and Virginia, could learn anything and everything, as she had done. So I persevered, and by the time I was two years old, I could understand the human language thoroughly. I well remember it was a daily lesson. The pasture where we grazed was a beautiful lawn, extending on both sides of the avenue, leading from the dwelling house to the public road, which was much traveled, for it was 'the main road from Charleston to Columbia, S. C. My mother kept me feeding constantly close beside this road. We could hear distinctly every word uttered by travelers passing to and fro. I have never forgotten the effect one conversation had on me, soon after I began to understand human language. On a certain day, we observed two men on horseback, approaching from the direction of Black Creek. My mother called my attention to them, and said, "Notice closely now, and learn to distinguish one person from another, as well by their features as their voices." She said, "I know both of them well. The older man on the large bay horse is Mr. Jesse DuBois, the other is Mr. Thomas Boynton." As they got opposite to us, Mr. DuBois stopped his horse and asked Mr. Boynton if that was a colt from Pocahontas. Mr. Boynton answered in the affirmative. Mr. DuBois examined me very closely and said, "If that colt lives, he will surpass Pocahontas as a saddle horse ; he has every mark for speed and endurance, and I would like very much to own him." As they rode off, my mother said, "Arab, you heard what was said about you, and I know you understand, for I see how pleased you look ; and well you may, for Mr. DuBois is a splendid judge of horse-flesh, and owns some very fine ones, which he raised on his farm." I have never forgotten the feelings stirred in my inmost heart at that time by the words of praise betsowed on me, and many a day in my future war life, when shot and shell were whistling around me, and corn and hay were scarce, as usual, in our Southern Confederacy, 'has that praise strengthened and elated me, and I would resolve "to do, or die."

Chapter II

My first three and a half years passed very peacefully and quietly, with a plenty to eat and drink, and no more hard lessons, for I flattered myself at that age, that I was a wonderful young horse, as well as an educated one. At this time I experienced my second love* — it was for my master. He had been away at school or college most of the time since my birth ; but during his vacations he petted me a great deal, and I had learned to love him next to my dear old) mother. Just a few days before I was four years old, he made his servant boy, Ben, break me to the saddle, and soon he commenced riding me (himself. My master was very fond of deer hunting, and more so of fox hunting. I soon began to enjoy it myself, particularly following the hounds through the woodls at full speed, and soon got up quite a reputation for myself as a woods horse.

Now war is upon us. The State Convention, of which my master's father was a member, had signed "The Ordinance of Secession" on the 20th of December, declaring South Carolina out of the Union. I had already learnt tfhe cavalry drill, for my master had quit college and joined his brother's company, "The Marion Men of Combahee." The company was raised and officered by Dr. W. L. Henderson, Captain ; D. Blake Heyward, 1 st Lieutenant; Dr. Frederick Blake, 2d 1 Lieutenant ; T. E. Boynton, 3d Lieutenant. We were all waiting for hostilities to commence — uniformed, drilled and ready, man and horse. Fort Sumter is bombarded and taken.

Soon after companies were leaving South Carolina for Virginia. Governor Pickens had actually refused to allow Capt. Henderson's company to leave the State — said he wanted the company for a coast guard. That would not suit our young blood. Wade Hampton was raising a Legion to go to Virginia ; but it was filled before we heard of it, and the only chance to go as cavalry was for the men who were eager to get to the front, to join the Beaufort District Troop, from Grahamville, Beaufort District, which had been promised a place in the Legion by Col. Hampton, if they could raise eightyfive men, rank and file. That was our opportunity to get to the front, "and see the flashing of the guns." Luckily for us, the Beaufort District Troop wanted recruits, and seven men from the Marion Men of Combahee joined them. Their names were: Capt. W. L. Henderson, R. S. Williams, S. D. and M. M. Boynton, J. F. Dupont, N. L. Cannon, E. P. Henderson; with five others from Walterboro, Colleton District, S. C. — John Campbell, Wm. Miller, Josiah Beck, Theodore Dehon, and John Lewis. In May, the Beaufort District Troop rendezvoused at Gillisonville, was received and mustered in the Hampton Legion. We were then allowed to return home, to be ready at a moment's warning to start for the seat of war — "The grand Old Dominion." How quickly those bright sunny days of May and June, 1861, passed. Every one then had a kind word for us, man and horse, for, of course, the horse is the most important part of a cavalry soldier's outfit. What would the rider be without the steed? My mother had long, earnest talks with me, in those happy days of June, on the old plantation. I could almost imagine, from her talk, that she had been a war horse ; but I suppose it was from what she had read of different battles, as I am almost certain she could read. Her talks and advice, indeed, proved a blessing to me, for who among all of the old Confederate steeds of the Legion, and 2d South Carolina Cavalry, or any other command that went out in 1861, went all through the war, is at present alive andi now writing his "autobigraphy." I solemnly believe it was from obeying and following my old mother's counsel that I am now alive, and that have made the reputation for myself, that such heroes and soldiers as Generals Wade Hampton, M. C. Butler and other gallant souls say I have. How sad it is for me to think, even at this distant day, of my final parting with her ! For after I kissed her good-bye, the morning I left for Virginia, I never saw her again. Long before the ''Cruel War" ended, her bones were bleaching on the old pasture hills of the "orchard swamp." Peace to her ashes, and if there is a heaven for good, faithful horses (and why should there not be?) may we meet there and be happy once more, is the earnest prayer of her loving son.

Chapter III

On the 15th of June, 1861, my master and his brother got orders from Capt. T. E. Screven, of Beaufort District Troop, to meet the company at Green Pond depot, on the 19th; that the train with the companies would leave Grahamville depot at 8 A. M. and arrive at Green Pond at 1 1 A. M. to> take us to Charleston and thence to Columbia, to be regularly inspected and mustered in. What a memorable day that 19th of June, 1 86 1 ! Every one weeping — men, women and horses — at saying "good-bye." Even the negroes left their work in the cotton fields to say good-bye to their young masters (Ben, the negro servant,) and us three horses, Oceola, my master's brother's horse, Powell, (servant's horse), Arab, my humble self. Such a hand-shaking of human beings and patting of horses, I have never seen the like of before or since.

Well, we got away at last, and started for Green Pond station, a distance of nine miles. Every one we met had some kind word and a good-bye for us all. Soon we arrived at the station ; the train steamed up, with the Beaufort District Troop aboard. After a speech from my master's father, we three horses were put aboard, and off for Charleston we started. What a strange sensation to me, my first ride on the cars ! I who was used to being ridden, was now riding. We had a pleasant trip, with the exception of some hard thumps occasionally. All the talk was war, man and horse. We arrived at the new bridge (for the road was not completed at that time) some time before sunset, and each horseman led out his steed. We were bridled and saddled in a few moments, all eager to cross New Bridge, and see Charleston, "The famous City by the Sea."

Chapter IV

We were met here by three cavalry companies from Charleston, who were to escort us to the city. The companies were Charleston Light Dragoons, Rutledge Mounted Riflemen, and German Hussars. They escorted us across the New Bridge, down to the Battery, up Broad street to Meeting, then to Armory Hall, where a splendid supper awaited the men ; to the horses nothing. After the supper and speech-making by the different company officers, we horses were taken to the Pavilion Hotel stables, where we had our supper. I was very glad of it, for in those days I was not used to late hours and no rations. Bright and early the next morning, the men were busy getting their new uniforms, etc. Then came the shoeing of us horses. Here I experienced wearing my first pair of shoes, and they felt very strange and awkward to me at first; but I soon found out their use on the Charleston rocks.

We were to leave for Columbia by the S. C. R. R. at 4 P. M. About 3 P. M., the company was formed, corner of Meeting and Hasell streets, in front of Pavilion Hotel. The hotel balcony was crowded with ladies. They asked our riders to throw them their hats; they did so, and on each hat the ladies sewed a palmetto cockade. We 'horses were entirely overlooked! — a strange oversight for ladies to be guilty of ; but I took it for granted, that it was because we did not wear hats. We then proceeded to King street, via Wentworth, and up King to South Carolina Railroad depot, where we embarked for Columbia. We reached Columbia the next morning, were taken off the cars, and then marched out to Camp Hampton, a distance of three miles. After being here a few days, a day was appointed for the inspection of horses — for, according to army regulations, there is a maximum and minimum in regard to height. The eventful day soon came. The men were ordered to fall in, by Orderly Sergeant James W. Moore, of Gillisonville, S. C. Each man was to lead his horse, and pass in front of the Inspecting Board, consisting of three officers — Col. Wade Hampton, Lieut. Col. Ben. Johnson and Col. John S. Preston.

Chapter V

It was a sad day for some of my brother-horses, for the two who preceded me were both rejected, for being under the minimum height. I could see and hear all that was done and said from where I was, and I must confess my 'hopes of going to Virginia fell about ioo degrees, for I was only four years old, and small at best. Still, when my time came to be led 1 by, I stepped as proudly forward as if I was twenty hands high. As I got directly in front of the inspectors, where the preceding horses had been halted for examination, one of the inspectors, Lieut. Col. Ben. Johnson, of the Hampton Legion, said to my master, ''Take your horse on, sir;" and turning to the other inspectors, said, "Did you ever see a better muscled horse, for a small horse ? Mark my words, that horse will stand the service, if any of them do." Oh, what praise, coming as it did from one who, from my earliest colt days, I had heard termed one among the best judges of horse-flesh in South Carolina, a State where every other man is a horseman, and a judge of horse-flesh.

Reader, with all my elation of spirit and pride at the praise, how sad indeed I would have felt, if I could have foreseen that in a few short weeks, he who uttered this praise, would be filling a soldier's grave — killed on the 2 ist day of July, on the battlefield of First Manassas. Brave spirit, rest in peace. You died for what you believed was a just and holy cause. Can mortal man do more?

Here it was at this inspection that I got a close view of our Colonel, Wade Hampton. That matchless soldier and courteous gentleman, who I had the honor to follow many a day in the future, when he gave his well known command, "Draw sabres. Follow me." I loved and trusted him in those war d'ays and will continue to do so to the end of life, horse though I am.

Chapter VI

The Hampton Legion consisted! of seven companies of infantry, four of cavalry, and a battery of artillery. The cavalry companies were : from Edgefield District, Edgefield Hussars, Capt. M. C. Butler; Greenville District, Brooks Troop, Capt. John Lanneau; Richland District, Congaree Troop, Capt. Thomas Taylor; Beaufort District, Beaufort District Troop, Capt. T. E. Screven. The up-country companies had all large, fine-looking horses, but before we left Columbia, we Beaufort Troop horses proved to them conclusively that they could neither out- jump us, or out-run us. Our Colonel had a ditch and bar arranged for the cavalry to practice at, and if I am not very much mistaken, the Beaufort District Troop horses bore off the palm, jumping that ditch and leaping that bar — myself making second to the highest jump made. We were soon ordered to be ready to start for Virginia, and left by the Charlotte Railroad. After a rather uneventful passage, with the exception of hard thumps in the boxcars, we arrived at Petersburg, Va. The people of Petersburg seemed delighted to greet us, and gave men and horses a nice dinner at the fair grounds. .We were then marched to Richmond, a distance of nineteen miles. We passed through the principal streets and were greeted and cheered by every one. We then went into camp, at a place called "The Rockets," where we found the infantry and artillery of the Legion encamped.

On the first Sunday after we arrived at Richmond, the Legion was ordered out for dress parade, to be inspected by the President of "The Southern Confederacy," Jefferson Davis. As you can well imagine, we were all eager to see him, both men and horses. We were formed about 4 P. M., to be seen and to see. The President soon appeared, followed by a numerous staff, dressed like himself in citizen's dress. I well remember, he was mounted on a beautiful white horse, and sat as erect on his steed as a young man of twenty years. The man on my master's left (Moses Boynton) said to him, "He rides as if he was a cavalry soldier himself. Look how straight he sits in his saddle." My master replied, "Why, don't you remember be is an old Mexican War soldier, and commanded a Mississippi regiment, under 'Old Rough and Ready.' '

I heard afterwards President Davis was very much pleased with the appearance of the Legion, especially the cavalry companies (showed his good taste), and told Col. Hampton, "They are a splendid looking body of horses and men, and I think they will make a name for themselves." And sure enough we did.

Chapter VII

Soon afterwards the cavalry were ordered to Ashland, the once famous race track of Virginia. I heard one of the officers say we were ordered here to be drilled by some of the old West Point officers, who had resigned from the United States army and linked their fortunes with the voung Confederacy. We were there drilled by the two Lees, W. H. F., Gen. R. E. Lee's son, and Fitzhugh Lee, the General's nephew, also Lomax and Fields. I think by the stars on their collars they were all Colonels at that time. Many a day, in the years to come, I saw them as Brigadier and Major Generals. I remember we all, horses and men, were amused at their "West Point drawl" (so the men called it), and a command given by one of them during drill ( I think, Col. Lomax, ) and never forgotten by us, was this : "Move out there, you man on the gray horse — move out briskly/' Soldiers never forget any circumstance that amuses them, and to the close of the war you could hear that command from the veterans of July, 1 86 1.

We had good quarters at Ashland, in the old racehorse stables, for man and horse. We had a plenty to eat, those early days of the war, before we had learned to eat pine straw, bark or anything else. So with our good quarters and feed, Ave did not mind the severe drilling, morning and afternoon. Still we had time to try the old race track. I was taken out several times, to contend with some horse, supposed to be fast, for a half mile dash. I sustained my reputation, too; and from this fact came my first real notice from officers and privates of the four cavalry companies. It was here at old Ashland we got the first news of fig J hting going on at the front. We soon received orders to march to Manassas. What a day that was we started. Raining in torrents, and although it was July, the rain was like ice. We passed through a little sort of village, called Goldensville, and a family of Taylors — I think they were originally from South Carolina — brought out something in water buckets for the men. I don't know exactly what it was, but I am certain it was not water. It seemed to help the feelings of the men a great deal, for to my great surprise, nearly every one was singing and laughing.

We passed through Fredericksburg town on the third day's march, after camping the second night at old Massaponax Church, in sight of the railroad cut, where the following winter Stonewall Jackson's corps was stationed), and where the gallant Pelham, of the Stuart Horse Artillery, filled the cut with Federal dead, literally mowed down by his pieces. It was there the brave Alabamian gained the name of the "Gallant Pel ham," bestowed on him by that peerless soldier, "without stain or reproach," Robert E. Lee.

Chapter VIII

We arrived at Manassas on the 22d of July, the day after the battle. That was the only battle of the war that we had the good luck to arrive too late to participate in. At that time we were all terribly disappointed at missing the battle, but we learned better in the future. My first ride over a battle-field, how well I remember each incident connected with that ride. How grieved I felt for the dead horses and men, the wounded and mangled more than the dead. My heart was very tender in those days.

The Legion infantry and artillery were in the battle, and though they suffered severely, they covered themselves "all over with glory' — so I heard every one saying, from Gen. Beauregard down to the lowest private. Our Colonel was wounded, and as I have said before, our gallant Lieutenant Colonel was killed. Late that afternoon I was saddled up, to bear my master over to the field hospital. He with others of the Beaufort District Troop were going to see some wounded friends from Colleton District. One of them most seriously wounded was Willow Green, of the Washington Light Infantry, Hampton Legion, Capt. James Connor, commanding. I heard one of the men of our party say as they came out of the hospital, "Poor Green, he can never get over his wound, for he is shot through and through." We none of us knew in those days of July, 1 86 1, that a man or horse could be shot nearly in half, and then recover. In fact, I came to know some men and horses that it seemed to me neither shot nor shell could kill.

The Legion went into camp on Bull Run, very near the battle-field. In fact, the doctors said that was the reason so many of our men were dbwn sick with typhoid fever. We horses, you see, it could not affect. From the Beaufort Troop alone there were a great many sick, three dangerously ill — Lieut. Wilson Broughton, Plato Searson, and my master. The latter was taken to a house near Brentsville, owned by Mrs. Foster, or as she was commonly called by her neighbors and friends, "Aunt Peggy Foster," an old time Virginia lady, noted for her kindness of heart and generous hospitality to every one, especially Confederate soldiers. Aunt Peggy, God bless her, took all three of us in, man and horse — my master's brother, who was detailed to nurse him, Ben, the servant, and all three of us horses. So I had a short period of home life once more, for Aunt Peggy fed us on the best, and her two nieces, who lived with her, vied with their aunt to let us want for nothing in their power to bestow. Their names were Misses Sallie and Maggie Williams. They were sisters to the dashing Captain of the Prince William Cavalry, 1st Virginia Regiment of Cavalry. Oh ! those Virginia people, who bore the brunt of the war, how hospitable and kind you were to the Confederate soldiers, man and horse. You were all kind, especially the women. I don't believe a Virginian ever refused a Southern soldier a meal of victuals or his horse a feed) of corn and hay. As soon as my master could get in the saddle, we bade adieu to this hospitable family and joined the command at Bacon Race (much to my regret, I know), about twelve or fourteen miles below Manassas.

We staid there for some weeks, and then joined the balance of the Legion at Dumfries. It was here I came to know Capt. Theo. G. Barker personally. He was the Adjutant of the Legion. His gallantry was proverbial, and his black horse only second to Arab. While at this camp, I heard my first "long roll alarm" ( for we were camped very near our Legion Infantry) . It was done, I heard, to try us, by order of Gen. Wigfall, in command of the forces in this vicinity. It took us some time to get ready, in the dark ; but when we did get ready, we were disappointed that it was a false alarm, "and we had no foe to face." We staid here a month or so, doing picket duty at Keart's Farm and Evans Port, on the Potomac River. We then moved to Camp Wigfall, near the village of Occoquon, and went into our first and last winter quarters. From this camp we did picket duty at Powheick Church. (This church was where Gen. George Washington worshipped, for it was not more than twelve miles from Mount Vernon.) Can time or memory ever blot out those days of the winter of 1861? No, nothing but death will ever efface them from my mind. The snow storms I was in at Mrs. Violet's (our reserve picket post). The crossing to and fro of that rocky ford, Selectmans; the gay dances I bore my master to, at Geo. Davis,' at Davis' Ford; the different scouts Col. Hampton took us on, beyond Powheick Church, in front of Alexandria.

Chapter IX

I will now try and give the roll of the Beaufort Troop, as well as I remember it at this distant day. In those days I knew the roll by heart, as it originally was in July, 1 86 1, for I had heard our gallant little Orderly

Sergeant call it so often, at reveille and tattoo, as I stood, covered with snow and icicles, hitched to my tree or stake. Now, if I should omit the name of any of the "Braves" of that gallant old troop, deem it forgetfulness and not intentional :

ROU, OF BEAUFORT DISTRICT TROOP.

Capt., Thos. E. Screven, ist Lieut., Jack Ferrebee.

Sr. 2d Lieut., W. E. Proctor.

Jr. 2d Lieut., W. W. Brougditon.

Chaplain, Rev. Richard Jo'hnson. ist Sergt., James W. Moore. 2d Sergt., Dr. W. L. Henderson. 3d Sergt., A. M. Ruth. 4th Sergt., T. E. Bessellieu. ist Carpi., John C. Davant. 2d Corpl., John Grimes. 3d 1 Corpl., E. P. Henderson. 4th Corpl., Joe. Ferguson.

PRIVATES.

Josiah Beck. Jack Mew.

Jacob Berg. Dr. H. W. Moore.

C. M. Bessellieu. Wiley W. McTeer.

J. H. Bessellieu. Bill Miller.

Thurston Bessellieu. W. A. Mickler.

Tom. Bolan. W. T. Norwood.

M. M. Boynton. Callie Pelot.

S. D. Boynton. Frank Porcher.

Aleck Bowie. Joe Porcher.

John Campbell. Dr. Whitmarsh Seabrook.

Nat. Cannon.

Jim Clifton.

Jim Davis.

Bill Doe Davant.

Theodore Dehon.

Ned Drayton.

Tom Dudley.

John Dupont.

W. E. Dupont.

John Fairley.

Eldred Fickling.

E. P. Ford.

Jim Garvin.

Rawlins Grimes.

Jim Halford.

Sam Heape.

Fletcher Hughes.

O. P. Law.

John Lewis.

R. P. Searson.

D. W. Sanders.

Eldred Simkins.

S. Shoolbread.

Clarence Speaks.

W. H. Speaks.

Archie Speights.

W. Strdbart.

Nelson Terry.

Ned. Willingham.

Winnie Joe Willingham.

Jim Wiggins.

Josh Woods.

R. S. Williams.

Bill John Verdier.

Bill Youmans.

Silver Hill Bill Youmans.

T. J. Jeffers.

Chapter X

I will now give an account of some of the Colonel's scouting expeditions, in the winter of 1861, one especially, called "The Christmas Scout." The Beaufort District Troop, chosen from the four companies to accompany the infantry detachment of the Legion, commanded by Capt. James Connor ; Capt. T. E. Screven commanding his company, the Beaufort District Troop ; the whole under Col. Wade Hampton. Powheick Church was the advance picket post of the Confederate army, towards Alexandria and Washington. Alexandria was the advance post of the Federal army. The ground between the two advance posts of the armies was termed "neutral ground. " There we laid our traps for the enemy, and he laid his for us, and over this eight miles between the two posts, we did our winter skirmishing and fighting — learning our first lessons in the "arts of war." Well, now for a description of the "Christmas Scout." We crossed the Occoquon River at Occoquon village ; passed through the little hamlet of Colchester, Mrs. Violette's, and Powheick Church, and entered on the "neutral ground." Here Col. Hampton placed Capt. Connor in ambush with his little detachment of infantry, and some picked men from the Beaufort District Troop, armed with double-barrelled shot-guns. A small detachment from the cavalry was then sent forward, to draw the enemy in our trap. Col. Hampton, with the balance of the troop, stationed near by, under cover, to charge the enemy, when Capt. Connor's men fired into them. Everything promised to work nicely, and we expected to make a "good haul." The cavalry decoy sent forward, soon met a party of "blue coats" on a scout, and our men, according to the programme, turned and fled, the Yankees, of course, pursuing. Just before they entered the trap laid for them, a negro spy gave them notice of the ambuscade in their front ; but before they got the warning, they had gotten in gunshot of the ambush, and Capt. Connor seeing they had wheeled to fly, ordered his men to open fire on them. They did so, but, strange to say, not near as many saddles were emptied as the accuracy of the marksmen promised. But those of us from the mounted ambush, who pursued them, soon found out, from some we overtook and captured, the cause of the whole thing. Our firing party had special orders from Capt. Connor to fire at the riders, and not the horses — the latter were wanted for remounts. The cause of our not seeing more of the men fall than did, was this : that they (the men) were strapped to their saddles. The horses, of course, carried the bodies of their riders back to their main body, which was in the rear of the advancing Yankees. Now this looks incredible, but it can be verified by many truthful men to-day, and by horses, too, if they had the sense of Arab. The Federals were teaching their recruits to ride, as well as fight. A strange thing it was to us, where our people were ''natural born riders." It furnished both men and horses something to talk about the whole winter.