I really must have that mare

[SWMODave]

​

This force was commanded by General Kilpatrick, we afterwards discovered, and this gentleman had been enjoying himself greatly. There was a race-course near the town where races were held, General Kilpatrick having, it is said, a favorite mare called "Lively" which he used to run against a blood horse in his artillery called the "Battery Horse." What became of the "Battery Horse" this historian cannot say; but— to anticipate events— the fate of "Lively" can be stated.

Later in the fall, the general was running "Lively" near Manassas, when she flew the track, and two men were sent after her. Neither "Lively" nor the men ever returned. In fact, some of "Mosby's people" had been unseen spectators of the race from the adjoining woods, and these gentry took charge both of the mare and the men sent after her.

"I really must have that mare," General Stuart said, when he heard the incident, but her captors retained her.

Wearing of the Gray by John Cooke

the author of Camp and Field: Sketches of Army Life states it was during the Gettysburg campaign that Kilpatrick's "Battery Horse" and "Lively" were both captured, but I have not researched it further.

 

[John Hartwell]

Cooke's text seems to be largely a quote from a Correspondent of the New York World, published on July 18, 1866, but discussing events of October 1863. He writes, in part:

Too bad Lively didn't run off with Kilpatrick on her back!

 

[diane]

Guess Jeb couldn't get Mosby to part with that mare!

 

[Seduzal]

Wow! What an interesting story. Thanks for sharin. Enjoyed reading it.

 

[donna]

It is great story.