By the time the Confederates got to Montgomery, the two columns were desperately seeking replacement mounts and spread out across the countryside. Some horse were just taken and in other instances, a trade was made (the unarmed farmers didn't have much choice).
One farmer, Nicholas Todd was hit particularly hard, losing four horse and a buggy. But, after the Kentucky horses regained their strength, Todd found out that two were thoroughbreds. After the war, he and his son began racing the traded horses as trotters and won many races. After that, many of Todd's descendants gave up farming altogether and operated racing stables.
Not only that, but the state of Ohio paid Todd $650 for the horses and buggy the raiders took.
Not a bad case of horse trading under duress.
Another farmer, William W. Fletcher, had a similar experience and had two horses taken only to find one was an exceptional trotter. Afterwards, he took home lots of racing cups and money for his loss. AND, the state reimbursed him $300 for his claim.
Now, this is an interesting story.
This information from"The Longest Raid of the Civil War" by Lester v. Horowitz.
How Could You Say making the Best of a Bad Situation? --Old B-Runner
No comments:
Post a Comment