Test Race for the Fastest Stock, Torbert's or Sheridan's Cavalry

Ref No.: (Becker)CW-JT-VA-1864a
Artist: Taylor, James E.
Date: 1864.
Medium: Graphite on wove paper ;
Original Size: 6.5 x 10 in.
Transcribed Text:

• Recto: "Capt Parsons did not wear his hat - and was dressed as I have him // snow on tree, oak // cloudy // Officers, Correspondents, & sutlers // marker."
• Verso: "Grand 1/4 mile heat race for a $1,000 purse aside - between a Sorrel horse, the property of Col. Capehart, & a coal black Stallion belonging at Gen. Sheridan Hd Qts - It was a test race to decide which of the two, - Torberts Cavalry or Hd Qts, should be acknowledged as possessing the fastest stock a heavy fall of snow had taken place the night previous as Saturday has been appointed positel[y] as the day - the affair had to come off - the snow was shovel'd from the course marked out, and about 3 1/2 o'clock the horses started the distance was accomplished in about 1 minute, the Black comming [sic] out ahead some 30 feet - the Horses are both small & about of a size, the black especially has limbs of beatiful symmetry - Capt. Parson, Gen Sheridan's Provost Marshall gen - rode the Black stallion - a cpat rode Capeharts - // [signed] Taylor."

Condition: Vertical and horizontal folds; slightly rough paper on top margin; smudges at upper right and lower left.
Location: Virginia, United States