The Identity of the black horse Troop.
To the Editors of the Dispatch:
--In your paper of the 10th of October, you pay a very handsome compliment to the ‘"Black-Horse Cavalry, of Fauquier,"’ and their brilliant charge under the ‘"Ashbys,"’ from which it would be inferred that this troop was officered by the gallant Captain Ashby.
This is not the first time that a similar mistake has been committed, and as a fact is worth full as much as an error.
I ask you to make the proper correction.
There is now and never has been but one troops of cavalry known as the ‘"Black Horse."’ This troop is not now and never was commanded by Captain Ashby; or any gentleman of his name.
It was in the battle of Manassas, and Captain Ashby's troop, ‘"The Mountain Rangers,"’ I believe, was not. It was led in that battle by Captain William H. Payne, of Fauquier, who had been its commander from the beginning of the war until his promotion to the rank of Major, a few weeks ago, in the Fourth Cavalry, and is now under the command of Captain Robert Randolph.
This troop is now attached to Colonel Beverley H. Robertson's Fourth Regiment of Cavalry, and continues to form part of the advanced guard of the army of the Potomac.
I hope this settles the identity of the ‘"Black Horse"’ and its commander.
Fairfax.
Fairfax Station, Oct. 12, 1861.
Fairfax Station, Oct. 12, 1861.
