I am a competent witness, for I was regimental quartermaster at the time.
While at Corpus Christi all the officers who had a fancy for riding kept horses.

The animals cost but little in the first instance, and when picketed they would get their living without any cost.

I had three not long before the army moved, but a sad accident bereft me of them all at one time.

A colored boy who gave them all the attention they got -- besides looking after my tent and that of a class-mate and fellow-lieutenant and cooking for us, all for about eight dollars per month, was riding one to water and leading the other two.

The led horses pulled him from his seat and all three ran away.