The Officer's Race

[Houston] Tri-Weekly Telegraph
May 1, 1863
p. 2, c. 3

The following notice of "The Officer's Race" is from the Shelbyville Banner of the 6th of April:

The great match race for $500—distance 800 yards—was run on Saturday last at 11 o'clock A.M., as per programme, near Unionville, between Major Botts' sorrel horse (entered by Gen. Wharton of the Texas Rangers,) and Col. Harrison's mare. A beautiful stretch of elastic dirt road in good order along the margin of the pike was the ground selected. The weather was charming. The horses were in good condition and seemed instinctively aware that something was up and they had to come down to lively work. The attendance was large and the vast gathering full of the keenest excitement. Bets were freely offered and as freely taken. The horse was decidedly the favorite, but the mare did not lack for bold backers. Both animals started at the signal, and the dash was done in spirited and gallant style, the horse winning easily, however, and leading the mare to the judges' stand nearly, if not quite, thirty yards in advance. Rather a big beat. The shouts and yells of the multitude, the smiling and elongated faces of the backers of the respective entries, were curious to hear and behold. Fully $25,000 changed hands on the race.

Article provided by Vicki Betts.