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It's September 1863, and the American Civil War has been raging for nearly two and a half years.

On a road in southeast Louisiana, General Ulysses S. Grant rides on horseback, followed by a group of his fellow generals. They've come from an event in nearby Carrollton, a suburb of New Orleans. There, Grant was

honored for his service in the war and given a gift, a wild, untamed horse. When Grant first saw

the animal, he wasn't worried. He's an expert rider and looked forward to the challenge of breaking the horse.

But now, as Grant and his fellow officers ride back to New Orleans,

Grant is doing his best to keep his new mount in line.

The general tries to spur the horse into a controlled canter

when the shrill whistle of a nearby train pierces

the air. Grant's horse rears up and breaks into a frantic galley. Grant grips the reins tight

as his horse picks up speed. He peers up ahead to make sure the road is clear and his eyes

flare when he sees a carriage coming from

the opposite direction.

He tries to steer the horse away, but the frightened steed careens wildly and collides with

carriage.

Grant is unable to get free of the saddle as the horse topples over and lands on its rider,

knocking the general unconscious.

General Grant's accident leaves him bedridden for weeks, with serious injuries to his leg

and hip. Not long after, rumors begin to swirl that Grant's tumble was not the result of his wild,

...