Charles Johnson described the sight like this:
An old dilapidated family carriage that looked as though it might have seen service since the Revolutionary period, drawn by a large, dark-colored, raw-boned horse, only a skeleton in fact, and a little, old, mouse colored donkey; upon these were shreds of old harness, attached to which were some shabby old relics of silver mounting. Mounted on the box, with rope lines in his hands, was an old gray-haired Negro, who sat upright and dignified, an old and very high plug hat on his head, and his person attired in the antiquated remains of a coachman's livery. Within the carriage was a man and woman. The whole outfit was so ridiculous to Northern eyes that a hearty laugh went along the line, followed by a shout that was participated in by a thousand voices.
