North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-03-24
The E1ttsc.I1OrSe.

We do not know how truly courageous
the horse is until he has been tried inathe
fiery crucibles of war. A war test means
forced marches, sleepless nights, scanty
supplies of food, faintncss from thirst,
the thunderous shock of arms, CHASTITY
piles of dead and dying, and the sickiy
smell OF blood. 1t is a test from which
the boldest often shrink, and, therefore,
the horse that proudly carries his rider
through the fierce storm of battle chal-
lenges our warmest admiration. In scenes
of suffering and danger the horse, as a
rule, is not less heroic than man. Those
who have supported light artillery in a hot
engagement, and have seen how bravely
he stands among the smoke, the deafening
thunder, and the leadcn hail. the horse,
when his mate has been shot down at his
side, will never forget the picture, and
they will never speak sneering y Of equine
courage.
On the stubbornly- contested field of
Shiloh, when the fierce onslaught was
made on the federal left, when shell were
screeching like fiery demons in the air,
minnie balls Were whistling and falling
Tricky as hail from black summer cloud,
when the defiant confederate yell blended
savagely with the roar of artillery and
the rattle of musketry, when men were
falling like leaves from tree stricken
with frost, when the ground was wet with
blood and the air charged with death,
when the last line was giving way before
the murderous fire, the Scared battle flags
of the foe already in sight trembling On
the verge Of one dark and broad sulphur
GUS cloud Of smoke; we saw Gen. Buell.,
astride his noble horse, dash into the
thickest of the fight, deserted by his staff,
and with cleaning sword rally the break
ing line and snatch victory from the very
jaws of defeat and as We witnessed the
thrilling scene, we scarcely knew which
to admire most, the reckless Indifference
to death Or the gallantry of the horse
and man. The courage exhibited both
bordored on the sublime. No poltroon
would have ventured into that hot~bed of
storm and danger; and the horse was as
calm as the hand and iron will that guided
him.
Having seen equine courage tried, VIC
always look upon the veteran war horse
with pride; and when he dies, we feel that
the grass that grows above his grave marks
with it's soft, emerald beauty, the last
resting place of hero. Thousands upon
thousands Of horses persisted during the
war, and those who passed safely through
the trial are, one by one, dropping from
the stage Of time. And as they fall, let
us hope that the bitter memories, but not
the hcroism, of the late sanguinary strug-
gle are dying out with them.
Our Iowa exchanges note the death of
Gen. Tuttles war horse. This animal
figured prominently thu oughout the entire
service of the volunteer army. The Gen
eral rode him in every battle in which he
participated, and always could firmly rely
On his courage. AT Fort Donaldson this
horse was first baptized in the smoke Of
battle; then he heard the thunders of
Shiloh, and received his first wound. At
jackson he was wounded second time,
and q third and fourth time in the siege Of
Nicksbure. Honorable scars were these,
received in the front line of action. And
Gen. futile simply yielded to the dictates
Of humanity, when he transported his
halt and worn battle horse to the green
pastures and warm stables of Iowa, where,
receiving every kind attention, he nurscd
his wounds, then bowed his head and died.
San honest horse and true patriot" was
the eulogy pronounced at the grave of the
dead steed last week by his owner, and
we thus blaZon the words in type that
they may stand monument to the mem
DRY of the gallant dead. --1wG Field and
Farm.