Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1878-10-24

Death of Old "Winchester," the Famous
Charger Ridden by Sheridan
During the War.

The Great Soldier Grows Very Tender in Dwelling
Upon the Recollection Of the Horses
Virtues and Campaigns.
From the Inter- Ocean, Oct 2d.]
1t deserved to be bulletined, the death of
the war-horse "Winchester," on Wednesday,
at the stable of his master, General Sheridan,
whose faithful and celebrated companion
through the bloodiest battles of the rebellion
he was. Like ''Old Abe," of the Eighth
Wisconsin, he played part hardly less con-
spicuous and popular than that filled by the
most idolized generals, and one that has been
and will be celebrated in verse and story.
Associated with the name of Sheridan will
always be that of the black charger whose
neigh shall now be heard no more, nay, never
more. Over Bucephalus dead, Alexander
founded a city; over brave, dashing, high
blooded Winchester-nee Rienzi-at least a
brief obituary may be made.
Waiting on the bereaved veteran, a reporter
apologized for touching the sad theme, and
secured the following facts:
''The horse was given to me-" said the
bell. of the second Michigan Cavalry, the first
May, go. He was then three years old and
past, having been foaled three years from
the previous fall. Then.I rode him through
all the campaigns and battles that was in.
First rode him in that Mississippi campaign.
Then, afterward, carried him to Kentucky,
and rode him in the Kentucky and Tennessee
campaign at the battles of Perryville, Stone
River, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge.
Then in the Campaign about Knoxville, in
East Tennessee. Then afterward I was
transferred to the Army of the Potomac, and l
rode him while in command of the cavalry in
ALL THE CAVALRY CAMPAIGNS,
commencing with the battle of the Wilder
ness, the first days battle of Spotsylvania,
the battle of Cold Harbor, and then in the
expedition to Gordonsville, where it was ex-
pected would meet General Hunter, who
was ordered to move from the Shenandoah
Valley across the country to meet me, and
then I was TO take him back to the army in
front of Vicksburg to General Grant AT the
battle Of Trevillion Station, ascertained from
prisonefs captured there that General Hunter,
instead of coming over to meet me, was going
in another direction over through West Vir-
ginia, and therefore turned back and came
to Petersburg. Then, after going back to
Petersburg, carried him back to Washington
and down to the Shenandoah Valley"
"You were then in full command were you
not, General?"
''Yes, of the Army of the Shenandoah. I
rode him in the battle of Opaquin in front of
Winchester, and at the battle of Fishers
Hill, then afterward at the battle of Cedar
Creek, where rode him on the ride from
Winchester to Cedar Creek
''The famous ride to Winchester, twenty
miles awayr"
"Well, YES, if that's what you call it; only
the distance was actually sixteen miles,"
''It seemed longer perhaps?''
tsNo, Winchester pulled out at full gal
lop, at times breaking into run, and the
ground was soon cleared"
''Could your escort keep up?"
"The race was headlong, the stall officers.
Generals Forsythe and OKeefe, and the es-
cort of twenty cavalrymen, pushing on we'll,
and yet old Rienzi, as he was first called, GER
ainly showed more spirit and bottom than |
my of the animals"
"After that the horse retired on his lau- |
.els?"
ssNo. sir. rode him in the advance in the
,pripg of '64 from Winchester to Petersburg,
including the battle OF Waynesboro, where
he remnant of General Jubal Early's army
vas captured. Then, after arriving before
Petersburg, rode him at the last campaign
10 to the surrender of Lee, including the bat
les of Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks,
ettersville, Sailors Creek, Appomatox Sta
ion, and Appomatox Court House, where
zee surrendered; then, in numerous other
ngagements, amounting to between eighty.
We and ninety. Then l took him to New
orleans, after the war, and from there to
when l came in command of
he Western country, and SO to Chicago,
there he died"
''He didn't die of his wounds?"
''No, though he was hit three times. once,
the battle of Chickamauga, there was
hot passed under bis belly between his legs,
nd be straddled himself out and would not
love, and l had to get of and get on another
orse. was reported Killed on account OF
ia being riderless. Everybody knew him in
,e army. he carried himself go handsomely
nd walked 80 fast. He walked, as his ord
larv gait. about five and half miles an
Dur. Keeping everything about him trotting."
ssWhat was his breed 2" Il,
"He was foaled up in Michigan near Grand :
apids. and was ull-blooded Blackhawk, !
d hands high. He was 20 years old, my !
d black horse, when he died: :
sit was old age, IsupposeS
eyes but when I took him to New Or |;
ans used to let one of the staH officers
de him. and he always got covered with
hite foam. and we had some green people I
the stable. and when he came back they :
rned. the hose on him. That gave him
eumatism and neuralgia, but It did not at
ct him great deal until lately il
ssHe had good treatment til! the last g
"He was Always kept in the government d