Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-01-11
Phil. Sheridan's War Horse

" NhIa'eu comp tnlon through the
bloodirst battles of the rebellion he was
Like "Old Abe" of the Eighth Wiscon
sin, he played part hardly less con-
spicuous and popular than that filled
by the most idolizei 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, nevermore.
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 of the Inter OCEAN apoligized
for touching the sad theme, and Sc
cured the following facts: 1.-The horse
was given to me" said the General, Gin
Mississippi, by Colonel Campbell, of
the Second Michigan Cavalry, the first
regiment commanded during the war,
in May, 90. He was then three years
old and past, having been foaled three
years from the previous fall. Then
o de him from that time 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 campaigns at
the battles of Perryville, Stone River,
Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge.
Then in the campaign about Knoxville.
in East Tennessee. Then afterward |
was transferred to the Army of the Poto.
mac, and rode him while in command
of the cavalry in
ALL THE CAVALRY CAMPAIGNS,
commencing with the battle of the
Wilderness, the first days battle of
Spotsylvania, the battle of Cold Har-
hor, and then in the expedition to Cor
louisville, where it was expected 1
would meet General Hunter, who was
ordered to move from the Shenandoah
Valley across the country to meet me,
and then 1 was to take him back to the
army in front of Vicksburg to General
Grant. At the battle of Trevillion
Station, ascertained from prisoners
captured there that General Hunter, in
stead Of going over to meet me, was 60
ing in another direction over through
West Virginia, and therefore turned
back and came to PETE rsburg. Then,
after going back to Petel sburg, I car
ried him back to Washington and down
to the Shenandoah Valley"
You were then in full command,
were you not General?'
Eyes, 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 bat
tie OF Cedar Greek, where l rode him
on the ride from Winchester to Cedar
Creek"
The famous ride to Winchester,
twenty miles away?'"
well, yes, if that's what You call it;
only the distance was actually sixteen
miles"
cit seemed longer perhaps?"
mo, Winchester pulled out at
full galop, at times breaking into run,
and the ground was soon cleared"
Gould your escort keep up?'
"rhe race was headloug, the staff
officers, Generals Forsyth aud o Keefe.
and the escort of twenty cavalry men,
pushing on we'll, and yet old Rlenzi, as
he was first called, certainly showed
more spirit and bottom than any Of the
animals"
After that the horse retired on his
laurels"
mo, sir. I rode him in the advance
in the spring of 81 from Winchester
to Petersburg, including the battle of
Waynesboro, where the remnant of
4 = TnI,,,1 Eaplx,' y,
turei. Then, after arriving before
Petersburg, l rode him at the last cam
paign up to the surrender of Lee in
GLIDING the the battles of Dinwiddie
Court House, Five Forks, Jettersvil e,
Sailors Creek, Appomatox Station and
Court House, where Lee
then, in numerous other
amounting probably to
between eighty five or ninety. Then
I took him to New Orleans, after the
war, and from there to Leavenworth,
when came in command of the West
ern country, and soto Chicago, where
he died"
"He didn't die of his wounds?"
"No, though
HE WAS Fit THREE TIMES.
Once, at the battle OF ChlcKamauga,
there wcs a shot passed under his belly
between his legs, and he straddled him
self out and would not move, and had
to get off and get on another horse. I
was reported killed on account of his
being riderless. Everybody knew him
in the army, he carried himself SO
handsomely, and walked SO fast. He
walked, as his ordinary gait, about five
and a. half miles an hour, keeping every
thing about him trottipg."
"What was his bree,?'
HE was foaled up in Michigan near
Grand Rapids, and was full. blooded
Blackawk: 1917 hands high. He was
20 years old, my old black horse, when
he died"
1T was old age, SUPPOSE"
"Yes; but when took him to New
Orleans | used to let one CT the staff
officers ride him, and he always GIT
covered with white foam, and we had
some green people in the stable, and
when he came back they TUNED the
hose on him. That gave him rheuma-
tism aud neuralgia. but itdid not affect
him a great deal until lately"
He had good treatment till the
last 2"