The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-19
GEN. sHERIpAN's HORSES.
The Animals That Carried Little Phil
Through the War.
From the Springfield Republican.


From the Springfield Republican.
During the war Gen. Sheridan rode four
horses. The animal which Buchanan Read
immortalized was a large black geldipg,
with three white feet which was presented
to him at Rienz, Mississippi, by the officers
of the Second Michigan Cavalry, of which
he was then Colonel 1t was originally
named Rienzi, from the place at which the
presentation was made, but after the famous
twenty ride the animal was rechristened
Winchester, and thenceforth bore that
honored name. 1t was his favorite saddle
horse, and partook more of Sheridan's
spirit than any other he ever beStrode. he
chose it to use in battle, for the horse knew
as well as his master what was required OF
him, and never finched at danger or
faltered in fatigue. Several times he was
Notwithstanding received bullet in each
Of his ACKNOWLEDGMENT was badly torn
under the launches by the explosion of
shell. This horse was ridden in the famous
raid around Richmond, aud was in the fight
at Yellow Tavern, where Jeb Stuart fell.
He was in the battle at Five Forks and car
ried Sheridan to Appomattox on the day of
the surrender, standing under tree i'll front
of Mr.. McLean's house while the articles
were being prepared for Gen. Lees sigma
ture After the surrender he went to Texas
campaign, saw service in Kansas during the
Indian war of lS6S-69, and then was given
a padded stall in the Generals stable at
Chicago, where he lived in luxury until he
died seven years ago. After his death be
was stuffed, and to-day stands as the most
interesting object in the military museum
on Governors Island. ''Winchester" was
born and bred in Michigan, OF the best stock
in the State
Another horse of which Gen. Sheridan
was very fond was large gray PAGER which
formerly belonged to Gen Breckinrdge's
adjutant general, and was captured at the
battle of Missionary Ridge. He rode the
PAGER in long marches, as he was a rapid
walker and an easy riding animal. This
horse was capable of harder service than
any other he owned, and carried the Cen
elal as easily as if he had been of a feathers
weight. He was burned up in the Chicago
fire, in the stable of Col. Wright, on the
night of the 9th of October, 1871 All of the
Wright horses were burned, and the old
gray among them.
When the General took the field in
Missouri he bought a chestnut gelding,
which he rode exclusively in that State, and
when he was ordered 10 join Grants army
in Tennessee he bought a beautiful black
mare at Louisville while en- route. The
mare was the most beautiful animal he
ever had, but was vicious and troublesome
about camp. He rode her during all the
Western campaigns, but on his way to join
| the army in Virginia he left her at his
mothers home in Somerset, o. There she
was used for breeding purposes, and his
mother now owns one of her colts, but the
mare got so vicious in her old age that she
had to be disposed of, and was sold to an
| Ohio horseman.
During the entire war Gen. Sheridan
never wore but one sword, and he wears the
same one yet on all occasions of display. 1t
is a light dragon saber, and one of a cargo
shipped from Spain to Charleston for toe
use of Confederate officers. The vessel was
captured in Charleston harbor by the block
ade, and the swords were distributed among
the various arsenals of the North, at which
| they were sold to Union officers The one
which Sheridan wears was sent TO the
armory at st. Louis, and was purchased
originally by the adjutant of the Second
Michigan cavalry, who wore it awhile, and
then presented it to Sheridan. The original
scabbard was broken by having horse fall
| upon 1t, and a new one was found to fit the
blade The General has number of present
alton swords, which have been given him
from time to time. Some of them are very
valuable, and one, which was presented by
the army of the Cumberland, is mounted
with gold and diamonds; but it is too fancy
for the Generals taste, and nothing would
induce him to wear it.