The Portland daily press., 1888-04-02
GEN. sHERiDAN's HORSES.
The Animals that Carried Little Phil
Through the War.

During the war Gen. Sheridan rode four
horses. The animal which Buchanan Read
immortalized was a large black gelding, with
three white feet, which was presented to
him at Rienzi, Miss, by the officers of the I'd
Michigan cavalry, of which he was then
colonel. 1t was originally named "Rienzl,"
from the place at which the presentation
was made, but after the famous 20-mile ride
the animal was re-christened winchester"
and thenceforth bore that honored name. 1t
was his .favorite saddle horse, and partO0k
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 flinched
in danger or faltered in fatigue. Several
times no was wounded-having received a
bullet in each Of his ACKNOWLEDGMENT was
badly torn under his launches by the explo-
sion of "a she'll. This horse was ridden in
the famous raid around Richmond and was
in the fight at Yellow Tavern, where Jeb
Stuart fell. He was in the battle at Five
Forks and carried Sheridan to Appomattox
on the day of the surrender, standing under
tree in front of Mr.. McLean's house while
the articles were being prepared for Gen.
Lees signature. After the surrender he
went to Texas with the general, served
through that campaign, saw. service In Kan
sas during the Indian war of 1868, and then
was given padded stall in the generals sta
Bile at Chicago, where he lived in luxury until
he died seven years ago. After his death he
was stuffed, and to-day stands as the most
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 for
rlxr boln Qd n Rro0 h arih odf
tant general, and was captured at the battle
of Missionary Ridge. He rode the PAGER in
long marches, as he was rapid walker and
an easy riding animal. This horse was ca
owned, and carried the general as easily as
if he had been of a feathers weight. He
was burned up in the Chicago fire in the sta
BILE of Col Wright, on the north side, 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 Missou-
ri, he bought chestnut gelding, which he
rode exclusively in that State, and when he
was ordered to join Grants army in Tennes-
see he bought beautiful black mare at
Louisville while enroute. 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 pur-
poses 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 cargo
shipped from Spain to Charleston for the use
of confederate officers. The vessel was cap
tured in Charleston harbor by the blockade,
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 vas sent to the armory at st.
Louis, and was purchased originally by the
adjutant of the I'd Michigan cavalry, who
wore it a while and then presented 1t to
Sheridan. The original scabbard was broken
by having horse fall upon it. and new one
was found to fit the blade. The general has
a number of presentation 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 IL.