The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-05-16
Soldiers Budget.
General Sheridan's Horses.

During the war General Sheridan
rode four horses. The animal which
Buchanan Read immortalized was
large black gelding, with three white
feet, which was presented to him at
Rienzi, Miss, 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-mile ride the
animal was christened " Winchester"
and tbenceforth bore that honored
name. 1t was his favorite saddle
horse and partook more of Sberidans
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
at danger or faltered in fatigue. Sew
eral times he was wounded-having
received bullet in each of his fore
shoulders-and was badly torn under
the launches by the explosion of a
! shell. 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 surren-
der, standing under tree in front of
Mr.. McLean's house while the articles
were being prepared for General Lees
signature. After the surrender he
went to Texas with the general, served
through that campaign, saw service in
Kansas during the Indian war of
1S6S-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 he
was stuffed, and to-day stands as the
most interesting object in the mil
itary museum on Governors Island.
Winchester" was born and bred
in Michigan, of the best stock in
the state. Another horse of which
General Sheridan was very fond was a
large gray PAGER which formerly be-
longed to General Breckenridge s
acknowledgement and was captured at
the battle of Missionary Ridge. He
rode the PAGER on long marches, as he
was a rapid walker and easy riding
animal. This horse was capable of
harder service than any other he
owned, and carried the general as
easily as if he had been of feathers
weight. He was burned up in the
Chicago fire, in the stable of Colonel
Wright on the north side, on the night
of the 9th of October, 1871. When the
general took the field in Missouri he
bought chestnut gelding, which he
rode exclusively in that state, and
when he was ordered to join Grants
army in Tennessee he bought a
beautiful black mare at Louisville
Kentucky, while en- route. The mare
was the most beautiful animal he
ever had, but was vicious and trouble
some 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 Som
erset, Ohio. There she was used fol
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 t
an Ohio horseman. During the entire
war General Sheridan never wore but
one sword, and he wears the same ont
yet on all occasions of display. 1t is {
light dragon saber, and one of cargc
shipped from Spain to Charleston fol-
the use of confederate officers. Th,
vessel was captured in Charleston har
Dor by the blockade, and the sword
were distributed among the variou
arsenals of the North, at which the.
were sold to Union officers. The on
which Sheridan wears was sent to tn
! armory at St. Louis and was purchases
, originally by the adjutant of the Secon'
, Michigan Cavalry, who wore it awhil
and then presented it to Sheridan
Il l.
= having horse fall upon it and ney
one was found to fit the blade. TIL
general has number of presentation
swords, which have been given hir
from time to time. Some of them ar
very valuable, and one, which wa
presented by the Army of the Cumbel
land, is mounted with gold and dia
IS monds, but it is too fancy for the gen
erals taste and nothing would Undue
n him to wear it.-SprinUteld Repu|
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