Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-26
Generals I'm the Saddle.

George +. Williams in the Rider and Driver.
Maj. Gen. Geo. B. Mcclellan was one Of the
haudsomest men on horseback in the federal
service. He sat In the saddle with q grace and
ease peculiarly his own. All his appointments
were in the most correct taste and his horses
were full-blooded animals. Wearing highly
polished riding boots coming up nearly to his
hips and wrinkled from the instep to the knee.
he would go splashing over the roads until
horse, rider and boots were covered with vir-
ginia mud, probably the stickiest substance in
existence. His servant always had u clean
pair OF boots for the general on his return to
quarters after which the man would spend a
couple OF hours cleaning the other pair. The
soldiers at Yorktown used to say tina. Little
MACK could collect more mud in an hour 6
time than any other general in the army. Nc
Clellan always rode at a slapping pace and saw
that his staff was well mounted. for nothing
more displeased him than their inability to
keep up with him. He was very cool on the
battlefield and used to ride from point to point
In the calmest manner. Without attempting
the cavalry seat or style, Mcclellan had at all
times a perfect command over his charger.
his knowledge Of horsehcsh is shown By the
invention Of the Mcclellan saddle the easiest
for man and beast ever made.
Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman was nerv-
ous and somewhat careless rider. He wore his
stirrup feathers very long, seeming to be almost
oil the time standing in the irons. This appear
ance was intensified by his habit of rising in
MS stlrrups on reaching turn in the road or
some advantageous point Of observation. While
always careful Of his animals, Sherman did not
appear to have that fondness for them that is
80 common among good horsemen. He was
constantly on the so and his eye seemed to be
everywhere except where his horse was tread
ing. Sherman 8 rein was rather a loose one for
ne trusted, apparently, to the natural sagacity
OF his steed rather than to his own guidance.
Seen at the head Of column of troops, or CIV
Ing orders for their disposition on the field,
sherman presented q remarkable figure. Rid
ing along the road be was constantly gazino
about him. noting the lay Of the land passed
over, as If internally planning how battle
could be fought there
Lieut.. Gen. James Longstreet was nasgnif-
cent on horseback. His bulky figure and enor-
nous beard gave him the appearance of a
Colossus and he had to have powerful horses
70 carry his weight through the fatigues Of a
campaign. Men who fought under him have
told me that Longstreet had always a gracious
manner, and he was unvarying in the observ-
ances Of politeness He had q swinging seat as
most heavy men have. / had q glimpse of
Gen. Longstreet at Gettysburg. The third
corps had met with a reverse to the right Of
Little Round Top. and my corps. the fifth, ran
up from its reserve position to take the place
OF Sickles' men. Through the smoke of the
battle, after We had climbed up and retaken
the Little Round Top, brother officer loaned
me his glass and pointed out the confederate
corps commander. Longstreet looked grand
as he sat calmly on his horse. evidently giving
directions for another forward movement,
which we were soon after compelled TO meet.
Ii ID related OF him that he never seemed fur
ried in the heat of battle and issued his orders
In the most matter-of-fact way. He was
grand horseman and entirely at home in the
saddle.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker was probably the
best looking mounted officer that ever rode at
the head OF a federal army. He was u true
soldier Of the old type, had an easy carriage, a
hrm seat and sat in the saddle us straight as an
arrow. Sometimes the simile is used las
straight as an Indian" but an Indian never
SITS on horse straight, however he may
walk.