The Portland daily press., 1891-12-03
Eminent Generals In the S dd,e.

maj. George F. Williams in "The Rider ana
Driver."1
Maj-Gen. George B. Mcclellan was one
OF the handsomest men on horseback in
the federal service. He sat in the saddle
with grace and ease peculiarly his own.
All his appointments were in the most cor
rect taste, and his horses were full-blooded
animals. Wearing highly polished riding
boots coming up nearly to his hips and
wrlnkled from the instep to the knee. he
would go splashing over the roads until
horse, rider and boots were covered with
Virginia mud. probably the stickiest sub-
stance in existence. His servant always
had clean pair of boots fer the general on
his return to quarters, after which the man
would spend couple of hours cleaning the
other pair. The soldiers at Yorktown
used to say that Little Mack" could col
lect more mud in an hours time than anv
other general in the army. Mcclellan al
ways rode at slapping pace, and saw that
his staff were well mounted, for nothing
more displeased him than their inability to
keep up with him. He was very cool nm
the b attleleld, and used 10 ride from point
to point In the calmest manner. Without
attempting the cavalry seat or style, Nc
Cleilan mad at all times perfect command
over his charger. His knowledge OF horse
flesh Is shown by the invention Of the Nc
Clellan saddle, the easiest for man and
beast ever made.
Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman was
nervous and somewhat careless rider. He
wore his stirrup feathers very long, SEEM
ing to be almost all the time In the irons.
This appearance was intensified by his
habit Of rising in his stirrups on reaching
a turn In the road or some advantageous
point Of observation. While always care
full OF his animals, Sherman did not an
pear to have that fondness for them that Is
SO common among good horsemen. He
was constantly on the go, and his eve
seemed to be everywhere except where his
horse was treading. Sherman's rein was
rather loose one, for he trusted apparent
ly, to the natural sagacity of his steed
rather then to his own guidance. Seen at
the head 81 column OF troops, or giving
orders for their disposition on the field.
Sherman presented remarkable figure,
Riding along the road he was constantly
gazing about him, noting the lay of the
land passed over. as il internally planning
how battle could be fought there.
Lieut. Zen. James Longstreet was a
magnificent figure on horse back His bulky
figure and enormous beard gave him the ap-
pearance OF Colossus, and he had to have
powerful horses to carry his weight through
the fatigues of campaign. Men who
fought under him told me that Longstreet
had always gracious manner aud he was
unvarying in the observances Of politeness.
He had swinging seat as most heavy men
have. had glimpse of Gen. Longstreet
at Gettysburg. The 3rd corps had met with
reverse to the right of Little Round TOP.
and my corps, the 9th, ran up from its re-
verse position to take the place of Sickles's
men. Through the smoke of the battle.
after we had climed up and retaken the
Little Round Top, brother officer loan ID
me his glass and pointed out the confeder-
ate corps commander. Longstreet looked
grand as he set calmly on his horse,
evidently giving directions for another for
ward movement, which we were soon after
compelled TO meet. 1t is related of him
that he never seemed Hurried in the heat of
the battle. and issued his orders in the
most matter-of-fact way. He was a grand
horseman and entirely at home in the sad
die.
Maj Gen. Joseph Hooker was probably
the bestlo0king mounted officer that ever
rode at the head of a federal army. He
was true soldier of the old type, had an
easy carriage, a firm seat, and sat in the
saddle as straight as an arrow. Sometimes
the simiie is used "as straight as an In
dian," but an Indian never sits on a horse
straight, however be may walk.