Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-11-14
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
GENERALS IN THE SADDLE.

GENERALS IN THE SADDLE.
Mcclellan tho Beau Idoal Of Horsoman
-Longstreet n Colossus on His Steed.
Maj Gen. George B. Mcclellan was
one Of the handsomest men on horse
back in the Federal service He sat in
the saddle with grace and ease pecu-
liarly 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 wrin-
killed. from the instep to the knee, he
would go splashing over the roads un-
til horse, rider and boots were covered
with Virginia mud, probably the stick
lest substance in existence. His serv-
ant always had clean pair of boots
for the general on his return to quar-
ters after which the man would spend
y couple of hours cleaning the other
pair. The soldiers at Yorktown used
to say that Little Mack" could collect
more mud in an hours time than any
other general in the army. Mcclellan
always rode at a slapping pace, and
saw that his staff were we'll mounted,
for nothing more displeased him than
their inability to keep up with him.
He was very cool on the battle field, and
used to ride from point to point in the
calmest manner. without attempting
the cavalry seat or style, Mcclellan had
ut all times a perfect command over his
charger. His knowledge of horseman-
ship is shown by the invention of the
Mcclellan saddle, the easiest for man
or beast ever made.
Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman
was nervous and somewhat careless
rider. He wore his stirrup feathers very
long, seeming to be almost all the time
standing in the irons. This appear
ance was intensified by his habit of ris-
ing in his stirrups 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 so
common among good horsemen. He
was constantly on the go and his eye
seemed to be everywhere except where
his horse was treading.
Sherman's rein was rather loose
one, for he trusted, apparently, to the
natural sagacity of his steed rather
than to his own guidance. Seen at the
head of column of troops or giving
orders for their disposition on the field
Sherman presented a remarkable fig
ure. Riding along the road he was con-
stantly gazing about him noting the
lay of the land passed over, as if intern
ally planning how a battle could be
fought there.
Lieut.. Gen. James Longstreet was
magnificent on horseback. His bulky
figure and enormous beard gave him
the appearance of a Colossus, and he
had to have powerful horses to carry
his weight through the fatigues of
campaign. Men who fought under
him have told me that Longstreet
had always gracious manner,
md 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 Third
corps had met with reverse at the
right of Little Round Top. and my
corps, the Fifth, ran up from its reverse
position to take the place of Sickle's
men. Through the smoke of the battle
after we had climbed up and retaken
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 move
ment, which we We're soon after COM
PEELED to meet 1t is related of him
that he never seemed fiurried in the
heat of battle, and issued his orders in
the most matter-of- fact way. He was
horseman and entirely at home in the
saddle.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker was proba-
bly, the best looking mounted officer
that ever rode at the head of federal
army. He was true soldier of the
Did type, had an easy carriage, firm
seat, and sat in the saddle as straight
rs an arrow. Sometimes the simile is
used ''as straight as an Indian" but an
Indian never sits on horse straight,
however he may walk.-Maj G. F.
Williams in Rider and Driver.