Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-12-11

EHxs dkNNlSSN>V1 dIC vi equICdClou
E@Sss ssE gla4Runder competent
~ a}teachers at West
M Point; but even
SA those who rose to
fezAzaz@ zs.s military command
from civil life sat
little saddle with more or less grace
ahlignity. General Grant was from
bflOod an ardent lover of good
hiss, and while he was in command
otl the United States armies he had
ahge number of exceedingly fine
ai1Eals at his disposal. 1t is an
ed he axiom that a merciful man is
nFiful to his beast; but though
Gbsral Grant had as full share of
ntcy in his heart as most men, he
VT so earnest and stubborn as a
sdier that he never hesitated to
s3 flee human or animal life to
gina decided end. He was, in fact,
clel to be kind. He sat in the saddle
raer ungainly; that is to say, he
hp an exceedingly good seat, but his
u|er Indifference regarding the uni
fm of his rank somewhat detracted
fin his appearance as horseman.
Fl never wore sash or a sword after
booming a brigadier, even on parade
dts for review. While on the march
champaign Gen. Grant carried his
fl}-brimmed hat down over his eyes,
al wore a coat supposed to be the
OF that had done duty at Vicksburg.
Ant always went at hand gallop
wen following the movements of his
Tips, an unlighted cigar firmly
chched in his powerful jaws. When
t4 Army of the Potomac was pursu-
i4 Lees forces, after the evacuation
OF Richmond and the Petersburg
size works, Grant wore out no less
tim six horses inside of three days.
len. Lee had a graceful carriage in
IL saddle. While in motion he sat
eict and composed. but he seldom
ride faster than at a canter.
Major Gen. Mcclellan was one Of
til handsomest men on horseback in
til Federal service. He sat in the
sddle with grace and ease pecul-
i4y his own. All his appointments
VIE in the most correct taste, and
hi horses were full-blooded animals.
VI airing highly polished riding boots
cding nearly up to his hips, and
Winkled from the instep to the knee,
teAvould go splashing over the roads
Until horse, rider and boots were COW
Ted with Virginia mud, probably the
S{ckiest substance in existence. Nc
CAXUn was passionately fond of
hofss, and preferred to have them
coablack.
en-. Sherman was nervous and
son,what careless rider. He wore his
stilplp feathers very long, seeming to
be Utmost all the time standing in
theirons. While always careful of
hislnimals. Sherman did not appear
to ave that fondness for them that
is $ common among good horsemen.
Hewas constantly on the go, and his
eyoseemed to be everywhere except
whre his horse was treading. Sher-
mars rein was rather a loose one, for
he rusted, apparently, to the natural
saacity of his steed, rather than to
hisown guidance. Seen at the head
Of ! column of troops, or giving Or
deS for their disposition on the field,
Shrman presented a remarkable fig
urG Riding along the road he was
constantly gazing about him, noting
th@lay Of the land passed over, as if
Internally planning how a battle could
betought there.
Gen. Sheridan did not appear to
advantage on foot. In the saddle he
wa a centaur. When astride Of his
hose the Shenandoah Valley hero
gained in inches, for he was no longer
instature above his sword belt than
beow it. Sheridan always sat we'll
ba;k, unconsciously leaning against
tn, rear pommel of his military sad
d.. This attitude brought his feet
little in advance of the correct line,
but it did not detract much from his
appearance as a horseman. The fierce
bundle of nerves that we're incased in
hi; small body would not permit Gen.
Sheridan to long sit still, and he was
always on the gallop, even when his
army was lying idle and the pickets
w,re silent.
Major Gen. Custer was the beau
id,al of a perfect horseman. He sat
inthe saddle as il born in it, for his
seat was so very easy and graceful
that he and his steed seemed one
Al West Point he was at the head Of
all the classes in Workmanship, anC
delighted in being on the tanbark
tits related of him that he could cut
down more wooden heads on the gal
lop than any other one Of the cadets
Unlike most ardent raiders during
the war, Gen. Custer seldom punished
his horses. 1t was only when che mo
ment for charging arrived that HI
loosened rein for headlong dash.
Maj. Gen. Logan made conspicu
Gus figure in the saddle. His coal
black hair and tremendous nustach'
gave him ferocious appearance
though in reality his disposition wa
a genial one. But he often had fit
of passion and then his eyes blazed
but these ebullitions Of temper wer
eyanescent and they usually occurred
on the battlefield. Logan was a.
exceedingly good horseman, his sea
being firm, yet easy. When gallon
ing he used to lean backward, hi