The Washington times., 1901-06-30
STORIES or War HORSES.
True Tests of Their Courage on the
Field of Battle.
General BueIPs Aneedote of His
Vicious Thoroughbred Red oak
Buffers Brace of Fine Horses
President Lincoln on n Runaway.

butteFS Bruce OF Fine HORSES
President Lincoln on n Runaway.
We do not know how truly courageous
the horse is until he has been tried in the
fiery ccucible of war. A war test means
forced marches. sleepless nights, scanty
supplies OF food, faintness from thirst.
the thunderOus shock of arms, ghastly
piles of dead and dying, and the sicl1ly
smell of blood. 1t is test from which
the boldcst often shrink and, therefore,
the horse that proudly carries his rider
through the fierce storm of battle chai-
lenges our warmest admiration.
In scenes of suffering and danger the
horse, as a rule. is not less heroic than
man. Those who have supported light
artillery in hot engagement, and have
seen how brayely the horse stands among
the smoke. the deafening thunder, and
the leaden hail, when his mate has been
shot down at his side, will never forget.
the picture. and they Will never speak
sneeringIy of the equine courage.
"On the stubbornly contested field of
Shiloh, when the fierce onslaught was
made on the Federal left when shells
were screeching ike fiery demons in the
air, when MIME balls were whistling Snd
falling thiekly as hail from black sum-
mer cloud when the defiant Confederate
yell blended savagely with the roar of
artillery and the rattle>ef musketry, when
men were falling like leaves from tree
stricken with frost, when the ground was
wet with blood and the air charged with
death, when the last line was giving way
before the murderous fire, the SCARED bat
tlefiags of the foe already IN sight trem-
bling on the verge of one dark and broad
sulphurous cloud of smoke, we saw Cen
eral Buell. astride his noble horse dash
into the thickest of the fight. deserted by
his staff, and with cleaning sword rally
the breaking line and snatch victory from
the very jaws of defeat. and as we wit
messed the thrilling scene, we scarcely
knew which to admire the most the reck-
less Indifference to- death or the gallantry
of the horse and the man. The courage
exhibited by both bordered on the sublime.
No poltroon would have ventured into
that .notbed of storm and danger. and
the horse was as calm as the hand and
iron will that guided him.
The above description of Gen. Carlos
Buell. and his famous war horse Red oak
was written long ago by one who saw
them on the second day of the battle of
Shiloh. The general. in writing TO the
author of this series of papers, says: Il
suppose it is a fact that horse which
rode during the rebellion acquired con-
siderable degree of notoriety within the
limit of his acquaintance, as one might
say. Not, however, for the generous
traits that are usually ascribed to the
war horse; but for his vicious behavior,
as well. perhaps. as for his endurance
and good looks. He was thoroughbred,
bright. handsome sorreI, sixteen hands
high, six years old. and came to me with
the name OF Red Oak. He had been on
the turf and made a reputation of un-
manageableness on the course | was
not aware of his uncivil qualities when
L bought him. but | was soon made ac-
quainted with them. Nevertheless. con-
tinued to Use him to the exclusion of
horse of better disposition, having an
idea savoring somewhat of conceit that
a good master can reform a bad horse
It succeeded to a considerable extent. but
he was refractory under fire and unsafe
to the last He was dangerous to any
horse and rider that came alongside OF
him so that on the march he was gen
orally allowed the largest part of the
road.
"once. when tied to the picket line, he
broke the arm of a passing soldier who
innocently came within the reach OF his
heels. on another occasion, when he was
being brought out for me TO mount, he
stopped, and, with his ears laid back. de-
Hberately lay down. evidently to rid him
self of the rider. The proceeding was so
much miIder than his usual way of show
ing dissatisfaction that it seemed like
well-meant warning TO the groom, who
had probably never mounted him before,
and for whom constant association had
given him a friendly feeling 1 parted
with him when 1 left the Army of the
ohio His new master was duly warned
about him, but was thrown and seriously.
hurt the first time-which was the last
time-of mounting him. Red Oak was
then turned over to the Quartermaster's
Department and had probably to make
some atonement for his pranks-
This, my dear General Wilson, is not,
nerhaps the kind OF horse that should
have a place in your series. and you will
readily perceive that l do not INTRODUCES
him to you for that purpose / could.
however tell you of a horse that rode
in the Mexican War entirely unlike Red
oak in temper, and deserving of the high
est eulogium-a Kentucky thoroughbred,
six years old at the beginning of the war,
spirited and intelligent, beautiful in style,
kind in disposition, and totally undisturb-
ed by the noise and excitement of battle.
But the war horse of literature is not sup
posed to have any connection with the
station of a young lieutenant We had
been firm friends for nearly four years
when I lost him at sea on the voyage
from Tampico to Vera Cruz, the sailing
vessel on which he was shipped being
kept out twenty days by stress of wealth
er, during which Decatur died.
BRAVE UNDER HIS RIDER.
I'm striking contrast to him in temper
ament. bnt still worthy to be honored,
was a horse owned by the adjutant of my
regiment Lieutenant Irwin, who was kill
ed on him in the battle of Monterey. This
horse was also a thoroughbred, splendid
in battle under the rider, but when
brought to a stand and unInounted. he
seemed completely unnerved and trembled
as though he would fall to the ground.
You will doubtless think that I am
giving you more horse history than you
asked for. The excuse must be that you
have touched a tender spot in my appre-
citation of our animal companions. It
seems to me that / have been on horse
back all my life, and i esteem the use
and management of a spirited horse I'M
der the saddle as most exhilarating and
health-giving as well as the most adorn-
ing physical exercise to which man or
woman can resort, I am now riding
horse that l have had for nineteen years
"a son of the famed Lexington of Alex
ander stock fame He is nearly twenty