Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-15
LEES OLD GRAY NAG.
History of a Noble Warhorse That
Was Famous.

History of a Noble Warhorse That
| Was Famous.
Gen. Lees favorite war horse.
Traveller, was almost as well known
to the soldiers of the army Of north
ern Virginia as the majestic form OF
the great commander himself. So
many erroneous descriptions and sto-
ries Of the old horse have appeared
In print that true history Of Trav-
eler is of interest.
In 1885 Thomas L. Brown wrote
the following article for the Rich
mond Dispatch, which was published
August 10:
He (Traveler) was raised by Mr..
| Johnston, near the Blue Sulphur
Springs, in Greenbrier county, Va,
(now West, Virginia), was one Of the
Gray Eagle stock, and, as colt took
the first premium under the name Of
JEFF Davis at the Louisburg fair for
each Of the years at 1859 and 1860.
He was four years old in the spring
Of 1861.
i
camped on Sewell mountain, opposite
the advance Of the Federal army un-
der Gen. Rosecrans in the fall Of 1861
was major to the third regiment OF
infantry in that legion, and my
brother Capt Joseph M. Brown, was
auartermaster to the same regiment.
I authorized my brother to purchase
g. good serviceable horse Of the
Greenbrier stock for our use during
the war After much inquiry and
search, he came across the horse
above mentioned, and / purchased
him for $175 (gold value), In the fall
Of 1851, of Capt. James w. Johnston,
son of Mr.. Johnston first mentioned.
When the Wise Legion was encamp-
ed about Meadow Bluff and Big Sew
ell mountains 1 rode this horse,
which was then greatly admired In
camp for his rapid, springy walk, his
high spirit, bold carriage and muscu-
lar strength. He needed neither
whip nor spur, and would walk his
five or six miles Of western Virginia
with his rider sitting firmly in the
saddle and holding In a check by a
tight rein, such vim and eagerness
did he manifest to go right ahead as
soon as he was mounted.
when Gen. Lee took command OF
the Wise Legion and Floyd brigade,
which were encamped at the near
Big Sewell mountain in the fall of
1851, he first saw this horse, and took
great fancy to 1t. He called 1t his
colt, and said he would need 1t before
the war was over. Whenever the
general saw my brother on his horse
he had something pleasant to say to
him about my colt, as he designated
this horse.
"As the winter approached, the cli-
mate In the western Virginia noun
tains caused iRosecran's army to
abandon It's position on Big Sewell and
retreat westward. Gen. Lee was
thereupon ordered to South Carolina.
The third regiment Of the Wise Leg
ion was subsequently detached from
the army in western Virginia and or
dered to the South Carolina coast.
where It was known as the Sixteenth
Virginia regiment under Col. starke.
Upon seeing my brother on his
horse near Pocataligo, in South Car
olina. Gen. Lee at once recognized
the horse and again inquired of him
pleasantly about his colt. My broth
er then offered him the horse as a
gift, which the general promptly de-
clined, and at the same time remark
ed "If you will willingly sell me
the horse, I will gladly use 1t for
week or so to learn its qualities
Thereupon my brother had the horse
sent to Gen. Lees stable. Gen. Lee
returned the horse, stating that the
animal suited him, but that he could
no longer use so valuable horse In
such times unless 1t were his own;
that II he (my brother) would not
sell, please to keep the horse with
many thanks. This was in February
I1S62. At that time I was in Virginia
on the sick list from long and Sc
we're attack, of camp fever, contract
ed in the campaign on Big Sewell
mountain: My brother wrote to me
of Gen. Lees desire to have the horse
and asked me what he should do.
replied at once, If he will not accept
II, then sell II to him at whst 1t cost
me- He then sold the horse to Gen.
Lee for 5000 in currency, the sum OF
| s25 having been added by Gen. Lee
to the price I gave for the horse In
September, 1861, to make up for the
depreciation in our currency from
September 1861 to February, 1852.
I'm 1868 Gen. Lee wrote to my
brother stating that the horse had
survived the war-was known as
Traveller (spelling the word with
double ~ in good English style), and
asking for his pedigree, which was
obtained, as above mentioned, and
sent by my brother to Gen. Lee.
Capt. Robt. E. Lee, Jr., youngest
son Of the general, in his 'Recollec-
tions and letters of Gen. Robert E.
Lee has much to say OF Traveller.
To an artist who wanted to paint the
horse, Gen. Lee wrote:
IF were an artist like you
would draw a true picture Of Travel
err representing his fine proportions,
muscular figure. deep chest and short
back, strong launches, fiat legs,
small head, broad forehead, delicate
ears quick eye, small feet and black
name and tail. Such a picture would
inspire a poet whose genius could
then depict his worth and describe
his endurance Of toll, hunger, thirst,
heat, cold, and the dangers and suf-
ferings through which he passed. He
could dilate upon his sagacity and
affection and his invariable response
to every wish of his rider. He might
even imagine his thoughts through
the long night marches and days OF
battle through which ne passed. But
I am no artist; can only say he Is
a Confederate gray