Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-03-07
GEN. LEES HORSE.
The Famous Grny Traveller Was q
West Virginia Stock.

Ger. Lees favorite war horse, Tray
eler, was almost as well know to the SOL
diers of the army of Northern Virginia
| as the majestic form Of the great COM
| mander himself. So many erroneous de-
scriptions and stories Of the old horse
have appeared in print that a true history
| of Traveller is of interest.
In 1886 Thomas l.. Brown wrote the fol-
lowing article for The Richmond Dis
patch which was published Aug 10:
He Crraveler) was raised by Mr.. John
ston, near the Blue Sulpher Springs. in
trreenbrer County. Va, (now West Nir-
ginia); was of the Gray Eagle stock, and
as u colt took the first premium under
the name of jeff Davis at the Lcwisburg
fair for each of the years 1850 and 1860.
He was years old In the spring of 1861.
when the Wise Legion was en-
camped on Sewel Mountain opposing the
| advance of the Federal Army under Cen
Rosecrans in the Fall of 1861, ! was major
of the Third Regiment of Infantry in that
| legion, and my brother, Capt Joseph M
| Broun, was quartermaster In the same
regiment. ! authorized brother TO pur-
chase good. servlceable horse of the
best Greerbrier stock for our use during
the war. After much inquiry and search
ed. and I purchased him for s175 (gold
value) in the Fall of 1861 Of capt. James
w Johnston. son of Mr.. Johnston first
| above mentioned When the Wise Legion
was encamped about Meadow Bluff and
| Big Sewcll Mountain ! rode this horse
which was then greatly admired in camp
for his rapid, springy walk, his high
spirit, bold carriage. and muscular
strength. He neced neither whip nor
spur. and would walk his five or six miles
an hour over rough mountain roads of
Western Virginia with his rider sitting
firmly in the saddle ana holding him In
check by a tight rein, such vim and ca
gerness did he manifest to go right ahead
as soon as he was mounted.
! when Gen. ..ee took command Of the
| Wise Legion and Floyd brigade which
were encamped at and near Big Sewell
Mountain in the Fall of 1851. he first saw
| this horse and took a great fancy TO IT,
| He called 1t his colt and said he would
| need 1t before the war was over. When
! ever the general say my brother on this
| horse he had something pleasant to say
| TO him about my colt as he designated
this horse.
LAS the winter approached, the climate
| in the West Virginia mountains caused
Rosecrars's army to abandon its position
on Big Sewell and retreat westward. Cen
Lee was tnereupon ordered to South Car
olina. The Third Regiment OF the Wise
Legion was subsequently detached from
the army in Western Virginia and ordered
to the South Carolina coast. where 1t was
known as the Sixeth Virginia Regiment,
under Col. Stark.
Upon seeing my brother on his horse.
near Pocataligo in South Carolina, Gen.
Lee al once recognized the horse and
| again inquired of him pleasantly about
his colt. My brother then offered him the
horse as a gift. which the general prompt
| ~ declined. and Mt the tame time re-
marked: If you will willingly sell me
the horse, | will gladly use II for a 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