The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-08-16
BY Ira x. Morris


chargers which the worlds heroes
have ridden on historic battlefields;
hut there are two or three that claim
a special place in the hearts OF those
Who love the noble animals that have
done So much to form history ana
honor the conflicts in which they
served and the victories they helped
to gain.
When General Washington left
Mount Vernon, Va, on June Fl, 1775
70 assume command Of the American
army at Cambridge, Mass, he took
with him Ave horses. his favorite, It
is said, being a powerful and spirited
bay. on which he made his first ap-
pearance before the troops. 1t Is
stated on good authority chat before
the close of the war he acquired sew
en- more. His Fairfax, well known in
history and story, was so badly woun-
ded at the battle of Trenton that he
was compelled to leave him behind.
At Monmouth June 2S, IT'S. Gen.
eral Washington rode white charg-
er, the one which has become SO IA
miliar to the people Of the world as
It has been copied thousands Of times
from Colonel Trumbell's famous paint
ing. This horse was presented to zen
eral Washington by Governor Living
ston of New Jersey, whose residence
is still standing at Elizabeth and is
occupied by ex-senator John Keen,
lineal descendant. Such was the en-
cess!ve heat at the battle of Mon
mouth and soil a deep sand that the
spirited steed sank under the gener-
AL, dying on the spot. 1t will be re-
membered that General Washington
did a great deal of hard riding IN
consequence of the misunders andins
with General Charles Lee, directing
personally the army in several parts
of the field.
Washington On His Charger
According to his diary,after the
death of his noble animal, Washing
ton mounted high bred CHESTNUT
mare with flowing name and tail,
named Dolly" General Lafayette
said of this horse and her rider: AT
Monmouth | commanded II division
and it may be supposed, was pref
~ well occupied. Still, TOOK time
amid the roar and confus on OF tn
conflict, to admire our beloved chief
who, mounted on a splendid cAarge1
rode along the ranks amid the SHOUTS
of the soldiers, cheering them by Nil
voice and example and restoring t'
our standard the fortunes of the fight
thought then as now, that never hai
| seen so superb a man" Thomas
Jefferson called Washington the bes
horseman of the age"
In connection with this incident
is Of interest to say a few word
about another famous horse that ma
prominent place in history. ON
day. in 1868, I remember the late Car
tain C. d. Empson, of Keyport, fa
Their Of the late Senator Ephraim +
Empson), calling on Major James 5
Yard, in the office Of the Monmouth
Democrat" at FREEHOLD, N. j. i
time the conversation branched on
horses. Just at that time all tn
generals Of the federal army wer
pounding" the war department wit
a hope that cavalry would be recruit
ed in more liberal manner.
Captain Empson said: Mayor,
rode, when a boy, one OF the mos
noted horses that ever had saddl
on him. 1t was Marengo. Napoleon
favorite charger. My father owne
him." continued Capt. Empson, an
when he sold him to Napoleon ! roo
him into the French camp and deli
cred him personally to the general
Killed Under Napoleon
LOUIS Ndpoieon ,SPeohe
horse to an American visitor, in lS7
according to General James Graz
Wilson caid:
THE emperor's favorite charge
was Marengo. an Arab OF good si'
and style and almost white. He roc
him in the last battle OF Mount .
Jean, where Marengo received his Sc
enth wound. once mounted nj
when a youth and but n short tin
before the steed died at the age
thirty six.
Another favorite war horse WI
named Maria and was used by u
emperor in many Of his hundred pa
ties. or the sixty or seventy hors'
owned by Napoleon and used in ba
tie, perhaps the most famous wes