Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-20
Famous Horses of Civil War.

the Los Angeles Times
Further back yet it was the horse
as figure of pre- eminent inheritance.
whether in love or war, or a combina-
ton of both, as in the instance Of the
wooden steed of Troy.
Perhaps the horse of sentiment that
comes most readily to use is that of
Young Lochinvar," who rode out of
the west. In all the wide country his
steed was the best" OF the excel
lence of his horse we are assured,
even before a description of the bold
| lever is given-and, had it not been
for his horse there may have been no
poetic record Of Young Lochinvar," or
his lady fair s1
Joan of Arc in 1429, clad in armor
ard seated upon her white palfrey is
the first suffragist. And now, in the
days of her canonization. who would
consider making a statue of the Maid
of Orleans without her horse?
While the sculptor and painter have
made immortal the muscular strength
and proud beauty of the horse it is in
song and story that his bravery, power
OF inspiration, fidelity and many noble
traits are eXtolled. So close is the as
ISOLATION of horse and rider, the for
mer often in characteristics seeming
an exponent of the latter, that we
have come in many instances to think
of them as one.
Should we kindle the campfires of
memory for the veterans of the Civil
war, how many of them would behold
a beloved general upon his favorite
horse.
In bold silhouette stands forth the
figure of Gen. Phil Sheridan on his
black charger Rienzi, that bore him in
many battles. and conspicuously in the
ride from Winchester to Cedar Creek.
celebrated in a poem by T. Buchanan
Read.
A magnificent animal was Rienzi-
jet black, except three white feet-and
1e hands high.
! A splendid sight it was to see Gen
Sheridan on his mount. OF the gen
erals horsemanship il has been said,
mo Mexican vaquero, American cow
10y or Bedouin sheik had a firmer
seat, or more resembled a centaur."
In sharp contrast to his coal black
herse appears the gray steed of Gen.
Robert E. Lee whom he called Ira
veller.'
on the back of this noble animal
Gen. Lee rode CALAMITY to battle. Be-
sides being beautiful creature. Ira
weller was an aristocrat. He was
born near Blue Sulphur Springs, w.
Va, and was first called Jeff Davis"
Tlc was four years old in 1861, and
greatly admired for his rapid springy
walk, courageous spirit and fiery
vigor.
Gen. Lee often rode him in Lexing-
ton after the war, where his value
was estimated at $4,000 in Confederate
currency.
Behind the hearse of Gen. Lee-this
leader whose memery is reverenced
alike by North and South-Trayeler.
led by two old soldiers. walked slowly.
The riderless horse touched tender
chord in the hearts of all.
Out of the shades of the Past rides
Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman
"Uncle Billy" as he was called He
too is bestride his favorite horse. the
noble steed who carried him to victory
So often, and again at the close of the
war. on an suspicious occasion, re-
corded with so much feeling by Ed
ward Robins.
a grand review of the armies near
Washington had been ordered. Gen.
Meade and the army of the Potomac
paraded before President Johnson and
his Cabinet May %, 1865,
The next morning Shermans army
made its never be forgotten prog
ress through the streets of the capital.
AT the head of the procession was
Gen Sherman and his staff. Clad in
resplendent uniform. he looked every
inch the communicated his chars-
er's neck was covered with Wreaths of
flowers, placed there by admirinS
friends
Next came Howard. his empty
sleeve pinned upon his breast, muteiy
procIaiming his deeds of courage
After him, on his white horse, rode
Logan, swarthy of complexion, with
heavy black moustache and eagle eye
the image of born soldier
Another distinguished general to-
ward whom all eyes turned was Gen
George Brinton Mcclellan, riding his |
we'll known horse. Daniel Webster, as
in the days when he led the Army OF
the Potomac.
Close upon him was Gen. Shaler |
whose steed was a noted animal in the |
Union army, named Abe for President |
Lincoln. This horse was magnificent
thoroughbred bay. so handsome as tC
command general admiration.
In one of the battles of the Wilder
ness in 1864, Abe galloped into the
Confederate lines. He was captured |
by Gen. John b. Gordon and according |
to custom was called by the name of |
his owner Gen Shaler.
Gen. Gordon has told of being under |
two-fold obligation TO this horse, Tor |
having saved him from capture, when |
he had ridden by mistake into Sedg-
wicks corps at night. and again. when |
az Appomattox, he being without one |
dollar. sold his valuable animal to Gen |
Curtin, who generously paid in green
backs to the southern general more !
then the price asked. thus saving the |
necessity of walking back to
Georgia" 10 use Gen. Gordons own
words.
Gen. Sheridan, ON his superb black !
horse. turned the current of battle |
that was decisive.