Milford chronicle., 1931-11-20
General Washington,
Host And Huntsman

That General George Washington
was an enthusiastic huntsman is
evidenced in many of his own writ
ings and letters, according to the
Division of Information and Publ
cation of the United States George
Washington Bicentennial Commits
sion. He was a superb horseman;
many contemporaries in their writ
ings noted his splendid appearance
on horseback. Lafayette, in describ-
ing him in a letter home, spoke of
him as the most magnificent figure
he had ever beheld, when mounted
on his white charger.
General Washington loved his
horses and his dogs, and enjoyed the
keen sport and excitement of the
chase. In fact, he Joined in hunting
and all sports and games more for
this reason than for honOrs or sue
cess.
He was in the habit of hunting
three times a week if the weather
was favorable. During the hunting
season, Mount Vernon entertained
many sporting guests from the
neighboring estates, from Maryland
and elsewhere. These guests arriv-
ed, often with their own retinues of
servants, their own mounts, and re-
manned for visits, not of days but of
weeks, during which time they were
entertained royalty in the good o!d
style.
Breakfast was served at candle
light, the table groaning with the
bounty of delectable southern dish
es. Washington himself, however,
rarely partook of anything but In
dian corn-cakes and milk. He often
asked the blessing at his table, un-
less there was clergyman present,
all standing during this ceremony.
At dawn the cavalcade would be
ready to start, Washington mounted
on his favorite hunter, Blueskin, a
fiery animal of great endurance.
dark iron gray in color. For hunting
he wore the fashionable costume of
the times, a blue coat, scarlet waist
coat, buckskin breeches, top boots
and velvet cap. He carried whip
with long thong.
Billy, who was Washington's body
servant during the war, rode with
the hounds, mounted on Chinkling,
a French huntsman's horn slung
across his shoulders, riding fearless
ly through brake and tangled wood,
in a style which would strike terror
to the heart of most modern riders.
Washington took great pride in
his hounds and had his pack so crit
ically drafted as to speed and bot
tom, that in running, if one dog lost
the scent, another was Immediately
at hand to recover it. When run
ming in full cry, you could "cover
The pack with a blanket"
Mount Vernon had large kennel
Of hounds and fine stud of horses.
Washington kept with his own
hands a careful register in which
could be found the names, ages and
marks of each. Had the records of
during the Revolu-
ion, and the time Immediately fol-
owing, been more carefully kept,
here is no doubt that the stables OF
he present day could boast descen-
tents of the renowned stable, which
included the fiery Bluesl1in, the ia
nous full-blooded Arabian, Magno-
ia, Ajax, Valiant, and Chinkling.
some of the hounds were named
1ulcan, Ringwood. Singer, True
4ove, Music, Sweetlips, Forester,
md lockwood.
Following these early morning
lunts, the party would return to Mt. .
'ernOn for dinner, usually finding :
dditional guests who had arrived ;;
rom neighboring estates to learn +.
he result of the hunt and to enjoy !
he afternoons gayety. :
A bounteous dinner was served, +
fter which some of the guests 9
yould play loo, the preferred game :
f the times, others would gather q
bout the harpsichord, and with the
compartment Of lutte and violin, +
aise their voices in pleasing Choir q
ses. ~
After supper which was served "
bout nine or ten o'clock, there was r
ouoAlJ NoHSliS -IiAS ulluuSC, anu d
lily country dances which the a
Oung people especially enjoyed. AS il
II rose early for the hunting, the "
our of retirement was not late.
All sports were suspended during +,
lie war, and hunting was never re- ii
wed at Mt. Vernon on it's old d-time n
;ale. In 1885, Lafayette presented d
with a pack of hounds, Il
ut increasing private and public fC
lties caused him to give up such O.
eaSure. al