Recently, we’ve noted how horses built a commander’s reputation. For Confederate General John C. Breckinridge, his reputation as a battlefield commander in Virginia was enhanced by his horse – or more specifically by the color of his horse.
It’s quite a story, and today we’ll share some facts about Breckinridge’s horse: Old Sorrel. Continue reading
It’s not everyday that I find a letter by a Civil War general, specifically answering the question “which was your favorite horse?” But today, we got lucky! Matter-of-fact Union General William T. Sherman clearly stated in 1888 which warhorse was his favorite.
Meet the horse that entered Atlanta and probably took the general on the March To The Sea: Duke. Continue reading
Turner Ashby served most his Civil War battles and skirmishes as a colonel, but he was promoted to brigadier general about two weeks before his death. Ashby is a controversial figure among some historians. However, I think it’s relatively easy to agree that his horses helped create his image and his legends. Numerous accounts mention Ashby’s horses and one of his favorites was a big white stallion called Tom Telegraph. Continue reading
It’s not everyday that a horse is immortalized in patriotic poetry. Facts became legends when this horse and his general reached the battlefield at Cedar Creek in October 1864. Union General Philip Sheridan’s horse won lasting fame among soldiers, civilians, and veterans through a piece of publicity that guaranteed the steed a lasting place in the halls of history. Literally.
Meet Rienzi… Continue reading
A descendant of famous race horses. A rider who could fly on (not off) horses with incredible skill.
Those two sentences would be one way to briefly describe General Ulysses S. Grant and his most famous Civil War horse…meet Cincinnati. Continue reading
We’re doing something a little different today. Yes, you’ll get to read all about Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson’s war horse…but you have to go to Emerging Civil War’s history blog for the article.
While Gazette665 is mine (with all it’s joys and challenges), it’s not the only place I write and blog. Emerging Civil War invited me to join their historian group in 2015, and last year I became their assistant blog editor. So, of course, I write for them too. Alright, enough about my job. You want to hear about horses…
Meet Little Sorrel – a small, ordinary horse who helped create the legends of “Stonewall.” Continue reading
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