“This one isn’t just any old horse. There’s a nobility in
his eye, a regal serenity about him. Does he not personify all that men try to
be and never can be?”
––Michael
Morpurgo, War Horse
War is a controversial topic, especially these days, yet
world history has been undeniably defined by conflicts between humans. Since
the earliest recorded war in Mesopotamia around 2700 B.C., societies have fought
for independence, religious or ethnic reasons, and desire for riches, revenge, political
power, natural resources, and land.
Nations clash with each other and sometimes clash from
within. There are guerilla wars, people’s wars, world wars, cold wars,
bloodless wars…even forgotten wars. Arising from these conflicts are stories of
heroism, cowardice, betrayal and loyalty unto death. War heroes, especially,
seem larger than life and we honor them by commissioning statues and paintings
of them, profiling their lives in books, and naming cities, parks and streets
after them.
When a military figure is immortalized in paint or stone,
he is often shown along with his dearest comrade in arms–his horse. A mounted
leader commanded from above the fray of battle–moving about the field and
directing his troops, who were no doubt inspired by the sight of their
courageous officer on a fearless horse. Obviously, it took a special horse to
withstand the rigors and violence of war. Equine casualties were enormous. It
is estimated that, for every soldier killed in the Civil War, five horses met
the same fate. Here are profiles of a few notable horses who "served" during the War Between the States.
Gen. Forrest and King Philip |
“At the March, 1863, Battle of Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, Roderick had been shot three times and removed from the front, but he jumped three fences to return to his master’s side, where he suffered a fourth and fatal wound. As the legend goes, Forrest knelt and wept beside his dying steed.” ––History.net
A statue of Roderick was erected in Thompson’s Station, near
the place where he fell.
Jackson and Little Sorrel |
Gen. Lee and Traveller |
On the Union side, General Ulysses S. Grant rode several
horses into battle: a dark bay named Egypt,
a stockinged chestnut named Old Baldy,
and his favorite, Cincinnati, a
thoroughbred Grant described as the finest horse he had ever seen. The general
was an expert equestrian from the time of his youth. His mother, Hannah Grant,
said of him, “Horses seemed to understand Ulysses.”
Egypt was quite literally a "gift horse." A group of Grant's admirers in southern Illinois (near the town of Egypt) bought and delivered the powerfully built thoroughbred stallion to the general, who was camped near Chattanooga. Grant promptly named the horse for the Illinois town.
General William Tecumseh Sherman, who wrote the book on “total
warfare,” owned Dolly and Sam, among others. Sherman sat astride
a leggy bay named Lexington during
his deadly “March to the Sea” campaign in 1864. Sherman was another who lost
several mounts in battle. Three of his horses were shot during the Battle of
Shiloh (Tennessee)–two of them killed as an orderly stood holding their reins. Unlike Grant, General Sherman was not so comfortable in the saddle.Egypt |
Egypt was quite literally a "gift horse." A group of Grant's admirers in southern Illinois (near the town of Egypt) bought and delivered the powerfully built thoroughbred stallion to the general, who was camped near Chattanooga. Grant promptly named the horse for the Illinois town.
Gen. Sherman and Lexington |
––"Generals in the Saddle: Famous Men in Both Armies Who Were Good Horsemen" from The Rider and Driver (1892)
Such magnificent animals, and so under appreciated. Thank you for letting us see some of the great ones. I have always loved race horses, with Man O'War and Secretariat my favorites. Doris
ReplyDeleteDuring the research for this blog, it was interesting that these "hero horses" included both thoroughbreds with fine pedigrees and tough nondescript ponies. They were all dependable in battle. Lee's horse, Traveller, had to be pushed back during several clashes because he wanted to surge to the front line. I agree with you...horses are magnificent creatures.
DeleteVery interesting, Vonn! I did not know much at all about war horses of the past, so this was really informative to me. I look forward to learning about more of them. Animals are so loyal and good. Better than many humans. I can see why so many of these men were so connected with their horses...kind of makes one wonder about Sherman, if we didn't already. LOL
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd had room for all the incredible stories I discovered! All animals are marvelous. Horses seem especially regal and connected with their owners. Sherman's lack of horsemanship is not mentioned in most bios!
DeleteVisit the US Cavalry Museum at Ft. Riley, Kansas. There's a statue at the entrance dedicated to the million and a half horses and mules that died in the Civil War. Another example of man's inhumanity to man, and every other living creature.
ReplyDeleteThose are sobering numbers. Next time I find myself in Kansas, I will definitely drop by!
DeleteWhen I was a kid, I was astonished to learn that our neighbor, John, had served in the cavalry because he refused to get on a horse. (I knew he'd been in WWI, though.) He later revealed that several horses shot out from under him, and had been wounded himself several times, twice seriously, while riding. He never once mounted a horse after his discharge. Even when Dad and his friends went hunting in the Selway, Dad said all of them rode horses except for John--he walked. He wouldn't even lead a pack horse.
ReplyDeleteImagine the horrific images that must have haunted him. Thanks for sharing that story, Jacquie.
DeleteBeautiful animals, all! So heartbreaking that they suffered and often died because of human wars.
ReplyDeleteThey didn't have much say in the matter, did they? Thanks for your comment, Lyn.
DeleteEnjoy this kind of history. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, David. History nerds unite!
DeleteAnother wonderful essay, Vonn. Keep 'em comin'!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter. I've been away from the blog for a few months but I'm back in the saddle!
DeleteWarfare is a fascinating subject. Despite the dubious morality of using violence to achieve personal or political aims. It remains that conflict has been used to do just that throughout recorded history.
ReplyDeleteYour article is very well done, a good read.