Famous Horses of the Civil War
An EquestrianMag Exclusive Article

Horses played a critical role during the Civil War. Both the Union and Confederate armies relied heavily on the strength, endurance and mobility of the horses that joined them on the battlefield and beyond. These horses were recognized for their courage and dedication to the war, earning a name for themselves in United States history.

The time period that preceded the Civil War was less technologically advanced than it is today. The means of travel were limited and the working environment relied more heavily on manual labor. Horses were not kept for pleasure as often as they were relied upon for work and travel. They were an essential part of industry in the United States, providing it with the opportunity to grow and expand. Horses became even more valuable as the Civil War approached.

Travel depended highly upon horsepower prior to and during the Civil War. Horse carriages and other private forms of transportation were available only to those who could afford them, which consisted primarily of the upper class. The urban mass transit systems consisted of horsecars and omnibuses. Choosing the least of these two evils always posed a challenge, as these two forms of transportation were often extremely unpleasant. The omnibus, developed in 1831, traveled in the streets with other traffic. The horsecar, developed in 1832, was pulled by two horses and fixed on rails, providing a set route for travelers through the city. Though the horsecar was larger than the omnibus and could move faster, the conditions inside were stale and unhealthy. The unsanitary and overcrowded conditions in both of these forms of mass transit made for a long ride for any traveler.

During the Civil War horses were considered equally as important as soldiers. They were used to carry messengers, commanding officers, equipment and artillery during the war. It is even said that without horses the war may not have lasted longer than a few months. Because of their importance, the soldiers had to make absolutely certain that the horses were cared for properly and received the rationed amount of food and water required to keep them healthy. Setting up camp next to a water source was a key element in maintaining an adequate water supply for the horses. It was not unusual for a soldier to spend the evening feeding, watering, and caring for his horse before taking care of his own needs.

Despite the great effort made to maintain the health of these horses, many were lost to either disease or exhaustion. Some horses became severely underweight when rations became sparse, not allowing them to perform to their greatest potential. These horses gave all they had to serve their purpose, but sometimes were not able to withstand the severe conditions. Losing horses either to these causes or in battle was devastating and had the potential to place the soldiers at a severe disadvantage.

Just the mere size and muscular build of a horse made it a powerful ally in the war. A horse’s natural loyalty to its master made it a dedicated companion and wiling soldier. Because of the value of horses in the war they often became a convenient target for the enemy. Despite this, the strength to withstand great peril made them difficult to take down and keep down. Their speed and durability made them a reliable partner on the battlefield.

Prior to going to war the horses were trained and tested for battle. A horse that fit the profile for war was typically between the ages of five and seven years old, remained calm during stressful situations, was strong and sturdy, roughly sixteen hands high, had good feet and moved easily while being willing to take direction from its rider. During the war, however, horses became scarce and so these characteristics were not always available to the soldiers.

In addition to towing wagons, ambulances, and artillery, the horses in the Civil War served another important function, carrying the general. Many generals rode by horse back instead of walking. The general was highly respected and so received superior treatment over the soldiers because of their position. In addition to the general’s position, another reason why the general rode a horse was so that he was raised up higher than his troops. This allowed him to monitor progress and potential dangers farther in advance than if he were on the ground. It was this function that made the horses of many general’s famous during and after the Civil War.

The following are merely a few of the many famous horses of the Civil War that dedicated their strength and sacrificed their safety for their purpose:

Old Sorrel

This famous horse carried General Thomas J. (“Stonewall”) Jackson. Old Sorrell was estimated to be eleven years old at the beginning of the war and was so small that the General’s feet nearly touched the ground. She was later renamed Little Sorrel for this reason.

Old Sorrel was acquired by the General at Harper’s Ferry in 1861 and was initially purchased as a gift for his wife. Old Sorrel was a constant companion of the General and was with him during his time of death at the battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. After his death Old Sorrel was sent to the Virginia military institute where General Jackson once taught. Little Sorrel Lane in Somers, CT was named after this famous horse.

Traveller

Traveller is considered to be most famous horse of the Civil War, and was purchased by General Robert E. Lee in 1862. This horse had been named Jeff Davis prior to General Lee’s purchase. Though General Lee had other horses in his stable to choose from, including Brown Roan, Lucy Long, Ajax and Richmond, Traveller had the endurance and build of a reliable companion.

When Traveller was purchased he was a five year old, sixteen hands high, gray gelding. He carried the General tirelessly for days, traveling roughly 5-6 miles per hour. The general rode Traveller through the majority of the war, including the battles at Gettysburg, the second Manasses, and Fredricksburg. When the war was over Traveller accompanied General Lee to Washington College. When the General died, his trusted companion marched in his funeral procession with reversed boots in his stirrups.

Cincinnati

The famous Civil War horse Cincinnati was the favorite of General Ulysses S. Grant. He was the son of Lexington, one of the fastest known Thoroughbred racehorses of the time and was fortunate enough to inherit his father’s speed. General Grant was offered Cincinnati as a gift under one condition, that he never allow the horse to be mistreated. Grant became so fond of the horse that he rarely allowed anyone to ride him.

General Grant rode Cincinnati throughout the war and through several battles. The General even rode Cincinnati to his surrender meeting with General Robert E. Lee. Cincinnati stayed with Grant at the White House after he became president and remained a faithful companion until Cincinnati’s death in 1878.

Lexington

Lexington was considered one of General William T. Sherman’s favorites during the Civil War. A famous Kentucky Thoroughbred racehorse, Lexington was relied upon for his speed and dedication during the war. This horse carried General Sherman through Atlanta in 1864 and to Washington for the final review of his army.

Baldy

Baldy was the favorite horse of General George G. Meade. This dedicated and seemingly indestructible horse was injured at least five times during the war, including twice during the battle of Bull Run and also at Antietam. He was known for his relaxed temperament, making him a solid and reliable horse during loud battles.

Baldy became the favorite of General George G. Meade even after other officers complained about the horse’s strange gait, which was too fast for a walk and too slow for a trot, making it difficult for them to ride alongside. Despite their complaints, General Meade kept Baldy as faithful warhorse. Baldy carried General Meade through several battles during the war, including Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville as well as Gettysburg. Baldy outlived General Meade and walked in his funeral procession in 1872.

Winchester

This famous Civil War horse was given to General Philip Sheridan at Rienzi, Mississippi in 1862. The horse was originally names Rienzi for this reason. This horse was over seventeen hands high and had a winning combination of a strong athletic build, speed and exceptional intelligence.

Rienzi was renamed Winchester after a critical ride to Cedar Creek, VA in October 1864. General Sheridan heard about an attack on his troops on his way back from a meeting in Washington. Rienzi and General Sheridan sped several miles toward his troops with barely enough time to turn a certain defeat into victory. General Sheridan renamed the horse Winchester after this remarkable performance and retained this horse as a faithful companion through the remainder of the war.

These remarkable horses were honored for their dedication during the Civil War. The time period prior to and during the war was far different from what we experience today. Horses were more than a pastime. Society at this time depended on horses for both industry and transportation. During the war, horses were considered equally as important as the soldiers. They carried Generals, artillery, supplies and towed carriages and ambulances during the war, making them both an asset and necessity. Honored for their dedication and bravery, these horses have been carved into the pages of American history.

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