As another Lame Cherry exclusive in matter anti matter.
I wonder sometimes in General Robert E. Lee in why the Confederacy lost the war, was because his favorite horse, Traveller (spelled with to L's for English flair) was so high strung, that it kept his bone joints from ever healing.
The first real story I ever came across of this big grey horse was in James Longstreet's recounting of the Civil War. In that account is a mention that General Lee first appears with the Army of Northern Virginia on white horse, which shied when the enemy came upon their position, and Lee was thrown from the horse and cracked some bones in his hand.
After giving orders for the day. General Lee rode out
towards Centreville for personal observation, halted, and
dismounted at a point which seemed safe from danger or
observation. Suddenly alarm was given of The enemy's
cavalry !" The group dispersed in hot haste to have the
heels of their animals under them. The rush and confu-
sion frightened the general's horse, so that he pulled him
violently to the ground, severely spraining his right wrist,
besides breaking some of the bones of the hand.
General Lee had a number of horses as most officers and cavalry did, as they simply wore out or died horrendous deaths. Traveller though was full of so much piss and vinegar that in rough battlefield conditions, the horse had the vigor of hard travel.
Of all his companions in toil, ‘Richmond,’ ‘Brown Roan,’ ‘Ajax,’ and quiet ‘Lucy Long,’ he is the only one that retained his vigor.
Traveller was first known as Greenbrier, as that is the Virginia country where he was reared from. He was from a line of grey horses of the stud Grey Eagle.
“He was raised by Mr. Johnston, near the Blue Sulphur Springs, in Greenbrier county, Virginia (now West Virginia); was of the ‘ Gray Eagle’ stock, and, as a colt, took the first premium under the name of ‘Jeff Davis’ at the Lewisburg fairs for each of the years 1859 and 1860. He was four years old in the spring of 1861.
Traveller simply was one of the best looking horses in the country and Virginia then had the best of lines, which then moved into the Kentucky thoroughbreds.
The story of Traveller begins with Joseph Broun of the Wise Brigade having his brother purchase a horse from the Greenbrier region as they were famous for their horses. The price was 175 dollars gold for the much admired horse.
After much inquiry and search he came across the horse above mentioned, and I purchased him for $175 (gold value), in the fall of 1861, from Captain James W. Johnston, son of the Mr. Johnston first above mentioned. When the Wise legion was encamped about Meadow Bluff and Big Sewell mountains, I rode this horse, which was then greatly admired in camp for his rapid, springy walk, his high spirit, bold carriage, and muscular strength.
I would state in horse trading here, that Captain Johnston knew he had a horse that was hell to ride, and was more than pleased to keep his bones and be paid 175 dollars for this high spirited horse.
It was here that General Lee was in command and first noticed the grey horse, and started referring to the horse as "his colt".
General Lee was in the Carolina's and the Soldier appeared there with Traveller, and Lee immediately noticed the horse and tried to buy him. The Soldier offered as a gift, which Lee refused, but the horse did end up in Lee's stable, and after a week Lee stated that either the horse would be sold to Lee, as he could not ride such an animal around in combat if Lee did not own him.
The Broun brothers stated the price would be 175 dollars in what they paid for the horse, but General Lee graciously paid 200 dollars for Traveler.
The best account is from General Lee's son, who was given the horse to ride.
Thirty miles of having one's kidneys dislodged. That was Traveller.
The general had the strongest affection for Traveller, which he showed on all occasions, and his allowing me to ride him on this long march was a great compliment. Possibly he wanted to give me a good hammering before he turned me over to the cavalry. During my soldier life, so far, I had been on foot, having backed nothing more lively than a tired artillery horse; so I mounted with some misgivings, though I was very proud of my steed. My misgivings were fully realized, for Traveller would not walk a step. He took a short, high trot — a buck-trot, as compared with a buck-jump — and kept it up to Fredericksburg, some thirty miles. Though young, strong, and tough, I was glad when the journey ended. This was my first introduction to the cavalry service. I think I am safe in saying that I could have walked the distance with much less discomfort and fatigue.
I do not want to end this with the impression that this horse was not of great character, because he was. The following explains a great deal about General Lee and this horse at their core.
One afternoon in July of this year, the General rode down to the canal-boat landing to put on board a young lady who had been visiting his daughters and was returning home. He dismounted, tied Traveller to a post, and was standing on the boat making his adieux, when someone called out that Traveller was loose. Sure enough, the gallant grey was making his way up the road, increasing his speed as a number of boys and men tried to stop him. General Lee immediately stepped ashore, called to the crowd to stand still, and advancing a few steps gave a peculiar low whistle. At the first sound, Traveller stopped and pricked up his ears. The General whistled a second time, and the horse with a glad whinny turned and trotted quietly back to his master, who patted and coaxed him before tying him up again. To a bystander expressing surprise at the creature’s docility the General observed that he did not see how any man could ride a horse for any length of time without a perfect understanding being established between them.
The horse which would never walk for anyone, but General Lee, was the same high strung animal that in a crowd and a war, could whistle for this animal and he would run back with delight like a dog.
That is the story of Traveller, the most well known horse of the Civil War.
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