Presented by officers of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry to General
Sheridan in Rienzi, Mississippi, in 1862, this black horse
was ridden by him in nearly every engagement in which
he participated during the remainder of the Civil War,
including the occasion of his ride from Winchester to
Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19, 1864, immortalized
by Thomas Buchanan Read in his poem entitled, “Sheridan’s
Ride.” After the Battle of Cedar Creek, the name
of the horse was changed by General Sheridan from Rienzi
to Winchester. Standing sixteen hands high and of Morgan
blood, he was, in Sheridan’s words, “an animal of
great intelligence and immense strength and endurance.
He always held his head high, and by the quickness of
his movements gave many persons the idea that he was exceedingly
impetuous. This was not so, for I could at any time control
him by a firm hand and a few words, and he was as cool
and quiet under fire as one of my soldiers. I doubt if
his superior as a horse for field service was ever ridden
by any one.”
The saddle, bridle, and other trappings shown on Winchester
were used by General Sheridan.
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