Various horses have served with credit in America; but more renowned than any—glorious as Roland “who brought good news from Ghent”—is the one that bore Sheridan to Winchester, and enabled him to turn defeat into victory. He was coal-black save for a small white star in the forehead, beautifully formed, and full of fire. From 1862 until the end of the war, he was present in ninety battles, and several times, but not seriously wounded. The climax of his fame was that wild ride when—
“With foam and with dust the black charger was gray.”
It roused a storm of enthusiasm at the time; nor will a memory soon die which like this has received such splendid praise in art and song. So—
“Hurrah, hurrah for horse and man!
And when their statues are placed on high,
Under the dome of the Union sky—
The American soldiers’ temple of fame—
There, with the glorious general’s name,
Be it said in letters both bold and bright:
‘Here is the steed that saved the day