Noble Steeds III: United States Quiz

Answer: Nelson

Nelson, a chestnut hunter (not the white charger on which Washington is nearly always portrayed in paintings), was Washington's favored {steed;} the animal was a gift from Governor Nelson of Virginia. Washington owned him for years before the Revolution (for fox-hunting purposes), rode him through the war (many of his other mounts died of various causes, but Nelson survived), and indeed maintained him through his first term as President of the United States. Nelson was America's first First Equine.

Answer: Brown Beauty

The mare in question was a borrowed horse, not Revere's own. Revere's own accounts made clear that he borrowed the beast from John Larkin. Larkin family accounts indicate that the mare made famous in Longfellow's poem was Brown Beauty, but the assertion is not subject to independent verification.

A little known fact is that Revere and his comrade William Dawes were both arrested before reaching {Concord;} their mission was completed by one Dr. Samuel Prescott, who had joined them on the road by chance.

Answer: Old Whitey

Taylor acquired Old Whitey in the Mexican-American War, and rode him thereafter. An unusually placid horse, Old Whitey was apparently unperturbed by cannon-fire or musket balls. After Taylor was elected to the presidency, he was 'retired' to graze on the white house lawn -- but his retirement was not to last. Taylor died in his second year in office, and Old Whitey marched behind his coffin, riderless, with Taylor's boots in his stirrups.

More than ten years later, Old Whitey was conscripted into service again, in the American Civil War. Now, the Taylor family was Confederate by inclination -- Jefferson Davis was Zachary Taylor's son-in-law -- but Old Whitey was conscripted by Union soldiers in the absence of Zachary's son, Colonel Richard Taylor.

He was ridden first by a colonel who was shot dead off his back, then by a captain. After the war, he lived two years on the dead colonel's farm, after which he was purchased by the captain, who retired him for good.

Answer: Traveller

Traveller, born in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, was named Jeff Davis by his first owner, and renamed Greenbrier by his second, Captain Joseph M. Broun. Broun sold the horse to Lee for {$200.} Traveller was Lee's most favored {mount;} other horses in his stables included Richmond, Brown-Roan, Lucy Long and Ajax.

Answer: Caractacus

Caractacus was the most famous horse belonging to Thomas Jefferson. It is said that the horse disagreed with Jefferson's plan to retreat one day and therefore threw his rider, breaking the future president's arm. (Caractacus was named for a first-century British king who resisted the Roman occupation of his country.) Grant's most famous horses were Cincinnati, Jeff Davis and Egypt, although he had others in the early Civil War (Jack, Fox, Kangaroo, etc.). Cincinnati was a huge horse the General acquired by gift from one S. S. Grant (no relation) who, on his deathbed, knew he would never ride again.

It is said that U. S. Grant refused an offer of {$10,000} in gold for the beast. Jeff Davis was a spoil of war looted from the plantation of Confederate President Jefferson Davis' brother Joseph. Egypt, said to have been remarkably beautiful, was a gift from Grant's supporters, and had been raised in the so-called 'Egypt' region of southern Illinois.

Answer: Little Sorrel

Little Sorrel was acquired during a raid on Harper's {Ferry;} the General apparently intended him for his wife, but instead, by all accounts, found a perfect match for his own eccentric riding style. He certainly looked ridiculous on the tiny horse, many commentators noting that on Little Sorrel his feet nearly touched the ground.

In any event, the general never cared to mount another horse after riding Little Sorrel, except during a brief period during which the beast had been stolen. Little Sorrel is described as indefatigable, but possessing no {style;} muscular, but unprepossessing. Jackson died at the Battle of Chacellorsville of complications arising out of a seemingly minor wound unintentionally inflicted by his own men (while Jackson was riding Little Sorrel), but Little Sorrel lived for years thereafter, and was even displayed in state fairs as the old Confederate General's horse.

Answer: Black Nell

Tall tales abound regarding Black {Nell;} nearly as many as surround her rider. She may have been purchased {fairly;} she may have been acquired from a man who ambushed Wild Bill at the cost of his own life. In any event, Black Nell was a famous and well-trained mare, able to perform astounding tricks upon her master's cue.

Her grave marker reads 'Here lies Black Nell, the most gallant heroine of the Civil War and of the Plains.'

Answer: Peacemaker

Something of a tricky question for those with a little knowledge, for which I {apologize;} most of my quiz questions are designed so that the correct answer can be deduced from a little knowledge. Comanche is famous for supposedly being the only survivor of 'Custer's Last Stand.' At the time, he was the mount of Major Miles Keogh, but he had been given to the General just two weeks {before;} Custer gave the horse to Keogh, but had briefly owned it himself. Custer's own mount at the battle was {Vic;} his generally favored mount was Dandy. Peacemaker (which would have been an inappropriate name for a horse of Custer's by my lights, but probably not by his own) has probably been the name of many a stallion, but was notably the name of one of Thomas Jefferson's many horses.

Answer: Little Texas

That's right, Kettle {Hill;} the Rough Riders charged up Kettle Hill, which was near San Juan Hill. Furthermore, most of them were not on {horseback;} Roosevelt himself rode to within some forty yards of the summit, and then dismounted and ran the rest of the way.

Answer: Black Jack

Named after General Pershing, Black Jack marched riderless in the funeral processions of General Douglas MacArthur and Presidents Herbert Hoover, Lyndon B. Johnson and, most notably, John F. Kennedy. Black Jack 'retired' in 1973 and died in 1976. His ashes lie in an urn in a monument in his honor at Fort. Meyer, Virginia.