Colonel William Rainey Marshall and his horse, Don

donna

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
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May 12, 2010
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Now Florida but always a Kentuckian
Don carried Colonel William Rainey Marshall of the Seventh Minnesota Infantry all during the war. He and Marshall went through some tough times.

Marshall was originally from Missouri. He settled in St. Paul in 1849. He was a newspaper published before the war. He volunteered as soon as war broke out.. He got Don right away.

He was shot several times. One time near end of War in Alabama he was hit in neck and fell off Don. The soldiers thought he could have been dead. He got up and got back on Don. All the soldiers cheered to see Marshall and Don.

Marshall was discharged in August of 1865. He returned to Minnesota. He was elected governor of the state that same year.

Don returned with Marshall to Minnesota. Don died on December 18, 1886 at age of 29 years. Marshall buried him in a back corner of Roselawn Cemetery. On his stone is written, "Don, my faithful war horse". "Died Dec. 19, 1886. Aged 29 years".

Marshall died in 1896 and is buried in St. Paul's Oakland Cemetery. The cemetery is less then four miles from his beloved Don.

Don has Memorial on Find A Grave:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5488#
 
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