Grant Grant's Horse, Not Cincinnati?

[JPK Huson 1863]

There's a few famous photos of Grant's horses, I think the most notable would be Grant standing with his favorite, Cincinnati, right? This is from the Archives ( of course ) listed under the Brady section. The description is careful to explain not all the photos are Brady's- some will be the work of other photographers who worked for him during a certain time period. Not sure if this would fall under that heading because I just do not remember seeing it?

And is it Cincinnati or one of his other horses? I think Cin had a shorter back, maybe a little taller? The title is merely " Grant's Horse ", not helpful!

 

[donna]

It is a good looking horse. Maybe one of the horse experts can say which horse it is.

Good find.

 

[PatW]

During the war, Grant rode a number of horses. Horses get tired and wil break down under heavy work. From the passing comments I have read about Grant, it seems that he had a string of horses using them in succession. This was a common practice. Grant had another horse besides Cincinnati called Jeff Davis.

 

[diane]

I think that is Jeff Davis, too. Here is a picture of three of Grant's favorites: Left to right - Egypt, Cincinnati and Jeff Davis.

 

[Allie]

I thought Jeff Davis was supposed to be a squirty little naggy thing? And that was the reason he gave him that name?

That's a nice looking horse for sure.

 

[AndyHall]

From an earlier thread:

In this campaign, General Grant had 'two other horses, both of them very handsome, one of which he gave away and the other he used until. late in the war. During the campaign and siege of Vicksburg, a cavalry raid or scouting party arrived at Joe Davis' plantation (the brother of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy) and there captured a black pony which was brought to the rear of the city and presented to me. The animal was worn out when it reached headquarters but was a very easy riding horse and I used him once or twice. With care he began to pick up and soon carried himself in fine shape.

At that time my father was suffering with a carbuncle and his horse being restless caused him a great deal of pain. It was necessary for General Grant to visit the lines frequently and one day he took this pony for that purpose. The gait of the pony was so delightful that he directed that he be turned over to the quartermaster as a captured horse and a board of officers be convened to appraise the animal. This was done and my father purchased the animal and kept him until he died, which was long after the Civil War. This pony was known as "Jeff Davis."​

 

[Allie]

I don't know what horse we're looking at in the top picture, but it doesn't have the same head-to-body proportions as pony-sized Jeff Davis, it's definitely not Egypt because of the white hind, and it looks to me like Cincinnati had a different sort of head. I would like to see a better pic of Cincinnati though.

 

[Allie]

For comparison here is a picture of Jeff Davis.

 

[Littlestown]

Same man holding Cincinnati.

 

[Littlestown]

I say the horse pictured in the first post is Cincinnati.

 

[Allie]

I say the horse pictured in the first post is Cincinnati.

Unless there's another horse of Grant's that hasn't been mentioned, I have to agree with you. I would have said Cincinnati had a finer head and different conformation in the rear, but it's possible differences in conditioning and position are making him look different.

 

[Littlestown]

The horse in the first photo and the one in the photo id'd as Cincinnati, both are outfitted with a double bridle, while Jeff Davis is not. Also, look at the stirrup level.

 

[Nathanb1]

Um. I don't think it's Jeff. Looks like this one has at least a small blaze or star on the forehead, and the head is finer than Jeff Davis. I'm sort of leaning toward Cincinnati.

 

[diane]

The horse in the first photo and the one in the photo id'd as Cincinnati, both are outfitted with a double bridle, while Jeff Davis is not. Also, look at the stirrup level.

You're right! It's got to be Cincinnati after all. Guess I'll go get that second pot of coffee going!

 

[rosefiend]

I heard recently (can't remember where) that Grant threw up on one of his horses after being given too much drink during one of his inspection tours. Felt bad for the horse, and for its groom.

 

[diane]

I thought Jeff Davis was supposed to be a squirty little naggy thing? And that was the reason he gave him that name?

That's a nice looking horse for sure.

Jeff Davis wasn't the prettiest horse ever seen when he showed up at Grant's tent, as Andy's post says, but he cleaned up nicely. Grant did that with another skinny, ugly plug they found on the battlefield. It was so bad off it was given to an officer as a joke. Grant, however, said if you don't want him, I do! He cleaned it up, fed it up and lo and behold it was really a first rate thoroughbred!

 

[Rio Bravo]

Lovely Pictures of Hors de Combat !!!

 

[Quara]

Grant did that with another skinny, ugly plug they found on the battlefield. It was so bad off it was given to an officer as a joke. Grant, however, said if you don't want him, I do! He cleaned it up, fed it up and lo and behold it was really a first rate thoroughbred!

I think that was Kangaroo... Which is just a hilarious name for a horse.

 

[ole]

Look at the saddle blankets. In the first picture, it has three stars. In the latter one, it has two.

Grant was not one to prefer the statement such a blanket would make; therefore, I think a horse wearing that blanket was Cincinnati which, I understand, he rode when he wanted to make that statement; e.g., reviewing troops, accepting surrenders, dress parades, staged photos, etc.

 

[Littlestown]

You're right! It's got to be Cincinnati after all. Guess I'll go get that second pot of coffee going!

Oh, I thought it was Jeff Davis at first also. But, I'm still putting on a second pot of coffee!