- Joined
- May 12, 2010
- Location
- Now Florida but always a Kentuckian
General Sheridan was given Rienze by the officers of the Second Michigan Cavalry in 1862. He was a Morgan horse, 3 years old and jet black with three white fetlocks. He was named Rienze after the town of Rienze, Mississippi. His name was changed to Winchester by Sheridan after the famous ride from Winchester, Virginia to Cedar Creek in October, 1864. He and his famous horse got their in time to turn defeat into victory.
Sheridan and Winchester were actually together for 40 other battles. He was even present at Appomattox Courthouse in April 1865 for Lee's surrender to Grant.
Winchester was wounded several times in battles. He did survive the war and lived to be 20 years old. He is preserved and mounted and is now on display at the National Museum of American History.
Both Sheridan and his horse have been commemorated in poetry, song, sculpture and museum exhibits.
The most famous poem to the pair is "Sheridan's Ride" by Thomas Buchanan Read.
Information from:
https://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=821
Sheridan and Winchester were actually together for 40 other battles. He was even present at Appomattox Courthouse in April 1865 for Lee's surrender to Grant.
Winchester was wounded several times in battles. He did survive the war and lived to be 20 years old. He is preserved and mounted and is now on display at the National Museum of American History.
Both Sheridan and his horse have been commemorated in poetry, song, sculpture and museum exhibits.
The most famous poem to the pair is "Sheridan's Ride" by Thomas Buchanan Read.
Information from:
https://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=821