Yorkshire

[lelliott19]

Maj General Alpheus Starkey Williams (1st Div, XII Corps, US) had two horses, one named Yorkshire and the other Plug Ugly. Yorkshire was the showier of the two, but Williams would often be found atop the larger and sturdier Plug Ugly.

"During the muddy winter quarters at Stafford in 1863 he writes:

I rode yesterday my "Yorkshire." I have not been on his back for over a month, preferring to ride "Plug Ugly" over these rough and muddy roads. "Yorkshire" never looked so well as now. He has grown large and muscular since we left Detroit. Considering his thin skin and soft hair he stands exposure wonderfully, though Charley is as careful of him as a mother of a baby. The horse is admired by everybody and pronounced by all as the finest animal in the army."​

http://bhere.com/plugugly/williams/plugbio.html

This tribute to Major General Alpheus Starkey Williams can be found on Belle Isle, an island that is a City of Detroit Park. The statue, by sculptor Henry Shrade, is found near the center of the island, at Central Way and Inselruhe Street.
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM845Y_Major_General_Alpheus_Starkey_Williams_Detroit_Michigan

Incidentally, Williams Avenue (at Gettysburg National Military Park) is named after Maj Genl Alpheus S Williams.

 

[Drew]

Who is Charley?

 

[E_just_E]

Who is Charley?

horse

 

[Drew]

though Charley is as careful of him as a mother of a baby.

Yorkshire plus Plug Ugly equals two horses, as indicated in the OP. I'm sorry to be a blockhead, but is Charley a third horse or a person caring for them?

 

[E_just_E]

Yorkshire plus Plug Ugly equals two horses, as indicated in the OP. I'm sorry to be a blockhead, but is Charley a third horse or a person caring for them?

Pun. Charley horse.

Sounds it was likely they guy who was taking care of them. Lesser task than Alpheus Williams' barber:

 

[lelliott19]

You guys are hilarious! Indeed, Id say the barber had a tougher job that Charley. And yes, I interpreted the quote to mean that "Charley" was the groom. From Williams' description of Yorkshire - thin skinned and with soft hair - and his concern for him standing exposure, Id guess he was a thoroughbred, or possibly an AngloArab.

Apparently by Jan 1863, there was a THIRD horse "Major" who was acquired it seems after Plug Ugly "gave out."

Writing from Savannah on January 23, 1865 Williams gives the following epilogue.

"My horses got a good feed. The venerable Yorkshire, who is generally carefully attended to, looked supreme disgust, as he was obliged to stand in the rain all night unblanketed, and for thirty-six hours unfed. Major, the chestnut horse I have generally rode since last spring, as tough as a knot, looked quite resigned. The worthy and war-worn old Plug Ugly, I believe I have told you before, gave out last summer beyond even strength to be led, and was ignominiously sold for $50. I would cheerfully pay more for his bullet-bored skin, if I had it at home. I hear that he died soon after I disposed of him."
​

http://bhere.com/plugugly/williams/plugbio.html

 

[Drew]

I hear that he died soon after I disposed of him."

I was about to "like" your post until I read this. So sad. I really feel for the critters.

 

[E_just_E]

And yes, I interpreted the quote to mean that "Charley" was the groom.

Confused. Who was the bride?

 

[lelliott19]

Groom/stable boy - the person who is responsible for the care of the horses. Sorry about that. Maybe its a southern term?

 

[E_just_E]

Groom/stable boy - the person who is responsible for the care of the horses. Sorry about that. Maybe its a southern term?

Got it Not that much experience with horses

 

[Patrick H]

Heck, I thought E_just_E was joshing with all of us. Not so! I need to remember that I should never come to a rash judgement about anything written here.

E, I've got to love your response, though: "Confused. Who was the bride?" That's just great. I'm not beating you up at all. I just think that was a funny moment in my time here this evening. Please have a laugh with me.

 

[Drew]

Groom/stable boy - the person who is responsible for the care of the horses. Sorry about that. Maybe its a southern term?

Not a Southern term - fits all over. Bride, I dunno.....

 

[Northern Light]

Groom/stable boy - the person who is responsible for the care of the horses. Sorry about that. Maybe its a southern term?

No it is definitely not!

 

[lelliott19]

Here's another pic of Maj General Alpheus Starkey Williams. Looks like the barber had the facial hair better controlled here than the pic @E_just_E posted above (Post #5.) Judging from the grey in his beard in the one above, Im assuming this one may have been during the war and that one on Post #5 was later? And I have to add - he just looks like a man who would care for his animals as well as he could.

http://www.28thga.org/123ny_pictures_hq.html

 

[Northern Light]

Here's another pic of Maj General Alpheus Starkey Williams. Looks like the barber had the facial hair better controlled here than the pic @E_just_E posted above (Post #5.) Judging from the grey in his beard in the one above, Im assuming this one may have been during the war and that one on Post #5 was later? And I have to add - he just looks like a man who would care for his animals as well as he could.

http://www.28thga.org/123ny_pictures_hq.html

I've been trying to figure out if he is in my husband's family tree, but haven't connected him yet

 

[lelliott19]

Maj General Williams or Yorkshire?
My ex-husband was likely closely related to the posterior end of Yorkshire. Williams - not so much.

 

[Northern Light]

Maj General Williams or Yorkshire?
My ex-husband was likely closely related to the posterior end of Yorkshire. Williams - not so much.

The general