Name of Lieut General Sir Harry Chauvel's horse (1 Viewer)

[Arnhemjim]

To the Australian members, or anyone else who happens to know,
Point of historical trivia, particularly with the popularity of the musical and movie 'War Horse'. I have exhausted my own library, which is reasonably extensive, and multiple different searches of the internet. Can't find any reference to the name of any of the horses ridden by Lieut-General Sir Harry Chauvel. Am specifically interested in the name of his charger at the time of Beersheba, if known. If you don't happen to know, don't feel bad, in the past besides Robert E. Lee's horse Traveler, it is very difficult to fine the names of horses ridden by U.S. generals. Thanks for all efforts and replies in advance,
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

 

[waynepoo]

To the Australian members, or anyone else who happens to know,
Point of historical trivia, particularly with the popularity of the musical and movie 'War Horse'. I have exhausted my own library, which is reasonably extensive, and multiple different searches of the internet. Can't find any reference to the name of any of the horses ridden by Lieut-General Sir Harry Chauvel. Am specifically interested in the name of his charger at the time of Beersheba, if known. If you don't happen to know, don't feel bad, in the past besides Robert E. Lee's horse Traveler, it is very difficult to fine the names of horses ridden by U.S. generals. Thanks for all efforts and replies in advance,
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

Jim,
Gday mate, you will find that at least at the time of the Light Horse entering Damascus on the 7th Nov 1918, that Sir Harry's mount was named "ARISTOCRAT''.
You'll find photo and much more at: http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/H10659
Hope that helps.
Waynepoo.

 

[Arnhemjim]

Hello Waynepoo,
Sincere thanks for the quick reply and information. Picked up K&C's version of Sir Harry yesterday. In my opinion an excellent figure. I'm thinking about compiling a list of historical 'war horses' for inclusion on my blog page. Probably would start with Pegasus and Bellerophon, Bucephala and Alexander, down to Reckless with the 1st Marine Division in Korea.
Best regards,.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

 

[Jack]

I know a donkey is not a horse, but perhaps Simpson's donkey Duffy deserves a place at the table!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Simpson_Kirkpatrick

 

[johnnybach]

Don't forget "Copenhagen" - the Duke of Wellington's favourite, Jim. jb

 

[lancer]

Wasn't ridden by a general, but as a 7th Cavalry survivor of Custer's Last Stand, I think Comanche qualifies as a famous 'war horse'. -- Al

 

[Jack]

Wasn't ridden by a general, but as a 7th Cavalry survivor of Custer's Last Stand, I think Comanche qualifies as a famous 'war horse'. -- Al

Great song about him as well by Johnny Horton!

 

[waynepoo]

Hello Waynepoo,
Sincere thanks for the quick reply and information. Picked up K&C's version of Sir Harry yesterday. In my opinion an excellent figure. I'm thinking about compiling a list of historical 'war horses' for inclusion on my blog page. Probably would start with Pegasus and Bellerophon, Bucephala and Alexander, down to Reckless with the 1st Marine Division in Korea.
Best regards,.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

Jim as a footnote for you:
You may or may not have heard of a famous Australian poet/bard A.B ''BANJO'' Paterson, a lot of Australians may not be aware of this either, Harry Chauvel and the Light Horse needed a strong central remount depot in Egypt. Chauvel chose someone to run it who he knew could be trusted to do a top job in difficult circumstances: his old acquaintance from his school days, Banjo Paterson.
Paterson wrote of his reponsibilities in the remount unit, which included tens of thousands of horses and hardy mules in similar numbers:
'' To take over the rough, uncivilised horses from all over the world by the army buyers; to quieten them and condition them and get them ready for being heel-roped; and finally to issue them in such a state of efficiency that a heavily accoutred trooper can get on and off under fire if need be.''
Paterson had 800 riders/trainers under his command. From a good book '' THE AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE '' by Roland Perry.

Waynepoo.

 

[UKReb]

.........besides Robert E. Lee's horse Traveler, it is very difficult to fine the names of horses ridden by U.S. generals. Thanks for all efforts and replies in advance,
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

Jim

A few of the Civil War Generals favourite steeds that come to mind are

Cincinatti-US Grant
Daniel Webster- McClellan
Lexington-Sherman
Reinzi-Sheridan
Fancy- John Reynolds
Lancer-Custer

Confederates
High Fly-JEB Stuart
King Philip-Bedford Forrest
Little Sorrel-Stonewall Jackson
Hero-Longstreet
Butler-Wade Hampton
Dixie-Cleburne

Most of these generals had more than one horse during campaigning as per Lee who besides Traveller had Lucy Long given to him by JEB Stuart and Custer and Forrest had dozens of horses shot from underneath them but the above list to the best of my memory is historically recorded as being their favourite steeds.

Bob

 

[trooper]

To elaborate further on UK Reb's comment that most officers had moree than one horse.

Sheridan.....Aldebaron, Rienzi (later renamed Winchester)
Meade........Baldy,Blackie, Gertie,Old Bill
Kearny.......Bayard,Decatur,Moscow
Lee...........Traveller, Brown Roan, Lucy Long, Richmond
McClellan...Burns, Daniel webster, Kentuck
Hampton....Butler, Captain
Grant.........Cincinnati, Fox, Jack, Jeff Davis, Kangaroo,Methuselah, Rondy
Sedgewick..Cornwall, Handsome Joe, Rambler
Sherman....Dolly, Lexington, Sam
Custer.......Don Juan, Harry, Lancer, Roanoke
Reynolds...Fancy, Prince
Sickles.....Grand Old canister, Grape, Tammany
Stuart......Highfly, My Maryland, Skylark, Virginia
Forrest.....Highlander, King Phillip, Roderick

Trooper