Since the release of the movie “War Horse” there has been a lot more attention given to the role of horses in wartime.

On a tour of the Brandy Station battlefield last summer I learned that for every man killed during the Civil War (around 625,000), three horses died. It is also estimated that about 800,000 pounds of forage and grain were needed daily to feed the war’s horses and mules.

Anyway, some horses that served during the Civil War are more famous than others, but I thought I’d create a list of the ones I could find. If you are aware of any others, please let me know!

King Philip – One of the more well known warhorses of General N.B. Forest.

Traveller – Probably the most famous horse of the war, he was a big gray gelding that served Robert E. Lee throughout the war and after. Traveller died in June 1871, almost one year after his master’s death. He is buried outside of Lee Chapel on the grounds of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. Visitors still leave apples and treats on his grave.

Virginia and Skylark – Two of the more famous warhorses owned by Gen. J.E.B.(Jeb) Stuart. (I think Maryland was another one).

Little Sorrel – Warhorse of General Stonewall Jackson. Jackson was riding Little Sorrel when he was shot by friendly fire at Chancellorsville. Little Sorrel survived and was eventually returned to Gen. Jackson’s widow.

Frantic– Roonie Lee’s war horse.

Cincinnati – Big warhorse ridden by General U.S. Grant.

Dixie – E.Porter Alexander (and Col. Alexander Hunter in the historical fiction novel, Noble Cause)!

Magic -William Blackford.

Grey Eagle – John Buford, the Federal hero of the first day at Gettysburg.

Charlamayne – Joshua L. Chamberlain of 20th Maine and Little Round Top. After the war he gave the local children rides around the neighborhood on his beloved Charlamayne.

Lancer, Don Juan, Harry, Roanoke – Civil War horses of General G.A. Custer.

Dixie – Henry Kyd Douglas.

Roderick – Another of the great warhorses ridden by old N.B. Forrest.

Red Eye-Dick Garnett. Red Eye survived Picket’s Charge. General Garnett did not.

Fanny – John Gibbon.

Milroy – John B. Gordon.

Captain – Wade Hampton.

Pretty – David McM. Gregg.

Billy – Frank Haskell.

Dan – Alexander Hays.

Jeff Davis – John B. Hood.

Faugh-a-Ballagh – Patrick Kelly.

Old Spot – Judson Kilpatrick.

Nellie Gray – Fitz Hugh Lee.

Lucy Long – The forgotten warhorse of the beloved General Robert E. Lee,who served him ably throughout the war.

Hero – James Longstreet. Hero saw it all and survived the war.

Old Baldy– George Meade.

Slicky – Alfred Pleasonton.

Prince – John F. Reynolds, one of the Union Army’s finest horseman. He was riding Prince at Gettysburg when he urged the Iron Brigade forward into McPherson’s woods on the first day. Reynolds was killed by a rebel sharpshooter. Prince was returned to his family in Lancaster, Pa.

Firefly – Robert Rodes.

Rienzi – Phil Sheridan. I just saw his stuffed remains at the Smithsonian. His name was changed to Winchester after the famous ride from that town.

Handsome Joe – John Sedgewick.

Tammany – Dan Sickles.

Jinny – Issac Trimble.

Old Jim – Strong Vincent.

Billy – Charles Wainwright.

Fleetfoot – Walter Taylor.

Sheridan – Warhorse of James Harrison Wilson. He fondly referred to his horse in letter’s home as “The Prince of Horses.”

Old Bench Legs -Warhorse of Benjamin Grieson.

Chief – The last living cavalry horse of the U.S. Cavalry.