Hobilar
Airman
In the spring of 1861, General Thomas J 'Stonewall' Jackson was commanding a post at Harpers Ferry, when he heard that some of his men had captured a Yankee train which had contained some horses destined for the Federal cavalry.
Now being without a horse at that time, the General decided to buy one of these horses. He selected a large and powerful sorrel gelding for himself, but at the same time noticed a smaller sorrel gelding of some fifteen hands which he thought would make a nice present for his wife.
After a few days however, he found that the larger horse had to hard a trot and was not an easy horse to handle, and so giving the larger animal to Captain B.T.Lacy, he took to riding the smaller horse. Because the little horse was considered a 'Lady's Horse' he found it much more easier to ride, and so it became his favourite steed. General Jackson named the little horse 'Fancy', but to its attendants it was always known as the 'Little Sorrel'.
Jackson rode 'Little Sorrel' at 1st Bull Run, where he acquired his nickname, and was again riding him when he was killed at Chancellorville. After the General's death 'Little Sorrel' was retired to Jackson's Father-in-Law's ranch, and later to the Soldiers' Home in Richmond, Virginia. 'Little Sorrel' died in 1866, though his body was preserved and displayed at the Pittsburg museum.
Little Sorrels saddle was a present to 'Old Stonewall' by an admirer-Colonel Freemantle of the Coldstream Guards.
Now being without a horse at that time, the General decided to buy one of these horses. He selected a large and powerful sorrel gelding for himself, but at the same time noticed a smaller sorrel gelding of some fifteen hands which he thought would make a nice present for his wife.
After a few days however, he found that the larger horse had to hard a trot and was not an easy horse to handle, and so giving the larger animal to Captain B.T.Lacy, he took to riding the smaller horse. Because the little horse was considered a 'Lady's Horse' he found it much more easier to ride, and so it became his favourite steed. General Jackson named the little horse 'Fancy', but to its attendants it was always known as the 'Little Sorrel'.
Jackson rode 'Little Sorrel' at 1st Bull Run, where he acquired his nickname, and was again riding him when he was killed at Chancellorville. After the General's death 'Little Sorrel' was retired to Jackson's Father-in-Law's ranch, and later to the Soldiers' Home in Richmond, Virginia. 'Little Sorrel' died in 1866, though his body was preserved and displayed at the Pittsburg museum.
Little Sorrels saddle was a present to 'Old Stonewall' by an admirer-Colonel Freemantle of the Coldstream Guards.
