July 1-4, 1863:Horses of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War since it ended the Confederate General Robert E Lee’s advancement northward to conquer New England. The State of Massachusetts had sent among its troops the 9th Battery Mounted Division with Captain John Bigelow in charge, who was severely wounded early on during the battle on July 2nd. The Mass Battery brought 110 men: 10 were lost, 18 wounded; but of the infantry mounts - 88 horses of the 9th were killed on the battlefield. The Northern, or Union Soldiers, were 90,000 in number; they lost 30,000. The Southern, or Confederate Soldiers, came with 75,000 men; they lost 27,000. Horses estimated killed in battle at Gettysburg: 1.5 million horses dead. Said Capt Bigelow: “The enemy opened a fearful musketry fire, men and horses were falling like hail…. Sergeant after Sergt., was struck down, horses were plunging and laying about all around….”
Horses from Battle at Little Round Top/Pictures from Library of Congress,Civil War Collection
Requiem for the War Horse, by Jerri Streeter
No battle fought was theirs by choice, nor came victory from their breath,
But they trotted forward just as ordered – into bullets, swords, and death.
Their brave hearts beating in silent courage, in fear that no voice would tell
They stood as targets, lay down as barriers, for soldiers intent to kill.
They labored for our liberty, they forfeited their lives,
Faithful military horses one and all — felled by cannons, bayonets, and knives.
They bore the blows and fatal wounds to save their mounted friends–
Who saved their saddles but not their horses when each battle came to end.
The war horse asked no questions, sought no medals, nor decorated pins
Just blinked an eye and charged ahead, trusting they’d go home again.
We salute with honor their deeds of valor: their sacrifice, pain, and torture.
For they were more than just mere transport….
They are the forgotten: Equine Military Soldiers.
Reader’s comment: I read once the way they trained the horses to charge into the face of fire was to have them charge a line of men. Then when they reached the line the men would pet them and praise them. They worked up to firing blanks when they charged. Then they would be petted and praised again. By the people firing as well as their riders, of course. Mahalo, Steve
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