Katy Moran, Community News

The preserved head of the Civil War veteran horse known as Old Baldy has come under dispute between two Civil War museums in Philadelphia.  

Old Baldy was a valiant warhorse who carried Union General George Meade into at least 14 Civil War battles during his career.  Prior to serving Meade, he had been wounded during the First Battle of Bull Run.  He was then purchased for Meade by the US government.  

Old Baldy endured at least at least five battle wounds including being struck in the nose by an artillery shell, struck in his right hind leg, shot through the neck (and left for dead on the battle field), shot by a bullet that had passed through Meade's trouser leg which ended up in his stomach, and  finally he washit by a shell in the ribs.  

His active service lasted from 1861 through 1864 and he survived several of the most important battles of the war, including the Second Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, and Gettysburg.  He only refused to go forward into combat one time - after taking the shot in his stomach.  Meade thought Old Baldy was done at that point, but he was sent behind the lines to recuperate and went on to be wounded one more time.

Old Baldy was then retired and sent out to pasture on two different farms in Pennsylvania owned by Meade's friends or staff members.  During retirement, Meade rode him in on trail rides and in memorial parades.  Then, at Meade's funeral, Old Baldy served as the ceremonial 'riderless horse.'  

Old Baldy lived until 1882 when he was euthanized at the ripe old age of 30.  A few days later, a couple of Union veterans dug up his grave to retrieve his head which was then preserved by a taxidermist.   The head was mounted for exhibition at the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library in Philadelphia where it stayed until 1979 when it was loaned to the Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum of Philadelphia.  

The Civil War and Underground Railroad museum refurbished the exhibit and kept it on display in their room devoted to General Meade until the museum closed in 2008 while preparing to move to new premises.  At that time, the Grand Old Army Museum, which had first housed the exhibit, claimed its original ownership.  At this point, lawyers for both museums went into battle over rights to the artifact.

In an agreement worked out in the Philadelphia Orphan's Court which has jurisdiction over non-profit organizations, the head will be displayed at the Grand Army of the Republic Museum for at least three years while the Civil War Museum continues to protect and approve arrangements for its display.  The Civil War Museum has plans to reopen in 2015

It looks like a lasting peace has been arranged for Old Baldy.

Sources:  Wikipedia, Washington Post Blog: A House Divided/Linda Wheeler, StarTribune.com, Philly.com