Robert E. Lee in a note to his wife's cousin  who wished to paint a portrait of Lee's horse, Traveller.
 
If I was an artist like you, I would draw a true picture of Traveller, representing his fine proportions, muscular figure, deep chest, short back, strong haunches, flat legs, small head, broad forehead, delicate ears, quick eye, small feet and black mane and tail.  Such a picture would inspire a poet whose genius could then depict his worth and describe his endurance of toil, hunger, thirst, heat, and cold and the dangers and suffering through which he has passed.
 
He could dilate upon his sagacity and affection and his invariable response to every wish of his rider. He might even imagine his thoughts through the long night marches and days of the battle through which he has passed.  But I am no artist and can therefore only say he is a Confederate grey.
 
From 1001 Best Things Ever Said about Horses.


Views: 203

Attachments:

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

This is just a small portion of the letter Lee sent to his wife.

There is also a statue of Traveller singlefooting that is at the Virginia Military Institute.

I am going to find the a picture and post. Proof postive Traveller was a Kentucky Saddler!
There's nothing more timeless than a rider's love for his mount.

RSS

The Rider Marketplace

International Horse News

Click Here for Barnmice Horse News

© 2024   Created by Barnmice Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service