DEATH OF A VETERAN WAR HORSE

from the Boston Herald  December 5, 1880


During the war of the rebellion there was taken from a rebel officer in Virginia by one of the United States soldiers a very valuable horse of the Virginia thoroughbred or "red eye" breed.  He was five or six years old, of a handsome dark-brown color, and very stylish in appearance.  He came into the possession of Adj. Gen. James A. Cunningham, who rode him for two years, the animal, on account of his great endurance, superior intelligence, and fearless disposition proving very valuable for army service.  He went through the battle of the Wilderness and other encounters uninjured.  He was named Phil Sheridan, on account of his efficient war service.  At the close of the rebellion Gen. Cunningham sold him to Stephen Longley of Shirley who sold him to Col J.A. Harwood of Littleton for a handsome price, who bought him for a family horse.  Col Harwood has owned him for 15 years and appeared with him at Governor's reviews for six or seven years.  The horse being about 25 years old, had outlived his usefulness and his owner had him killed with a rifle ball yesterday.  He was buried on an eminence near his owner's residence, standing up, and with his head facing the house.  A headstone inscribed "Phil Sheridan" will be erected over the grave.