DEC 17: Custer’s Horses, pt. 1 - Dandy
George Armstrong Custer was noted for his exceptional horsemanship while he was a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1861 as one of the top cadets in riding, jumping and swordsmanship.
His introduction to horses came as a boy in Ohio, according to Brenda L. Tippin, author of “Shaping America with General George A. Custer.”
Two of George Custer’s favorite mounts, Vic, left, and Dandy. (Credit: Library of Congress)
Tippin writes:
“All the Custers loved horses and the favorite breed among Ohio farmers (Emanuel Custer was a blacksmith and farmer) was the Morgan. The first Morgan was brought into Ohio in 1846. George Custer, a natural-born horseman, was taught like many farm boys, to ride bareback from the time he could barely straddle a horse, and it is likely he knew and loved the Morgan horse from his boyhood.”
“The Morgan was much in demand during the Civil War, due to their endurance, weight-carrying ability, strong short back, excellent feet and legs, and a calm and cheerful temperament, and an abundance of natural style that appealed to cavalry officers.
“Custer had 11 horses shot out from under him during the Civil War, several of which were Morgans.”
A particular Morgan caught Custer’s eye in late fall of 1868, according to Tippin.
“The Quartermaster sent 500 horses to replenish the mounts for the Seventh Cavalry as they prepared for a winter campaign. The horses were led past Custer’s tent, and his attention was caught by a spirited, compact and muscular horse whose dancing, elastic step made him stand out from the others. The horse was a Morgan about 15-1/2 hands, dark bay in color, with a white nose and elongated star, and he reminded Custer at once of many of the best mounts he had ridden during the war. Custer ordered him detained, and on trying him out decided he would take advantage of the privilege granted to officers, and purchase him from the government for his personal mount.”
Custer’s wife, Libbie, a noted horse rider in her own right, wrote of Custer’s new horse: “His fire, promising powers of endurance, his sound condition, made General Custer think he would prove equal to the terrible marches, the exposure and insufficient forage to which a cavalry horse had to submit. He was given the name of ‘Dandy’ on the spot because of his spirited manner, and the little proud peacock airs he never forgot except when he slept… Dandy enjoyed a hunt above everything.”
Dandy enjoyed the good fortune of not accompanying Custer into battle at Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876. Custer opted to ride, Vic, another of his favorite mounts that day. Dandy was back with the pack train and, although slightly wounded, survived and was returned to Custer’s family in Monroe, Michigan.
