“Traveller,” the most distinguished of the
General's warhorses, was born near
Blue Sulphur Springs, in West Virginia, and was purchased by
General Lee from
Major Thomas L. Broun, who bought him from
Captain James W. Johnson, the son of the gentleman who reared him.
General Lee saw him first in
West Virginia and afterwards in
South Carolina, and was greatly pleased with his appearance.
As soon as
Major Broun ascertained that fact the horse was offered the general as a gift, but he declined, and
Major Broun then sold him. He was four years old in the spring of 1861, and therefore only eight when the war closed.
He was ‘greatly admired for his rapid, springy walk, high spirit, bold carriage and muscular strength.’
When a colt he took the first premium at the
Greenbrier Fair, under the name of
Jeff Davis.
The General changed his name to Traveller.
He oftenrode him in
Lexington after the war, and at his funeral Traveller followed the hearse.
He was appraised by a board in August, 1864, at $4,600 in Confederate currency.
