Famous Horses in History – Cincinnati with giveaway by Donna Schlachter

From Civil War Monitor site -- Cincinnati with Grant

This soldier didn’t wear a uniform. He didn’t give commands. And yet, in some of the most defining moments of the American Civil War, he carried a man who did.

His name was Cincinnati—a powerful, steady thoroughbred whose quiet strength helped shape the course of history. And friend, when you lean in close to his story, you begin to see something deeper than war… you see faithfulness in motion.

Cincinnati came into the life of Ulysses S. Grant as a gift during the war, not long after the Battle of Chattanooga. From the beginning, Grant recognized that this wasn’t just any horse—he came from a remarkable lineage. His sire was Lexington, one of the fastest thoroughbreds in the nation, and that strength and elegance showed in this colt.

Grant astride Cincinnati -- Wikipedia

In fact, he would later call Cincinnati “the finest horse that he had ever seen.”

And that’s saying something from a man who knew horses like few others.

What made Cincinnati remarkable wasn’t just his strength—it was his spirit.

He was calm under pressure, even-tempered in the chaos of battle, yet responsive and alive when the moment called for courage. Through the Overland Campaign and the last confrontations with Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Cincinnati carried Grant faithfully. And perhaps most notably, he was the horse beneath Grant as he rode to Appomattox Court House to accept Lee’s surrender—one of the most pivotal moments in American history.

Even President Abraham Lincoln rode Cincinnati during a visit near the war’s end—a rare honor, as Grant seldom allowed others to ride him.

When the war ended, Cincinnati didn’t fade into obscurity. Grant valued him so deeply that he refused an offer of $10,000 for the horse—a staggering sum at the time. Instead, Cincinnati remained with him, even living in the White House stables during Grant’s presidency.

Nearly every statue and artistic rendering of Grant shows him seated atop Cincinnati.

That’s not accidental—that’s legacy.

Grant astride Cincinnati -- mural at Grant's Tomb

Cincinnati lived out his final years in quiet retirement and died in 1878 on a farm in Maryland.

Cincinnati’s life whispers a truth we still need today: Faithfulness positions us for purpose. And sometimes, the greatest impact you’ll ever make…is simply carrying well what God has placed beneath you.

Enter to win:
Leave a comment, and I will randomly draw one winner’s name to receive a free print book of Hollow Hearts, book 2 in the Hearts of the Pony Express series. Cleverly disguise your email so the ‘bots don’t find you, but I can. For example, donna AT livebytheword DOT com

About Donna:
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story.

Connect online:
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Need a writing coach? Or want to write your family or personal story? www.ThePurposeFullWriter.com


Resources:

https://www.civilwarmonitor.com/grants-war-horse-cincinnati/

https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/ulysses-s-grants-cincinnati/#google_vignette

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsemanship_of_Ulysses_S._Grant

https://www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/famous-civil-war-horses/






Leave a comment, and I will randomly draw one winner’s name to receive a free print book of Hollow Hearts, book 2 in the Hearts of the Pony Express series. Cleverly disguise your email so the ‘bots don’t find you, but I can. For example, donna AT livebytheword DOT com



A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story.



www.DonnaSchlachter.com

Newsletter: https://www.thepurposefullwriter.com/newslettersignup

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donna-Schlachter/author/B01180A2EE

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14116621.Donna_Schlachter

The Purpose-Full Writer: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604220861766651

Need a writing coach? Or want to write your family or personal story? www.ThePurposeFullWriter.com













Resources:

https://www.civilwarmonitor.com/grants-war-horse-cincinnati/

https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/ulysses-s-grants-cincinnati/#google_vignette

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsemanship_of_Ulysses_S._Grant

https://www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/famous-civil-war-horses/

A Florida Gal Goes West: Yellowstone National Park

A couple of weeks ago, I left Orlando on a flight to Minneapolis (that took much longer than originally scheduled) to meet up with Stacy Monson, a Mosaic Collection author (like me!) and vagabond friend.

The next day, Stacy and I hopped in her SUV and headed west to Montana for our own writing retreat. Along the way, we stopped at the Badlands National Park…

Badlands ~ Johnnie Alexander

…and Mount Rushmore.

Mt. Rushmore ~ Johnnie Alexander

A couple days after settling into our lovely Carbon County chalet, we were joined by another Mosaic author, Deb Elkink, and her husband Gerrit. The four of us got up early one morning, stopped at the Cattail Bakery in Red Lodge for delicious pastries, then drove through Beartooth Pass...

Left to Right: Deb, Stacy, Johnnie, Gerrit
Photo taken by a Kind Stranger

...to “the oldest, one of the largest, and probably the best-known national park in the United States” (Pletcher).

Yellowstone National Park

1904 Map ~ By Henry Wellge (1850-1917)

What an amazing day!

The scenery is breathtaking, ranging from mountains to flatlands and riverbeds and rolling hills.

Yellowstone Landscape ~ Johnnie Alexander

Including an area known as the Sulphur Caldron…

Sulphur Caldron ~ Johnnie Alexander

Mama & Baby Bison ~ Stacy Monson

…and, of course, Old Faithful.

By Albert Bierstadt

Back to the Past

We know little about the prehistoric peoples who inhabited what is now the North Geyser Basin area in northwestern Wyoming, but archaeologists tell us that artifacts from the area date to more than 11,000 years ago.

In contrast, a mere six hundred years or so ago, the Wind River Shoshone, also known as the Tukudika Mountain Shoshone or Sheepeaters, may have arrived in the area.

John Colter, a trapper and explorer who came west with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, arrived in the region around 1807-08. He’s considered to be the first person of European ancestry to explore this area of the country.

Another trapper, Daniel Potts, wrote a letter to his brother which became the first published account about the region. Potts’ vivid description of “Yellowstone Lake and the West Thumb Geyser Basin appeared in a Philadelphia newspaper in 1827” (Pletcher).

Eleven years later, in 1836, a trapper and trained surveyor named Warren Angus Ferris created a map of the area. He “was the first to use the name geyser for the hydrothermal features” found in Yellowstone (Pletcher).

Financier Jay Cooke, whose railroad company was laying tracks north of Yellowstone, along with others who’d surveyed the region, “became strong advocates for the creation of a national park at Yellowstone” (Pletcher). 

Another influential advocate was American geologist Ferdinand Hayden.

Ferdinand V. Hayden (1829–1887)

Which eventually led to President Ulysses S. Grant signing the legislation that created Yellowstone National Park on March 1, 1872. (That makes the park 153 years old!)

Ferdinand V. Hayden's map of Yellowstone National Park, 1871

Fascinating Facts

Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres are located primarily in northwestern Wyoming while stretching into Montana and Idaho. “It is a vast wilderness area filled with stunning landscapes, geothermal wonders, and abundant wildlife” (Tung/Located).

Fort Yellowstone ~ circa 1910

It’s many types of ecosystems include an abundant subalpine forest which “is part of the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion” (Tung/Welcome).

Yellowstone Lake “is the highest mountain lake of its size in North America” (Pletcher).

Yellowstone Lake ~ Stacy Monson

More Recent Events

Bears beg for food!

By Jack E. Boucher; August 1958

Yellowstone was designated:

• a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1976; and 
• a World Heritage site in 1978.

A horrific fire “charred some two-fifths of the park’s forestlands” in 1988 (Pletcher).

Amid tremendous controversy, wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone in 1995.

A Reintroduced Wolf ~ Barry O'Neill

Return to the Present

During our drive through Yellowstone, which took hours because of our frequent stops to take photos of the stunning scenery, we saw pronghorn deer, an elk, plenty of bison, and a brief glimpse of the backside of a bear among a stand of trees. No wolves, though ~ I’m a little sad about that.

We saw this big guy enjoying a snack along the side of the road.

The Elk ~ Deb Elkink

The smaller bison on the right tried to pick a fight with the bison on the left ~ who wasn't really interested!

Feuding Bison ~ Stacy Monson

This shaggy bison, thankfully, was more interested in grazing than us.

Shaggy Bison ~ Johnnie Alexander

Stacy and I got a close-up look at a bear a few days later when we were sitting on the sprawling deck outside our vacation chalet. We were both on our laptops when a black bear appeared only a few yards beyond the far end of the deck.

She stared at us. We stared at her.

Then she turned and ambled away with her cub following close behind her.

We were too stunned to grab our phones and take photos so I created this one to send to family and friends. (Please pretend the sticker of the brown bear is a sticker of a black bear.)

Your Turn

I’ve wanted to visit Montana for decades. And I’ve wanted to visit Yellowstone since researching the introduction of wolves to the park for an as-yet-unpublished novel. This writing retreat (with a bit of sightseeing on the side) has been a dream come true.

Where’s a place you long to visit? Do you have a favorite national park? Have you ever been within staring distance of a mama bear?

Journey into stories filled with heart, mystery, and hope.

Johnnie Alexander writes award-winning stories of enduring love and quiet courage. Her historical and contemporary novels weave together unforgettable romance, compelling characters, and a touch of mystery. 

A sometime hermit and occasional vagabond who most often kicks off her shoes in Florida, Johnnie cherishes cozy family times and enjoys long road trips. 

Readers are invited to discover glimpses of grace and timeless truth in her stories. Connect with her at johnnie-alexander.com.

Photos taken by Johnnie Alexander

The Badlands

Mount Rushmore

Yellowstone Landscape

Sulphur Caldron

Shaggy Bison

"Johnnie and the Mama Bear"

Photo taken by Deb Elkink

The Elk

Photos taken by Stacy Monson

Mama and Baby Bison

Yellowstone Lake

Feuding Bison

All other photos are in public domain.

1904 Map ~ By Henry Wellge (1850-1917) - David Rumsey Map Collection, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43155865

By Albert Bierstadt - Whitney Gallery of Western Art, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30602550

Ferdinand V. Hayden (1829–1887), an American geologist who convinced Congress to make Yellowstone a national park in 1872; Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10989200

Ferdinand V. Hayden's map of Yellowstone National Park, 1871; By F.V. Hayden - Library of Congress[1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4863470

By Unknown author - Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23294613

Bears beg for food at Yellowstone National Park, August 1958. National Park Service photograph by Jack E. Boucher; Negative Number 2-58-JB-749. By National Park Service - HPC-000542, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56931556

Fire. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2391565

A Reintroduced Wolf by Barry O'Neill - Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2144656

Sources

Pletcher, Kenneth. “Yellowstone National Park.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Yellowstone-National-Park (Last updated on August 7, 2025; accessed on August 8, 2025).

Tung, Thanh. “Welcome to Yellowstone National Park.”
https://www.national-park.com/welcome-to-yellowstone-national-park/ (Posted on April 28, 2016; accessed on August 8, 2025).

Tung, Thanh. “Where is Yellowstone National Park Located?”
https://www.national-park.com/where-is-yellowstone-national-park-located/ (Posted on July 27, 2025; accessed on August 8, 2025).

President Ulysses S. Grant visits the Thousand Islands

In 1872, during President Ulysses S. Grant’s reelection campaign for his second term as president, George Pullman invited the President to respite on Pullman Island. He also invited Civil War heroes, General Sheridan and Porter, among others, to join them. For the nearly weeklong visit, Pullman arranged several events, including a grand ball. 

As with most events attended by presidents, when President Grant and his entourage visited, the Thousand Islands became a national event. The press touted the Thousand Islands as the best place to summer for the rich and famous and common man alike. Because of the President’s visit and the journalists’ rave reviews, the Thousand Islands Gilded Age era burst upon the scene.

Pullman was one of the first new money millionaires to buy an island, and his influence was great. Once he bought an island, the rich and famous followed, buying islands, parts of islands, and spots on the St. Lawrence shoreline, some for as little as five dollars! During the Thousand Islands Gilded age, wealthy owners built castles, mansions, and elaborate summer homes, many of which are still standing today, including parts of Pullman Island, which I’ve visited a half-dozen times. Its history gets under your skin and captures the imagination. What would it be like back when President Grant visited?

Here’s the New York Times article that reported on the President’s August, 1872, visit to the Thousand Islands. I think you’ll enjoy the nineteenth-century reporting style. In my novel, Katelyn’s Choice, I elaborate on these events, bringing them to life through the eyes of a servant girl. (note: I corrected a few errors for ease of reading.)

ALEXANDRIA BAY, July 29, 1872

The fact that Mrs. Grant is to spend a part of August on the St. Lawrence River calls to mind the visit of her husband, which brought the Thousand Islands into prominence as a Summer resort. The Islands were said to have been discovered by President Grant. This is not true, but thousands discovered the attractiveness and charms of the Thousand Islands through President Grant's influence.

EVENTS OF THE WEEK 

Our President’s arrival and beacon President Grant as guest of George M. Pullman on Pullman's Isle.

Friday August 2nd

All day Friday, Mr. Pullman and his guests were busy in completing the extensive preparations already made to receive so distinguished a personage, and before the hour of his arrival, every possible preparation was complete. We are reliably informed that to W. A. Angell was entrusted the decoration of the Island, and in fact, the whole affair was entrusted to skillful hand and superb taste; and we feel assured that all who visited the island during the carnival will agree with us when we say, "it was the most beautifully and thoroughly done, for which Mr. Angell is deserving of great credit."

Sherman and Sheridan among guests. About 9 p. m., President Grant and lady, accompanied by Lieut, and Jessie Grant arrived at Pullmans beautiful Isle on board George M. Pullman's private Steam Yacht, which had been placed at the President's disposal upon his arrival at Cape Vincent, and remained so during his stay.

As soon as the steamer bearing his Excellency hove in sight, the guns of Pullman and Nobby Isles, also Alexandria Bay, pealed forth their welcome, and the entire vicinity was illuminated with fireworks and at least three hundred Chinese lanterns.

The pleasure steamer Midge arrived soon after the President had landed, having on board a large party from Clayton, and again the vicinity was brilliantly illuminated with a grand display of fireworks from the Midge and Nobby Isle. Next to Mr. Pullman's, we think Nobby entitled to the greatest credit for its grand and extensive efforts in welcoming the distinguished party. Goodwin and party spared neither pains nor expense to make manifest their approval of the President and the present administration, which we doubt was not fully appreciated.

About 10 p.m., after having received the greeting of the party, General Grant sought repose with the assurance that at last an opportunity of treating himself to some genuine enjoyment had arrived, and that for a time at least he was safely housed with a party of select and social friends at the "Rational" summer residence it Geo. M. Pullman, which is situated on one of the myriads of gems set in the blue bosom of the noble St. Lawrence River, surrounded on all sides by scenes of like enchantment, such as you may have seen in the Arabian Nights.

Saturday

On Saturday noon, the President accompanied by Gen Sheridan, and rowed by Win. McCue, oarsman of Alexandria Bay, started out to pass the afternoon quietly, and among the islands in pursuit of fish, which they secured in large numbers, returning only when the time arrived for dinner. Saturday evening a variety of entertainments were given by the Pullman party, and apparently enjoyed by all.

Sunday

Sunday was passed in quiet enjoyment until 2 p.m., when divine services were held. The scene and occasion made the simple and beautiful services in the wood as impressive as they were novel. At one end of a pine platform stood an evidently honest and earnest clergyman preaching the Word of the peaceful Christ. Over his head was a simple but elegant canopy, handsomely improvised out of a number of national flags. No roof but the spreading branches of the trees amid the peeping patches of blue sky covered the worshipers who occupied the platform, and the rising knolls and surrounding rocks, and who were all proud and happy citizens of the United States, the majority of whom had just gathered together from almost every corner of the country.

And there among them, the plainest and simplest looking individual of them all, with head bowed as low and eye drooping as meekly as any, and with no more pretense to superiority than the poorest of his fellow citizens beside him, knelt the chosen governor of forty-million freemen — the chief magistrate of the greatest nation in the world. It was a sight, which those who witnessed will never forget, which I am sure those who were not present would like to see. I think I am safe in calling it the most remarkable camp meeting ever held in this country. The Street of the ninth Presbyterian Church, preacher on the occasion was the Rev. Dr. formerly known as Dr. Hatfield's church, New York. He took for his text the thirteenth chapter of St. John and the seventh verse, and preached an eloquent sermon of an hour's duration on the wisdom and necessity of always placing our full confidence in God, who, however appearances may deceive our poor short-sightedness, always does all things for the best. After the service a portion of the audience paid their respects to the President after which all departed.

Monday

From 11 a. m. to 2 p. m., Mr. Pullman gave a public reception and at least two thousand people in attendance and shook the hand of our President — now, and we sincerely trust for at least one term more. After having received all comers, Gens. Grant and Sheridan took to the boat and were soon gliding downstream in quest of fishing. Anson Leonard, of Alexandria, was their guide. 

Monday evening Mr. Pullman gave the second of a series of entertainments which consisted of charades and music, and which proved to be one of the most pleasant affairs of the season.

Tuesday

The President visited Nobby Island. This three-story entertainment pavilion was designed with the intent to complement the existing historic main residence on the island. President Ulysses Grant was a guest of the island, and it was a popular shore dinner locale.

That evening, the grand masked ball closed the series and proved to be the most enjoyable evening of all.

Wednesday

At 7 A. M., U. S. Grant and party departed on a government steamer for Ogdensburg, having accepted the hospitalities of that city. 

I hope you enjoyed this look back on a special event. What strikes you most about the newspaper article? Leave your answer or comments on the post below and join me on August 19^th for my next post. 

Check out Katelyn's Choice, Book 1 of the Thousand Islands Gilded Age series

Katelyn Kavanagh’s mother dreamed her daughter would one day escape the oppressive environment of their Upstate New York farm for service in the enchanting Thousand Islands, home to Gilded Age millionaires. But when her wish comes true, Katelyn finds herself in the service of none other than the famous George Pullman, and the transition proves anything but easy.

Thomas O’Neill, brother of her best friend, is all grown up and also working on Pullman Island. Despite Thomas’ efforts to help the irresistible Katelyn adjust to the intricacies of her new world, she just can’t seem to tame her gossiping tongue—even when the information she’s privy to could endanger her job, the 1872 re-election of Pullman guest President Ulysses S. Grant, and the love of the man of her dreams.

About Susan:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than twenty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books.

Her first two books of The Thousand Islands Gilded Age series, Devyn’s Dilemma and Katelyn’s Choice are available now, and book three, Peyton’s Promise, comes out in May, 2022. The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, and Sara’s Surprise, and her newest, Reagan’s Reward, are also available. Susan’s books have won numerous awards, including two Illumination Book Awards, the American Fiction Award, the Indie Excellence Book Award, and the Literary Titan Book Award. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com for more.