Famous Horses in History – Marengo: a horse of mystery by Donna Schlachter

Painting by Theodore Gericault c 1812 -- courtesy of Horses & People

Marengo is perhaps the most famous horse associated with Napoleon Bonaparte, yet much of the stallion’s story remains wrapped in legend, contradiction, and mystery. Revered as a war horse, celebrated as a survivor, and eventually displayed as a museum relic, Marengo’s life offers a fascinating glimpse into the world behind the emperor who once dominated Europe.

Born around 1793 in Egypt, Marengo was believed to be an Arabian stallion of exceptional pedigree. Small by modern standards—standing only about 14 hands high—he nevertheless possessed the endurance, intelligence, and courage prized in Arabian bloodlines. Historians believe he was one of several horses brought back to France after Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign. Though details of his exact lineage remain uncertain, many experts agree his breeding contributed to his legendary stamina and calmness under fire. 

 

Portrait by Joseph Chabond c. 1810 -- courtesy Horse Addict

Napoleon reportedly named the horse after the 1800 Battle of Marengo, one of his significant victories against Austria in northern Italy. The horse quickly became associated with the emperor himself and accompanied him through some of Europe’s most famous military campaigns. Marengo carried Napoleon into the Battles of Austerlitz, Jena, Wagram, and, most famously, Waterloo. Despite suffering many injuries during its service, the horse showed remarkable resilience, according to military records.

One enduring mystery is whether Marengo was truly Napoleon’s favorite horse. Napoleon owned dozens of horses throughout his reign, and records from the era are often inconsistent. Some historians argue that Marengo’s fame grew after Waterloo as British collectors and storytellers elevated the horse into a symbol of victory over Napoleon. People think Marengo was highly valued for his consistency and his ability to endure difficult journeys that proved fatal to many other horses.

 

Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David - courtesy Wikipedia

 

Another mystery involves Marengo’s temperament. Stories portray him as fearless in battle, yet some reports describe him as difficult, stubborn, or highly spirited. As with many legendary animals, separating fact from myth is almost impossible. Contemporary accounts were often written decades later, colored by political loyalties and romantic storytelling.
 

Marengo’s military career ended dramatically at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. After Napoleon’s defeat, British forces captured the horse. Lieutenant Colonel William Petre apparently bought Marengo and brought him to England, where the old war horse lived out his days. Surprisingly, they did not treat Marengo as a royal treasure but instead allowed him to live a relatively ordinary life, including at stud, although his offspring were not notable. 

Marengo's skeleton on display at the National Army Museum, London -- courtesy Wikipedia

 

The stallion died in 1831 at approximately 38 years old—an extraordinary age for a horse of that era, especially one that endured years of warfare. Yet even death did not end Marengo’s strange journey. Curators preserved his skeleton and eventually displayed it at the National Army Museum in London, where it remains one of the museum’s most famous exhibits. But here's another odd thing: someone made a snuffbox from one of Marengo's hooves. This was a common thing in the 1800s, but it's shocking now. 

"Napoleon on Marengo" -- artist unidentified -- courtesy National Army Museum

 

Today, Marengo stands as more than merely Napoleon’s horse. He has become a symbol of endurance, mythmaking, and the blurred line between history and legend.

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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. Learn more at https://www.donnaschlachter.com/the-purpose-full-writer-coaching-programs Check out her coaching group on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604220861766651

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Resources:

https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/marengos-makeover

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marengo_(horse)

https://horseaddict.net/2017/11/06/marengo-napoleons-war-horse/ (snippet)

https://horsesandpeople.com.au/the-mystery-of-marengo/

https://ageofrevolution.org/200-object/skeleton-of-the-horse-marengo/

Famous Horses in History – Comanche by Donna Schlachter with Giveaway

Comanche, 1872 (Courtesy Wikipedia)

In our second installment of Famous Horses in History, we are going to take a look at another war horse, Comanche. While his exact date of birth isn’t known, he was bought by the US Army in 1868 in St. Louis, Missouri, and sent to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was thought to be part mustang and part Morgan, giving him good lineage for living on the plains as well as having stamina and personality. Captain Myles Keough liked the versatile size of the gelding, and purchased him to use as his personal mount, to be ridden only in battle. He usually rode Paddy on marches, while Comanche followed with the other extra horses. Apparently, Keough wanted to keep Comanche fresh for the fighting. 

Captain Myles Keough

 

Comanche was wounded several times prior to Little Big Horn, and each time, the horse continued through the battles and was treated after the fighting ended. One such report was that in 1868, he was wounded in the hindquarters by an arrow, but carried Keough in the fight. He was then named “Comanche” to honor his bravery and toughness. Comanche healed quickly, and Keough was proud of his fearless horse who was never afraid to enter a battle, even though he’d had many injuries.

On June 25, 1876, General George Custer led the 7th Calvary into battle at the Little Big Horn, and Captain Keough rode Commanche into what is now known as Custer’s Last Stand. Every soldier in the battle died, as did most of the horses, and Comanche was one of perhaps 100 Army horses that survived. There is even a report that a yellow bulldog made it through the battle. Most of these mounts were taken by the natives, although their fate is unknown, as the Army horses were more accustomed to a diet of rich grasses, hay, and grain, and tended not to fare well on the native diet of whatever forage they could find.

Severely wounded, Comanche was discovered two days after the end of the fighting, standing beside his owner’s body. He was shipped to Fort Lincoln to recover from his wounds.

Following that, he received the honorary title of Second Commanding Officer and was retired. This time, however, his healing took longer due to the extensive number of wounds. Part of the official order said, “his kind treatment and comfort shall be a matter of special pride and solicitude on the part of every member of the Seventh Calvary to the end of his life…Wounded and scarred as he is, his very existence speaks in terms more eloquent than words, of the desperate struggle against overwhelming numbers…he will never be ridden…nor will he be put to any kind of work.” In accordance with the order, he was never ridden again. He led official parades, with a pair of Calvary riding boots reversed in the stirrups to honor his fallen owner and fellow soldiers.

A reporter from the Bismack Tribune was so inspired by the order that he visited Fort Lincoln to interview the horse, writing that he asked the usual question, and the subject acknowledged with “a toss of his head, a stamp of his foot, and a flourish of his tail.”

However, his official keeper, John Rivers of Company 1, added more details, including that the horse had been found in 1876 following the fatal battle by Sergeant DeLacey, severely wounded. He had serious wounds, including four bullets, three of which were extracted following the battle, and the fourth in April 1877. His keeper didn’t consider him an extraordinary specimen, but acknowledged he was noble looking.

Comanche stayed at Fort Lincoln until June 1879, then the Seventh Regiment moved him to Fort Riley, Kansas in 1887, where he became something of a pet. He enjoyed the run of the post grounds and acquired a taste for beer due to all the toasts made to his bravery in battle.

On November 7, 1891, at the estimated age of 29, Comanche passed away from colic.

Comanche on display at Kansas University (courtesy of The Wayback Machine)

 

A well-known Kansas taxidermist was commissioned to preserve his body, which was exhibited at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893, before being moved to the Kansas University where he is currently on display. He is one of only four horses to be given a military funeral with full honors.

 

Leave a comment and I will draw randomly for an ebook “Christmas Under the Stars”, which also features horses. Please include your cleverly disguised email address (so the ‘bots don’t get you). For example: donna AT livebytheword DOT com

About Christmas Under the Stars:

November 1858, Utah Territory: Edie Meredith strives to keep her temper and her tongue under control as she heads west with her brother to California. Raised in an itinerant preacher family, she promises she will never marry a man of the cloth. Tom Aiken, drover of the wagon train, longs to answer his true calling: to preach, and while he realizes not every woman would choose a preacher for a husband, he hopes to soon find his help-meet. Suspicious ‘accidents’ plague their journey. Is someone trying to keep them from reaching their destination? Or will misunderstanding and circumstances keep them apart?

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.

Newsletter: https://www.thepurposefullwriter.com/newslettersignup Stay connected so you learn about new releases, preorders, and presales, as well as check out featured authors, book reviews, and a little corner of peace. Plus: Receive 2 free ebooks simply for signing up for our free newsletter!

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comanche_(horse)

University of Kansas Natural History Museum

https://web.archive.org/web/20101028094838/http://custerlives.com/custer4.htm

Literature Appel, David (1951). Comanche: Story of America's Most Heroic Horse. World Publishing Company. ASIN B0007HG0SW.

Movies Tonka (1958), also released as A Horse Named Comanche, a Walt Disney film starring Sal Mineo, based on David Appel's book
Comanche (2000), a film written and directed by Burt Kennedy, starring Kris Kristofferson and Wilford Brimley