Old Baldy

Died 1882

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

George Meade was the Union General who defeated Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg.

A crusty curmudgeon, known as "old snapping turtle," he had a special place in his heart for his horse, Old Baldy, who he mentioned frequently in letters home to his wife.

Old Baldy had been wounded at least 14 times when General Meade retired him. But he outlived the General by ten years, and even got to participate in the General's funeral as the riderless horse.

Old Baldy died and was buried outside in Philadelphia in 1882. Nine days later, two Civil War vets named Hervy and Johnston -- in a burst of belated sentimentality -- dug up Old Baldy's remains, cut off his head, stuffed it into a gunny sack, and dragged it back to their veterans post. The head was mounted and hung in a place of honor behind the Post Commander's chair.

Old Baldy's current home is the Civil War Library Museum on Pine Street. Because he tends to pull down walls ("He's too damned nose-heavy," notes the curator) he now resides in a special steel-reinforced display case that "could take a direct hit with a bomb" and not be damaged.

"Old Baldy is treated with great reverence here," says the curator. "He's my wife's favorite thing in the Museum, including me."

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