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We are approaching the Anniversary of the death of the magnificent old warhorse!

'Baldy' was raised on the western frontier, and at the breaking out of the war was owned by Colonel Edward D. Baker of the 71st Pennsylvania Volunteers or 1st California regiment.

The First Battle of Bull Run, July 21st, 1861: 'Baldy' was wounded in the nose by a piece of shell. He was afterword purchased by General George G. Meade, at Washington, for $150, and was ridden by him almost exclusively through all the war, and in the following battles:

Drainsville, VA - December 20 1861; Mechanicsville - June 26, 1862; Gaines Mill - June 27, 1862; Groveton, August 29, 1862; Second Bull Run - August 30, 1862; South Mountain - September 14, 1862; Antietam - September 17, 1862; Fredericksburg - December 13, 1862; Chancellorsville - May 1-4, 1863; Gettysburg - July 1-3, 1863; Bristoe Station - October 14, 1863; Rappahannock Station - November 7, 1863; Mine Run - November 26, 1863; Wilderness - May 5-6, 1864; Spotsylvania - May 8 - 20, 1864; North Anna - May 23 -26, 1864; Totopottomy - May 29, 1864; Bethseda Church - May 30, 1864; Cold Harbor - June 1-3, 1864; Petersburg - June 15 -18, 1864; Jerusalem Plan Road - June 22, 1864; Mine Explosion - July 30, 1864; Weldon Railroad - August 18 - 25, 1864.

At the latter battle, General Meade was wounded in the leg by a piece of shell, though not badly. 'Baldy' was then sent north in charge of George Melloy, of the First Pennyslvania Cavalry, to Philadelphia, by rail, and then sent to General Meade's Country Place, Meadow Bank Farm, where he remained for seven years. 'Baldy' was then presented to Mr. John J. Davis, a blacksmith near Jenkintown, Montgomery County, Pa. who kept him until he became too feeble to get up after lying down, and on December 16th, 1882, a dose of poison laid him finally to rest. Baldy was over 30 years old, and had lived ten years after his gallant master, a veteran of many battles through which he safely carried General Meade. 'Baldy' was also wounded at First Bull Run, July 21, 1861, when owned by General David Hunter, in the nose; at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, he was wounded through the right hind leg; at Antietam, September 17, 1862 'Baldy' was wounded through the neck, and left for dead on the field, and at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863 he was shot through the body.

The comrades of the Meade Post #1, Grand Army of the Republic in Philadelphia took the name of General Meade for their Post. At the muster of February 26, 1883, a very interesting and minute report was presented by comrades Albert C. Johnson and H.W.B. Hervey, the committee, who upon their own responsibility, secured and presented to the Post that interesting and valuable relic 'Old Baldy' - the head and neck of Genereal Meade's old war horse. 'Baldy', and comrade G Harry Davis, on their behalf, presented 'Old Baldy' to the Post, it having been very tastefully placed upon a tablet, which contains briefly the services of the old horse and an account of the wounds he had received in battle. The Post gave thanks to Mr. John J Davis, the owner of the horse, for his services in assisting the committee in procuring the relic, as the horse was already buried on his farm, and for a photograph of himself and the horse, which was granted.

(from: The History of the Meade Post #1, G.A.R. Philadelphia. Oliver Bosbyshell, 1889)