The Head and Tale of Old Baldy

The story of Old Baldy, General Meade's horse that was wounded in the charge at Gettysburg, is one more example of a horse-hero and further example of how these heroics live on long after the horse.

As the legend goes, Baldy was struck by a musket ball when General Meade was leading his troops into battle at Gettysburg. "Baldy was shot again and I fear he will not get over it," the good General wrote in a letter to his wife on July 5, 1863. But three days later, the horse was still alive, much to the delight of his besotted owner.

While Old Baldy had been shot in battle before, this injury was serious enough to force his retirement, which he passed on a farm in Downingtown, PA, not too far from Gettysburg. After the war, the horse and rider were reunited and legend has it that Meade took Old Baldy for rides in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park.

When the horse died, his head was removed and preserved by members of the Meade Post #1 of the Grand Army of the Republic. It hung for years at their post on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia and then was transferred to the Grand Army of the Republic Museum in the Frankford section of the city.

About thirty years ago, Old Baldy's head was lent to the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia where it has been on display until the museum recently announced it was closing and moving to a new, as yet, incomplete new home at an undisclosed location.

According to Eric Schminke, president of the Grand Army of the Republic Museum, lawyers between the two institutions worked out a deal that would permit Old Baldy to return to the Frankford Museum for at least three years and then possibly relocate to the new home of the Civil War Museum.

For the moment, Eric Schminke is just happy "and excited" Old Baldy is coming home. "We are planning a grand opening and reception to officially unveil the display of Old Baldy hopefully by the first Sunday in September."

That Old Baldy still has a cult following that involved custody of his stuffed head is evidence enough that the deeds and legends of horse heroes live on long after the steeds have gone to greener pastures.