J.D.R. Hawkins

Tag: Little Sorrel

  • New Review for Horses in Gray

    I received a new editorial review for my nonfiction book, Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses. As the title gives away, the book is about famous horses that served for the Confederacy, including Traveller, Little Sorrel, King Philip, and more. This editorial is very flattering, and I appreciate it very much. Thank you, Elise Morgan, for your outstanding review!

    “A Cinematic and Heart-Wrenching Masterwork of Equine History.”

    In the vast sea of Civil War literature, rarely does a book emerge that fundamentally changes how we perceive the conflict’s most loyal participants. J.D.R. Hawkins, a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, has achieved exactly that with Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses. This isn’t just a history book; it is a vivid, breathtaking resurrection of the silent spirits that galloped through the smoke of the 1860s.

    Hawkins, uniquely positioned as one of the few female voices expertly navigating the Confederate perspective, brings her award-winning narrative flair to this definitive non-fiction study. She moves beyond the cold statistics of war to explore the “second self” of the soldier—the horse. This long-awaited volume offers a staggering level of detail that will captivate historians and animal lovers alike.

    Inside this comprehensive legacy, Hawkins unveils:

    • The Legendary Portraits: Deeply researched biographical sketches of immortalized mounts such as Lee’s Traveller, Jackson’s Little Sorrel, and the thirty horses of Nathan Bedford Forrest, bringing their individual personalities and courage to light.
    • The Science of the Cavalry: A fascinating deep dive into the 19th-century equine husbandry and the strategic logic behind choosing specific breeds, temperaments, and colors for the rigors of the front lines.
    • The Grit of the Campaign: A sobering and necessary look at the harrowing realities of wartime veterinary care, the logistics of forage, and the heartbreaking life expectancy of these noble creatures under fire.
    • A Cultural Immortalization: An exploration of how these horses were acquired, how they were named, and the ways in which they have been etched into the American sociopolitical landscape.

    Documented with impeccable academic rigor and written with the emotional depth of a world-class novelist, Horses in Gray is a triumph of historical preservation. Hawkins has crafted a mind-blowing, eye-catching tribute that ensures these brave animals are never forgotten. This is, without question, the gold standard for equine military history.

    – Review by Elisa Morgan

    Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses: Hawkins, J. D. R.: 9781455623273: Amazon.com: Books

  • New Five-Star Reviews for Horses in Gray

    I don’t write about my nonfiction book as much as I should, so you probably don’t know too much about it. Several years ago, I was inspired to write about the horses that were involved in the War Between the States, and chose to specifically discuss those that served for the Confederacy. The book has been published by Arcadia Publishing (Pelican) and is available in several Civil War battlefield giftshops, including Gettysburg.

    Last week, I discovered that the book received two five-star reviews, so I thought I would share them with you. Thank you so much, Emily Anne and Antoine M., for your awesome reviews!

    Emily Anne

    March 2, 2026

    This book offers an impressive and thorough exploration of Confederate military horses during the Civil War. Robert E. Lee’s Traveller, Stonewall Jackson’s Little Sorrel, and many others are profiled in detail, giving readers insight not only into their roles in battle but also into their lives, care, and lineages.

    The author does an excellent job explaining why certain breeds and colors were preferred for specific tasks, how horses were acquired, and the factors contributing to their survival or death in wartime conditions. The inclusion of personal stories behind the horses’ names and their lasting legacy adds depth and humanity to the narrative.

    What sets this work apart is its combination of meticulous research and engaging storytelling. It provides both historical context and vivid detail, making the horses’ experiences tangible and memorable. This is a must-read for Civil War enthusiasts, military historians, and anyone interested in the often-overlooked role of animals in history.

    Antoine M.

    February 28, 2026

    This book truly changed the way I view the Civil War. I had never considered the immense suffering endured by military horses. The sections explaining why certain breeds were chosen and why so many horses died from disease, exhaustion, or injury were heartbreaking but important. The story of Thomas J. and Little Sorrel stayed with me long after I finished reading. Hawkins does an excellent job honoring these animals while grounding the narrative in solid historical research.

    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32018633-horses-in-gray?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MLHsdKHH2p&rank=1

    https://www.amazon.com/Horses-Gray-Famous-Confederate-Warhorses/dp/145562327X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1F2YN9K20L641&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MUH_FWfpzYODG451Ki1B8uannJgD-nSA2gd6YaF6S6Sxz1h9Q1ZVSVftFbQC3RXIExUKNmJHXFZVW9O3vz_XmeC1p1UYj1T5COXKeXWiJRr6UXh_VGUDgvc74qjJM0LCO9jjd66GEtscbUOY_fg7qlrBiSoucPBl5Gc4fU1lzROtfizl_rTGi-mmb34bz6ceZn6uxbtK0ooWigW3hQNmPq6LVdm5cVzfJWa2bbPGezU.wjSoQr5spsR2PLgQE75miD1ny08EUZoTSoM2nP_Kx9w&dib_tag=se&keywords=horses+in+gray&qid=1772756279&sprefix=horses+in+gray%2Caps%2C339&sr=8-1

  • Mascots and the War Between the States

    We all know the important role that horses and mules played in the Civil War. They were essential to the mobility of armies. They pulled artillery caissons, carried officers, served as couriers, and of course, transported the cavalry. But besides equines, many other animals served in the War Between the States as well.

    Soldiers were attached to their pets, and some brought along dogs, cats, and various domesticated livestock to the war front. They adopted squirrels, bears, birds, raccoons, and other wildlife as company mascots. Some unusual mascots included a badger, a camel, and a bald eagle known as “Old Abe,” which represented the 8th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. General Lee kept a hen that dutifully laid an egg for him every morning.

    Many of these special animals are immortalized in statuesque form, including General Lee’s horse, Traveller, General Grant’s Cincinnati, and General Stonewall Jackson’s Little Sorrel. Dogs are honored, too, including Sallie, mascot of the 11th Pennsylvania. Her likeness is carved in bronze on the regimental monument at Gettysburg. There are many other famous canines that accompanied their masters to the battlefield … and to their death. A few are even buried there. These include Jack, with the 102nd Pennsylvania Infantry, Old Harvey with the 104th Ohio, and Major with the 19th Maine.

    You can read more about Traveller and Little Sorrel in my book, Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses.

    Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses: Hawkins, J. D. R.: 9781455623273: Amazon.com: Books