Washington's Horse Blueskin

October 10, 2023

Washington's Horse Blueskin

In this painting of George Washington at Dorchester Heights, Washington stands beside his horse, Blueskin, with the city of Boston visible in the distant background. Continental forces occupied and fortified this position in early March 1776 in anticipation of a British assault.  Blueskin appears to be riding off as if heading into battle, but Washington confidently reigns him in. 

Detail of "George Washington at Dorchester Heights" Oil on Canvas Painting

Blueskin was one of Washington’s two primary mounts during the Revolutionary War.  The horse was a half-Arabian, sired by the stallion "Ranger,” and a gift to Washington from Colonel Benjamin Tasker Dulany. He was Washington's pre-war foxhunting mount, known for a fiery temperament and the endurance for long cross-country gallops. During the war, Washington preferred the blue roan for marches and long travel. He was a smaller horse than Nelson, Washington’s other mount, but could still easily carry the six-foot-tall Washington. 

Washington at Valley Forge bookendsWashington usually rode Nelson in battle, as the horse was less skittish around cannon fire. Yet due to Blueskin’s near white hair coat, he was the horse most often portrayed in artwork showing Washington on horseback. The artist John Trumbull depicted Blueskin beside the general in the painting Washington at Verplanck's Point (1790). Washington Before Yorktown by Rembrandt Peale shows Washington astride Blueskin, confidently leading troops into battle. Later artists, like William Ranney, took an even more dramatic and heroic approach, as seen in Washington Rallying the Americans at the Battle of Princeton, completed in 1848. 

After the Revolutionary War, Blueskin was retired to Mount Vernon and then gifted back to the Dulany family. 






Also in Blog

The Inspiration Behind Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The Inspiration Behind Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

December 01, 2023

Before the films and stage adaptations, the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was written and published as a novella by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886. It is said that the author drew inspiration from a dream to spin the now-famous tale. Many claim that it was real-life killers who implanted such ideas in his mind.

View full article →

Civil War Memoirs
Civil War Memoirs

November 29, 2023

In the 1880's, several Civil War memoirs were published for an eager public, desperate to make sense of the conflict. The best-selling Civil War memoirs were those of prominent Union generals, like Sheridan, Sherman, Grant, and McClellan. Their books focused on organizational difficulties, military tactics, and battle descriptions, or were used to justify their decisions and bring retrospective order to the war. 

View full article →

2023 Holiday Gift Guides: Our Favorite Stocking Stuffers
2023 Holiday Gift Guides: Our Favorite Stocking Stuffers

November 17, 2023

We've rounded up our favorite stocking stuffers and small gifts. Beautifully crafted leather goods, antique finds, pocket flasks, sparkly jewelry, winter essentials, and more- these are the perfect gifts to surprise and delight on Christmas morning!

View full article →