Billy, Dr. Andrew Patton's war horse

PATTON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/11/2015 at 14:06:55

Nevada Representative August 20, 1884

--Dr. Patton’s old War Horse, Billy, died yesterday morning. Aged 29 years.

Nevada Representative August 27, 1884

A Historic Horse.

The late Dr. A. Patton’s faithful old war horse “Billy” whose death occurred Tuesday morning, Aug. 19th, 1884, deserves fuller mention than we were able to make in the REPRESENTATIVE last week. The doctor secured ownership of him at Newton, Iowa, a few months previous to entering the army in 1863. He was raised at Bellefontaine, Ohio, and was of the celebrated Bell Founder stock. He faithfully served the doctor during his two years and a half service as surgeon of the 60th regiment of colored infantry, at Helena, and other points in Arkansas, and was brought home with him at the close of the war. From 186 until the present time he has bee cared for with special kindness, by the doctor or Mrs. Patton. He was always a prominent and interesting feature of all local military displays. One year ago yesterday he followed his dead master to his grave, and appeared in public for the last time in the Nevada Decoration Day procession of 1884. He was 29 years old last spring, and his death was the result of old age. In a deep made grave in the yard adjoining the barn on the Patton place, on a bed of hay, and covered with his service and time worn army blanket, old “Billy” was buried. Peace to his ashes.