Dear Fellow Arlis Members:
The column "Ask Marilyn" in the Sunday, July 15 issue of Parade, a
magazine insert in newspapers, featured a question: "One often sees
commemorative statues of soldiers mounted on horses with their
forelegs in various positions. Is there any significance to the
difference?" The answer stated "Yes, although some sculptors may be
unaware of the tradition or choose to ignore it. A historian at
Arlington National Cemetery explains that when both forelegs of the
horse are in the air, the rider died in battle. When only one foreleg
is raised, the rider died of his wounds afterward. And when all four
legs are on the ground, the rider later died of unrelated causes."
Does anyone know if this is in fact true? If so could
you please identify the historian and provide an explanation of the
background of this tradition with references to sources and
documentation?
Sincerely,
Frances B. Clymer
Librarian
McCracken Research Library
Buffalo Bill Historical Center
720 Sheridan Avenue
Cody, WY 82414
Phone: 307-578-4059
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please visit our website at: www.bbhc.org <http://www.bbhc.org/>
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