They said he was not worth two-bits, a mere quarter of a dollar, but to those who came to know him he proved that he was worth far more.
The Story – The life of a cavalry horse was not an easy one. Two-Bits and other horses like him shared hard service and danger with the soldiers who rode them. Those men fortunate enough to ride Two-Bits soon became aware that he was a different kind of horse, a special horse, a horse they could trust with their lives. His courage and loyalty saved his riders more than once. Soldiers of all ranks came to rely on him in times of danger. He never failed them. They never forgot him.
The History – Two-Bits was a real cavalry horse. During his career he served with the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, the Third United States Cavalry Regiment, the First Regiment of New Mexico Cavalry, and lastly as an officer’s mount in the Fifth United States Infantry. With the exception of a few horses of famous generals, the service of the millions of other horses was seldom recorded unless they performed an outstanding feat. Two-Bits was an exception because he demonstrated remarkable qualities and performed amazing exploits throughout his service. His last owner, Lieutenant Charles Albert Curtis, recognized Two-Bits’s special qualities and recorded his story. Few others can match it.
Book Extra - Includes the original November 1889 St. Nicholas Children’s Magazine Article by Captain Curtis that inspired this book.
