In Greek mythology, the centaur was a creature with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse.

When James Longstreet was a cadet at West Point, he watched fellow cadet Ulysses S. Grant become the best horseman the Academy had ever seen. Grant’s control of a mount was so flawless and fluid that animal and human seemed to become one. “Rider and horse held together like the fabled centaur!” gasped Longstreet.

Grant’s love of horses began when he was a toddler and stayed with him, in war and peace, his entire life. For our 3rd and final Grant Cottage Literary Landmark Author Series program in 2024, Grant Cottage tour guide and author Steve Trimm will share this wonderful equestrian. His books, Saving Grant Cottage and General Grant’s Supporting Players are available for sale in the Cottage’s Visitor Center bookstore (Steve donates all profits from the books’ sales to the Friends of Grant Cottage).