'Old Baldy' horse head going back up in Philly

[March 09, 2010]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A museum in Philadelphia will once again showcase the head of Old Baldy, the horse Gen. George Meade rode during many of the Civil War's most infamous battles.

The warhorse's preserved head was the subject of a battle between two city museums that both claimed ownership.

A deal has been reached that allows the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and the Civil War Museum to share Old Baldy. The head could arrive at the Grand Army museum this month.

The Civil War Museum closed in 2008 but plans to reopen in 2015. Other items in its collection have been sent to several area museums.

Old Baldy was considered a Union hero after surviving the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg and soldiering on after being shot in battle many times.

[Associated Press]

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