As fate would have it I sent an email to the American Antiquarian Society over the weekend in connection to this story. I came across a brief American newspaper extract last Friday which mentioned the head of General Ross being sent to the American Antiquarian Society. I’ve also come across a British newspaper account which suggests that Ross’ horse was given a formal burial and that there wasn’t a dry eye in the ranks of the British Army! It is my theory that if this story of the funeral is true that Ross used the ‘funeral to maintain discipline in his ranks and that it helped to prevent his troops from running amok in Washington (in terms of attacking private property as opposed to being ordered to burn the public buildings). I’ve been told that funerals for horses are taken as a serious business by the equine community. Indeed, I gather there is actually a monument in Rostrevor at the burial place of a local horse. Perhaps some correspondent might care to enlighten me.

I’ve also seen an account that the horse’s name was Roslin but I can’t figure out any connection to this. I believe that the Ross family were freemasons and that Roslyn chaplain in Scotland is very important for freemasons. Perhaps some of your correspondents might be able to help me figure this out.