The Wasp — 1887 — page 458: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page presents a poem celebrating a horse named "Bay Billy," illustrated with Civil War battle scenes. The text references specific military engagements—"the last fight at Fredericksburg," the "Twenty-second Maine," and mentions of charges, cavalry action, and a Colonel's leadership. The narrative glorifies a heroic horse that reportedly carried soldiers through multiple battles, leading charges and remaining steadfast despite casualties around it. References to "our boys," "our leader," and military tactics suggest this celebrates Union Army experiences. This appears to be wartime or post-war commemorative content romanticizing military service and animal valor during the American Civil War, typical of 1860s-era patriotic journalism mixed with satire.