Captain was a trained army horse. His first master was an officer in a regiment (a large group of soldiers). Captain enjoyed his training. All the horses moved together. They ran fast when they heard a trumpet (a loud metal musical instrument used for signals). Captain was a beautiful gray horse then.
His master was very kind to him. But then they had to go across the sea in a ship. This was a terrible time. The men put strong straps under the horses' bodies. They lifted the horses into the air to put them on the ship. The horses were in small stalls for a long time.
Finally, they reached the land. The horses were happy to feel the ground again. The country was very different and the weather was bad. But many soldiers loved their horses. They tried to keep the horses comfortable in the snow and rain.
I asked Captain about the fighting. Captain said the horses were always ready to start. They were not afraid of the guns. They trusted their riders. The horses ran forward even when bomb-shells (large metal balls that explode) flew through the air. Captain went through many battles.
Captain saw many horses die. Some were hit by bullets. Others were hurt by bayonets (sharp knives on the end of guns). Captain’s master always spoke to him. Captain felt brave because his master was brave. They charged together toward the big guns. Captain never felt fear until one terrible day.
It was an autumn morning. The soldiers were ready before the sun came up. The enemy began to fire their guns. The officers told the men to mount their horses. Captain's master smoothed Captain's hair. He told Captain they must do their duty.
The soldiers charged across a valley. The enemy fired many big guns at them. Many men and horses fell down. Some horses ran without riders. Captain and his master ran faster and faster. Suddenly, a ball hit Captain's master. The master fell to the ground.
Captain wanted to stay with his master. But the other horses pushed him forward. Captain was alone and very afraid. He tried to join the other horses, but the soldiers pushed him away. Then, a soldier with no horse caught Captain. He rode Captain back into the fight.
The fight was very violent. Many horses were badly hurt. After the battle, the farriers (men who take care of horses' feet and health) went to the field. They used pistols to kill the horses that were ruined. Most of the horses from Captain's stable never came back.
Captain never saw his master again. He believed his master died that day. Captain went to other battles, but he was lucky. He was only hurt one time. When the war ended, he came back to England. Captain said war is not a fine thing. It is a time when many brave men and horses die.