in the spring of 1861, a year before achieving fame as a confederate general, robert e. lee was commanding a small force in western virginia. the quartermaster of the 3rd regiment, wise legion, captain joseph m. broun, was directed to "purchase a good serviceable horse of the best greenbrier stock for our use during the war." broun purchased the horse for $175 (approximately $4,545 in 2008) from andrew johnston's son, captain james w. johnston, and named him greenbrier. major thomas l. broun, joseph's brother recalled that greenbrier: