Comanche, The Only Survivor
Custer's Last
Stand - June 25, 1876
All
Were Killed Save One Tough Pony
One of the most storied events in the history of the American West was
the famous Battle of the Little Big Horn, otherwise known as "Custer's Last
Stand." George Armstrong Custer, whose earlier cavalry career included the
interception of the General Robert E. Lee at
Appomattox
, was assigned as Commander of the 7th Cavalry at
Fort Riley
,
Kansas
. When ordered to move a band of Indians toward a large American cavalry force,
the ambitious and often arrogant Custer became over-zealous, and as they reached
the Sioux encampment, he divided his regiment and decided to fight. Custer's
force was entirely annihilated within a short time. The other regiment force was
rescued by supporting cavalry four days later, and the search for survivors of
Custer's troops began. Not one man was found alive and only one horse survived -
Comanche.
After the Battle of the Little Big Horn, a horse was found in a thicket with
seven arrows in his body. The horse, named Comanche, was a gelding ridden by
Captain Keogh, one of Custer's officers. The horse's wounds were treated and he
was carefully loaded onto a riverboat. The US Cavalry headquarters allowed
Comanche complete freedom for the rest of his life at Fort Riley, Kansas.
Comanche was officially retired and it was ordered that no one would ever ride
him again. He was called "the Second Commanding Officer" of the 7th
Cavalry. His only duties were to be lead in the front of official parades
occasionally. The Seventh Cavalry's commanding
officer insisted that Comanche be saddled for all engagements and official
occasions, but he could never be ridden again. Comanche became a national
celebrity. On his death, his obituary appeared in newspapers throughout the
country. Comanche was taxidermied after his death, and is now exhibited at the
Museum of Kansas University.
It is said he developed a fondness for beer in his later years, and was such
a pet at the fort that he was often indulged in this habit. He lived to the age
of 29.
