“From the eyes of coal that blazed with flames, his teeth
glistening as a fighting grizzly.”A Native American description of Irish Captain
Myles W. Keogh from the Command of Company “I” in Custer’s Seventh U.S. Calvary.
He rode a rejuvenated horse named "Comanche," the only known
survivor in the Battle of Little Bighorn, better known as Custer’s Last Stand.
The gelding horse has had a history of injuries and always overcame the
adversity. The animal was praised by Captain Keogh as a tough fighting horse.
"Comanche" was found alive but hurt 2 days after the battle secluded in a
thicket with seven arrows in the hind quarters. Close by were the remains of
his brave owner, Cpt.
Keogh.
The Stable of "Comanche" is still preserved at Fort Riley, Kansas as part of the U.S. Cavalry Museum.
The Stable of "Comanche" is still preserved at Fort Riley, Kansas as part of the U.S. Cavalry Museum.
Keogh was born 1840. He came from a large Catholic family of eight girls and five boys in the County of Carlow, near the village of Leighlinbridge, Ireland.
Despite his luxurious living of comfort, his mother Margaret
encouraged him to exploit his restlessness and join the Papal Army. Pope Pius
IX was seeking an army to preserve the Papal States. Myles joined thousands of
Catholic volunteers across Europe and fought in the armies of Piedmont-Sardinia.
Keogh was appointed Lieutenant of his unit in the "Battalion of
St. Patrick." Keogh went to Rome and was invited to wear the spirited green
uniforms of "Company St. Patrick" as a member of the Vatican Guard. During his
service the Holy See awarded him the "Medaglia for Gallantry."
As the fighting ceased in Rome, Keogh became restless once again
and sought new adventures.
He soon arrived in New York on the steamer “Kangaroo” in the
Spring. Joining US Army in 1860's with friends they notably stormed after
Stonewall Jackson’s army in Shenandoah Valley and nearly captured the furious
leader.
Keogh was noted as well-groomed uniform, mustache and small goatee.
Keogh is even mentioned in dialogue of actor JOHN WAYNE in the film, "She Wore A
Yellow Ribbon", Metro Goldwyn Mayer, (1949).
Keogh went on to pursue Lee’s army into Pennsylvania at the side
of Buford.
In July 1863, at the three-day battle of Gettysburg, Keogh would be Buford’s right hand man. Keogh’s efforts were recognized by being conferred to the rank of Major.
At the war’s end he carried his final rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Regular Army.
In July 1863, at the three-day battle of Gettysburg, Keogh would be Buford’s right hand man. Keogh’s efforts were recognized by being conferred to the rank of Major.
At the war’s end he carried his final rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Regular Army.
His first assignment was the 4th Cavalry then
after sent to Ft. Riley, Ks, to become the Captain of Company “I” of Custer’s
7th Calvary.
Keogh and Custer were on tolerable terms of friendship. Custer
admittedly wrote a letter about Keogh describing him as" absurd" to his wife
Libby, but would rather have him by his side than others. For Custer, this was a
very high compliment.
In 1876, Keogh returned to Fort Lincoln for his old duty with
Custer. It would be his last days. As a precaution, he purchased a $10,000
life insurance policy and wrote a letter of warning to a friend for his burial
wishes.
“We leave Monday on an Indian expedition and if I ever return I will go on and see you all. I have requested to be packed up and shipped to Auburn in case I am killed, and I desire to be buried there. God bless you all, remember if I should die — you may believe that I loved you and every member of your family — it was a second home to me.”
“We leave Monday on an Indian expedition and if I ever return I will go on and see you all. I have requested to be packed up and shipped to Auburn in case I am killed, and I desire to be buried there. God bless you all, remember if I should die — you may believe that I loved you and every member of your family — it was a second home to me.”
Captain Keogh's body was found by the Infantry Column Commanded by General Terry a few days after the battle. The body was untouched. The Sioux and Cheyenne would not touch the brave Captain. They regarded the Papal Amulet around his neck as "Powerful Medicine". Nearby was the horse he had named "Comanche". The only survivor of the 5 Company Detachment of General Custer, U.S. 7th Cavalry. By General Order No. 7, "Comanche" was to be housed in a stable and never riden again.
Editorial Note: Comanche is also spelled "Commanche". Myles Keogh is also
spelled "Miles".
FROM: Free Republic,
Posted 11/22/2002, 4:18:14 PM by Burkeman1
by Phil
Grabowski. Edited here by Dennis A. Sommese, Esq.