West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-12-17
DEATH OF OLD COMANCHE.
THE ONLY LIVING THING THAT
ESCAPED THR LITTLE BIG
HORN MASSACRE WHEN
CUSTER AND HIS
BRAVE .MRN
PkRISHED.
From IN. Chicago Herald.


There died at Fort RILEY on
Tuesday, Nov. 10. the most
famous horse iii the West in many
respects. 1t was Comancho. the
war horse that was the ONLY thing
on Clusters side that came cut Of
the massacre in June, 1876, alive.
Comanche had never been under
saddle since, and lived at ease until
death by old age, the pet and care
OF the Seventh cavalry.
He was rs years old, and was
visited by s,ghtseers from far and
near during the last years Of hs
life. Professor Dychc of the State
University at Lawrence, was sum-
moned by telegraph and secured
the skin and skeleton for mounting.
and will prepare them for exhibi-
ton at the Worlds Fair.
1t has been the lot OF few horses
to receive the attention aud hom-
age that fell to Comanche. His
presence at Fort Riley Was a cou-
slant reminder of the scverest blow
tho Seventh ever received, and he
had all care that loving hands
could give. Comanchc was a largo
gray, being l5l hands high, long
of limb and with heavy name and
tail. Only an estimate could be
made Of his age, but 1t was put
down as 25 to % when he died.
The Indians tell an interesting
story Of the horses famous action.
Custer arrived ut tho banks Of the
Little Big Horn Rivor June 26,
1875, and saw spread out before
him in the valley camp Of 1900
Indians. under the leadership Of
Sitting Bull. The camp was fully
three miles long, and Custer, fol.
lowing bis usual tactics, decided to
attack the enemy on both flnnks
and in the middle, thus to discon-
cert and rout thom easily.
He ordered Major Reno to attack
the east end of the camp with one
division, Captain Bcnteen the cen.
ter with another. while he should
take the west end. The result is
familiar to all--how Reno reached
the attacking point too soon, was
repulsed and withdrew from the
ground how Custer proceeded to
the west end, and instead Of finding
u small company of redskins was
confronted by two divisions massed
against him, all armed with the
latest and best government rifles
and gunE.
With Custer was Captain Miles
Keogh, who rode ComancLe. The
horse had oeen in several battles and
could stand fire like post or run
like q mustang. At frst the sol
diers seemed successful, but then
the terrific fire told on their ranks.
Captain Benteen and Custer were
driven slowly before the great foros
Of the enemy and waited for Reno
TO attack the rear, but he did not
come.
Leaving Captain Keogh on
lower ridge, General Custer and his
men ascended the crest Of the knoll
to which they were driven and there
made his last stand. Keogh, see.
ing his men exposed to the fearful
rain Of bullets, gave the order 10
the men TO kill the horses and take
refuge behind their bodies. The
order was obeyed. lie still rode
Comanche--and here there is n
variance 40 70 the manner ia Whicn
the escape Of the animal occurred.
Some Indians say he broke away
and ran, but the more popular
version is that his master, being
Enable TO CONSIDER tho thought Of
taking the life Of the beast who had
served him so well, dismounted,
and, giving the animal q striking
blow with his sword, drove him
away and turned his unprotected
front TO tho foe.
COmanche dashed over tho
steppe regardless Of all before him,
and the Indians, being on foot,
made way rather than meet death
Beneath his nOofs.
The circle around Custer and
Kcogh was complete, and few
minutes after Comancho's escape