The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1913-04-11
HONOR For OLD CoMANCHE.

NIlunR from sheridan, NyO., correspond
ent OF the Minneapolis Journal states that Co
manchc, the famous old horse which escaped
death at the hands of the Sioux Indians at the
massacre of the Little Big Horn in 1870, is soon
TO receive military burial beside the Custer
monument where are buried the bones OF all
the soldiers killed in the battle. According TO
reports made at Fort Mckenzie arrangements
are being made to dsiuter the bones of the horse
from where they now reSi at old Fort Lincoln,
and to have them reburied close to the monu-
mcnt
Comanche was ridden into the battle by Pr.
vatc Miles keogh Two days later, when re
lief came, the animal was standing on the battle
field, head down, wounded in six placeS--and
every one a desperate wound Around him were
dead men and dead horses and at his feet was his
dead master lie was the only living thing on
the battlefield. Every man Of Clusters COM
mand was there. all but two had been scalpeI.
One was yellow Hair Custer. the other was
"a soldier who had saved his last bullet for
his own heart, and as no Indian would SO much
as touch suicide his body was neither scalped
nor mutilatcd.
Old Comanche was carried almost bodily down
to the Little Big Horn river and his wounds
bathcd and bandaged At first it was consd-
cred necessary to shoot him But the soldiers
begged so hard that the colonel gave permits
sion that they might make an effort to save his
life His master kcogh, was buried with the
other dead soldiers and when the relief boat
came down the Yellowstone, it carried Conan
che.
The horse was taken in charge by other troops
OF the Seventh cavalry and nursed back to health
General Sturgis then issued an order that COM
anche should not be ridden again. 1t was or
dcrcd that he never again be harncssed, never
know the sting OF a spur, never feel a rein upon
his neck. His ratons should be the full measure
Of those OF cavalry horse and he was to be
given a special stable in which other horse
should be kept.
Furthermore, at rcgimcntal formations, Co
manche was ordered drapcd in mourning and
led by one Of the men OF Troop l. Seventh cav
airy. Wherever the regiment went, Comanchc
was to 60. The Seventh was the Custer regi-
ment
This order was carried out literally and for
sixteen years old Comanche was the idol OF his
regiment. From post 20 post the Seventh cav
airy went; the organization was stationed at
practically every fort west OF the Mississippi
And at every one OF these stations Comanchc
was the guest Of honor. Because OF their pride
in the old horse Troop | became the Crack
troop OF the regiment. Comanchc grew fat and
law with years Of idleucss and little exercise.
Sixteen wears after the Custer battle Troop
/ Of the Seventh was back at Fort Lincoln where
Comanche had rccupcrated and recovered from
his desperate wounds. one DAY nc refused 10
eat his oats. There was CONSERVATION in the
regiment The veterinary was called. The regi-
mental surgeon offered his services also. The
next dav Comauche died and the entire regiment
went into mourning. The old horse was buried
with full military honors and voley was fired
over his grave.
Today Comanchc is simply tradition in
Troop ]. An his old friends have been retired,
or pcnsioned or buried. Some time ago 1t was
decided 10 have his bones transferred 90 the Gus
fer battlefield and there reburied near the mon
puent But the Custer battlefield is a national
cemetery and is under the direction OF the war
department
Advices at Fort Mckenzie are that permits
sion of the department has now been secured
and the transfer will be made shortly. Men
- Trooo will be detailed 20 give old Conan
che another. and final burial.