Facts about Comanche
Comanche Biography
Comanche the horse is remembered as the most famous U.S. Army survivor of Custer’s Last Stand.
General George Custer and all of his men were killed in the desperate battle with Native American tribes on 25 June 1876. When reinforcements arrived after the battle, they found Comanche wounded but alive. (The horse had belonged not to Custer but to one of his officers, Captain Miles Keogh.)
Comanche was shipped back to the United States and became a regimental mascot and living legend, trotted out for parades and other public occasions. After his death his hide was mounted (somewhat akin to another famous horse, Trigger) and put on display at the natural history museum at the University of Kansas.
Extra credit
Comanche was a gelding… Comanche’s birthplace and early history are unknown. He was purchased by the U.S. Army in St. Louis on April 3, 1868 before being sent to Kansas, where he was acquired by Keogh. Comanche is thought to have been about six years old at the time of his purchase.
Related Biographies
Something in Common with Comanche
4 Good Links
- The University of Kansas Natural History Museum tells you how and where to visit Comanche
- The story of Comanche's post-Custer history, plus a recent photo
- A Custer buff has an elaborate tribute with photos of Comanche on display
- Nifty notes on Miles Keogh, Comanche's dashing owner