Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1892 — DEATH OF COMANCHE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DEATH OF COMANCHE.

The Only Thing of Custer’s Command that Came Out Alive. There died at Fort Riley, Kan., recently, the most famous horse in the West in many respects. It was Comanche, the war-horse that was the only thing on Custer’s side that came out 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 twenty-five years old, and was visited by sight-seers from far and near during the last years of his life. Professor Dyche, of the State University, secured the skin and skeleton for mounting, and will prepare them for exhibition at the world’s fair. With Custer was Captain Miles Keogh, who rode Comanche. The horse had been in several battles and could stand fire like a post or run like a mustang. At first the soldiers seemed successful, but then the terrific fire told on their ranks. Captain Benteen and Custer were driven slowly before the great force of the enemy and waited for Reno to attack the rear, but he did, not come. Leaving Captain Keogh on a 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, seeing his men exposed to the fearful rain of bullets, gave the order to the men to kill the horses and take refuge behind their bodies. The order was obeyed. He still rode Comanche—and here there is a variance as to the manner in which the escape of the animal occurred. Some Indians say he broke away and ran, but the more popular version is that his master being unable to consider the thought of taking the life of the beast who had served

him so well, dismounted and giving the animal a stinging blow with his sword, drove him away and turned his unprotected front to the foe.

“COMANCHE.”