Comanche Legendary Horse of the Old West

Comanche is celebrated as a distinguished horse that served the 7th Cavalry in the Plains Indian Wars of the late 1800s. This is his story.

[pablobruning]

My maternal great-grandfather (George Dinnsmoe) joined the Army in 1876 and was sent to the 7th Cavalry in the Dakota Territory. As a raw recruit, he mucked out horse stalls and took care of Custer's personal mounts (Vic and Dandy) to the celebrated Lt. Colonel. Still in training, he did not participate in the fray at the Little Bighorn. He later became a scout and was involved with the Indian Wars against the Nez Perce Indians. I still possess his military discharge papers written on vellum.

[gregdavis]

This horse is a national treasure. Thank you KU for taking care of Comanche.

[jamesgerke]

Some years ago I was driving thru Kansas and stopped at the U of Kansas where Comanche is on display. He's enclosed in a climate control vacuum glass cylinder. I bought a booklet there about him and it told how a K.U. professor a taxidermist put him together in the display. The story behind Comanche there is said that he probably wasn't the only surviving horse of the battle. That the Indians took the surviving horses that were in good shape and that they probably left Comanche alone because he wasn't. He had like 7 or 8 wounds in him and they probably thought he wouldn't make it much longer. You can still see the scars on him from the wounds. I myself have visited the Battlefield twice once in 1975 & again in 1996.

[DianeLawrence-dx]

What a good horse warrior, he did his job well, may he always be remembered.

[jeffwalther]

Absolutely one of the most charming and heartwarming biographies I've heard and seen in a long time. Comanche IS now a talisman, a touchstone to our most important historical events. His body is testament to the apex of horse-mounted cavalry and combat; the Indian Wars, the true story of blood, sweat and tears that won the West, inch, by inch, personally for some. All "the People" give some, to make America. Some of those gave all - like Comanche. All the good, wonders and glory of USA was uncertain when Comanche was born, during the Civil War, until the integrity and true grit of such devotion to our country's brand new then ideals and principle of law and order developed and won the day; that show the way today, in the form of a stuffed cavalry horse, still on honorable, active duty - just for us. Three cheers for Comanche, our lone wounded survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn; too, broken-hearted from losses at the Battle of Wounded Knee! Symbolic carrier for eternity of the USA.

[aaronlopez]

I Truly appreciate this touching recognition of a horse that served to the and never quit. Thank you so much for such a wonderful treatment of the heroes of the 7th Calvary.

[williamsimmons]

Johnny Horton's " Comanche the Brave Horse " is a good song.

[karie]

Thank you for this commentary regarding "Comanche" the famous horse survivor at the Battle of Little Big Horn (or Greasy Grass as the Native Americans called it). I have been trying to find the movie of the same name made by Burt Kennedy, writer/director of many westerns, who was actually in the last cavalry unit of the US Army when it was decommissioned after WWII. Nathan Wayne (John Wayne's youngest son) runs the YouTube channel "John Wayne", and posted the behind the scenes home video he took of the making of that movie. I remember watching the movie once. It stars Wilford Brimley, Buck Taylor, Kris Kristofferson, and Gerald McRaney to name a few. I looked here, on YouTube, and on Prime Video. These are the only movie outlets I have. If there is anyone out there that knows where I might find the movie, I would love to hear from them! In the mean time, the Nathan Wayne documentation is a great watch if you're interested in this topic. Thanks again for your contribution!

[danielsmith]

During the First World War us Aussies had a horse called Bill the Bastard, his story is absolutely undeliverable but true . Look him up on Utube . Cheers from Australia Regards Dan 👍

[TheRetirednavy]

I don't know why, but I feel like crying. God Bless him

[SusanTaft-ox]

Johnny Horton sang about him! It's a very sad song

[im-already-tired-tomorrow]

That was an interesting well told story, thanks.

[mikeyoung]

I saw this display of Comanche in person back in the 60's when my school visited the museum. I went to school just a few miles south of Lawrence Kansas.

[timgladden]

Nice story. A good horse is priceless.

[Gunslinger]

I believe in the final moments, the Captain cared more about his beloved mount than his own life. I would like too think that the Sioux warriors understood that. Rest in peace.

What a great story. Reminds me of seeing Stonewall Jacksons horse (Little Sorrel) on display at the VMI. Salute to both great warrior mounts!!!!

[ripno]

Found this from Johnny Horton's song about the horse. This was very interesting to hear about, never heard it from other accounts of Little Bighorn.

[loudmouthnewyorker]

So the horse was wounded by arrows and bullets and still lived 15 more years after his recovery. Man o man, that's an achievement on its own.

[jpavlvs]

Keogh served on McClellan on his staff at Antietam then was reassigned to Buford's staff. Went on Stoneman's unsuccessful raid then, Brandy Station. He was with Buford at Gettysburg. He didn't come into contact with Custer until after the war ended when he took command of I Co. 7th Cavalry then under Col. Andrew Smith. Custer was second in command.

[marshallbass]

Fascinating story we can't hear anywhere else. Good job.