Comanche: Tougher than a $2.00 Steak

Comanche was a mixed-breed horse famous for being a survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. This battle, fought during the Great Sioux War of 1876-1877, is often remembered as Custer's Last Stand, where the entire detachment of 7th Cavalry Soldiers, led by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, were killed on June 25, 1876.

Comanche was bought by the U.S. Army in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1868. He was a 15 hands (60 inches, 152 cm) gelding, described as bay or bay dun, whose ancestry and date of birth were uncertain. Captain Myles Keogh of the 7th Cavalry purchased Comanche as his personal mount, to be ridden only in battle. Comanche carried Keogh during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Captain Keogh was killed in the battle, but Comanche was found wandering the area afterward, while soldiers were preparing to bury the dead.

US soldiers found Comanche badly wounded and slowly nursed him back to health at Fort Lincoln. After his recovery, Comanche was retired. In April 1878, Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis issued a General Order stating that Comanche, "being the only living representative of the bloody tragedy of the Little Big Horn," should be treated with special care and never ridden or put to any work. The order also specified that on all ceremonial occasions, he should be saddled, bridled, draped in mourning, and led by a mounted trooper.

The horse was later brought to Fort Meade near present-day Sturgis, South Dakota, and kept "like a prince" until 1887. 

As an honor, Comanche was made "Second Commanding Officer" of the 7th Cavalry and became a pet at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he even indulged in a fondness for beer.

Comanche died of colic on November 7, 1891, believed to be 29 years old.

Comanche was given a military funeral with full military honors at Fort Riley, Kansas. His remains were preserved through taxidermy and are currently on display at the University of Kansas's Natural History Museum.

Although Comanche is often described as the sole survivor of Custer's detachment, other horses also survived. However, the legend endures, as Comanche was the only one recovered by the US Army and given a place of honor. 

Comanche's story has been featured in books, TV shows, and movies, such as Disney's TONKA (1958). 

The following appeared in the August 11, 1887 edition of The Miller Press, Miller, South Dakota.

The Miller Press; August 11, 1887 - page 4

This snippet was found in the Sturgis Advertiser of July 19, 1887.

Sturgis Advertiser; July 19, 1887 - page 1

And here is the famous Grabill photo, mentioned in the above clipping.

A article outlining the history of Comanche, from the University of Kansas.

"Sgt. Windolph Rode Comanche" - Sturgis Tribune - February 2, 1950 (includes photo of Windolph)

Fort Meade Reopens for 2025

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Fort Meade is reopening for the season. I highly encourage all Little Big Horn, Custer, or just plain history buffs to add it your travel plans. There are many troopers who were at the Little Big Horn battle buried in the area. Do not miss the Post Cemetery. Also be sure to stop by the nearby Black Hills National Cemetery and say hello to Trooper Charles Windolph. His grave is directly across from the visitor center and very easy to find. If you make the stop, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Incidentally, May 17, 1876, is the date when General Custer and the 7th U.S. Cavalry left Fort Abraham Lincoln near Bismarck, Dakota Territory, to find Indians. They found them alright.

Click here to get directions to the 7th Cavalry graves in the Black Hills including GPS coordinates:

GRAVE INFORMATION

Fort Meade Museum to Open June 2, 2020

This was posted on the Fort Meade Museum Facebook page.

Fort Meade Closed for the Time Being

This was posted on the Fort Meade Museum Facebook page.

Hopefully this all won't last long and we can get back to normal.

Stay safe out there.

Fort Meade in the Black Hills

Fort Meade with Bear Butte in background - circa 1888

Following General George Armstrong Custer's Black Hills Expedition of 1874, thousands of miners and explorers flooded the area, looking for "the yellow metal that makes the white people crazy."  Fort Meade was established on the outskirts of the Black Hills to protect the new settlements in the nearby gold fields, including the town of Deadwood. It was built in the shadow of Bear Butte and also helped safeguard the many stage, freight, and mail routes that ran throughout the area.

The military established Camp J.G. Sturgis on the north side of Bear Butte, along Spring Creek. The camp was named in honor of Lieutenant J.G. "Jack" Sturgis who had fought with Custer and was killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in June 1876. While the military occupied Camp J.G. Sturgis, the site of a permanent fort was laid out just outside the Black Hills, alongside Bear Butte Creek. 

Historical roadside marker for Camp J.G. Sturgis with Bear Butte in the background

The new post was originally called Camp Ruhlen, for Lt. George Ruhlen, the 17th U.S. Infantry quartermaster officer that had supervised the building of the fort. The site of the new fort was selected by General Philip Sheridan and was located about fourteen miles northeast of the gold mining town of Deadwood. General Order No. 27 designated the post as Fort Meade, in honor of Major George G. Meade, of Civil War fame.

The original garrison consisted of Troops E and M of the 7th Cavalry and Companies F and K of the 1st Infantry. The field staff, the band, and Companies A, C, G, and H of the 7th Cavalry were transferred from Fort Abraham Lincoln in June and July of 1879. Colonel Sturgis arrived with his family on July 16, 1879, and took command the next day. 

Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis

Companies D and H, 1st Infantry, arrived from Fort Sully in September 1879, thereby increasing the garrison to it's authorized ten-company strength - four companies of infantry and six troops of cavalry.

Annie Tallent in her book, The Black Hills: Or, The Last Hunting Ground of the Dakotahs, described the post as the following: "Fort Meade has quarters and building accommodations for a regiment of ten full troops of cavalry, and as it is regarded, from a strategic standpoint, as the most important inland military post in the War Department, it will, doubtless, be increased to its full capacity, and maintained for many years to come, or so long at least as the government feels it necessary to keep a watchful eye and a restraining hand over the numerous bands of untamed, it might be said, almost untamable, Indians, partitioned off among the various reservations of the Northwest."

The famed horse, Comanche, survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn was brought to Fort Meade in June 1879. He treated honorably by the members of the post until 1888, when he was transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas. Comanche died of colic at Fort Riley on November 7, 1891, at the age of 29. His body was sent to a taxidermist and is on display at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

Comanche at Fort Meade. Notice Bear Butte rising up in background

In 1892, the post commander, Colonel Caleb H. Carlton, 8th Cavalry, began the custom of playing the 'Star Spangled Banner" at military ceremonies. People were requested to rise and pay the proper respect long before the song became the National Anthem (not until March 3, 1931).

The post cemetery at Fort Meade hosts burials of many 7th Cavalry soldiers, their wives, and also children. There are also several buffalo soldier burials here and two Medal of Honor recipients are either buried or memorialized here. The MOH recipients buried here are:

• Private Abram B. Brant (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry, for actions at the Little Big Horn River, Montana Territory, June 25, 1876. Brant died in 1878 and is memorialized in Section 2, Row 4, Site 187. More information on Private Abram Brant by clicking here.

Brant memorial marker (photo courtesy of the late Rocky Boyd)

• Sergeant Albert Knaak (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company B, 8th U.S. Cavalry, for actions in the Arizona Territory, from August to October 1868. Knaak died in 1897 and is buried in Section 2, Row 1, Site 101.

Albert Knaak marker

Fort Meade National Cemetery is closed to new interments. The only interments that are being accepted are subsequent interments for veterans or eligible family members in an existing gravesite.

View from the Post Cemetery - Fort Meade and Bear Butte

A visit to Fort Meade is a very worthwhile experience. There is an orientation film, a wonderful museum and gift shop, and a walking tour that points out the various landmarks around the fort. Don't forget to make the short drive to the post cemetery.

FORT MEADE MUSEUM

If you wish to learn more about the history of Fort Meade and the important role it played in our history, please let me recommend the following books:

FORT MEADE AND THE BLACK HILLS by Robert Lee

FORT MEADE: PEACEKEEPER OF THE BLACK HILLS by Roberta Sago and Lee Stroschine

If you do decide to visit, I'd love to hear about it.