|
A cavalryman's horse was an essential factor in the success or failure of a mission. The cavalryman would almost always take care of their horse before tending to any personal needs. Although the cavalryman traveled light, there were always extra items brought along to take care of his horse. In the 7th Cavalry, to add to unit cohesion and to aid in identification, each of the twelve companies was assigned a different color horse. Company A- Lieutenant Myles Moylan (Dark Bay) Company B- Captain Thomas McDougall (Light Bay) Company C- Captain Thomas Custer (Sorrel) Company D- Captain Thomas Weir (Black) Company E- Lieutenant Algernon Smith (Gray) Company F- Captain George Yates (Bay) Company G- Lieutenant Donald McIntosh (Mixed) Company H- Captain Frederick Benteen (Light Bay) Company I- Captain Myles Keogh (Bay) Company K- Lieutenant Edward Godfrey (Sorrel) Company L- Lieutenant James Calhoun (Bay) Company M- Captain Thomas French (Light Bay) All of the horses of the five companies that rode with Custer died with one notable exception. Comanche, Myles Keogh's horse, was wounded several times but survived the battle. When he died in 1891, his body was preserved and mounted. Comanche is on display today at the University of Kansas. The other horses were buried just below Last Stand Hill. A granite marker marks the location. |
Last updated: March 3, 2023