Battle of the Greasy Grass

[Rsmyth]

Battle of the Greasy Grass is the name American Indians give to the Battle of the Little Big Horn or "Custers Last Stand." Captain Myles Walter Keogh died there along with Custer on that infamous day. Initially buried on the battle field his body was transported to Auburn, NY where he was buried at Fort Hill Cemetery. One of the pall bearers was General William H. Seward son of the Secreatary of State. Forty-four years later Seward Jr. would be buried in the same cemetery next to his father and within view of Keogh's grave.

[HerbS]

Fantastic Story!

[Laurie Verge]

I believe I'm correct that Gen. William H. Seward was the first commander of an earthen fort just a few miles from Surratt House that was constructed to protect the Potomac River approach to Washington, D.C. I know that Seward visited there during the war, and I think Stanton and Lincoln did also.

Part of the earthworks still exist as do some really big guns that had been rolled into a gully and left to die sometime around WWI (?). If I remember correctly, it took a Boy Scout troop in the 1970s or 80s to start clearing out the undergrowth before the National Park Service decided to protect what was left.

Google Fort Foote.

[Craig Hipkins]

Rich,
Great story! I believe that it was Captain Keogh's horse, Comanche, that was considered the only survivor of the Little Bighorn (if you discount reno and Benteens men)

Craig

[Rsmyth]

That is correct Craig.the horse was stuffed and I believe is still on display at the U. Of Kansas.

[BettyO]

Comanche was supposedly the only equine survivor....

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And stuffed....

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Read the full story here: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/3312

I've always had a strong interest in the Battle of the Little Bighorn as well....

Here's Captain Miles Keogh - How about that snazzy uniform! Looks more distinctly European than that utilized out West! This is more or less a dress uniform and NOT what was worn in battle....

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[Gene C]

In your photos above, are those dead horses in the background? The photo must have been taken very soon after the battle. They still have saddles and gear on. It would be interesting to know what the group to the right of the horse are doing

Great photo Betty!

[BettyO]

I would imagine so, Gene.... the animals are fully tacked and more than likely are as they were fallen - if they are indeed dead or wounded. Surprisingly, there are no arrows sticking out of them -

But I believe more or less that Indians would NOT shoot purposefully horses, as they were considered valuable and were taken whenever possible. These animals could have been felled more or less by gunshots. The US Calvary would also use them to hide behind in case of an ambush and the animals were trained to lie down.....

But yes, this does look like an actual photo of the battlefield -

Good guess. I'll have to check....but on second thought - Comanche was wounded severely in the battle. He was shot several times and as a result was in severely poor condition after the battle. This animal appears healthy, so this is probably a staged photo -

More on Comanche - he was in color what is called a "Dun" or "Buckskin" - meaning that he was a light tan or buff in color with dark points; i.e. a dark mane, tail, and black stockings -- i.e. a really, light colored bay horse. A true "Dun" is called a grulla....and according to one site; "The Buckskin horse in not a mere "color." Buckskins, Grulla and Duns are noted for many qualities that are not characteristic of other types of horses. Their color is an indication of the superior genetic heritage they possess. Buckskins have been long noted for their superior qualities and strength. They have more stamina, more determination, harder feet, better bone, and are generally hardier than other horses." Quite simply, GRULLA is a horse color. Sometimes confusing people, it is also known as GRULLO, but means the same thing. The International Buckskin Horse Association, for example, calls it grulla, whereas the American Quarter Horse Association will call the same horse grullo. In coloring, the Dun Factor gene is what turns a sorrel into a red dun, a bay into a dun, and a black into a grulla.

[Gene C]

But yes, this does look like an actual photo of the battlefield -

Good guess. I'll have to check....but on second thought - Comanche was wounded severely in the battle. He was shot several times. This animal appears healthy, so this is probably a staged photo -

I kinda of wondered about it being staged. There is the plaque in front of the horse, the horse was suposedly found two days after the battle, as you mentioned he looks in good shape for having been badly wounded, and the horse in the background does not look dead for 2 days

[BettyO]

But yes, this does look like an actual photo of the battlefield -

Good guess. I'll have to check....but on second thought - Comanche was wounded severely in the battle. He was shot several times. This animal appears healthy, so this is probably a staged photo -

I kinda of wondered about it being staged. There is the plaque in front of the horse, the horse was supposedly found two days after the battle, as you mentioned he looks in good shape for having been badly wounded, and the horse in the background does not look dead for 2 days

Plus - the battlefield was rife with vultures! This is obviously a staged photo. The cavalry horses were trained to lie down and Comanche is in "top form" here! Sorry if I get a bit too "horsey" sometimes! I can get carried away with it! HA! I've been an equestrian all my life - it's another of my passions! Guess which sports I watched in the Olympics!?!

[Gene C]

It's still an interesting photo!

[Craig Hipkins]

On Reno hill they purposely shot horses to use as a buffer. Inside the ring of dead horses they set up a field hospital.
The stench the next day must have been horrible.

Craig

[JB Banning]

Rsmyth, BettyO and Herb,

Orders or simply a letter of instructions from Gen. Terry?

Joe