Part mustang, part morgan horse...this brave soldier, who served Captain Myles Keogh at the famous Battle of the Little Big Horn, lives on in the hearts of patriots.
Key Facts:
* Born around 1862; captured in a wild horse round-up and then gelded.
* Bought by the Army April 3, 1868 in St. Louis, Missouri for $90.00.
* Assigned to 7th Cavalry where he served as Captain Myles Keough's personal mount.
* Severely wounded at the Battle of the Little Big Horn on June 25, 1876.
* Died November 7, 1891 at age 34; the men of 7th Cavalry were greatly saddenned by his passing.
Comanche is said to be of unimpressive build, yet something about him called out to the men of the 7th Cavalry. He was gentle, of sound mind, and had an aire of nobility about him. He was tough as nails and proved he could be relied upon in the heat of battle. When shot in the flank by an arrow, among other debilitating wounds, he bravely advanced... letting his rider continue the fight from his back. In a world of traditionally nameless U.S. cavalry horses, he won the title...Comanche.
Two days after the massacre:
Comanche was discovered in a ravine by Sgt. Milton DeLacey covered in dry blood and exhausted from trying to get up. After receiving water and immediate medical attention he was coaxed onto his feet and taken to a temporary field station where his injuries were recorded. He sufferred four bullet wounds to the back of his foreshoulder, one to a hoof, and one in each back leg. All but one of the bullets were removed, the last being too risky. When given medical clearance, he was placed on the steamboat "Far West" (along with a sea of bodies who were once his peers) and taken back to Fort Lincoln where he was hailed as a hero.
Paperwork created by 2nd Lt. James Thomas describes reads as follows:
Height: 15 hands
Weight: 925 lbs.
Color: Buckskin
Condition: Unserviceable
Remarks: excused from all duties per G.O. No. 7, April 10, 1878
Comanche was given special priveleges by the officer in charge of Fort Lincoln, Col. Sturgis. Sturgis issued G.O. No. 7 stating " a special and comfortable stall shall be fitted up for him, and he will not be ridden by any person whatsoever under any circumstances, nor will he be put to any kind of work," and was given the honorary title of "Second Commanding Officer." He would never again see battle, but could, however, be used for parades, draped in mourning and led by a soldier of troop I. Other priveleges included free roam of the fort, sugar cubes as desired, his own ration of beer, and his own personal caretaker by the name of Gustave Korn.
As time passed, Comanche grew very fond Korn...and the feeling was mutual. On the occasion that Korn was late for chores, Comanche would go looking for him...sometimes finding him at a girlfriend's house and promptly brought him back to his scheduled post. After Korn was killed at Wounded Knee Creek in 1890, Comanche's health deteriorated.
Comanche died on November 7, 1891 at age 34. He was decorated with full military honors...one of only two horses to have ever received this prestigious award. (The other horse was Black Jack who served as "the riderless horse" in the funerals of four U.S. presidents, four star generals, and other noteworthy celebrations. It is my opinion, however, that a horse serving in battle as noblely as Comanche deserves far more credit than a pretty horse at the head of a parade. Give credit where credit is due.)
At the wishes of the men of the 7th Cavalry, Comanche stands preserved in a climate controlled glass case for future generations to appreciate. Many history buffs and horse lovers drive thousands of miles just to stand in his presence... solidifying the fact that he remains a source of inspiration and courage. And most of all...he is our "soul surviving" link to a fascinating, yet unmistakably horrific past. He captures our minds along with our hearts.
Note: His glass tomb stands on display in the Museum of Natural History at the University of Kansas.
**************************************************************
Interesting facts:
Comanche is famous for being the sole survivor of the massacre of the Little Big Horn commanded by General George Custer. This may not be entirely true. Upon further investigation, it seems that other mounts from the battle and one dog, also survived. It is ironic, however, that since these other soldiers are no longer with us...their bodies now equal to dust and only Comanche remains...that yes...Comanche IS the only survivor of the Battle.
His story is the stuff of legend...and this is apparent in the hundreds of songs and books that have been dedicated in his honor. The popular Johnny Horton song "Comanche the Brave Horse" is a great example.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
UNSOLVED HISTORY: Amelia Earhart
***A work in progress.***
"Find me if you can," was the last statement Amelia Earhart whispered to the public as she departed Miami, Florida, June 1, 1937.
Birth Name: Amelia Mary Earhart
Born: July 24, 1897
Birthplace: Atchison, Kansas
Married: 7 February, 1931 to George Putnam
Official Date of Death: 2 July, 1937 while en route from Lae, New Guinea to Howland Island
Many theories surround the dissappearance of the great aviatrix ranging from ditching her twin engine Lockheed Electra into the sea from lack of fuel, to crashing on an island occupied by the Japanese and taken as the first prisoner of war at the start of WW II, to engaging in espionage against the Japanese at the request of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and then adopting on an alternate identitiy as a housewife living in New Jersey.
I will start this story where the confusion begins. On July 2, 1937, at 12:30 pm Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan have just taken off from the runway in Lae, New Guinea. They are scheduled to rendevouz with the US Coast Guard cutter ship Itasca, who was to provide radio contact, near the small mile and a half long and half mile wide Howland Island; a spec in the great expanse of the Pacific ocean and located 2,556 miles from Lae.
Earhart's plane had been stripped bare of unnecessary baggage so that she could cover the distance and still have a reserve of 274 miles worth of extra fuel. A mistake this far out to sea without help was almost certainly fatal. Along with the Itasca were three other US ships positioned along her flight path with their lights burning bright to act as visual aid.
Despite reports of favorable weather conditions, the Electra found itself amid overcast skies and intermittent rain showers. This made it difficult for Noonan to use celestial navigation, a ancient method relying on the location of the sun and other visual markers, which had been his primary source of navigation.
As dawn drew closer, Amelia contacted chief radioman Leo G. Bellarts aboard the Itasca and asked for his location. Her next scheduled time to report-in had come and gone and then finally a faint transmission was picked up around 7:42 am. The message stated, "we must be on you, but we can't see you. Fuel is running low. Unable to reach you by radio. We are flying at 1000 feet." The Itasca replied, but it seems the transmission could not be heard by Earhart. "We are running north and south," were the last words ever heard from Earhart. It was 8:45 am.
An extensive air and sea rescue attempt commenced immediately, but proved unsuccessful. Two weeks later on July 19, 1938, and after covering 250,000 miles of ocean, the effort was called off. The Electra, along with its pilot and navigator dissappearred without a trace.
Here is where the theories come in.
1. After several hours of trying to radio ship Itasca, theory say's she ran out of gas and ditched in ocean.
2. Captured by Japanese (first WWII prisoner of war - held as spy) and taken to Saipan. Possibly FDR used her flight as a cover up. Three native girls remember seeing a white lady pilot with a ring. Died of dysentary. Army soldier remembered seeing her Aircraft in a hangar on an island.
3. Assummed another identity as Irene ____ - housewife living in New Jersey.
Which of these theories are true? Experts on the subject are still in a fiery debate. Until we find a hard peice of evidence, such as a part of a twin engine Lockheed Electra with the identifier's XXXX, we may never know for sure.
Sixty years later we are no closer to deciphering the mystery than we were that fatefull morning in 1938.
"Find me if you can," was the last statement Amelia Earhart whispered to the public as she departed Miami, Florida, June 1, 1937.
Birth Name: Amelia Mary Earhart
Born: July 24, 1897
Birthplace: Atchison, Kansas
Married: 7 February, 1931 to George Putnam
Official Date of Death: 2 July, 1937 while en route from Lae, New Guinea to Howland Island
Many theories surround the dissappearance of the great aviatrix ranging from ditching her twin engine Lockheed Electra into the sea from lack of fuel, to crashing on an island occupied by the Japanese and taken as the first prisoner of war at the start of WW II, to engaging in espionage against the Japanese at the request of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and then adopting on an alternate identitiy as a housewife living in New Jersey.
I will start this story where the confusion begins. On July 2, 1937, at 12:30 pm Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan have just taken off from the runway in Lae, New Guinea. They are scheduled to rendevouz with the US Coast Guard cutter ship Itasca, who was to provide radio contact, near the small mile and a half long and half mile wide Howland Island; a spec in the great expanse of the Pacific ocean and located 2,556 miles from Lae.
Earhart's plane had been stripped bare of unnecessary baggage so that she could cover the distance and still have a reserve of 274 miles worth of extra fuel. A mistake this far out to sea without help was almost certainly fatal. Along with the Itasca were three other US ships positioned along her flight path with their lights burning bright to act as visual aid.
Despite reports of favorable weather conditions, the Electra found itself amid overcast skies and intermittent rain showers. This made it difficult for Noonan to use celestial navigation, a ancient method relying on the location of the sun and other visual markers, which had been his primary source of navigation.
As dawn drew closer, Amelia contacted chief radioman Leo G. Bellarts aboard the Itasca and asked for his location. Her next scheduled time to report-in had come and gone and then finally a faint transmission was picked up around 7:42 am. The message stated, "we must be on you, but we can't see you. Fuel is running low. Unable to reach you by radio. We are flying at 1000 feet." The Itasca replied, but it seems the transmission could not be heard by Earhart. "We are running north and south," were the last words ever heard from Earhart. It was 8:45 am.
An extensive air and sea rescue attempt commenced immediately, but proved unsuccessful. Two weeks later on July 19, 1938, and after covering 250,000 miles of ocean, the effort was called off. The Electra, along with its pilot and navigator dissappearred without a trace.
Here is where the theories come in.
1. After several hours of trying to radio ship Itasca, theory say's she ran out of gas and ditched in ocean.
2. Captured by Japanese (first WWII prisoner of war - held as spy) and taken to Saipan. Possibly FDR used her flight as a cover up. Three native girls remember seeing a white lady pilot with a ring. Died of dysentary. Army soldier remembered seeing her Aircraft in a hangar on an island.
3. Assummed another identity as Irene ____ - housewife living in New Jersey.
Which of these theories are true? Experts on the subject are still in a fiery debate. Until we find a hard peice of evidence, such as a part of a twin engine Lockheed Electra with the identifier's XXXX, we may never know for sure.
Sixty years later we are no closer to deciphering the mystery than we were that fatefull morning in 1938.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
FAST FACTS: Animals
The source of this information is www.didyouknow.cd/fastfacts/animals.htm.
Here are a few interresting facts on my favorite subject:
1. Mammals are the only animals with flaps around their ears.
2. African elephants only have 4 teeth to chew their food.
3. A house fly lives only 14 days.
4. The bee hummingbird of Cuba is the smallest bird in the world.
5. An ostrich can run up to 43 mph.
6. The pig is rated the fourth most intelligent animal.
7. Pork is the world's most widely-eaten meat.
8. A group of geese on the ground is called a gaggle; in the sky they are called a skeen.
9. In Denmark there are twice as many pigs as there are people.
10. The tongue of a blue whale is as long as an elephant.
11. A crocodile's tongue is attached to the roof of its mouth and cannot move it.
12. The slowest fish is the sea horse, which moves at .01 mph.
13. Sharks are immune to all know diseases.
14. The heaviest crustacean ever found was a lobster weighing 42 lbs., and was caught in 1934.
15. A giraffe can clean its ears with its 20" tongue.
Here are a few interresting facts on my favorite subject:
1. Mammals are the only animals with flaps around their ears.
2. African elephants only have 4 teeth to chew their food.
3. A house fly lives only 14 days.
4. The bee hummingbird of Cuba is the smallest bird in the world.
5. An ostrich can run up to 43 mph.
6. The pig is rated the fourth most intelligent animal.
7. Pork is the world's most widely-eaten meat.
8. A group of geese on the ground is called a gaggle; in the sky they are called a skeen.
9. In Denmark there are twice as many pigs as there are people.
10. The tongue of a blue whale is as long as an elephant.
11. A crocodile's tongue is attached to the roof of its mouth and cannot move it.
12. The slowest fish is the sea horse, which moves at .01 mph.
13. Sharks are immune to all know diseases.
14. The heaviest crustacean ever found was a lobster weighing 42 lbs., and was caught in 1934.
15. A giraffe can clean its ears with its 20" tongue.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
FAST FACTS: Politics
The source of this information is www.didyouknow.cd/fastfacts/politics.htm.
In keeping with this weeks theme of Presidents and Government, here are a few fast facts:
1. India is the world's largest democracy with more than 600 million voters.
2. The system of democracy was introduced 2,500 years ago in Athens, Greece.
3. The youngest active system of governance is communism, which was introduced in 1848 by Freidrich Engels and Karl Marx.
4. The oldest existing governing body operates in Althing, Iceland. It was established in 930 A.D.
5. Victoria Woodhull (1838-1927) was the first woman to run for US President. She and her sister were the first women to run a Wallstreet brokerage (1870).
6. In 1975, Emil Matalik ran for US President. He advocated a maximum of one tree and one animal per household because he believed there were too many plants and animals on earth. Louis Abalofia also ran for President. His campaign poster featured a photo of him in the nude, with the slogan "I have nothing to hide." In the 1860's George Francis Train ran for office; his only promise was the introduction of a new calendar based on his birth date.
7. Thomas Jefferson ws the first to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C., and was the only President to walk to and from his inauguration.
In keeping with this weeks theme of Presidents and Government, here are a few fast facts:
1. India is the world's largest democracy with more than 600 million voters.
2. The system of democracy was introduced 2,500 years ago in Athens, Greece.
3. The youngest active system of governance is communism, which was introduced in 1848 by Freidrich Engels and Karl Marx.
4. The oldest existing governing body operates in Althing, Iceland. It was established in 930 A.D.
5. Victoria Woodhull (1838-1927) was the first woman to run for US President. She and her sister were the first women to run a Wallstreet brokerage (1870).
6. In 1975, Emil Matalik ran for US President. He advocated a maximum of one tree and one animal per household because he believed there were too many plants and animals on earth. Louis Abalofia also ran for President. His campaign poster featured a photo of him in the nude, with the slogan "I have nothing to hide." In the 1860's George Francis Train ran for office; his only promise was the introduction of a new calendar based on his birth date.
7. Thomas Jefferson ws the first to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C., and was the only President to walk to and from his inauguration.
8. William Henry Harrison had the shortest term of office as President; he served f0r 32 days.
9. Franklin D. Roosevelt had the longest term in office; he served for 12 years.
10. Fourteen of the Fourty-five Vice Presidents have become President: five were elected (John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Van Buren, Richard Nixon, and George Bush), four assummed responsibility after assassination (Andrew Johnson, Chester Authur, Theodore Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson), four assumed responsibility after the President died of natural causes (John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Calvin Coolidge, and Harry Truman), Gerald Ford assummed responsibility after the resignation of Richard Nixon.
11. Only Richard Nixon served two terms as Vice President and also two terms as President.
12. The candidate with the highest popular vote was Ronald Reagan. In 1984 he secured 54,455,075 votes.
13. The candidate who ran the most often was Norman Thomas. He ran six times (1928, 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944, and 1948.
14. George Washington was the first President to serve under the US Constitution of 1789. However, the US was an independent nation for 13 years before the Constitution was signed. For one uear during this time John Hanson served as "President of the US when Congress Assembled." Technically, Hanson was the first President of the United States.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Mythology derived from Truth?
I recently watched the History Channel's "Ancient Monster Hunters" where they were airing "The First Fossill Hunters." It was based on a book of the same name written by, Adrienne Mayor, an independent folklorist and historian of science.
Through her extensive research, Mayor manages to unravel hidden clues explaining the origins of mytholigical creatures in ancient Greek culture. She provides us with very intriguing evidence that at least some of these seemingly unbelievable creatures are actually based on "fact."
Mayor say's that the finding of beds of fossilized dinosaur bones exposed from years of erosion was not uncommon in the ancient world. Bones were found in many different sizes, however, the rains tended to wash away the smaller bones and leave the larger bones behind. These larger bones were usually femers, vertebrae, or coincidentally bones that ancient people would recognize as human.
From the bones of a woolly mammoth, ancient peoples beleived they were looking upon the remains of a cyclops. If you look straight at the front of the skull of a mammoth, you see a single nasal cavity where the eye sockets would be on a human. It did not occurr to these people that the eye sockets on this skull would be on the sides like in most animals instead of the front like a human's. They knew they were looking at a monster...they just didn't know which one. Keep in mind that ancient peoples did not know about the existence of prehistoric creatures like mammoths and dinosaurs.
This is also where the myth of giants originated from. Incredibly large bones were strewn over such a wide distance that people believed they were gazing upon the remains of gods who were involved in a titanic battle here on earth.
The book also explains the beleif in Griffins, animals with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. It is beleived that the myth started with an Asian people called the Scythians. They were gold traders. It is thought that the Scythians created the griffin legend based on bones found exposed throughout the hills of their homeland; They did this to ward away theives who may try to steal their gold. It was later found that an abundance of bones from dinosaurs identified as protoceratops and psittacosaurus were scatterred along the routes and close to the gold mines of these ancient traders. These dinosaurs are on all fours like a mammal, but have a skull containing a huge "beak."
Interresting huh?
Through her extensive research, Mayor manages to unravel hidden clues explaining the origins of mytholigical creatures in ancient Greek culture. She provides us with very intriguing evidence that at least some of these seemingly unbelievable creatures are actually based on "fact."
Mayor say's that the finding of beds of fossilized dinosaur bones exposed from years of erosion was not uncommon in the ancient world. Bones were found in many different sizes, however, the rains tended to wash away the smaller bones and leave the larger bones behind. These larger bones were usually femers, vertebrae, or coincidentally bones that ancient people would recognize as human.
From the bones of a woolly mammoth, ancient peoples beleived they were looking upon the remains of a cyclops. If you look straight at the front of the skull of a mammoth, you see a single nasal cavity where the eye sockets would be on a human. It did not occurr to these people that the eye sockets on this skull would be on the sides like in most animals instead of the front like a human's. They knew they were looking at a monster...they just didn't know which one. Keep in mind that ancient peoples did not know about the existence of prehistoric creatures like mammoths and dinosaurs.
This is also where the myth of giants originated from. Incredibly large bones were strewn over such a wide distance that people believed they were gazing upon the remains of gods who were involved in a titanic battle here on earth.
The book also explains the beleif in Griffins, animals with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. It is beleived that the myth started with an Asian people called the Scythians. They were gold traders. It is thought that the Scythians created the griffin legend based on bones found exposed throughout the hills of their homeland; They did this to ward away theives who may try to steal their gold. It was later found that an abundance of bones from dinosaurs identified as protoceratops and psittacosaurus were scatterred along the routes and close to the gold mines of these ancient traders. These dinosaurs are on all fours like a mammal, but have a skull containing a huge "beak."
Interresting huh?
Introduction
Hello and welcome to Wildflower's Potpourri blog. The purpose of this blog is to provide a medium for the blog's creator wildflower4757, invited friends, and participating readers to voice opinions on a "potpourri" of topics. I welcome the sharing of excitement or dissatisfaction on a wide variety of subjects ranging from everyday life, politics, religion, all the way to mythology, and art.
Grab a cup of hot cocoa, sit back, and relax and enjoy the casual conversation. It is my hope and desire that readers will find my blog a peaceful retreat... even if it is only a few minutes a week.
If you would like to post an idea or opinion, email wildflower4757@yahoo.com.
Please note that any unnecessary language will be deleted by the blog's creator wildflower4757.
Grab a cup of hot cocoa, sit back, and relax and enjoy the casual conversation. It is my hope and desire that readers will find my blog a peaceful retreat... even if it is only a few minutes a week.
If you would like to post an idea or opinion, email wildflower4757@yahoo.com.
Please note that any unnecessary language will be deleted by the blog's creator wildflower4757.
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