BIO: Myles W. Keogh, born at Orchard House, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow, distinguished himself in Papal Army of Pius IX as a second lieutenant in the Battalion of St. Patrick. In the military he received two Papal medals, and at one time became a prisoner of war. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Myles joined the US Army as a Captain at the age of 27. He became the second in command to General George Custer, fighting in the Battle of Little Big Horn when Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse wiped out the entire cavalry regiment, leaving nothing living except the horse of General Myles Keogh, named Commanche. The horse was taken care of by another Irishman, Captain Nolan, never ridden or worked again, but was kept as a living memorial to the battle. When Commanche died 20 years later he was preserved and put on exhibition in the University of Kansas. All the soldiers killed at the Battle of Custer's last stand were apparently mutilated and scalped with the exception of Custer and Myles Keogh. When Sitting Bull was killed in a later battle he was found to be wearing a Papal Medal. -- Excerpt, "Irish Roots" magazine