Myles W. KeoghMyles W. Keogh

ByBy

Co.Carlow Military MuseumCo.Carlow Military Museum

Early LifeEarly Life

Born March 25Born March 25thth ,Orchard ,Orchard house, Leighlinbridge.house, Leighlinbridge.

Attended National School in Attended National School in Leighlinbridge.Leighlinbridge.

Attended St. Mary’s Knockbeg Attended St. Mary’s Knockbeg and St. Patricks collage Carlow.and St. Patricks collage Carlow.

Beginning of Military Career Beginning of Military Career

1860 – answers a call to arms 1860 – answers a call to arms by the Irish Catholic church to by the Irish Catholic church to defend pope Pius IX.defend pope Pius IX.

He was appointed second He was appointed second lieutenant of his unit in the lieutenant of his unit in the Battalion of St. Patrick.Battalion of St. Patrick.

Then he was posted at Ancona, Then he was posted at Ancona, a central port city of Italy.a central port city of Italy.

When the Papal forces were When the Papal forces were defeated in September in the defeated in September in the Battle of Castelfidardo, Ancona Battle of Castelfidardo, Ancona was surrounded.was surrounded.

Myles was forced to surrender.Myles was forced to surrender. When he was released he was When he was released he was

invited to wear the uniform of invited to wear the uniform of the company of St.Patrick as a the company of St.Patrick as a Vatican Guard.Vatican Guard.

Myles soon found being idle in Myles soon found being idle in the Vatican boring and would go the Vatican boring and would go in search of new adventure.in search of new adventure.

Awards Awards

- The Pro Petri Sede Medal- The Pro Petri Sede Medal

- The Cross of the Order of St. - The Cross of the Order of St. GregoryGregory

- Brevet Ranks of Major and - Brevet Ranks of Major and Lieutenant Colonel for Gallant Lieutenant Colonel for Gallant and Meritorious Serviceand Meritorious Service

Forward to America Forward to America

1862 – Myles leaves for the 1862 – Myles leaves for the American Civil war aboard the American Civil war aboard the “Kangaroo”“Kangaroo”

Upon arrival Myles was given Upon arrival Myles was given the rank of Captain.the rank of Captain.

Service record for Civil WarService record for Civil War

Battle of Port RepublicBattle of Port Republic Second Battle of Bull RunSecond Battle of Bull Run Battle of AntietamBattle of Antietam Stoneman's 1863 RaidStoneman's 1863 Raid Gettysburg CampaignGettysburg Campaign Battle of Brandy StationBattle of Brandy Station Battle of UppervilleBattle of Upperville

Battle of GettysburgBattle of Gettysburg Battle of FunkstownBattle of Funkstown Battle of WilliamsportBattle of Williamsport Bristoe CampaignBristoe Campaign Atlanta CampaignAtlanta Campaign Battle of DallasBattle of Dallas Battle of Kennesaw MountainBattle of Kennesaw Mountain Battle of Sunshine ChurchBattle of Sunshine Church

Surrounded againSurrounded again

A now battle hardened Keogh A now battle hardened Keogh would find himself in a familiar would find himself in a familiar situation when on July 31, 1864, situation when on July 31, 1864, Keogh and Stoneman’s Keogh and Stoneman’s command were surrounded command were surrounded during the Battle of Sunshine during the Battle of Sunshine Church, Georgia. Church, Georgia.

Myles was captured and held for Myles was captured and held for over 2 months.over 2 months.

““He is one of the most gallant He is one of the most gallant and efficient young cavalry and efficient young cavalry officers I have ever known”officers I have ever known”

— — Major General John M. Schofield, U.S. Secretary of War Major General John M. Schofield, U.S. Secretary of War

and commanding General of the United States Army.and commanding General of the United States Army.

Post WarPost War

Post war Myles would receive Post war Myles would receive his commission as a captain in his commission as a captain in the regular army.the regular army.

The last standThe last stand

In the Battle of the Little Big Horn In the Battle of the Little Big Horn Myles would have a “Last stand” of Myles would have a “Last stand” of his own ,surrounded by the men of his own ,surrounded by the men of Company I. Company I.

When the sun-blackened and When the sun-blackened and dismembered dead were buried dismembered dead were buried three days later, Keogh's body was three days later, Keogh's body was found at the centre of a group of found at the centre of a group of troopers that included his two troopers that included his two sergeants, company trumpeter and sergeants, company trumpeter and guidon bearer. guidon bearer.

Myles , for whatever reasons , Myles , for whatever reasons , was not mutilated by the native was not mutilated by the native Indians , and was found with Indians , and was found with bullet wounds to the knee and bullet wounds to the knee and chest.chest.

His horse “Comanche” was the His horse “Comanche” was the only military survivor.only military survivor.

More info.More info.

www.myleskeogh.orgwww.myleskeogh.org Find the page on facebook Find the page on facebook

(Myles Walter Keogh)(Myles Walter Keogh) Visit Co. Carlow Military Visit Co. Carlow Military

Museum.Museum.