The Irish Dragoon

[1NCCAV]

Myles Walter Keogh was born in County Carlow, Ireland in 1840. Keogh, who came from a devout Catholic family, volunteered as a papal soldier for Pope Pius IX in 1860. He was a second lieutenant in the Battalion of St. Patrick. Papal forces were defeated in September 1860 and Keogh was briefly imprisoned at Genoa. After being released, Keogh served in the Vatican Guard's Company of St. Patrick. He was awarded the Pro Petri Medal and the St.Gregory Medal for his papal service.

 

[1NCCAV]

In 1862, Keogh left the Vatican Guard for service in the Union Army. He was commissioned a captain and posted to the staff of General James Shields, where he distinguished himself in the Battle of Port Republic. Keogh was noticed by General McClellan, who requested Keogh for his personal staff.

 

[Legion Para]

 

[1NCCAV]

Keogh did not serve with McClellan long but saw action at Antietam. When McClellan was relieved, Keogh, who had been noticed again, was transferred to the staff of General John Buford.

 

[1NCCAV]

Keogh served under Buford until Buford's death in 1863. Keogh saw heavy action at Brandy Station and received a brevet promotion to major for his gallantry in action at Gettysburg. After Buford's death, Keogh became aide de camp to General George Stoneman.

 

[1NCCAV]

Keogh distinguished himself on Stoneman's 1864 and 1865 raids.

Keogh was captured at the Battle of Sunshine Church, Georgia. He was released after about two and a half months. After his release, Keogh received a brevet promotion to lieutenant colonel for gallantry in action at the Battle of Dallas, Georgia.

During Stoneman's 1865 raid, Keogh was dispatched by Stoneman with a detachment of the 12th Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry to engage some home guards near Boone, North Carolina. Keogh's detachment killed nine and captured 68. A skirmish with a company of Home Guard is far from Keogh's most notable Civil War achievement. But Keogh seemed to carry out whatever task given him with courage and proficiency. Keogh served under Stoneman for the remainder of the war.

 

[1NCCAV]

After the Civil War, Keogh accepted a lieutenant's commission in the 4th United States Cavalry. Before he could actually serve with the 4th, Keogh was offered a captain's commission in the newly formed 7th United States Cavalry. In 1866, Captain Myles Keogh was posted to Ft Riley, Kansas where he commanded I Company, 7th Cavalry.

Which brings us up to Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer.

 

[Pat Young]

Myles Walter Keogh was born in County Carlow, Ireland in 1840. Keogh, who came from a devout Catholic family, volunteered as a papal soldier for Pope Pius IX in 1860. He was a second lieutenant in the Battalion of St. Patrick. Papal forces were defeated in September 1860 and Keogh was briefly imprisoned at Genoa. After being released, Keogh served in the Vatican Guard's Company of St. Patrick. He was awarded the Pro Petri Medal and the St.Gregory Medal for his papal service.

Thanks for posting.