1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Comrade

During the time of the Spanish-American War, Infantry staff officers led their men into battle
while mounted on horseback. Officers were allowed to own their mounts, either through
private purchase, or by purchasing their mounts from the Army.

"Comrade" was such a mount, owned by Major Leopold O. Parker of the 22nd Infantry.
Comrade was wounded during the war, and was utilized as a work horse, hauling water
to the men of the 22nd Infantry, as they manned the trenches during the siege of the city
of Santiago, in Cuba.

The story below relates how a group of Soldiers from the 22nd purchased the horse from Major Parker
at the end of the war, and apparently brought him back to Fort Crook, Nebraska, where
Comrade's history was attested to, before a Justice of the Peace in Sarpy County, Nebraska.

These Soldiers well appreciated Comrade's service to them, in the hot tropical environment
that was Cuba. He brought them much needed water, and allowed them to remain in the safety
of the trenches, instead of risking their lives under fire to fetch water.

Enlargement of the photo section of the card.
Comrade is surrounded by Soldiers of the 22nd Infantry,
presumably by some of the men whose names are listed below.
Since the men are carrying their Krag rifles and a load of amunition
in their belts, it is very possible this photo was taken while they were still in Cuba.

The back side of the card.

The printing was done by a
formal printing shop. This indicates that
a number of these cards were produced.

In 25 plus years of collecting 22nd Infantry
memorabilia, the website editor has only
seen this one example.

The entire text on the back of the card
is reproduced immediately below.

-----We, the undersigned, do hereby certify that the white horse named
"Comrade,'' about 14 hands high, 1050 pounds in weight, 8 years of age,
wounded on right side, purchased from Major Leo Parker, was through
the war in Cuba and participated in the following battles during the sum-
mer of 1898: Battle of San Juan Hill, July 1 and 2, 1898. Present during
the siege and bombardment of Santiago from July 3 to 17, 1898. This
animal was employed for two weeks or more in hauling water to the
soldiers in the trenches and on the firing line, thereby aleviating the
sufferings of hundreds of men and the saving of a great deal of labor and
time. With no subsistence other than dried grass and leaves, which
were browsed from the trees, and what little verdure that could be
gathered by the grateful men, who found his services indispensible. He
accompanied the troops through their hardships and privations to the
end, sustaining a serious wound, which was caused by a Mauser bullet or
the fragment of a bursting shell, none can tell. He bore up as bravely
as only a warrior's steed could do, always plodding along in his weary
and patient way. We could only tell by the mute appeal of his soft and
intelligent eye what he suffered and endured. And after hostilities
ceased he was tenderly cared for by loving hands who knew what his
worth to them had been and to what extent he relieved his comrades in
war, for such, we classed him, "Our Comrade." Private Hickie, who
afterward attended to him, in his opinion, states that he was injured by
the fragment of a bursting shell. He, as a survivor of the shortest and
most cruel war in the annals of history, although a dumb brute, is looked
upon by us as one of the greatest heroes of the Spanish-American war.
------We are all members of the 22nd Infantry.

WM. ARMSTRONG, 1st Serg't Co. A
HENRY W. BUNTING, Mus. Co. G
MARTIN BRANNAN, Co. E
WM. J. BRADBURN, Co. G
JOSEPH HANZEL, Corporal Co. H
JAMES HAYES, Sergeant Co. L
JOHN J. BYRNE
WM. H. SHADOWENS, Co. L
ALBERT J. TROTIER, Co. I
CHAUNCEY HILTZ, Co. G
PATRICK T. HORAN, Co. G
FREDERICK HICKIE, Co. E
LUCIAN DAILCADER, Co. F

HARLEY R. KLOCK, Co. K
JOHN MILOSCH, Co. G
GLENROY SHOUP, Co. L
GEORGE E. RYNO, Co. F
JOHN E. DUBER, Co. H
L. A. HOUGHTALING, Co. B
JAMES W. HARGAVE, Co. L
GEO. BUSCH, Co. G
JOHN M. SAGE, Co. C
C. M. BLODGETT, Co. G
CASPER STANG, Co. C
GEO. DANIELSON, Co. H
DAVID J. BROWN, Co. L

-----------------I hereby certify that the above named persons are personally known
to me and that they subscribed to the above in my presence.
--------------------------------------------C. A. BUTTERFIELD,
-----------------------------Justice of the Peace in and for Sarpy County, Nebraska.

Comrade was the personal mount of Major Leopold O. Parker of the 22nd Infantry.
After a long and distinguished career in the Army, Parker was promoted to Major of the
22nd Infantry on April 26, 1898. Parker served with the Regiment in Cuba, where he was
recommended for a brevet promotion for gallantry in action, then deployed with the Regiment
to the Philippines. On March 26, 1899, Parker assumed command of the 22nd Infantry,
when its Commander, Colonel Harry Egbert, was killed in action during the battle of Malinta.

For a detailed biography of Leopold O. Parker, click on the following link, to visit his page
in the COMMANDERS section of this website: