William Comstock – Ace of Scouts – Legends of America
William Averill Comstock, a name that resonates with the adventurous spirit of the Old West, was more than just a scout; he was a legend in his own time. Celebrated for his unparalleled skills, Comstock carved a niche for himself amidst the vast landscapes of the central plains. His life, though tragically cut short, remains a testament to the courage, knowledge, and resilience required to navigate the turbulent era of westward expansion.
Born on January 17, 1842, in Comstock, Michigan, William’s lineage was steeped in prominence. The town itself was named after his father, Horace Hawkins Comstock, a distinguished lawyer and the first senator elected from Kalamazoo County in 1835. His mother, Sarah Cooper Comstock, hailed from New York and was a niece of the renowned novelist James Fenimore Cooper. However, young William’s idyllic childhood was marred by tragedy when his mother passed away when he was just four years old. His father remarried three times in the following years. William spent his early years living with his father, but eventually, he found himself under the care of his older sister, Sabina, in Wisconsin.
Despite limited formal education, William’s imagination was ignited by the thrilling tales of adventure penned by his great-uncle, James Fenimore Cooper. Driven by a thirst for the unknown, he ventured westward at a young age. By 1860, he was working as an Indian trader in Cottonwood Springs, Nebraska Territory, a role that would lay the foundation for his future exploits.
Comstock quickly gained recognition as a skilled Indian scout and guide, his expertise honed through direct experience and deep understanding of the land. His linguistic abilities were particularly noteworthy, as he mastered several Native American languages, enabling him to communicate effectively with various tribes. His reputation grew swiftly, leading to his appointment as chief of scouts and interpreter at Fort Wallace, Kansas.
It was here that Comstock’s star truly ascended. He became the favored scout of two of the most prominent military figures of the era: General Phil Sheridan and General George Armstrong Custer. Both men recognized and valued Comstock’s exceptional skills and knowledge. His prowess earned him the moniker "Ace of Scouts," a testament to his unrivaled abilities in navigating the treacherous landscapes and understanding the complex dynamics of the Great Plains. Furthermore, his skill with a rifle led to another nickname, "Buffalo Bill," a title that would later become a source of contention.
General George Armstrong Custer himself attested to Comstock’s exceptional knowledge, writing in his book My Life on the Plains: "No Indian knew the country more thoroughly than did Comstock. He was perfectly familiar with every divide, watercourse, and strip of timber for hundreds of miles in either direction. He knew the dress and peculiarities of every Indian tribe, and spoke the language of many of them."
Interestingly, Comstock was known as "Medicine Bill" among some of his companions, primarily due to his superstitious nature. However, the Indians used the same nickname for a different reason: Comstock had once amputated a man’s finger to save him from a rattlesnake bite, a testament to his quick thinking and willingness to take decisive action.
In the fall of 1865, Comstock briefly served as a scout for the Army at Fort Halleck, Wyoming, before relocating to western Kansas and establishing Rose Creek Ranch. Here, he supplied hay to Fort Wallace. By 1866, he had become the chief of scouts at Fort Wallace, the westernmost outpost on the Smoky Hill Trail in Kansas.
The moniker "Buffalo Bill" became a point of contention when William Frederick Cody also laid claim to the title. To settle the dispute, a buffalo-hunting contest was arranged near Monument, Kansas. The stakes were high: $500 and the right to be known as "Buffalo Bill." Cody emerged victorious, reportedly killing 69 bison to Comstock’s 46.
Buffalo Bill Cody himself acknowledged Comstock’s reputation as a skilled buffalo hunter, stating that the officers who had witnessed Comstock’s prowess were eager to support him in the match.
Regardless of the outcome of the contest, Comstock’s skills remained highly sought after. In the spring of 1867, he accompanied Custer’s 7th U.S. Cavalry into the field under Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, who was tasked with locating hostile Cheyenne warriors. Comstock’s presence proved invaluable, preventing a potentially devastating ambush led by the half-breed Cheyenne interpreter George Bent, who sought revenge for the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. Comstock’s linguistic abilities and deep understanding of Indian ways allowed him to recognize the danger and avert disaster.
Comstock further distinguished himself by locating the mutilated remains of an 11-man detachment under Lieutenant Lyman Kidder, which had vanished in early July while carrying orders to Custer in the field. The Kidder Massacre, as it became known, occurred near present-day Goodland, Kansas, on July 2, 1867. The troops had fallen victim to Cheyenne Dog Soldiers and Sioux warriors.
Described as a man of few words, even-tempered, knowledgeable, fearless, unassuming, and a perfect gentleman, Comstock was not immune to the violence of the West. In early 1868, after a contractor named H.P. Wyatt refused to pay him for a job, Comstock challenged him to a duel at the post trader’s store. Both men drew their guns simultaneously, but Comstock fired four shots before Wyatt could even pull the trigger. Although arrested and pleading guilty to shooting Wyatt, the judge dismissed the case.
W.E. Webb, writing in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine in November 1875, described Comstock as "a man of mystery and contradictions, but all who knew him agreed about his appearance: small in stature, wiry as whip leather and dark in coloring, with long hair tucked beneath a wide-brimmed sombrero and eyes that could pierce like an arrowhead."
In the summer of 1868, as tensions with Native American tribes escalated, General Phil Sheridan, who had replaced Hancock as commander of the Department of the Missouri, tasked Lieutenant Frederick Beecher with assembling a team of scouts to monitor the hostiles and negotiate with them if possible. Beecher hired four men: Dick Parr, Frank Espey, Abner "Sharp" Grover, and William Comstock.
In August, Comstock and Abner Grover were ordered by Lieutenant Beecher to visit the camp of Cheyenne Chief Turkey Leg to attempt to restrain his warriors, who were causing havoc in the Saline Valley and along the Solomon and Republican Rivers. Both men had lived with the chief during their trading days and had high hopes for a successful negotiation. However, when they arrived at the village on August 16, the atmosphere was tense. On August 18, the Indians drove the scouts from the village. As they were about two miles away, they were overtaken by seven Indians who initially appeared friendly. However, the natives soon opened fire on Comstock and Grover, leaving them for dead. Grover survived and made his way to the railroad. Comstock’s body was recovered and buried at the old Fort Wallace Post Cemetery, but its exact location remains unknown today. He was just 26 years old.
William Averill Comstock’s life, though brief, left an indelible mark on the history of the American West. His skills, courage, and knowledge made him a valuable asset to the U.S. Army and a respected figure among Native American tribes. His legacy as the "Ace of Scouts" continues to inspire and captivate those who seek to understand the complexities of this transformative era in American history.