After being discharged, I enlisted as an officer cadet at West Point in 1830. But in 1831, I decided to leave the academy by purposely getting court-martialed for gross neglect of duty, as well as disobedience of orders for refusing to attend formations, classes, or church.

I spent the next several years working for literary journals and periodicals.

My work forced me to move among several cities, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City.

Edgar Allan Poe?

I had a feeling you would get this, Karnak! Mr. Poe it is. Here are my remaining clues:


I married my 13-year-old cousin in 1836, but she died of tuberculosis in 1847.

I planned for years to produce my own journal, but before it could be produced, I died in Baltimore in 1849, at age 40.

The cause of my death is unknown and has been variously attributed to disease, alcoholism, substance abuse, suicide, and other causes.

I influenced literature around the world, as well as specialized fields such as cosmology and cryptography.

Among other things, I am also credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction.

My work appears throughout popular culture in literature, music, films, and television.

I was the first well-known American writer to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career.

I was one of the country's earliest practitioners of the short story.

My publishing career began while I was still in the army, with an anonymous collection of poems.

In January 1845, the publication of one of my poems under my own name finally gave me instant success.

A number of my homes are dedicated museums today.

The Mystery Writers of America present an annual award in my name for distinguished work in the mystery genre.

I was born an ethnic Serb in the Austrian Empire (present-day Croatia) on July 10, 1856.

I had an eidetic memory, and was able to perform integral calculus in my head.

I emigrated to the US in 1884, and worked for Thomas Edison's then-fledgling electric utility company in the brand-new industry.

Eidetic ... what a great word! Had to look that up.

Nicola Tesla.

If I'm correct, I'll have to pass for now, busy day.

That was quick — Nikola Tesla it is (didn’t even get around to the good stuff)!

Who’s up, now?

Just a quick off beat one until someone steps up with one of substance.

1) I was the first of only two in American history ever given a funeral with full military honors.

2) I  had suffered no less than seven bullet wounds during a battle and was considered a sole survivor.

3) I was given the honorary title of “second-in-command of my unit.

4) I toured the country, a favorite of parades and patriotic gathering.

Another clue, perhaps, Slowkneenuh?

5) After the battle, my permanent station (when not traveling) was Fort Riley, Kansas until my death.

6) Although I died in 1890, I was displayed at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

7) To this day, you can still see me at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum.

8) The federal government used me to muster support for a cause that today would be considered unthinkable.

I am Comanche, once the most famous horse in America.

Comanche was the only living thing that the U.S. cavalry got back from the Battle of Little Big Horn. 


Comanche was officially retired from the United States Army and active service in April of 1878. During his retirement ceremony, the unit generated special orders for him.

Headquarters Seventh United States Cavalry, Ft A. Lincoln, D. T., April 10th, 1878. General Orders No. 7.

(1.) The horse known as ‘Comanche,’ being the only living representative of the bloody tragedy of the Little Big Horn, June 25th, 1876, his kind treatment and comfort shall be a matter of special pride and solicitude on the part of every member of the Seventh Cavalry to the end that his life be preserved to the utmost limit. Wounded and scarred as he is, his very existence speaks in terms more eloquent than words, of the desperate struggle against overwhelming numbers of the hopeless conflict and the heroic manner in which all went down on that fatal day.

(2.) The commanding officer of Company I will see that a special and comfortable stable is fitted up for him, and he will not be ridden by any person whatsoever, under any circumstances, nor will he be put to any kind of work.

(3.) Hereafter, upon all occasions of ceremony of mounted regimental formation, ‘Comanche,’ saddled, bridled, and draped in mourning, and led by a mounted trooper of Company I, will be paraded with the regiment.

By command of Col. Sturgis, E. A. Garlington, First Lieutenant and Adjutant, Seventh Cavalry.”

That was a fascinating read, Slowkneenuh! Never heard of Comanche before, but it's a wonderful story. Dignity and honor. Do those sentiments even exist anymore today?

I've got a new one ready, so I'll jump in:

I was born in 1931, in Tucson, Arizona.

After my parents' divorce, my mother and I moved to San Francisco, where mom married a telephone lineman. That’s where my half-sister was born.

The Great Depression deeply affected our family, and as we were unable to afford many luxuries, my mother entertained us with singing.

My first public performance was singing in the church choir.

As a teenager, I sang in local bands for $10 a night in night clubs.

Sarah Vaughn

At age 16, I became a member of Actor's Equity, and studied singing and acting.

I began my television career as a semi-regular on The Johnny Carson Show in 1955.

Freddie DeCordova?