THE HISTORY, CUSTOMS, AND 

TRADITIONS OF THE 

3d ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT 

Published by the Third Cavalry Museum

Fort Carson, Colorado 

2006 Edition 
i 

FORWARD 

The 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment has a long, proud history. For more than 160 years, the 

Brave Rifles have served on the frontiers of freedom, defending the national interests of the 

United States. Now, the Regiment is the last heavy cavalry regiment in the Army. 

People may serve with a unit and then move on, but the history, customs and traditions of 

that unit remain in place to form a legacy that is passed on from one generation of its Soldiers to 

the next. These customs and traditions define that unit. Due to its origin as the Regiment of 

Mounted Riflemen, the only regiment of mounted riflemen, this regiment has a unique place in 

the history of the U.S. Army. Over the years many customs and traditions have evolved, some 

of which may also be found in other cavalry units. Many of them, however, are unique to this 

regiment. 

This publication has been prepared to familiarize you, the Trooper, with the history, customs, and traditions of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. As a member of the Regiment, you 

will be required to know and use them. If you appear in front of a promotion or other type of 

board, you will be asked questions about the history of your unit. You may take an active part 

in them, such as The Order of the Spur or at Regimental functions, or you might contribute to 

the adoption of new customs or traditions. They will become part of your life in this Regiment 

You can see the objects that embody the history of the Regiment at the Third Cavalry Museum. It is your museum. You are encouraged to visit, with your family or friends, and see this 

legacy. It will help you to understand the Regiment’s place in the history of this country. 

As you serve in the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, you will help to keep the history, customs, and traditions of the Regiment alive and write new chapters in that history. Never forget 

what they represent—the service and sacrifices of your predecessors. 

 

 The Staff of the Third Cavalry Museum 
ii 
 

 

 INTRODUCTION

 For 160 years, the nation has called upon the service of the Regiment of Mounted Rifleman to explore unknown lands, defend national borders, and combat the enemies of freedom. 

The Third Cavalry has distinguished itself as the most respected and reliable Cavalry unit in the 

Army. Since 1846, its history has been marked by unequal pride and courage. The 3d Armored 

Cavalry Regiment’s commitment to civic and military values, which has been renowned for its 

patriotism, discipline, readiness, self-sacrifice, decisiveness, and generosity in victory, remains 

strong today. The Third U.S. Cavalry has performed with distinction during peacetime training 

and under the toughest conditions of combat. 

Troopers of the Third U.S. Cavalry have gone into action during ten major conflicts: the 

Indian Wars, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, World War I, World War II, the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Bosnia, and Operation Iraqi 

Freedom. The Regiment earned 39 campaign streamers during these conflicts as well as a 

Presidential Unit Citation, and twenty-three of the Regiment’s troopers received the Medal of 

Honor. Your predecessors won lopsided victories against numerically superior forces during 

the Mexican War, routed Confederate forces at the battles of Val Verde and Glorieta Pass during the Civil War, defeated the enemy in the largest battle of the Indian Wars, quelled an 

Apache uprising, seized San Juan Hill in Cuba during the Spanish American War, conducted 

counter-insurgency operations in the Philippines, led General Patton’s Third Army across 

Europe during World War II, fought with distinction as the reconnaissance force for XVIIIth 

Airborne Corps during Operation Desert Storm, enforced peace in Bosnia, and, most recently, 

conducted extremely effective counter-insurgency operations over one-third of the land mass of 

Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

 We are in a long war against Terrorism and the Leaders and Troopers of the Third Cavalry remain fully engaged and committed to fighting and winning the Global War on Terrorism 

to preserve the freedom we cherish. The Regiment, because of its unique capabilities and its 

distinguished record, will continue to receive challenging missions. You have joined an elite 

organization and are now part of the history of the Regiment. Learn the customs and traditions 

of this great Regiment and of the U.S. Cavalry and together we will preserve the legacy we 

have inherited. 

 BRAVE RIFLES! 

 Michael A. Bills 

 72nd Colonel 

 

iii 
iv 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PART I: THE STORY OF THE REGIMENT OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN .... 1 

The Mexican War...................................................................................................................2 

On to Oregon..........................................................................................................................7 

The Civil War.........................................................................................................................9 

The Indian Wars...................................................................................................................11 

Fiddler’s Green.....................................................................................................................13 

The Spanish American War .................................................................................................14 

Old Bill.................................................................................................................................15 

Moro Rebellion ....................................................................................................................16 

World War I .........................................................................................................................17 

Between the Wars ................................................................................................................18 

World War II........................................................................................................................19 

The 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment .....................................................................................22 

Seventh Army ......................................................................................................................24 

Fort Lewis, Washington .......................................................................................................25

Return to Fort Bliss, Texas...................................................................................................26 

The Persian Gulf War...........................................................................................................29 

Fort Carson, Colorado..........................................................................................................30 

Bosnia ..................................................................................................................................31 

Bright Star............................................................................................................................34 

Operation Iraqi Freedom I....................................................................................................35

Operation Iraqi Freedom III .................................................................................................45 

PART II: REGIMENTAL CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS ........................... 57 

Regimental Insignia .............................................................................................................58 

Other Customs and Traditions..............................................................................................63 

Regimental Awards..............................................................................................................69 

Appendix A The Act of Congress Establishing the Regiment ............................................71 

Appendix B Certificates of Lineage and Honors ................................................................73 

Appendix C Campaign Participation Credits ......................................................................75 

Appendix D Regimental Medal of Honor Recipients .........................................................81 

Appendix E Regimental Commanders................................................................................83 

Appendix F Regimental Command Sergeants Major..........................................................85 

Appendix G General Scott’s Remarks to the Regiment at Contreras..................................91 

Appendix H Task Force Rifles Attachments.......................................................................93 

Appendix I Operation Iraqi Freedom I Deaths..................................................................95 

Appendix J Operation Iraqi Freedom III Attachments................................. ..............97 

Appendix K Operation Iraqi Freedom III Deaths.......................................... ............99 

Appendix L Letter from Mayor Najim to President Bush................................................101 

Appendix M Letter of Appreciation from MG Khorsheed................................................103 

Appendix N Current Organization of the Regiment ........................................................105 

Cover photograph courtesy of Christoph Bangert/Polaris. 

v 
vi 
Corporal, Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, ca.1846 by Randy Steffen.

PART I: THE STORY OF THE REGIMENT OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN

The Regiment of Mounted Riflemen was authorized by an Act of Congress on 19 May 

1846. This brought into existence a new organization in the United States Army: a regiment of 

riflemen, mounted to create greater mobility than the infantry, and equipped with percussion 

rifles to provide greater range and accuracy than the muskets of the infantry or the dragoon's 

smooth bore carbines. 

1 
The Mexican War 

The Regiment was organized "for establishing military stations on route to Oregon", and it 

was under orders to proceed on its mission at the earliest practical date. However, the Mexican 

War intervened and the Regiment found itself diverted to participate in the invasion of Mexico. 

During the Mexican War, the Regiment distinguished itself in six campaigns. 

The Mounted Rifles lost most of their horses in a terrible storm during the voyage across the 

Gulf of Mexico, causing them to fight as infantry during most of the Mexican War. They 

landed at Vera Cruz on 9 March 1847 and participated in the fighting there until 28 March. 

 On 17 and 18 April, the Regiment found itself in fierce hand-to-hand combat at Cerro 

Gordo. After refitting at Puebla, the Riflemen fought at Contreras and Churubusco on 19 and 

20 August. It was at Contreras that General Scott made the speech from which the Regiment 

took its Accolade (see Appendix G for details). 

“Brave Rifles-Veterans” by Don Prechtel

2 
Chapultepec 

The most notable action during the Regiment's participation in the Mexican War came on 

13 September 1847 when the Regiment participated in the assault on the fortress of 

Chapultepec. The site of the Mexican National Military Academy, it is described in Steele’s 

American Campaigns: 

This stone castle stands on an isolated mound rising 150 feet above the valley; nearly precipitous on the northern, eastern, and part of the southern side, 

it declines gradually on the east to a cypress grove separating it from Molino 

del Rey. The grounds were enclosed by a high wall on the southern side and 

on the northern side by the San Cosme Aqueduct. The castle commanded 

two of the causeways leading into the City of Mexico, about two miles east 

of it. The position was defended with cannon. 

3 

Advancing toward Mexico City, the next major engagement fought by the Mounted Rifles 

was at Molino del Rey on 8 September. Here, 270 Riflemen commanded by Major Edwin V. 

Sumner were tasked to take and hold a cannon foundry where a large quantity of gunpowder 

was stored. There was a large ravine, considered impassable by the Mexican cavalry, between 

the Riflemen and the foundry. Charging under heavy enemy fire, the troopers crossed the ravine and defeated a vastly superior force of what was considered by many to be the finest cavalry in the world. The Mounted Rifles inflicted 2000 casualties on the enemy and captured 

some 700 prisoners at Molino del Rey. 
Chapultepec castle was taken by a pair of hand-picked, 250 man storming parties, which 

included Mounted Riflemen under the command of Captain Benjamin S. Roberts, who 

would later command Company C. Seeing a party of Marines falter during the assault after 

losing most of their officers, Lieutenant Robert M. Morris of the Mounted Rifles took charge 

and led them on to victory. At the same time, other elements of the Regiment captured an 

enemy artillery battery at the foot of the castle. 

After these actions the Regiment was immediately reformed and advanced down the 

Tacubaya Causeway to storm the Belen Gate which barred the way into Mexico City. The 

Mounted Rifles captured another artillery battery halfway to the gate and a third in the 

assault on the gate. 

Leading the American forces, the Regiment stormed into Mexico City at 1:20 that 

afternoon. At 7:00 A.M. on 14 September 1847, Sergeant James Manly of F Company and 

Captain Benjamin S. Roberts raised the American Flag over the Mexican National Palace 

while Captain Porter, Commander of F Company, unfurled the Regimental standard from the 

balcony. 

The storming of Chapultepec Castle.

As recalled by Major General John A. Quitman, “When forming my division on the plaza, I 

perceived several non-commissioned officers hastening towards the palace with their regimental colors. I cried out, ‘No, my brave fellows, take back your colors. The first flag on that palace 

must be the flag of our country.’ Captain Roberts, of the Rifles, was then directed to bring forward a stand of National Colors and plant them upon the palace.” 

4 
Captain Benjamin S. Roberts’ letter to General D. E. Twiggs: 

 City of Mexico, Sept 17, 1847. 

Sir: 

 I have the honor to return the American Flag you entrusted to my 

keeping in the storming of Chapultepec, and the taking of the City of 

Mexico. Your charge to me was, “I expect that Flag to be the first placed 

upon the Capital of Mexico.” The Commission has been executed and 

the first American Flag that ever floated upon the Palace of the Capitol of 

Mexico is now returned to you. 

 It was also the first planted on the 5 gun battery stormed and carried 

by my assaulting party at the left of the enemy’s line at Chapultepec. 

 It was also the first planted on the battery stormed and carried by the 

Rifle Regiment between Chapultepec and the Gareta. 

It was also the first planted on the batteries at the Gareta and the first 

on the Citadel of the city. 

 It was carried by Sergeant Manley of “F” Co., whom I selected to 

bear so distinguished a flag, and the anticipations I entertained of his doing honor to the banner of his Country were not disappointed. I desire to 

commend him to your special consideration. This Flag would have been 

returned through him but for a severe wound that confined him to his 

Quarters..... On inspection you will perceive that the Flag has been 

pierced six times by the balls of the enemy. 

 

 I have the honor to be with high regards, etc. 

 (Signed) B. S. Roberts, 

 Capt. Rifles. 

Gen. D. E. Twiggs, 

 Commanding, 2d Division.

5 
Most of the remainder of the Regiment’s service in Mexico would consist of police duty an 

chasing guerrillas as a result of street-fighting and assassinations. There were, however, engagements with Mexican forces at Matamoras on 23 and Galaxara on 24 November, 1847, and at 

Santa Fe on 4 January 1848. 

Because it was armed with rifled muskets, when the Regiment was committed to battle, it 

was usually found in the midst of the heaviest fighting. As a result of its reputation for bravery 

and toughness, it was in great demand when enemy fortifications barred the American’s advance. During the Mexican War, eleven Troopers were commissioned from the ranks and nineteen officers received brevet promotions for gallantry in action. 

Regimental losses in Mexico were approximately four officers and 40 Troopers killed, 13 

officers and 180 Troopers wounded (many of whom would eventually die), and one officer 180 

Troopers who died of other causes. 

The Mounted Rifles departed from Vera Cruz on the ship Tyrone on 7 July 1848. They arrived at New Orleans on the 17th and sailed up the Mississippi River on the same day aboard 

the Aleck Scott. 

6 

Mounted Rifleman in distinctive uniform, with Grimsley saddle, ca. 

1847, painted by Randy Steffen. 
On to Oregon 

The Regiment returned to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 24 July 1848, and remained there 

recruiting until 10 May 1849. On that day, it began the grueling 2,000 mile march to the 

Oregon Territory to accomplish the mission for which it had been originally organized. 

The country through which the Regiment marched was without roads, and often without 

wood, water and grass. Except for Fort Kearny in Nebraska, and a fur trading post at Laramie 

in Wyoming, there was not one structure between Fort Leavenworth, the departure point, and 

the Columbia River. 

Travel was laborious and slow. Trails had to be cut, routes surveyed, and an alert 

maintained against hostile Indians. The problems of supply, transport and disease were 

tremendous. In spite of these difficulties the Regiment moved steadily west. In November 

1849, six months after its departure, the main body reached Oregon City. 

The Walker Colt (U.S. Model 1847) .44 caliber revolver with powder flask and bullet mold. 

This pistol was co-designed by Samuel Colt and Captain Samuel Walker, commander of 

Company C, who was killed in action in the Mexican War. The Regiment of Mounted 

Riflemen was the only unit in the U.S. Army issued this weapon. 

7 
Rebuilding at Jefferson Barracks 

In May 1851, The Regiment was ordered to return to Jefferson Barracks. All the horses and 

men were transferred to the 1st Dragoons in California, and the officers and NCOs traveled by 

ship to Panama. After crossing the Isthmus, they boarded another ship and returned to the 

Regiment's birthplace. For the next six months, the Regiment recruited, re-equipped and retrained. 

First Regiment of Mounted Riflemen 

In December 1851, the Regiment was ordered to Texas, where for the next four years it 

operated against the Indian tribes living in the area. Patrols, skirmishes, guard, and escort duty 

were all part of the daily routine. In 1853, the Regiment was redesignated as the First Regiment 

of Mounted Riflemen because the Army considered raising another mounted rifle regiment. 

This did not happen, but the “First” designation of the original regiment was retained. Jeb 

Stuart, later to gain fame as a Confederate cavalry commander, served with the Regiment as a 

lieutenant during this period. 

In 1856, Indian troubles in the New Mexico Territory required additional troops and the 

Regiment moved further West. In 1857, Fort Bliss, Texas became the new home base for the 

Mounted Rifles. Service in New Mexico was constant and most exacting. The Regiment was 

widely scattered and the number of troops available was wholly inadequate for the task of 

patrolling an area that extended from Denver, Colorado to the Mexican border, and from West 

Texas to Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. 

The trumpet pictured above was the branch of service insignia of the Mounted Rifles until it 

was redesignated as the 3d United States Cavalry Regiment in 1861. 

8 
The Civil War 

In April 1861, The American Civil War began and nine of our officers left the Regiment to 

join the cause of the Confederacy. In August 1861, the mounted arm of the U.S. Army was reorganized, and the First Regiment of Mounted Riflemen was redesignated as the 3d United 

States Cavalry Regiment. 

In the New Mexico Campaign of 1862, the Regiment fought the Confederates at the Battles 

of Val Verde and Glorieta Pass. The 3d Cavalry fought alongside the 1st Colorado Infantry (the 

Pikes Peakers) and the 1st New Mexico Infantry. Colonel “Kit” Carson, former member of the 

Mounted Rifles, commanded the latter unit. The Confederate troops started this campaign at 

Fort Bliss, Texas to seize the territories of New Mexico and Colorado. At Glorieta Pass, near 

Sante Fe, the Union force defeated the Confederates, causing them to return to Texas. 

It was at the Battle of Val Verde on 21 February 1862 that Captain Alexander McRae, formerly commander of Company E, commanded a provisional artillery battery equipped with 

M1857 12 pounders and M1847 6 pounders, manned primarily by men of Company I. The battle was fought to control an important ford across the Rio Grande river just north Fort Craig, 

New Mexico. 

9 
The Union position was under attack by a force of some 3,000 Texans. Throughout the 

morning McRae’s gunners poured grapeshot and canister into the Texans. McRae’s battery 

inflicted such heavy casualties on them that a force of about 1000 of the Texans mounted a direct attack on the battery’s position. The volunteer infantry assigned as part of the support for 

the battery, fled, leaving it unprotected. McRae’s gunners continued firing into the Confederate 

ranks, mowing them down by the dozen. One by one, the gun crews were cut down but McRae 

refused to retreat. The surviving gunners and infantrymen were now engaged in a furious handto-hand fight with pistols, clubbed muskets, bayonets, and knives. 

Eighty percent of the Union casualties at Val Verde occurred either in or near the battery’s 

position. The March 23, 1862 edition of the St. Louis Republican stated “With his artillerymen 

cut down, his support either killed, wounded or flying from the field, Capt. McRae sat down 

calmly on one of his guns, and with revolver in hand, refusing to flee or desert his post, he 

fought to the last.” 

Captain Alexander McRae was a native of North Carolina who was ostracized by his own 

family for remaining loyal to the Union cause. He died defending his position in the face of 

overwhelming odds, adding to the Regiment’s tradition of selfless service to the nation. 

In his official report, Colonel Edward R.S. Canby, commander of the Department of New 

Mexico, said of McRae, “Pure in character, upright in conduct, devoted to his profession ... 

Captain McRae died, as he had lived, an example of the best and highest qualities that man can 

possess.” 

Captain Alexander McRae 

10 
After assembling at Ft. Union, New Mexico, the Regiment departed for Jefferson Barracks, 

Missouri on September 30th. They arrived there on 23 November, having completed a march 

of 1,280 miles in fifty-five days. 

In December 1862, the Regiment moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where it remained until 

October 1863. During the period October to December 1863, the Regiment participated in operations on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and fought in skirmishes at various locations 

such as Barton Station, Cane Creek, and Dickinson’s Station, Alabama. While fighting in the 

Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign, the Regiment was not attached to any brigade or division. 

The 3d Cavalry was then tasked by General Sherman to perform various reconnaissance missions as part of his advance guard, including marching to the relief of Knoxville, Tennessee. 

Elements of the Regiment also were engaged at Murphy, North Carolina and Loudon, Tennessee. 

From May 1864 until April 1866, the 3d Cavalry was stationed at Little Rock, Arkansas, 

with the mission of "preventing the organization of enemy commands, capturing guerrilla bands 

and escorting trains." To accomplish these tasks, the Regiment did much hard riding over a 

large area. During an expedition from Little Rock to Benton, a detachment of the 3d Cavalry 

was ambushed by Confederate troops. The resulting confusion and effort to escape the kill zone 

became known as the “The Benton Races.” 

The 3d U.S. Cavalry Regiment’s losses during the Civil War were two officers and thirty 

Troopers either killed or who died of wounds and three officers and 105 Troopers who died of 

disease or other non-combat causes 

The Indian Wars 

In April 1866, the 3d Cavalry was once again ordered to New Mexico to campaign against 

the Indians. On 3 October 1866, Company G, 3d U.S. Cavalry engaged a band of Ute Indians 

along the Purgatoire River , west of Trinidad, Colorado. 

11 

Troop C, 3d U.S. Cavalry at Fort Davis, Texas circa 1887. 
In April 1870, the Regiment was ordered to Arizona for operations against the Apaches and, 

in late 1871, was transferred north to the department of the Platte, which included what are now 

the states of Wyoming, Montana, the Dakotas and Nebraska. 

During the summer of 1876, the Regiment participated in the Little Big Horn Campaign 

against the Sioux and Cheyenne Nations. On 17 June 1876, ten companies of the 3d Cavalry 

fought in the battle of Rosebud Creek. This was the largest battle between the Army and the 

Indians in the history of the American West, with 1,400 friendly Indians and Troopers opposing 

more that 1,500 hostile Indians. 

The record of the battle shows that "Three battalions of the 3d Cavalry under Captains 

Mills, Henry and Van Vliet, performed gallant, heroic, and outstanding service”. Henry was 

shot in the face, losing an eye, but survived to become our 12th Colonel. Four 3d Cavalry 

troopers received the Medal of Honor for bravery in this battle: Trumpeter Elmer A. Snow of 

Company M and First Sergeants Joseph Robinson of Company D, Michael A. McGann of 

Company F, and John H. Shingle of Company I. 

With the Apache uprising in the spring of 1882, the Regiment was ordered to return to Arizona, and in July, the 3d and 6th Cavalry Regiments defeated renegade Apaches in the Battle of 

Big Dry Wash. This battle quelled the last Apache uprising in Arizona and also marked the end 

of the Regiment’s participation in the Indian Wars. This action resulted in the award of two 

more Medals of Honor, to First Sergeant Charles Taylor of Company D and Lieutenant George 

H. Morgan of Company K. 

The year 1883 would see the term “Company” changed to “Troop” in the mounted service 

and in 1885, the red and white guidon replaced the 1863 stars and stripes pattern. The 3d Cavalry was also ordered to Texas in 1885, where it remained until 1893. Between 1893 and 1897, 

the Regiment was engaged in garrison, training and ceremonial activities throughout the East 

and Mid-West. By July 1897, the Regimental Headquarters and four troops were stationed at 

Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, while the remainder of the Regiment returned to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. 

12 

Cavalry squad room circa 1880
Fiddler’s Green 

The experiences of a typical Indian Wars period trooper are perhaps best summed up by the 

poem, Fiddler’s Green. Although the poem’s origin is uncertain, Fiddler’s Green is described 

as a broad meadow located halfway down the trail to Hell, dotted with trees and crossed by 

many streams. Allegedly, this is the place where dead troopers camp, with their tents, horses, 

picket lines, campfires and the old army canteen. The souls of the dead troopers gather there to 

exchange reminiscences and tell stories. 

Fiddler’s Green 

 Halfway down the trail to hell, 

In a shady meadow green, 

 Are the souls of all dead troopers camped 

Near a good old time canteen, 

And this resting place is known as Fiddler’s Green. 

Marching past straight through to Hell, 

 The Infantry are seen, 

Accompanied by the Engineers, 

Artillery and Marine, 

For none but the shades of Cavalrymen 

Dismount at Fiddler’s Green. 

Though some go curving down the trail 

To seek a warmer scene, 

No trooper ever gets to Hell 

Ere he’s emptied his canteen, 

And so rides back to drink again 

With friends at Fiddler’s Green 

And so when man and horse go down 

Beneath a saber keen, 

Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee 

You stop a bullet clean, 

And the hostiles come to get your scalp, 

Just empty your canteen, 

And put your pistol to your head 

 And go to Fiddler’s Green. 

13 
The Spanish-American War 

In April 1898, the Regiment was assembled at Camp Thomas, Georgia in Chickamauga National Park, and assigned to a brigade in a provisional cavalry division. 

On 13 May 1898, the Regiment arrived in Tampa, Florida. On 8 June, the Regiment, minus 

four troops, embarked for Cuba with the rest of the invasion force. 

One of the Army’s objectives was to take the Cuban positions on the high ground around 

the landward side of the city of Santiago, a Cuban seaport. This would force the Spanish 

warships in the harbor to sail out to face the U.S. Navy. The cavalry division, of which the 

Regiment was part, was assigned the mission of assaulting these hills, known as the San Juan 

Heights. The 3d Cavalry was one of five regular U.S. Cavalry Regiments engaged there. 

In the dismounted attack on San Juan Hill, the Regiment’s U.S. Flag, carried by Sergeant 

Bartholomew Mulhern of Troop E, was the first to be raised at the point of victory. This flag 

may be viewed at the Third Cavalry Museum. 

14