Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1914-06-20
THIRD AND SIXTH u. S. CAVALRY
TROOPS HAVE GREAT WAR RECORDS
Both Bodies Have Splendid Achievements to Their Credit. and
From Thai. Point of View It Would Be Difficult to Make a
Choice Between Them-Each Seeks Distinction of
Going to Mexico.

Washington, D. C.-There was some
stir, in fact considerable hubbub, in
the ranks Of the Sixth Cavalry a few
weeks ago when a certain piece OF
news 1oated down the line to Calves
ton. 1t was learned that Colonel Az
gustus e. Blockson, commanding the
Third Cavalry had made formal appli-
cation to Lindley M. Garrison, secre-
tary OF war, on behalf Of his officers
n men, to be allowed to lead the ad-
vance into Mexico.
Why o the Sixth?" howled the
khaki clad horseman Of that persua-
sion. Amt they always depended on
US before, didn't we fight 13 brands of
redskins, not to speak of the Fill
pinos and the Chinks and the boys In
gray, back In '63?"
So the claims of the Sixth were as
consistently lobbied in the state, wal
n navy building as had been those
of the Third cavalry.
In records there is little to choose
between the two bodies. But the
third has the unique distinction Of
having been the advance guard of the
United States troops when General
Winfield Scott in 1S47 marched and
mot and sabred his way to Cerro
Gordo and Chapultepec and finally to
Mexico City.
The regiment was organized on May
10, 1916 as the Regiment Of Mounted
rihemen. The designation was
changed In 1851. Its first colonel was
Persifer F. Smith who later became a
b~rigadier general.
Early In November of 1886, the reg.
iment was ordered to Mexico. A
month before two companies went to
Point Isabel, thence to Monterey, and
later to Tampico joining at Lobos is
land, the little peak of beach in the
gulf which came into international
prominence recently when Huerta put
out the light and United States sail
ors lit her up again.
On March 3, 1S47, the regiment
sailed from Lobos island and six days
later they landed at Sacrifcios island.
Then they led in the investment of
Vera Cruz, which was even less of o
picnic than the landing a couple. OF
months ago.
On the march to Mexico City the
cavalrymen performed mer
deeds Of yalor and lost four officers
40 men killed and had a large number
wounded.
The Sixth Cavalry is even better
than the Third. 1t won distinction In
the Civil war, the Indian wars, the
Spanish-American war, and the Phil.
ippines.
The regiment was organized Ma 4,
1861. Like the Third 1t has changed
its title. Curiously, too, the Sixth was
organized under the name of the Third
Regiment Of Cavalry. Five months Ia
ter the Sixth received It's present des-
ignation.
The regiment participated in the
~Peninsufar campaign under the COM
mand of General Stoneman. 1t earned
perhaps It's first fame at the battle Of
Williamsburg, which 1t opened. After
this engagement it pursued. the en-
envy through Yorktown.
Later the Sixth was at Malvern Hill,
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the VIII
derness, S~pottsylvania court house,
Winchester and Appomattox court
house, besides numerous less impor-
tant but often RICH sharp clashes.
After the Civil wal the regiment set
out after Indians and was chasing bad
redskins for many years. 1t gave a
taste of steel to the ~Cheyennes, Kio-