The Coolidge examiner., 1933-03-31


to be "mechanzed" that is
its members were to replace their traditional
mounts, the cavalry chargers, with tanks and
fast armored motor cars.
AS the column proceeded across the parade
ground, swung into line and dismounted, horse
was led out to the front and center" position
Of honor. He was "Old Louie" the oldest horse
Of the regiment veteran of 2S years of service
in every part OF the country. and he was ar
rayed In funeral trappings to show the regi-
ment's sorrow at parting from its four-legged
comrades
At the ceremony Col W. A. Austin, comman-
der of the regiment. voiced the feelings of the
officers and men when he said: Tomorrow we
begin in earnest our preparations for that change
which means farewell TO the horse. For almost
century this regiment, which it has been our
privilege to serve with. has contributed con-
spicuous part toward the security progress and
stability of the nation. The First Dragons came
into existence TO meet the rigorous demands
of great emergency. And ever since during
every crisis and danger confronting the country,
the First cavalry has ridden In the vanguard
and has been among those first to render pro-
lection, defense and service to the country
"No other regiment In our army has such a
wealth of tradition such an abundance Of hon.
orable, brilliant achievements. We bid at
this hour farewell to our faithful, willing and
noble companions of march, maneuver and gar
rison-our beloved horses. Patient, silent de-
pendable comrades, they have carried the stand
ards of the First Dragons through century of
heroic hardships and enduring accomplishments"
1t was a just tribute to a gallant regiment for.
Colonel Austin said, mo other regiment has
such wealth of tradition. such an abundance
of honorable brilliant achievements" Except for
various loosely organized rangers" the United
L,l Il. =
ry arm of the service from the close of the
Revolution to 1893. In March of that year
there was created by act Of congress 1.-The
United States Regiment of Dragons" and the
"Dandy First" traces its history In an unbroken
line back to that outfit.
The newly organized regiment was organized
and concentrated first at Jefferson Barracks Mo.
Its first commanding officer was Col Henry
Dodge who resigned his commission in 1886 to
become governor of Wisconsin. The first regi-
mental adjutant young Mississppian. fresh
from West Point, named Lieut.. Jefferson Davis
destined for fame as the first and only president
of the Confederate States of America.
At that time jefferson Barracks was on the
Frontier of this country and the five companies
of dragons first recruited were soon dispatched
on the duty for which they were primarily Gre
ated-to suppress tribes of maraudng Indians
onel Dodge left Jefferson Barracks and set out
for Camp Jackson. Arkansas territory. There
they spent the winter. practically in sight of the
hosties In June, 1894 after having suffered
many hardshins during the winter months, the
dragons were sent out on the Pawnee expedi-
ton. The command remained in the field only
until September of that year, but in that short
time One-fOurth of the officers and men died
principally from fever.
For the ensuing winter, part of the regiment
was sent TO Fort Leavenworth, Kan, while the
remainder went into the Indian country on the
right bank of the Mississippi near the mouth
of the Des Moines river. The following summer
1885. the entire command was kept in the field.
AS no engagements with the Indians are re-
corded. II is probable that all the marchings and
counter-marchngs were done in the interest of
exploration of outlying territory to the west
of the Mississippi
The whole of the regiments service from its
organization until the outbreak of the Mexican
war in 1876 was devoted to activities in the
Middle Southwest-alternately fighting Indians
and exploring the new territory Outstanding
events are recorded during those years, notable
for the results accomplished without bloodshed
and for the sustained endurance and hardihood
displayed by the soldiers. On May IS. 1898.
Colonel Kearney, with FIVE companies left Fort
Leavenworth and set out for South Pass in the
Rocky mountains The command reached that
point and returned to its starting place by Au-
gust "a of the same year, having marched over
strange and generally hostile territory. about
1000 miles in less than 100 days
In reporting upon the expedition. Colonel
Kearney said: I'm the length of the march, the