Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-03-30

was 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 4front and center" position
OF honor. He was "Old Louie" the oldest horse
of the regiment. veteran of Is years of service
In every part OF the country, and he was ar
rayed In funeral trappings to show the regi-
ment's sorrow ut 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
a century this regiment, which 1t has been our
privilege to serve with, has contributed a con-
Epicuous part toward the security, progress and
stability of the nation. The First Dragons came
into existence to meet the rigorous demands
OF a 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.
mo other regiment In our army has such
wealth OF tradition, such an abundance of hon.
erable brilliant achievements y. 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 a century OF
heroic hardships and enduring accomplishments.
1t was Just tribute to gallant regiment for,
as 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
Lra I4,,tr
ry arm of the service from the close OF the
Revolution to 1883. In March 8 of that year
there was created by act OF congress 1.-THE
United States Regiment Of Dragons" and the
DANDY First" traces It's 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 was young Misslssippian, 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 marauding Indians
onel Dodge left Jefferson Barracks and set out
for Camp Jackson Arkansas territory. There
they spent the winter practically In sight of the
hostiles. In June. 1894. after having suffered
many hardships 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 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 Mones river. The following summer,
1886, the entire command was kept In the field.
AS no engagements with the Indians are re-
corded 1t Is probable that all the marchngs and
counter-marchings were done In the interest OF
exploration of our 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 1848 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 hardiheod
displayed by the soldiers. On May 18. 1888
Colonel Kearney, with five companies, left Fort
Ieavenworth and set out for South Pass In the
Rocky mountains. The command reached that
point and returned to Its starting place by An
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. Colone
Keaney nid: In the length Of the march, ths