The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-03-31


was 10 be "mechaniZed," 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 10 the front 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 at parting from its fourlegged
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 it has been our
privilege 70 serve with. has contributed a 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.
mo other regiment in army has such a
wealth OF tradition, such an abundance Of hon.
orable, brilliant achievements We bid at
this hour farewell 10 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"
II was just tribute TO gallant regiment for,
Colonel Austin said. no other regiment has
such wealth Of tradition such an abundance
of honorable, brilliant achievements" Except for
various loosely organized rangers" the United
States army had no regularly constituted caval-
~ arm Of the service from the close OF the
Revolution to 1893 In March 8 of that year
there was created by an act Of congress 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 No.
Its first commanding officer was Col Henry
Dodge. who resigned his commission in 1896 to
become governor Of Wisconsin. The first regi-
mental adjutant was young Mississippian 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
the duty for which they were primarily ere
ated-to suppress tribes OF marauding Indians.
In October, 1893. the five companies under Col
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 thar 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
ham Of he iSSiSS iruf
OF the Des Moines river. The following summer,
1885. the entire command was kept in the field.
AS engagements with the Indians are re-
corded, it is probable that all the marchings 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 1916 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. 1888.
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 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. Colonel
Kearney said: In the length of the march, the
rapidity OF movement and the sacrifices made,
the expedition is supposed TO be wholly
precedented-" Whether or not II was unpre-
cedented, is not known II is however, worthy
of mention that a command Of cavalry. moving
as large body, maintained rate Of march OF
20 miles a day for so long period
In the Mexican war the First Dragons
there had been Second Regiment organized In
1SS6-took glorious part Companies A and
fought with Taylor in his vigorous campaign.
Company escorted General Scott from Vera
Cruz 10 the City OF Mexico. and was present
at the battle fought before that city. Companies
u and K also service in Scott's line. The
remaining companies in the United States car