The Coolidge examiner., 1933-03-31

rapidity of movement, and the sacrifices made,
the expedition is supposed TO be wholly un-
precedented." Whether or not it unpre-
cedented, Is not known. 1t Is however, worthy
of mention that a command of cavalry. moving
as a large body, maintained a rate of march of
20 miles day for so long a period.
In the Mexican war the First Dragons
there had been a Second Regiment organized In
1S36-took a glorious part. Companies and E
fought with Taylor in his vigorous campaign.
Company escorted General Scott from Vera
Cruz to the City of Mexico, and present
at the battle fought before that city. Companies
d and X. also saw service in Scott's line. The
remaining companies n the United States car
ried before the war, helping keep the
Indians under control up and down the western
Mississippi valley.
The period from the close of the Mexico war
to the outbreak of the between the states
was in all respects similar to the period pre-
cedng the former contest. The dragons were
on Indian duty in the West Headquarters were
moved to Fort Union, New Mexico Territory
in 1854, and with that base OF operations,
companies of the command operated against
hostile Indians all the way from the Rio Grande
TO the Canadian border on the one hand and
from the Mississippi to the Pacific on the other.
Engagements with the Utah, Apache, Navajo,
Spokane, and other Indians are recorded
At the outbreak of the Civil war the designa-
tion Of the command was changed from First
Regiment of Dragons" to First Regiment of
Cavalry" without any change of internal or
ganization or shifting of personnel other than
what necessary for expansion to war
strength.
During the latter part of 1861, the regiment
less Companies and G. was transferred from
aci6 m Uoc ho
come part of the line of Union defenses around
that city. And while the regiment, minus its two
companies. was taking part in various tactical
movements around the Federal Capital the two
companies left In the West were making history.
In January. 1862 they acted as escort for
General Canby February 10. Company D
engaged Confederate troops in a skirmish near
Fort Craig; the two companies took part in the
battle of Valverde February 81 and Company
d took part In engagements at Pigeons Ranch
March 80; Albuquerque, April %, and Peralto.
April 81. In June, 1868. the two companies were
broken up, the officers and noncommissoned
officers being transferred to Carlisle Barracks,
Pennsylvania. There the two units were reor-
ganized and Joined the regiment at Camp Bu-
ford, Maryland. October 1863.
From this time until the end of the war, the
First regiment was destined to see action on
many fronts tramp many miles up and down
the valleys of Virginia, and finally to be present
at the closing scene at Appomattox in April. 1865.
1t was attached to Sheridan's famous cavalry
corps which on the march and in the attack
was second only to Jacksons in point of swift
ness.
When Little Phil" swung around Richmond
the First cavalry was with him, taking part in
the following engagements: Beaver Dam sta
ton, Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge Mechanics
vile, Tunstall's station Hawes Shop, and Old
Church. Other important engagements in which
the command took part were Cold Harbor, Pen
insula Campaign, Antietam, Charlottesville.
Gettysburg. Wilderness, SpOttsylvania, Peters
burg and Appomattox.
After the surrender of both Lee and Johnston.
the regiment returned TO Washington, escorting
General Sherman, and was present for the Great
Review" on May "a and 25, 1865 when 65.OOO
of the victorious troops paraded through the
streets of the city.
Almost Immediately thereafter the command
left for the South to aid in the work of recon
struction taking station In the vicinity Of New
Orleans There it remained until December, 1865