1st Cavalry Regiment
History
"Courageous and Faithful"
By the 1830's it had become apparent that the rapidly expanding frontier
demanded highly mobile troops capable of tracking down and pursuing the
Indians beyond their usual haunts to cover the vast expanses of the American
West. The roots of the 1st Cavalry Division are found in an answer to those
who advocated a mounted military force for speed and mobility, yet trained and
properly equipped to fight dismounted as well as mounted. The US Regiment
of Dragoons was regionally organized covering a wide segment of the
country, as follows:
On 05 March 1833, the first order announcing appointments in the regiment and
announced the names of the colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, four captains
and four lieutenants, In addition, it stated that the organization of the
regiment would be perfected by the selection of officers from the "Battalion
of Rangers."
By June 1834, the regiment filled its complement of officers, many of whom
later became noted Civil War generals:
When the War Department created the US Regiment of Dragoons, it had retained a
number of the officers of the Battalion of Mounted Rangers. However, the
reorganization did not include any of the enlisted personnel. Instead, the
Adjutant General, who was responsible for recruiting, sent the officers of the
new regiment throughout the different states with directions to recruit an
elite unit. The orders emphasized aiming for a better class of recruits than
usual and for "native born" Americans. The Dragoons were flamboyant by any
military standard. Long hair, colorful scarfs, facial hair and even earrings
was adorned by these elite troopers.
|
|---|
In the field, enlisted men wore dark-blue wool fatigue jackets trimmed with
yellow worsted tape around the collar, cuffs and shoulder straps. Officers
generally retained their dress coats with two rows of brass buttons and gold
or yellow epaulets to indicate rank; noncommissioned officers wore yellow
sleeve chevrons. Trousers were sky blue, with a single yellow leg stripe for
enlisted men and a double stripe for officers and NCOs. Off the parade ground,
headgear consisted of the ubiquitous dark-blue round forage cap with its small
black leather visor and chin strap. In theory, the Dragoons had a yellow band
on their caps, but most contemporary illustrations show a plain blue cap,
occasionally with a brass letter indicating the wearer's company. The cap of
the officers might sport large brass stars or such other devices that caught
their fancy.
The Dragoons were furnished with equipment representing the latest in 19th
Century technology. To carry his weapons, the trooper wore two wide belts of
whitened leather crossed on his torso. From the left side was suspended an
iron scabbard for the heavy, brass-handled horseman's sword, known not so
affectionately as "The Wristbreaker." To the right side a belt clip held a
Hall-North carbine. It was supplemented by one or two huge .54-caliber caplock
pistols, muzzleloading smoothbores carried in saddle holsters.
The Dragoon version of the Hall-North carbine was a .52-caliber smoothbore
with a 21-inch round barrel fastened by two bands. It was the first percussion
weapon and the first breech loading weapon adopted by any government on earth.
Being a percussion cap firearm, it was much more reliable in adverse weather
conditions than the flintlock, which required loose black powder for the
priming charge. The percussion system used a small copper cup that held an
explosive charge that exploded and ignited the main charge as the hammer fell.
Being a breech loading weapon, it was immensely easier to load on horseback
than a muzzle loader which called for a barrel-length ramrod to seat the lead
ball projectile on the powder charge.
|
|---|
The Dragoons were furnished with equipment representing the latest in 19th
Century technology. To carry his weapons, the trooper wore two wide belts of
whitened leather crossed on his torso. From the left side was suspended an
iron scabbard for the heavy, brass-handled horseman's sword, known not so
affectionately as "The Wristbreaker." To the right side a belt clip held a
Hall-North carbine. It was supplemented by one or two huge .54-caliber caplock
pistols, muzzleloading smoothbores carried in saddle holsters.
The Dragoon version of the Hall-North carbine was a .52-caliber smoothbore
with a 21-inch round barrel fastened by two bands. It was the first percussion
weapon and the first breech loading weapon adopted by any government on earth.
Being a percussion cap firearm, it was much more reliable in adverse weather
conditions than the flintlock, which required loose black powder for the
priming charge. The percussion system used a small copper cup that held an
explosive charge that exploded and ignited the main charge as the hammer fell.
Being a breech loading weapon, it was immensely easier to load on horseback
than a muzzle loader which called for a barrel-length ramrod to seat the lead
ball projectile on the powder charge.
When the US Regiment of Dragoons were organized, the Western Department of the
Army (Army of the West) protected the perimeter of the western frontier, a
line stretching from Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in the north, to Fort Gibson,
Arkansas Territory, in the south. In October 1833, the five companies first
organized were sent under Colonel Dodge to winter in the vicinity of Fort
Gibson which had been established 1824 in Indian Territory by Colonel Matthew
Arbuckle. They remained there until June 1834.
At headquarters, Colonel Henry Dodge and Lt. Colonel Steven Watts Kearny
mapped the campaign that lay ahead. In the summer of 1834, their first western
expedition, the first official contact between the American government and the
Plains Indians. was charged with impressing the restless Pawnee, Kiowa and
Comanche Indian Tribes of their presence and force. The US Dragoon Regiment
left Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, on 20 June, 1834. On 25 June, they joined with the
forces of General Henry Leavenworth, Commander of the Western Department of
the Army, for a two month exploration and survey of the western plains.
On 03 September 1834, Lt. Colonel Kearny, accompanied by three companies of
Dragoons totaling 113 men, left Fort Gibson, Oklahoma to establish and occupy
a new army post, Fort Des Moines No. 1, located at the mouth of the Des Moines
River (near present day Montrose, Iowa), which would protect travelers from
Indian encroachment, opening the new frontier territory for settlement. Such a
post, located in the upper Mississippi country, would also minimize open
warfare between the powerful Sioux, Chippewa and Sac Indian Tribes. In
subsequent explorations, lead by Lt. Colonel Kearny, the Dragoons would select
and recommended additional sites for two future military posts in the nearby
frontier areas, Fort Dodge and Fort Des Moines No. 2, which would eventually
become the cities of Fort Dodge and Des Moines, Iowa.
On 29 May 1835, Colonel Henry Dodge and the US Regiment of Dragoons went on a
second western exploration from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to the Rocky
Mountains. He traveled north, along the west bank of the Missouri River, to
the mouth of the Platte River. Moving in a western direction, he followed the
Platte River to its source in Colorado and went south to the head-waters of
the Arkansas River (near present day Leadville, Colorado) and returned to the
Kansas Plains down its valley.
In 1835, the US Regiment of Dragoons were ordered to conduct the first
official exploration of the Des Moines River Valley. On 07 June 1835, Lt.
Colonel Stephan Watts Kearny, left the post at Fort Des Moines No 1 with one
hundred-sixty Dragoons, five four-mule teams and wagons, tents, provisions,
packhorses, and beef cattle for the commissary. Captain Nathan Boone, son of
Daniel Boone, and Lt. Albert Lea, topographer for the expedition, were two of
the officers on the march. By the time the expedition returned to Fort Des
Moines on 19 August 1835, the Dragoons had ridden eleven hundred miles in
slightly over two months. Lt. Albert Lea's journal of the expedition, later
published in book form, gave the American public it's first detailed
description of the terrain features of the territory between Americas greatest
rivers, the Mississippi and the Missouri.
During the summer of 1835, Colonel Henry Dodge led a large force of dragoons
from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma as a show of strength to prevent the possibility of
widespread warfare with the Comanches. How impressed the Hois (a division of
the Comanches - "the timber people") were with the dragoons and their fancy
uniforms is questionable, but they (with the Wichita) signed the Camp Holmes
Treaty with American representatives pledging peace and friendship with the
Osage, Quapaw, Seneca, Cherokee, Choctaw and Creek Indian Tribes.
On 04 July, Colonel Dodge resigned and was appointed Territorial Governor of
Wisconsin. He was succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel Kearny, the ranking officer.
On 05 July, President Andrew Jackson signed a commission for Kearny as Colonel
of the US Regiment of Dragoons. When two more dragoon regiments were created
by Congress on 15 May 1836, the US Regiment of Dragoons was redesignated the
First Regiment of Dragoons.
In March 1837, a regimental order designated the color of the horses of each
company as follows: "A" and "K" Companies, black; "B", "F" and "H" Companies,
sorrel; "C", "D", "E" and "I" Companies, bay; and "G" Company, iron gray.
In October 1837, and again in March 1838, Colonel Kearny led elements of the
regiment to quell Osage Indians. In April 1839, the army created Fort Wayne
in Indian Territory for the purpose of keeping the Cherokee Tribe under
control. To keep to peace, "E", "F", "G" and "K" Companies , were stationed
there for several years, with occasional forays into the field to chase
hostile Indians.
|
|---|
On 19 May 1845, Stephen Watts Kearny left Fort Leavenworth with five companies
of the First Regiment of Dragoons, "A", "C", "F", "G" and "K", on a sweep of
the plains. On 24 May, the column of troops passed the huge Stephen Meek Wagon
Train. The force of 250 dragoons was overwhelmed by the sight of 3,000
emigrants in their 460 wagons. On 16 June, near Fort Laramie, Kearny met in
council with 1,200 Teton Sioux Indians and arranged a safe passage for the
Oregon Trail wagons. On 30 June, the dragoons crossed the Continental Divide
and came across a western flowing branch of the Green River which marked the
western end of their journey. On 03 July, the column began their return trek
to Fort Leavenworth to complete their 99 day, 2,200 mile journey.
An act of Congress creating forts along the Oregon Route in 1846, led to the
establishment of Fort Childs by the Oregon Battalion. The site was purchased
from the Pawnee Indians for $2,000 in trade goods. Fort Childs was later
renamed Fort Kearny by dragoons who had transferred from the original Fort
Kearny located at the mouth of the Platte River. The primary purpose of the
fort was to protect and supply travelers along the Oregon Trail. It later also
served as a stop on the Overland Stage and the Pony Express. It was abandoned
in 1871, by which time the westward migration along the trail had all but
ceased.
On 25 April 1846, Mexico started war by firing on Unites States troops,
commanded by General Zachary Taylor. On 11 May, President Polk requested a
statement of war from Congress, and two days later the United States declared
war on Mexico. The United States was, at this time, expanding its boundaries,
which conflicted with Mexico, who had already laid claim to the land, today,
known as the states of Texas, New Mexico, and California.
Very soon after the commencement of hostilities between the United States
and Mexico, preparations were begun for the invasion of Mexican territory at
various points. One expedition was to advance from the Missouri River west to
Mexico, Santa Fé being its objective point. It was immediately determined,
however, to push on with this column and occupy Upper California. General
Kearny was placed in command of this "Army of the West," which consisted of
Companies "B", "C", "G", "I"and "K" Companies, 1st Dragoons, two companies of
artillery, two of infantry and nine companies of Missouri volunteer cavalry
under command of Colonel A. W. Doniphan, in all about 1800 men. This command
was concentrated at Bent's Fort on the Arkansas.
On 01 August, the Army began their western journey toward Santa Fe Territory.
On 18 August 1846, in the early period of the Mexican War, Colonel Steven
Watts Kearny took Santa Fe from the Mexican Government and raised the flag of
the United States over the Plaza. In September 1846, General Kearny appointed
Charles Bent as the first Governor of New Mexico of the newly acquired New
Mexico Territory.
On 25 September 1846, Kearny left "G" and "I" Companies at Albuquerque under
the command of Captain. J. H. K. Burgwin, and began the long march to
California. Kearny had been an officer in the First Regiment of Dragoons since
its organization in 1833, and was known for being strict and enthusiastic.
This venture came to be known as the "Thousand Mile March". On 05 October,
near Socorro, New Mexico, Kearny met Kit Carson who, having just come from
Monterey and San Diego, assured Kearny that Fremont had secured both
territories.
From 05 October to 02 December, Kearny and his army had no communication with
other units of the US Military. During this journey the Dragoons endured
horrible conditions. The area that had to be crossed was pure desert and
mountains. This country had scarce natural resources, such as grass for the
horses and water for the troops. The Dragoons survived the journey without
loosing any lives, however the trip left the troops and their horses in no
position to fight a battle.
|
|---|
On 06 December 1846, Kearny's army and the California Lancers engaged in a
bloody battle at the Valley of San Pasqual. The First Regiment of Dragoons
were no match for the skilled Lancers. The United States suffered many
casualties, and was entrenched on a hilltop for four days, as the Lancers
stopped the Dragoons advance into San Diego. It wasn't until arrival of naval
reinforcements from San Diego on 11 December 1846, three hundred American
troops departed from Mule Hill, arriving in San Diego two days later in the
pouring rain.
The Army of the West finally reached its destination
seventy-eight days after leaving Santa Fe. Ultimately, while being defeated at
San Pasqual, Kearny and his men proved victorious in the events that followed
the Battle of San Pasqual. In less than two weeks, they marched to recapture
Los Angeles at the Battle of San Gabriel, thus completing the Army's quest for
California. Colonel Stephen Kearny was appointed Military Governor of
California for the period of 01 March to 31 May 1847. On 07 September 1848,
the Adjutant General's office issued a brevet major general's commission to
Kearney for his service and many accomplishments in the Mexican War.
The Indian Wars in the West and Southwest continued to rage. In 1855, Congress
added two new Cavalry Regiments to the military establishment, the 1st Cavalry
and the 2nd Cavalry. (In later years, in order to preserve the lineage of the
First and Second Regiment of Dragoons and the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen
which was organized 19 May 1846 and later redesignated as the 3rd Cavalry
Regiment, this new 1st Cavalry Regiment would be redesignated as the 4th
Cavalry Regiment and the new 2nd Cavalry Regiment would be redesignated the
5th Cavalry Regiment in 1861.) The 2nd Cavalry was assigned to Texas in the
Southwest, engaging in numerous skirmishes with the Comanche, Kiowa and other
bands of Indians that roamed the Lone Star State.
Following the issuance of the Proclamation of Insurrection on 15 April and
the order to blockade all Southern Ports on 19 April 1861, an official state
of war existed between the North and South. The outbreak of the Civil War
added an ironic, but important footnote in the history of the First Cavalry
Regiment. Jefferson Davis, a former Cavalry officer of the US Regiment of
Dragoons, would become president of the Confederacy. Four of the forty
officers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment eventually became four star
generals. The most well known, Lt. Colonel Robert E. Lee, rose to the position
of Commander of the entire Confederate Army.
|
|---|
On 03 August 1861, the First Regiment of Dragoons, under the command of
Colonel Benjamin L. Beall, was redesignated as the First Cavalry Regiment and
the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, redesignated as the 5th Cavalry Regiment, rode out
of Texas to become part of the Union's forces, the Army of the Potomac.
Concurrently another order issued by the Army,in August 1861, specified that
all six Regular horse regiments were to be redesignated "Cavalry" and
renumbered as the 1st through the 6th in order, according to their respective
dates of organization. All were to be armed with the saber, revolver, and
carbines. Although these regiments had been known by different names, all were
light cavalry. Their members were mounted on light horses, they were trained
to fight mounted or dismounted, and they depended on their firearms rather
than shock action with sabers.
Nevertheless, the Dragoons and Riflemen objected to giving up their
distinctive names. One captain wrote "with the renaming of the old
regiments, the units lost the honor attached to the old names, and the change
had a demoralizing effect on the troops". The Dragoons and Riflemen also
resisted the changes in their distinctive uniform trim; now all were expected
to wear the yellow trimmings of the cavalry. Fortunately, from the dragoon and
riflemen point of view, under an economy measure that permitted the use of the
old uniforms until they were worn out, much orange and green trim was in
evidence for a long time.
In June 1863, the two companies left in New Mexico, "G" and "I", were broken
up. The officers and noncommissioned officers were transferred to Carlisle
Barracks, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where the companies were
reorganized, joining the regiment at Camp Buford, Maryland, in October 1863.
After a period of rest and re-equipping near Washington D.C., the 1st Cavalry
Regiment rejoined the Army of the Potomac and was engaged at Manassas Junction
and at Catlett's Station, 05 November; Culpeper, 08 November; Stephensburg, 26
November, and Mine River. The regiment was employed during the winter doing
picket duty along the Rapidan River.
In February 1964, the 1st US Cavalry engaged in a series of fights along the
Rapidan line, and then accompanied Brigadier General George Armstrong, On
General Sheridan's taking command of the Cavalry Corps. the regiment
accompanied Sheridan on his daring raid around Richmond, Virginia fighting at
Beaver Dam Station, 10 May; Yellow Tavern, 11 May: Battle of Meadow Bridge, 12
May; Mechanicsville, 12 May; Tunstall's Station, 14 May; Hawe's Shop, 28 May;
and Old Church, 30 May.
|
|---|
On 01 June, at the Battle of Cold Harbor, the final battle of Union Army, the
regiment saw severe fighting, losing several men and offices. The 1st Cavalry
Regiment then accompanied General Sheridan on his Trevilian raid, and lost 35
men in the Battle of Trevilian Station, 11 and 12 June. The regiment was
engaged in daily skirmishing during the return march to White House Landing,
and was engaged there on June 17, at the Chickahominy River, a river in the
southeastern portion of the state of Virginia, 18 June, and at the battle of
Darby's Farm, 28 June. 0n 28 July, the 1st Cavalry Regiment captured an enemy
flag at the battle of Deep Bottom where the Regular Brigade, fighting on foot,
routed a brigade of Confederate Cavalry.
On July 31, the 1st Cavalry Regiment marched to City Point, embarked on ships
the next day, and was transported to Washington D.C. to assist in repelling
the threatened attack of General Early. On 05 August, the regiment moved
towards Harper's Ferry, having been ordered to the Shenandoah Valley to rejoin
Sheridan. On 10 August the Reserve Brigade routed Confederates near
Winchester. The regiment was then engaged in almost daily skirmishing, and
took part in all the important Valley battles except the Battle of Fisher's
Hill. From 16 August through 20 August, the 1st Cavalry Regiment was employed,
together with the whole of the 1st Division, in the destruction of all wheat
and forage, and the seizure of all horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs accessible
in the Valley.
On 19 September the 1st Cavalry took part in the memorable charge of the
Reserve Brigade at the Battle of Opequon, more commonly known as the Third
Battle of Winchester and, in conjunction with the 2nd Cavalry, captured two
stands of colors and some 200 prisoners. Its casualties were 37 killed,
wounded and missing. On 28 September, in an action at Waynesboro, it suffered
18 additional casualties. On 19 October, the 1st Cavalry played an important
part in the Battle of Cedar Creek. Following the surprise and defeat of
Horatio G. Wright in the morning, the divisions of Merritt and Custer came up
as reinforcements. Two squadrons of the 1st Cavalry formed perpendicular
across the Valley Pike and dismounted behind stone walls, the third squadron
being held in reserve. This position was held with great difficulty, the
advanced squadron being subjected to an enfilading fire.
The regiment then returned to Middletown and, during the fall and winter,
engaged in numerous skirmishes and took part in Merritt's raid through the
Loudoun Valley and Torbert's raid on Gordonsville. In December, the regiment
was assigned to duty at the Cavalry Corps headquarters in Winchester.
On 27 February 1865, Sheridan commenced his last expedition through the
Shenandoah Valley, wanting to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad and the
James River Canal, and capture Lynchburg, Virginia. On 02 March, the 1st
Cavalry took part in the Battle of Waynesboro, where the remnant of Early's
army was captured. It was then engaged in many skirmishes during a march from
Charlottesville to White House Landing, while destroying locks and the
embankment of the James River Canal, railroads and Confederate supplies. It
arrived at White House Landing on the 17 March, taking part in a sharp
engagement that day.
The 1st Cavalry was then present in all the major battles of the Cavalry Corps
until the close of the war. In the engagement on White Oak Road; 31 March, at
Dinwiddie Court House; 01 April, at the Battle of Five Forks, 01 April. There,
the regiment made a brilliant charge on an entrenched enemy position, carrying
it and seizing 200 prisoners. On 02 April, It also fought in the engagement
near the Southside Railroad; 06 April, at the Battle of Sayler's Creek; and 09
April, at Appomattox Courthouse, the surrender of the Army of Northern
Virginia.
The regiment then returned to Petersburg, Virginia, where it remained in camp
until 24 April, when it marched with the Cavalry Corps towards North Carolina
for the proposed junction with Sherman. On the surrender of Joseph E.
Johnston's army, the Cavalry Corps returned to Petersburg and on 08 May, the
regiment, escorting General Sheridan, left for Washington DC, arriving 16 May
and taking part in the Grand Review of the Armies
Grand Review of the Armies
Soon after the end of the Civil war in 1865, the sound of the bugle and the
cry of "Charge" sent the thundering hooves of the US Cavalry troopers to
protect the western bound settlers in an era when Indians roamed the western
frontier and pioneering settlers clung to their land with determination and
luck. The 1st, 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th Cavalry Regiments, which in the future,
would form the nucleus of the 1st Cavalry Division clashed with the Sioux,
Comanche, Arapaho, Apache and the Indian Nations during the Indian Wars led
by colorful characters like Colonel George Armstrong Custer. In many ways,
the next ten years were as eventful as the Civil War.
Following the close of the war, the regiment was ordered to Louisiana,
arriving at New Orleans on 31 May and remaining there until 29 December when
it embarked for California via the Isthmus of Panama. By 22 January, 1966, it
was stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco. On 05 February, "A", "G" and
"K" Companies went to Drum Barracks. On 17 February, "C", "D" and "E"
Companies followed them and "L" Company went to Sacramento. In June,
regimental headquarters relocated to Fort Vancouver and the several companies
were distributed through Oregon, Washington Territory, Idaho, California,
Nevada and Arizona, no two being at the same station.
Owing to the vast extent of country guarded by the regiment its service for
many years following was very arduous. Scouting for Indians and escort duty of
various kinds were incessant. Details of the many battles that followed are
not available, but many regimental records reported the following:
On 28 November 1872, for the purpose of arresting "Captain Jack" and the
leaders of his band of Modocs, and at daylight on the 29th surprised the
Indians in their camp near Lost River, Oregon. They refused to surrender and
an engagement followed in which 8 Indians were killed and many wounded, and
the camp, squaws, and property were captured. The company lost 2 men killed
and 6 wounded, 2 of them mortally. The company then went into camp at
Crowley's Ranch on Lost River opposite the Indian camp.
On 13 December, "G" Company from Fort Bidwell took station at Land's Ranch,
Tule Lake, near the Indian stronghold. The Indians attacked the camp on 21
December, and were repulsed, but not until 2 men and 5 horses had been killed.
"B" Company joined up with "G" Company and the two companies marched against
the Indians,
On 16 January, 1873, in conjunction with General Wheaton's column, with which
was also serving at this time "F" Company and a detachment of "H" Company. The
Indians attacked "B" and "G" Companies the same afternoon, but were repulsed,
the companies losing 3 men wounded. The general engagement took place 17
January and lasted from 0730 hours to 2130 hours when the troops retired,
going finally into camp at Applegate's Ranch, Clear Lake, Oregon. The regiment
lost two men killed and two officers, Captain Perry and Lieutenant Kyle, and
8 men wounded, one mortally.
On 22 January, the Indians attacked a wagon train, driving away the escort,
but Captain Bernard, 1st Cavalry, came up with reinforcements and the Indians
were repulsed, losing one killed and many wounded. On 18 February, "K" Company
from Fort Halleck, Nevada, joined the battalion which now consisted of "B",
"F", "G" and "K" Companies, under Captain Biddle, who was soon succeeded by
Captain Bernard. Colonel Gillem, 1st Cavalry was commanding the expedition,
and "H" Company joined the column on 10 February.
During the night of April 14 the companies of the 1st Cavalry moved with the
rest of the command to invade the Modoc stronghold, and in the "Second battle
of the Lava Beds," 15, 16 and 17 April, drove the Indians out of their
position and into the rocks and mountains. The 1st Cavalry lost 2 men killed
and 2 wounded.
On 26 April, "B" and "F" Companies went to the scene of the "Thomas massacre"
and brought out a number of the wounded and dead. The same companies were
attacked by Indians 10 May, at Sorass Lake, California, but repulsed them with
the loss of one warrior killed and 2 wounded. The command lost one killed and
6 wounded, 2 of them mortally.
On 17 May "B" "G" and "K" Companies, with a battery (serving as cavalry) of
the 4th Artillery, all under Major John Green, came upon a band of Modocs
which they drove five miles, killing one and capturing several squaws and
children. The troops followed the trail and on 22 May, 70 Indians, (men, women
and children) surrendered. "Boston Charlie" was captured 29 May, and on the
31st "Sconchin," "Scarfaced Charlie," and 27 other Indians surrendered.
On 31 May, "F" and "H" Companies were sent from Applegate's Ranch to follow
up those of the Modocs who had eluded Green's command, and found them 01 June
when the whole party surrendered. With the capture of "Captain Jack," the
Modoc war ended, and by the end of June the companies which had been engaged
in it had returned to their proper stations.
The companies left in Arizona were moved north, and by the end of October,
1873, headquarters with "A" and "D" Companies were at Benicia Barracks; "B" at
Fort Klamath; "C" at Camp McDermitt, Nevada; "E" at Fort Lapwai, Indian
Territory. "F", "L" and "M" at Fort Walla Walla; "G" at Camp Bidwell,
California; "H" and "K" at Camp Harney, Oregon; and "I" at Camp Halleck,
Nevada.
On 15 June, 1877, "F" and "H" Companies, under Captain Perry, were ordered to
proceed to Camas Prairie to the assistance of the settlers of Mount Idaho,
Indian Territory, who were threatened by the Nez Percé Indians under Chief
Joseph. Learning that the Indians were crossing Salmon River and could be
taken at a disadvantage, the march was given that direction and Chief Joseph's
camp was found and taken by surprise, but the Indians quickly rallied and
repulsed the troops with severe loss, Lieutenant E. W. Theller, 21st Infantry
(attached), and 33 men being killed and two wounded.
All the companies of the regiment, except "M" at Colville and "A" at Camp
Harney watching the Piutes, were now ordered into the field against the Nez
Percés. "E" and "L" Companies joined General Howard's command on 21 June, and
on 01 July surprised and attacked the camp of "Looking Glass" on the
Clearwater, Indian Territory. The village was entirely destroyed, several
Indians were killed and about a thousand ponies captured. On 02 July the same
command attempted to form a junction with "F" Company, which was on its way
from Lapwai. On 03 July, the Indians ambushed the advanced guard, consisting
of Lieutenant S. M. Rains, ten men of the battalion and two civilian scouts,
killing them all, and were then found to be in such force and so strongly
posted that it was considered imprudent to attack them. The junction with "F"
Company was effected, however, on 04 July, and the same afternoon the Indians
attacked, the fight lasting until sunset. The battalion ("E", "F" and" "L)
joined General Howard at Grangerville, 08 July 8. "H" Company had joined 02
July, and the battalion was commanded by Captain David Perry.
On 11 July, General Howard crossed the Clearwater with his whole command and
moved down that stream with "H" Company in the advance. The Indian camp was
discovered and at once attacked, the fight lasting two days and ending with
the retreat of the Indians. On 12 July, "B" Company joined in time to take
part in the fight. The regiment lost 3 men killed and 4 wounded.
On 28 July, Major Sanford's battalion, consisting of "C", "D", "I" and "K"
Companies, joined General Howard on the Clearwater and the expedition across
the Lo-Lo trail began on the 30th. "B", "C", "I" and "K" Companies, under
Major Sanford, accompanied it, and "D", "E", "G" and "L" Companies, with other
troops under Major Green, constituted the " Reserve Column " which remained at
Camas Prairie until 05 August, when it moved near to Mount Idaho, and
established a permanent camp called Camp Howard.
General Howard's trying and "stern" march across the Lo-Lo trail, and the
final surrender of Chief Joseph to General Miles at Bear Paw Mountains are
matters of history. In the Indian attack at Camas Creek on 20 August, "B" and
"L" Companies were engaged, losing one man killed and one wounded. At Judith
Basin the battalion was detached from General Howard's command and directed to
return, and all the companies had reached their stations by the end of
November.
On 13 September, 1877, "K" Company and a detachment from "C", attached to the
command of General Sturgis, took part in the engagement with the Nez Percés at
Canyon Creek, Mexico Territory.
At the outbreak of the Bannock war in May, 1878, "G" Company was the first
body of troops to reach the scene of hostilities, and Captain Bernard reported
that the Indians numbered from 300 to 500. They were moving towards Stein's
Mountain, Oregon. The whole of the 1st Cavalry was at once ordered into the
field and Colonel Grover was sent to Fort Boise to take charge of operations
there. "D", "I" and "K" Companies, were with him.
On 17 June ,"F" and "L" Companies joined "G" Company on the Owyhee, and the
three companies reached Camp Harney on the 21 June, where they were joined by
"A" Company. These four companies were designated the "Left Column" by General
Howard. On the morning of June 23 the Left Column struck the main camp of the
hostiles on Silver Creek, and drove the Indians out of it and on to a cutbank,
made by the creek, which had been prepared for defense. The action lasted into
the night and in the morning it was found that the Indians had gone. Many
Indians were killed and the camp was destroyed. The battalion lost 2 killed
and 3 wounded.
On 27 June, "K" Company joined the battalion and on the 28th the cavalry cut
loose from the foot troops and pushed forward on the trail of the Indians. The
fertile John Day Valley was saved in great part by this vigorous pursuit, and
on 05 July, General Howard overtook the command, arriving with it at Pilot
Rock on the 7th. Here it was joined by "E" and "H" Companies. The Indian camp
was located and at sunrise on 08 July Captain Bernard moved his battalion to
the attack.
The Indians, about 300 in number, occupied the crest of the high and steep
hills near Birch Creek, and were at once attacked. Captain Bernard giving the
first example of fighting cavalry on foot without separating the men from the
horses. All the companies, except "A" with the pack train, were deployed and
used in the engagement, and the Indians were driven from three successive
positions and finally four or five miles further into the mountains. Four men
were wounded, one mortally, and probably 20 horses were killed. The enemy's
loss could not be told; their women, children and best horses were sent off,
seemingly towards the Grande Ronde, before the action began.
Captain Bernard was now directed to take his command (except for "K" Company)
to Fort Walla Walla to refit. "K" Company was sent to join the infantry column
and with it moved to the Umatilla Agency, near which the hostiles were
reported to be. Here the Indians made an attack on 13 July. In the ensuing
fight "K" Company held the right of the line and took part in the final charge
by which the Indians were driven off the field and for three miles into the
hills. At the request of the Indian Agent the command moved back to the agency
that night, but two days later seven dead Indians were counted upon the
battle-field.
During the months of September and October the companies were sent to their
permanent stations, and the return for 30 November shows "A" and "E"
Companies at Camp Harney, Oregon; "B", "D", "F", "K" and "M", at Fort Walla
Walla, Washington Territory; "C" at Camp Bidwell, California; "G" at Fort
Boise; "H" at Fort Colville, Washington Territory; "I" at Camp Halleck, Nevada
and "L" at Fort Klamath, Oregon.
In the year 1881, "C", "G", "I" and "M" Companies were sent to Arizona, and on
02 October, "G" Company, with other troops, was in action near Cedar Springs
with Apaches. The hostiles fought with great boldness and desperation and the
fight lasted until 2100 hours, when the Indians escaped. "G" Company had two
men wounded and 12 horses killed.
On 04 October, "G" and "I" Companies had a running fight near South Pass of
the Dragoon Mountains, in which the hostiles were followed into Sonora,
Mexico. In October, the "Companies" began to be designated "Troops" on the
Regimental.
On 09 November, "G" Troop returned to Fort McDermott, "I" Troop to Camp
Halleck, December 27; "M" Troop to the Presidio of San Francisco, January 20,
1882; and "C" Troop to Fort Bidwell, 16 April.
In June, 1884, the regiment was transferred to the Department of Dakota, after
a tour of nearly 30 years on the Pacific coast, during the greater part of
which time its stations were remote from civilization and its duties of a most
arduous and thankless character.
|
|---|
Headquarters and "D", "G" "I", "K" and "M" Troops, went to Fort Custer; "A",
"C" and "F" went to Fort Maginnis located in central Montana; "E" to Fort
Ellis; "H" and "L" to Fort Assinniboine; and "B" to Fort Keogh, Montana.
Conflict with the "Crows" came in the fall of 1887, and on the morning of
04 November, Colonel Dudley left Fort Custer with "A", "B", "D", "E", "G" and
"K" Troops, and "B" Company, 3rd Infantry, with a section of Hotchkiss guns,
to arrest "Sword Bearer" and the Indians who had fired into the agency
buildings on the night of 30 September.
On 05 October, a demand was made upon the Indians for the surrender of these
men, and they were given an hour and a half to comply with the demand. At the
end of that time the battalion of the 1st Cavalry, with Moylan's troop of the
7th Cavalry on the right, moved out in front of camp. At the same time a great
commotion was observed in the Indian camp, and "Sword Bearer" and another
chief dashed out leading from 120 to 150 warriors equipped for battle. The
Indians charged but were repulsed and fell back into the timber along, the
river where they had dug many rifle pits from which they now kept up a
constant fire. This fire was returned, and "Sword Bearer" was seen to fall,
when all fighting quickly ceased. All the Indians whose surrender had been
demanded and who had not been killed were at once brought in and delivered to
the Department Commander, who sent them to Fort Snelling.
In 1886, as part of the expanding role of the Army in guarding the interior,
the Cavalry was assigned to patrol the national parks. Captain Moses Harris -
seconded by 2nd Lt. William Cameron Rivers, of "M" Troop, 1st Cavalry Regiment
became the first Military Supervisors of Yellowstone National Park in 1886.
The unit came from Ft. Custer, Montana and returned there in 1890. The Army
patrolled the parks until the National Park Service was created in 1916.
In April, 1890, the Cheyennes assumed a threatening attitude and their agent
called upon the commanding officer of Fort Custer for protection, who sent
Major Carrol with "B", "D" and "M" Troops to the Tongue River Agency where
they established Camp Crook. In September a white boy was murdered by "Head
Chief" and "Young Mule," and every attempt to arrest the murderers failed.
On the 11th they sent word that they would attack the agency and on the 12th
made their appearance on a hill commanding the agency buildings where they
opened fire upon them. They were soon dislodged and killed.
In 1892 the 1st Cavalry Regiment was transferred to the Department of Arizona,
relieving the 10th Cavalry Regiment. Headquarters and "C", "E", "F", "H" and
K" Troops going to Fort Grant, Arizona Territory. "B" and "I" Troops were
moved to Fort Bayard, New Mexico.; "D" Troop was transferred to Fort Apache,
Arizona Territory; and "G" Troop moved to San Carlos. "A" Troop was at Fort
Meyers, Virginia was not moved. Since its arrival in Arizona the regiment did
not engage in any serious Indian difficulties, although the several troops
have been kept in practice in field work.
|
|---|
On 04 January 1899 the United States announced that it was taking
possession of the Philippine Islands which had become a protectorate as a
result of the Spanish-American War. This action caused the Filipino
Leader, Emilio Aquinaldo, to revolt against American rule. On 04 February,
the two sides engaged in the first of many battles. Over the next five
months, the American forces totally defeated the insurgent forces. In an
attempt to accomplish their goal of independence in an alternate manner,
the Filipinos set on a campaign of guerrilla operations. By 1901, over
70,000 American forces, including cavalry units of the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th,
7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and eventually the 12th regiments, were assigned to
the theater. Most of the fighting was over by March 1901, allowing the
units to return to the States.
In 1905, the Cavalry Regiments were ordered to return to the Philippine
Islands with the assignment of defending the protectorate government of the
islands from local guerrilla terrorist activities which had sprung up. In
addition, they patrolled supply and communications lines and sources of water
on the islands of Luzon and Jolo. With the completion of the second Philippine
assignment, the Cavalry Regiments were ordered back to the United States,
returning to patrolling the hundreds of miles of desert between the United
States and Mexican border towns of Serra Blanc, Texas and Lajitas, Texas.
In 1912, the Cavalry Regiments returned to the Philippines for a third
mission. This time the troopers fought the rebellious tribesmen on the island
of Mindanao and in the Sulu Archipelago. In June 1913, a violent battle with
hundreds of Moro warriors on Jolo occurred on Bansak Mountain. The American
force, lead by John J. Pershing, killed an estimated 300 Moro while suffering
only light losses. Oddly this lopsided victory assisted Pershing in his job as
Governor of Moro Province. This helped lead to more peaceful times in that
region of the Philippines.
|
|---|
Unlike conflicts of the past, World War I (28 July 1914 - 11 November 1918)
was a spawning ground for new weapons, such as machine guns; tanks; poison
gas; artillery pieces; dirigibles, submarines and airplanes. Soon after 1915,
as a result of the tank being placed in a military operational status, debates
over the future of the horse cavalry began.
The traditional horse cavalry of the allied forces did have at least two
moments of glory on World War I battlefields which influenced how long cavalry
horses and pack mules remained an important part of the United States Army.
These were; at Turkish held Palestine under the command of British General
Edmund Allenby; and at Moreuil Wood in France when squadrons of the Canadian
Cavalry stopped a German breakthrough, which if successful, would have driven
the French and British back to the English Channel.
The 1st Cavalry Regiment was anxious not to be left out of the great war. They
had served in every war fought since their founding. Therefore they trained
vigorously at every opportunity. They received the news that the 1st Cavalry
would be responsible for forming and training the 24th and 25th Cavalry
Regiments. The Regiment, minus those troops still guarding the border moved to
Ft. Russell, Wyoming. On 21 May, 1917, they moved again to Camp L.J. Hearn,
Palm City, California for advanced training and target practice. When the
mission of forming the 24th and 25th Regiments was completed, the 1st Cavalry
relocated to Camp Harry J. Jones, Douglas, Arizona. They were joined by the
17th Cavalry Regiment to form the 3rd Brigade of the 15th Cavalry Division.
It appeared that they would soon deploy to Europe so training was intensified
in anticipation. However, time dragged on and a policy change of the War
department converted 12 of the new Cavalry Regiments to Field Artillery. The
1st Cavalry Regiment was also were informed that there would be no one to
relieve them of border duty until January 1919. Enthusiasm began to wane. They
were still waiting at Camp Jones when the war ended on 11 November, 1918, with
the signing of the armistice.
In 1918 airplanes and tanks had emerged from World War I as the glamour
weapons of the future. By contrast, the long history of the Cavalry was not
finished. The cavalry remained as the fastest and most effective force for
patrolling the remote desert areas of the Southwest and Mexican boarders.
Airplanes and mechanized vehicles were not reliable enough or adapted for
ranging across the rugged countryside, setting up ambushes, conducting
stealthy reconnaissance missions and engaging in fast moving skirmishes with
minimal support. In many ways, it was just the beginning of a new era. The
cavalry was about to be transformed and revitalized - by the activation of the
1st Cavalry Division.
|
|---|
On 22 January 1921 the 1st Cavalry Division was constituted in the US Regular
Army. Subsequently on 20 August 1921 the 1st Cavalry Regiment, the first unit
assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, was preassigned to the 1st Cavalry
Division nearly a month before the formal activation of the Division. On 13
September 1921, with the initiation of the National Defense Act, the 1st
Cavalry Division was formally activated at Ft. Bliss, Texas and Major General
Robert Lee Howze, a Texas native from Rusk County and seasoned veteran of the
Frontier Indian Wars, Spanish American War, Philippines Insurrection, Mexican
Expedition, World War I and recipient of the Medal of Honor, was selected as
its first Division Commander.
Upon activation, the 7th, 8th and 10th Cavalry Regiments were assigned to the
new Division. With almost a century of service behind the oldest of its
regiments and sixty five years of service for its youngest, the units that had
already ridden and fought its way into the pages of history were organized
into the newly formed divisional structure. The four regiments were now to
fight side by side. Other units initially assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division
in 1921 included the 1st and 2nd Machine Gun Squadrons, Weapons Troops, 10th
Light Tank Company, 13th Signal Troop, 15th Veterinary Company, 27th Ordnance
Company, 43rd Ambulance Company, 82nd Field Artillery Battalion (Horse) and
the 1st Cavalry Quartermaster Trains which later was redesignated as the 15th
Replacement Company.
Later, the 5th Cavalry Regiment was assigned on 18 December 1922, relieving
the 10th Cavalry Regiment. It would not be until 03 January 1933 that the 12th
Cavalry Regiment, organized in 1901, would join the 1st Cavalry Division,
relieving the 1st Cavalry Regiment.
|
|---|
On January 19, 1923 the 1st Cavalry Regiment transferred to Camp Marfa, TX,
relieving the 5th Cavalry Regiment. The 1st Cavalry Regiment remained in the
old post, where it continued its training. In the fall of 1923 the 1st Cavalry
Division assembled at Camp Marfa, Texas to stage its first divisional-level
maneuvers since its organization. The maneuvers were held in the
Marfa-Shafter-Alamito area of the Big Bend District, Texas. The line of march
was Fabens, Ft. Hancock, Sierra Blanca, Hot Wells, Lobo Flats, and Valentine.
The wagon trains, all drawn by four mules (no motorized vehicles yet), seemed
endless. Terrain covering an area of 900 square miles was obtained through the
generosity and public spirit of ranch owners. The enormous tract was mapped
and marked by a detachment from the 8th Engineer Battalion.
The actual maneuvers consisted of both one-sided and two-sided problems with
brigade against brigade and included the entire division as a whole. Aircraft
were employed extensively and every detail was made to conform with war
conditions. Since this was the first major United States (US) Army training
exercise since WWI, the maneuvers were attended by representatives of several
foreign governments.
 |
|---|
| The Line Of March Covered The Harsh Terrain Of The "Big Bend" District |
In the fall of 1923 the 1st Cavalry Division assembled at Camp Marfa, Texas
to stage its first divisional-level maneuvers since its organization. The
maneuvers were held in the Marfa-Shafter-Alamito area of the Big Bend
District, Texas. The line of march was Fabens, Ft. Hancock, Sierra Blanca, Hot
Wells, Lobo Flats, and Valentine. The wagon trains, all drawn by four mules
(no motorized vehicles yet), seemed endless. Terrain covering an area of 900
square miles was obtained through the generosity and public spirit of ranch
owners. The enormous tract was mapped and marked by a detachment from the 8th
Engineer Battalion.
The actual maneuvers consisted of both one-sided and two-sided problems with
brigade against brigade and included the entire division as a whole. The 12th
Obvervation Squadron participated in maneuvers with the Division. The use of
aircraft allowed the maneuvers, in every detail, to conform with actual war
conditions. (It was during this period, from 1922 to 1923, that Captain
Claire Chennault, of later "Flying Tiger" fame, served with the 12t has
aviation engineer officer.) Since this was the first major United States
Army training exercise since WW I, the maneuvers were attended by
representatives of several foreign governments.
|
|---|
This first video of the 1st Cavalry Division, conducting a day of field
maneuver training in 1923, was filmed in the open, rough, desert terrain
surrounding Marfa, Texas. This historic document begins with a scene of the
7th Cavalry Regiment deploying for the attack. As soon as the Regiment
establishes its "attack" starting location, and before the exercises started,
troopers from the supporting 82nd Field Artillery Battalion drove their
mobile "French" 75mm (rapid fire) field artillery pieces to a strategic
sighting and fire location.
Published results of the exercises of the 1st Cavalry Division attracted the
interest of other cavalry organizations, nationally and international, which
placed emphasis on the incorporation of additional realism in successive
exercises. From a Time Magazine article dated Monday, 10 October 1927: "Not
since the Civil War had US cavalry engaged in maneuvers on the scale of those
conducted last week on 120 square miles of terrain in and about Marfa, Texas.
Some 280 officers, 4,000 men, 3,200 horses and 1,500 mules were deployed over
gulches, hillocks and sagebrush plains - the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division
(Fort Bliss) playing "Brown" army to the "White" army of the 1st Brigade, 1st
Cavalry Division (Fort Bliss) and 1st Cavalry Regiment (Marfa). Tanks, cannon,
airplanes, Red Cross ambulances and every appurtenance of real war, right down
to hot weather, secrecy and red tape, accompanied the show."
Over the next four years, elements of the Division were stationed at Camp
Marfa, Ft. Bliss, and Ft. Clark, all located in Texas. The early missions of
the Division were comprised of rough riding, patrolling the Mexican border,
and constant training. Operating from horseback, the cavalry was the only
viable force capable of piercing the harsh terrain of the desert to halt the
band of smugglers that operated along the desolate Mexican border. In spite of
the lack of ample funding and the limited availability of new equipment,
priorities were placed on readiness evaluation by extensive field maneuvers.
In 1927 the 1st Cavalry Division carried out the second divisional field
maneuvers and readiness testing in the Marfa area. Following the maneuvers in
October, the division added the capability of aerial observation by the
assignment of the 1st Observation Squadron, US Army Air Corps, a unit that had
previously been with General Pershing on the Punitive in 1916. The unit
remained with the division until the end of its subsequent organizational
changes in February 1929. Today, its predecessor unit, the 1st Reconnaissance
Squadron, 9th Reconnaissance Wing operates the high altitude SR-71 (YS-12)
Reconnaissance Aircraft and continues to play a vital role in the defense of
America.
|
|---|
Early in 1928, Major General Herbert C. Crosby, Chief of Cavalry, faced with
budget restraints, reorganized the cavalry regiments, which in turn reduced
the size of the Division.. Lettered troops of the regiments were reduced from
six to four along with the integration of the separate Machine Gun Squadrons
of each brigade under the regimental commands. Troops "A" and "B" of each
regiment formed the 1st Squadron and "E" and "F" formed the 2nd Squadron. This
new organizational change was designed to reduce command overhead and increase
force mobility by the addition of three 1 1/2 ton trucks and three modified
automobiles, called "light cross country cars". A Divisional aviation section,
an armored car squadron, and tank company were added along with the expansion
of the field artillery battalion to a regiment.
Divisional strength rose to 9,595. In addition, the change allowed easy
expansion to war strength while retaining the capability to take to the field
and deliver powerful and flexible firepower by the machine gun troops whose
Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E) had been increased from four
machine guns to eight.
On 01 February 1928, the Army Staff, seeking to increase the usefulness of the
wartime cavalry division, published new TO&E for an even larger unit (on
paper). The new structure involved increasing the size of the signal troop and
expanding the medical unit to a squadron. A divisional aviation section, an
armored car squadron, and a tank company were added. The field artillery
battalion was expanded to a regiment. Divisional wartime strength rose to
9,595. Although the new tables had little impact on the peacetime cavalry
structure, the 1st Cavalry Division did eventually receive one troop of an
experimental armored car squadron, and a field artillery regiment replaced its
field artillery battalion.
|
|---|
Having learned from the experiences of World War I and to prepare for the
mechanization of the future, the 1st Armored Car Squadron became part of the
Division in November 1928. This new and experimental unit had been organized
and trained at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, Maryland. Within the
Division, armored cars and scout cars continued to blend into the formations
of tanks and horses in the post-war cavalry. Typical of these vehicles was
the six-wheeled vehicle of "A" Troop, 1st Cavalry Regiment. The designation of
the unit was indicated by the traditional crossed sabers on the door and a
stylized version of the distinctive regimental insignia, a black hawk on a
gold eight-pointed star, to recall the heritage of the First Regiment of
Dragoons.
In 1929 the 1st Cavalry Division carried out its third divisional field
maneuvers, reflecting organizational changes that occurred earlier. In 1928
the Chief of Cavalry, in an early bid to increase the firepower of the cavalry
division while at the same time having to remove personnel, reorganized the
four cavalry regiments of the Division. Aside from redistributing the
machine guns by giving them to each regiment, he authorized the addition of an
Armored Car Squadron.
In the 1929 maneuvers, Liberty Trucks were of the World War I vintage in terms
of motorized transportation. included the first incorporation of armored cars
and anti-tank guns, and the Division revisited the use of "Portee (using
trucks and trailers to more speedily transport horses and their supplies)
Cavalry". "A" Troop, 1st Armored Car Squadron, participated in the maneuvers.
The armor plating was soft and the vehicles were armed with .30 caliber
machine guns. The mechanized scouts earned high marks for their ability to
conduct delaying operations, but their good mobility was attributed to dry
weather and the lack of fences and ditches along the Texas roads that
otherwise would have prevented them from gaining any degree of off-road
mobility. There was some surprise at the relative "invisibility" of the cars
until they moved.
The "Portee Cavalry" concept employed during the tactical exercise were given
high marks for strategic mobility, but were valued little for their tactical
mobility. During the regimental phase of the maneuvers the platoon conducted
reconnaissance ten miles forward of the main body and across a five-mile
front. Radio sets mounted in the vehicles allowed them to send reports every
two hours. The platoon was generally successful in delaying the opposing force
with the tactical use of ambushes and effective long-range machine gun fire.
Opposing forces learned to get off the roads and using their own towed
anti-tank weapons as a supporting base of fire, maneuvered to the flanks of
the armored cars.
On 01 January, 1930 the designation of Camp Marfa was changed to Ft. D,A.
Russell, Texas. The 1st Cavalry Regiment had relocated there in January, 1923.
This was to be the last horse cavalry post for the 1st Cavalry Regiment as the
machine age was beginning to catch up with them.
The depression of the 1930s forced thousands of unemployed workers into the
streets. As a means to minimize the economic effects of the large unemployed
work force, the government established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
to serve as a worker pool for use in the development of local, state, and
government projects. The construction of new officer and noncommissioned
officer housing put many people to work in the El Paso area and provided
quality homes for the troopers. The 1st Cavalry Division stables, guard
quarters, blacksmith and saddle shops and additional barracks buildings were
also part of this construction. From 1933 to 1936, the 3,300 troopers of the
1st Cavalry Division provided training and leadership for 62,500 members of
the CCC in the Arizona-New Mexico District. Later, when World War II broke
out, many of those who had been trained in the CCC were well prepared for the
rigors of military training.
In the early thirties, the strength and composition of the Division was
principally governed by the total strength of the Army, numbers of active
regiments, and the desire to maintain a troop level large enough to be an
effective fighting force. The Division had two authorized strengths: a wartime
strength of 11,485 officers and enlisted men and a peacetime strength of
7,970. During peacetime all elements of the Division were to be filled except
for the division headquarters and military police companies, which were
combined. Other divisional elements required only enlisted personnel to bring
them up to wartime manning levels. For that period, a typical regiment was
composed of 690 troops: a headquarters troop with 78 men; a band with 28 men;
four rifle troops with 119 men each, and a machine gun troop with 108 men.
Each rifle troop was organized into a troop headquarters, three rifle platoons
of three squads each, and a machine gun platoon of three squads.
Recovery from the world wide depressions had planted the seeds of isolation
and nationalism in many countries. In searching for solutions which would
appeal to their own national interests and detract from the issues of
discontent, governments began to concentrate on utilizing its resources in
building armies and considering territorial expansion. In Asia, Japan had
already demonstrated its desire to expand the Nipponese empire in the Pacific,
extending into China and along the Pacific Rim to Australia. In September
1931, Japan began the first stage of its expansion plans by the invasion and
occupation of the neighboring country of Manchuria. The US, still attempting
to concentrate on recovery from its own depression, only condemned the
invasion and refused to recognize the Japanese continued occupation.
In light of these events, Washington expressed a new urgency for modernization
and recognized that the entire Army must expand and acquire new equipment.
Faster and lighter medium tanks were assigned to both cavalry and infantry
-units. The mobile 105mm howitzer became the chief artillery piece of the Army
divisions.
By 1930, the Army had formed a Mechanized Force at Ft. Eustis, Virginia to
conduct a sufficient number of trial exercises using armored cars and tanks
to prove the benefits of mechanization. When General Douglas MacArthur became
Chief of Staff in 1931, in order to accelerate the utilization of armored
vehicles into the Army, he moved the Mechanized Force from Ft. Eustis to Ft.
Knox Kentucky to form the basis for a mechanized cavalry regiment.
In preparation for their departure, the 1st Cavalry Regiment held a final
mounted parade on the grounds of Ft. D.A. Russell, Texas on 14 December, 1932.
When the troopers had passed in review one time, they dismounted and passed in
review again, saluting their horses this time. The Regiment departed Ft. D.A.
Russell in late December, 1932.
|
|---|
On 03 January, 1933 the 1st Cavalry Regiment was relieved from the Division
and transferred to Ft. Knox, Kentucky. On 16 January, 1933. the Regiment
arrived at Ft. Knox, Kentucky where it was reorganized, redesignated as a
mechanized unit using the assets of the Independent Mechanized Force to became
the first mechanized unit in the United States Army. The new mission of the
1st Cavalry Regiment was to expand on the evaluations, develop and test
mechanized combat vehicles, continuing the mechanization era. The process of
replacing horses with machines accelerated and the first mechanized cavalry
organization came into being. Cavalrymen from the First Team became the
nucleus of new armored forces for America. Concurrent with the relief of the
1st Cavalry Regiment, the 12th Cavalry Regiment was assigned the 1st Cavalry
Division.>
On 19 April, 1934 when the 1st Cavalry Regiment (Mechanized) moved out of Ft.
Knox to Ft. Riley, Kansas for maneuvers, "in the 8 mile long column (one mile
in close formation) were 187 vehicles, 587 men and 37 officers. Actually there
were only 6 combat cars in the column. One and a half ton trucks painted with
yellow bands to indicate they were designated to be combat cars, made up the
deficiency."
In 1936, the Modernization Board, which was performing an evaluation of
overall Army operations, began an evaluation of the 1st Cavalry Division. Most
officers still envisioned a role for the horse, because it could go places
inaccessible to motorized and mechanized equipment. Taking into account
recommendations from the XII Corps Area, the Army War College and the Command,
and General Staff School of the Army, the board recommended a new, smaller
"triangular" cavalry division.
In July 1937, initiating the second stage of expansion, Japan launched a major
invasion of northern and central China. After a costly resistance, the
ill-prepared Chinese armies were forced back from eastern China and in
December 1937 the Nationalist capital, Nanking, was subjected to an orgy of
rape and destruction. At this time the rest of the world remained neutral, and
some western countries, including the US, were still selling scrap materials
to Japan, which were converted into armaments for use in additional expansion
plans. Further, Nazi Germany had annexed Austria and was now threatening to
seize Czechoslovakia.
|
|---|
During the fall of 1937, the 1st Cavalry Division, along with other troops
stationed at Ft. Bliss engaged in the Provisional Infantry Division (PID)
Tests at Ft. Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, Texas. The PID Tests developed the
partially motorized triangular division that was employed in World War II.
Following the completion of the tests, the Division returned to Ft. Bliss for
a brief period to rehabilitate the horses. In the early spring of 1938, the
Division moved out again and, against the background of growing international
tensions, began its fourth divisional maneuvers staged in the mountainous and
desert areas near Balmorhea and Toyahvale, Texas. In these maneuvers, the 1st
Cavalry Division conducted tests and evaluated the many organizational
recommendations for a Provisional Cavalry Division made by the Modernization
Board.
Following the tests, a board of 1st Cavalry Division officers, headed by
Brigadier General Kenyon A. Joyce, rejected the three-regiment division and
recommended retention of the two-brigade (four-regiment) organization. The
latter configuration allowed the Division to deploy easily in two columns,
which was an accepted standard cavalry tactic. However, the board advocated
reorganizing the cavalry regiment along triangular lines, which would give it
a headquarters and headquarters troop, a machine gun squadron with special
weapons and machine gun troops, and three rifle squadrons, each with one
machine gun and three rifle troops. No significant change was made in the
field artillery, but the test showed that the engineer element should remain
a squadron to provide the divisional elements greater mobility on the
battlefield. It further demonstrated that the special troops concept should
be extended to include the division headquarters, signal, ordnance troops,
quartermaster, medical, engineer, reconnaissance and observation squadrons,
and a chemical warfare detachment. One headquarters would assume
responsibility for all the administration and disciplinary control for these
forces.
The results of the study did not lead to a general reorganization of the 1st
Cavalry Division. However, on 01 December 1938 the wartime cavalry regiment
was restructured to consist of a headquarters and headquarters troop, machine
gun and special weapons troops, and three squadrons of three rifle troops
each. The special troops remained as structured in 1928, and no observation
squadron or chemical detachment was added to the Division. With the paper
changes in the cavalry divisions and other minor adjustments, the strength of
a wartime divisional force was set at 10,680.
The winds of war and mutual agreements continued to swirl. On 23 August 1939,
in the presence of Stalin, the Foreign Minister of Germany, Joachim von
Ribbentrop, and the Commissar of Foreign Affairs of Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics (USSR), Vyacheslav Molotov, signed the Russo-German Pact. The pact,
a complete surprise to France and England, was not only a non-aggression pact,
but also contained a secret protocol providing for the division of Eastern
Europe between the spheres of influence German and Soviet. This mutual
agreement was a marked contrast in the ideology of Hitler, who from the
beginning of his political life, had declared the destruction of Communism as
one of his primary objectives.
|
|---|
On 01 September 1939, 1.8 million German troops invaded Poland on three
fronts; East Prussia in the north, Germany in the west and Slovakia in the
south. The Germans employed exceptional rapid maneuver or "blitzkrieg", or
lightning war, coupled with the bombing of towns and refugees, that had never
been seen before by the world. This operational practice allowed the Germans
to capture much territory early in the war. The Polish Army, with a million
men but little modern equipment, soon fell prey to the blitzkrieg and was
defeated in a little over a month.
01 September 1939, the starting date for the fifth divisional readiness
maneuvers of the 1st Cavalry Division, coincided with the invasion of Poland
by Germany who used the most modern and deadly military force of its time, the
blitzkrieg. Against the background of the invasion of Poland, the Division
conducted their maneuvers from 07 to 30 October 1939, not stopping for the
turn of events, in the barren desert terrain around Balmorhea and Toyahvale.
TX. These exercises, made even more memorable and intense by their timing,
were observed by many international military personnel who would be soon
involved in a world conflict.
Both, Great Britain and France attempted to intervene and warned Hitler of the
grave consequences of his actions. Failing to influence Hitler to disengage
his forces from the current invasion plans, both Great Britain and France
initiated a declaration of war on 03 September 1939. This set the stage for an
eventual worldwide conflagration involving the two hemispheres.
|
|---|
The massive use of armor by Germany in the early stages of the War against
Poland and the low countries provided the incentive for the Army to make heavy
investments in building up their armored inventory. This new equipment made
the 1st Cavalry Regiment, now a member of the 7th Mechanized Brigade, the
showpiece of American Armor, prepared for entry into World War II. As a
result, on 15 July, 1940, they were reorganized and redesignated as the 1st
Armored Regiment, an element of 1st Armored Division.
Armed with the knowledge of the power that was employed by the most modern and
deadly military force of its time and facing the fact that the United States
would soon be drawn into an ultimate war, the US Army began planning for a
series of its own major field maneuver operations that would provide
realistic wartime training. The military was expanding and needed a place to
hold a large exercise. Louisiana seemed, with its large expanse of variable
terrain features, to be a good place.
With the cooperation of the State Government, a location was chosen and
secured from 94,000 landowners. The planned maneuver area covering 3,400
square miles (20,000,000 acres) and spanned from the Sabine River, east to the
Calcasieu River and north to the Red River. It soon became known as "an
area 40 by 90 miles sparsely settled, chigger and tick infested bayou with
pitch pine forests, located between the Sabine and Red Rivers."
It would be the largest set of maneuvers ever held at that time and would
involve nearly half a million men and 19 divisions. Although the Army was
starting to use tanks, some of the cavalry units were still using horses. In
order to test the new IV Corps consisting of the 6th Cavalry Regiment and the
newly triangularized 1st, 5th and 6th infantry Divisions. against a formation
of comparable size, the War Department ordered the IV Corps to Louisiana for
exercises against a provisional corps. For the next four years, Central
Louisiana would remain the Army's busiest maneuver grounds.
The planned maneuvers were intended to be experiments, not contests. The
maneuvers director, Lt. General Stanley D. Embick, commanding general of 3rd
Army, specifically sought data on the staging of movement and maneuvers of
large units under combat conditions and on the techniques needed to coordinate
traditional combat arms with air and armored forces.
|
|---|
In 1940, the first 3rd Army maneuvers were held in the Carvens-Pitkin Maneuver
Area at Camp Polk, LA. Opposing IV Corps was the provisional IX Corps, under
Major General Walter Krueger, which assembled on the Texas side of the Sabine
River. Krueger commanded the 2nd Infantry and 1st Cavalry Divisions, the two
most combat ready forces in the Army. The early preparations which began in
April, cumulated in the "Corps versus Corps" maneuvers, which started on 09
May and ran through to 24 August.
On 07 May, the 1st Cavalry Regiment (Mechanized), as part of the 7th Cavalry
Brigade took part in the Louisiana Maneuvers at Monroe, Louisiana that were
instrumental in developing the armored division concept. The maneuvers
concluded on 27 May and the Brigade returned to Fort Knox on 31 May.
Preparations began to expand the Brigade into a division level force.
On 15 July, 7th Cavalry Brigade was expanded, reorganized, and redesignated as
the 1st Armored Division. 1st Cavalry Regiment was redesignated as 1st Armored
Regiment (Light).
For the second phase of the maneuvers, which began on 17 August, Lt. General
Stanley D. Embick created two corps. One of these designated as the IV Corps
Blue Army, which consisted of several different units, the Regular 6th Cavalry
Regiment (horse/mechanized), the 23rd Cavalry Division (an improvised National
Guard unit employing rented horses), the 30th and 31st National Guard Infantry
Divisions drawn from the southwest United States and finally a provisional
tank battalion consisting of two companies. The Blue Army, totaling some
28,000 strong, assembled in the Simpson-Flatwoods area.
Opposing this force was the VIII Corps Red Army, which consisted of two
Regular formations, the 1st Cavalry and the 2nd Infantry Divisions, who had
participated in the May maneuvers, the 36th and 45th Infantry (National Guard
Divisions), from the southwest United States. The Red Army, totaling some
37,000 strong, gathered in the vicinity of Cravens and Pitkins.
The great maneuvers began in the pre-dawn hours of August 17, with IV Corps
Blue Army's cavalry crossing the Calcasieu River where they encountered the
1st Cavalry Division around daylight. There ensued a day-long horse cavalry
battle, the last one in Army history. When the action subsided, the 23rd
Cavalry Division's rented horses were so exhausted they had to be left behind
and the troopers redeployed by truck. The next day, August 18, both corps
moved up the infantry to relieve the cavalry. The VIII Corps Red Army assumed
the offensive, driving in IV Corps' covering force, placing the 2nd Division
in position to envelop the Blue right flank. On 19 August, the envelopment
proceeded as planned when 2nd Division found itself opposed only by the 23rd
Cavalry Division. The maneuver ended on August 20 with a IV Corps Blue Army
counterattack built around the 30th Division.
|
|---|
Although the Louisiana maneuvers provided invaluable data on modernizing the
Regular Army, the nation was actually more vulnerable when the maneuvers ended
than it had been before they started. Even as the Army's two improvised Corps
sparred along the Calcasieu River, across the Atlantic ten German panzer
divisions spearheaded a stunning assault that shattered the French Army and
drove the British expeditionary force out of the continent.
France's defeat was particularly distressing to Americans, far more troubling
than the destruction of Poland. Many American officers thought the French Army
was the best in the world and patterned certain aspects of American doctrine
after the French. Strategic contingency plans were drastically revised, for
any American expedition to Europe had to fight its way back on to the
continent. Worse still, German occupation of France's west coast gave the
dreaded U-Boats open access to the Atlantic, negating Britain's North Sea
blockage. Finally, France's political capitulation to Hitler raised the
specter of German troops occupying France's colonies around the globe, even in
the western hemisphere. With the defeat of France, the war threatened
America's doorstep.
More evidence of the global nature of the war began to materialize when on 27
September 1940, in Berlin, the governments of Germany, Italy and Japan signed
a Three-Power Pact. They agreed to stand by and co-operate with one another in
regard to their efforts in greater East Asia and regions of Europe
respectively. Their prime purpose was to ostensible establish and maintain a
new order destined to promote the mutual prosperity and welfare of the
peoples concerned. Additionally the pact was not to impact any previous
political agreements which existed, such as that between Germany and the
USSR.
In the wake of the German military successes, the United States accelerated
preparations for its own buildup of all military forces to wartime strengths.
The overall mobilization of the country represented a transitional phase which
blended the increased manpower with the growing industrial output of material
and weapons. Returning from the maneuvers, the Division undertook the
assignment of constructing barracks for 20,000 anti-aircraft troops at Ft.
Bliss, Texas and developing the adjacent Biggs Army Air Base at El Paso. An
orderly expansion of the Division was underway by the reactivation of "C" and
"G" Troops for all the regiments. In the fall of 1940 the 56th Cavalry
Brigade, Texas National Guard, was federalized and integrated into the
training programs of the Division.
Early in 1941, the Division consolidated all its units on Fort Bliss. The
12th Cavalry Regiment arrived from Camps Ringgold and Brown, and the border
patrols that had so long been a critical mission were discontinued after
Mexico declared war on Germany. An era of intensive training was inaugurated
in preparation for possible war. These maneuvers provided the Division a first
hand opportunity to participate in the early tactical evaluations of the
military use of light aircraft for artillery fire control and troop
reconnaissance. Successful field results with the light planes gained new
supporters for their continued use in future maneuvers, two being the
commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, Major General Innis Palmer Swift and
his Chief of Staff, Colonel Joseph M. Swing. The strength of the Division grew
by the separation of the Service Troops from the Headquarters Troop and the
activation of the 61st Field Artillery Battalion as the first medium artillery
support unit. The authorized manpower strength of the Division was increased
to 11,676.
|
|---|
The United States Army General Headquarters (GHQ) Maneuvers of 1941, were the
largest training exercises ever conducted by the US Army. Louisiana and North
Carolina were chosen as maneuver sites. Two opposing armies, named "Blue" and
"Red", fought one another in mock battles across most of West and North
Louisiana. Vernon Parish was the setting for part of phase one (Battle for the
Red River) of the maneuvers. The LOUISIANA MANEUVERS established Camp Polk.
Now Fort Polk, it continues to serve the nation as a vital military training
center and emblem of the 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers.
For the initial movement of the 1st Cavalry Division, railroad cars were
assembled from all over west Texas at El Paso, Texas. In anticipation of
extended marches over gravel roads in rural Louisiana, each horse was provided
with a spare set of shoes. Material and horses were shipped by rail while the
men and their personal gear were transported by motor convoy to the maneuver
areas. The maneuvers were a severe test for the men and their horses.
From 10 August to 04 October, the 1st Cavalry Division, then staffed to
approximately seventy percent of the authorized strength, participated in the
second 3rd Army field readiness maneuvers that were held in the vicinity of
Leesville, Louisiana. The Division covered approximately 900 miles in the
maneuver area in the 60 day period. The "Blue" and the "Red" Armies that were
selected for this set of LOUISIANA MANEUVERS were the finest and best equipped
this country could then field. They represented a small part of the US Army
Military Establishment of about a quarter million, in total, who would soon
form the strong backbone of a mighty army in excess of thirteen million under
arms, so called today as "The Greatest Generation,"
On 18 August, 1941, after completing its organization and equipping, the 1st
Armored Division, with its new 1st Armored Regiment, deployed to participate
in the VII Corps Maneuvers through Arkansas and Louisiana. On 28 August, upon
the completion of the maneuvers concluded, 1st Armored Division then moved on
and arrived at Camp Polk for the Second Army LOUISIANA MANEUVERS which began
on 11 September. On 30 October, they then moved to Fort Jackson located at
Columbia, South Carolina to participate in the First Army Carolina Maneuvers.
On 07 December, the Division returned to Fort Knox and started to prepare for
deployment overseas instead of returning to garrison.
|
|---|
It was in the 1941 LOUISIANA MANEUVERS that the War Department approved the
trial use of light planes for "control of troop movements, scout, patrol, drop
bombs, ferry personnel, carry messages, and observe artillery fire". At his
own expense, William T. Piper Sr., supplied eight new J-3 Cub airplanes
equipped with radios, and a contingent of factory pilots and mechanics. This
civilian fleet, called "Grasshoppers", operating through the trying days of
the summer and fall maneuvers, proved the flexibility and capability of the
light planes to be much more effective than the larger planes used for the
same purposes. The after action reports on the maneuvers called for the
investigation of their continued use.
Implementation of the General Headquarters (GHQ) Maneuvers of 1941 findings
resulted in the Division losing its antitank capability, the brigades lost
their weapons troops and the regiments lost their machine guns and special
weapons troops. These changes brought no decrease in the divisional firepower,
bur placed most of the weapons within the cavalry troops. The number of .50
caliber machine guns was increased almost threefold. The reconnaissance
squadron, the motorcycle and armored car troops were eliminated, leaving the
squadron with one support troop and three reconnaissance troops equipped with
light tanks. These changes increased the authorized staffing levels from
11,676 to 12,112 officers and enlisted men.
On 06 June 1942, following a final series of experiments with organic Army
spotter aircraft, the Secretary of War ordered the establishment of organic
air observation for field artillery. Subsequently, the adaptation of aerial
technology allowed the 1st Cavalry Division to enter World War II with another
discipline in its weapon inventory. This capability would be enhanced and
improved leading to its use in the organization of the Aviation Brigade, a
major maneuvering unit that, today, changes the way that wars are fought.
In the meantime, isolationist politics remained strong in Congress. In spite
of this, major priorities were placed on building up the industrial capacity
to supply equipment to the Allies in Europe. Many officers and men took leave
or returned to civilian life. Other, more dedicated members of the 1st Cavalry
Division began to prepare for battle. They had no way of knowing that their
first combat engagement would not be for more than one and a half years.
 Need a gift for an Alumni of the 1st Cavalry Division? |
|---|
eMail Your WebSite Comments.
Return to "MyOwnPages"©.
Revised 23 Dec '12 SpellChecked
