ARMY - Cavalry

The U.S. Army Cavalry units are a mounted force of the United States Army that originated in 1776, during the Revolutionary War. The role of the Cavalry is reconnaissance, security and mounted assault, and the Cavalry has served as a part of the Army force in every war in which the United States has participated. The Cavalry has its origins and traditions as a horse-mounted force that played an important role in extending United States governance into the Western United States.

The American Civil War, 1861-1865, saw extensive use of Cavalry by both the North and the South. Cavalry performed a variety of functions including mounted charges, but it was during this period that they began to concentrate on modern cavalry functions, such as raids, security operations and reconnaissance.

The Indian wars were characterized by small vicious engagements in which neither side asked for or gave any quarter. The most famous of these battles was of course "Custer's Battle" in Montana. By the late 1880's, the Indian Wars were virtually finished. In 1895 the United States went to war with Spain over the island of Cuba. Five Cavalry regiments were committed to the campaign. The United States became involved in a small guerrilla war in the Philippines the following year. From 1899 to 1901, nine regular Cavalry regiments were dispatched to fight the guerrillas.

In 1916 after a devastating attack by Mexican bandit Pancho Villa on Columbus, NM in which 17 Americans were killed, General John J. Pershing led several thousand cavalrymen into Mexico in pursuit of the bandits. General Pershing's raid into Mexico was significant for two reasons. It resulted in the mobilization of over 400,000 troops, who were then available when the United States entered World War I. More important for the Cavalry, it was the last large scale military operation of the Cavalry on horseback.

World War I marker the end of the primary use of the horse in battle. When the United States entered the war in 1917, the cavalry forces stationed in France were used as couriers and to garrison remount posts for the Transportation Corps. It was soon became apparent that the horse Cavalry could not match the strength and firepower of armored tanks or machine guns.

Immediately preceding World War II, the Cavalry began transitioning to a mounted, mechanized force. During World War II, the Army's cavalry units operated as either horse-mounted, mechanized, or dismounted forces (infantry). The last horse-mounted cavalry charge by a Cavalry unit took place on the Bataan Peninsula, in the Philippines. The 26th Cavalry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts executed the charge against Japanese forces near the village of Morong on 16 January 1942. The mounted reconnaissance company of the 10th Mountain Division, while not designated as cavalry, conducted the last horse-mounted charge of any Army organization in 1945, in Austria.

The Cavalry branch became the Armor branch as part of the Army Reorganization Act of 1950. The Vietnam War saw the introduction of helicopters and operations as an airborne force referred to as air cavalry. Cavalry designations and traditions continue with regiments of both armor and aviation units that continue the cavalry mission. The 1st Cavalry Division is the only active division in the United States Army with a cavalry designation. The division maintains a detachment of horse-mounted cavalry for ceremonies and morale purposes.

CAMPAIGN & COMBAT UNIFORMS
CIVIL WAR – 1860-1865	1870s
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Typical enlisted Civil War Cavalryman wears the issue Hardee hat, Shell jacket piped in yellow and regulation accessories. His weapons are the Sharps 1863 percussion carbine, Colt 1860 revolver and 1860 light cavalry sabre. His saddle is the standard 1859 model McClellan with regulation saddlebags and horse equipment.	Lance Corporal from the 1870s wears the model 1872 kepi, 5 button blouse with chevrons, mounted trousers and 1872 enlisted cavalry boots. His weapon is the 1873 Springfield .45-70 carbine and the Colt 1873 .45 revolver. His saddle is the 1885 model McClellan with correct accessories.
INDIAN SCOUT	1880s CAVALRY OFFICER
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Indian scouts were Native Americans recruited primarily to assist the Army in locating hostile bands of other Native Americans and forcing them back onto the reservation. This scout wears the scout’s version of the 1881 dress uniform complete with the plumed helmet with special red and white piping and horsehair. His weapons are the 1879 Model Springfield .45-70 carbine and Colt .45 revolver along with an Indian knife. His saddle is a model 1885 McClellan with all correct accessories.	This Second Lieutenant of Cavalry wears the typical uniform for campaign duty in the west. His slouch hat is a private purchase and he wears a five button blouse with shoulder straps and an officer’s vest underneath. His pants and boots are standard for the era. His weapons are the Sharps .50-70 carbine, Colt .45 revolver and the 1872 pattern Cavalry officer’s sabre. His saddle is a private purchase military style saddle typical of use by officers. He uses a regulation model 1874 bridle and bit.
1896 CAVALRY OFFICER SPANISH AMERICAN WAR	1898 CAVALRYMAN SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
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This Lieutenant Colonel is wearing the regulation 1890s campaign hat, 1883 pattern five button blouse with shoulder straps. His trousers and boots are standard for officers of the time. His choice of weapons are the 1896 Colt .38 revolver and the 1872 cavalry officers sabre. His saddle is a black model 1896 McClellan with 1874 pattern bridle and bit.	This Cavalryman is wearing an 1898 campaign hat, five button blouse and regulation trousers with 1885 pattern boots. His issued weapons include an 1896 Springfield 30-40 Krag carbine, 1896 .38 Colt revolver and an 1860 light cavalry sabre. His saddle is a brown model 1896 McClellan with horse equipment.
1912 OFFICER (PUNITIVE EXPEDITION)	ENLISTED SPANISH AMERICAN WAR SADDLER
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This officer is wearing the summer 1912 pattern uniform with the 1911 pattern campaign hat. He is wearing the 1906 officer’s belt with the standard accessories. He carries a map case. His weapons are the 1895 Colt .38 service revolver and the 1902 officer’s sabre. His saddle is the 1912 officer’s experimental with the canvas bags.	This Spanish American war period cavalryman is a saddler. He wears the tan or khaki uniform with trim and chevrons in yellow (Cavalry). His hat is the 1898 campaign hat, his accoutrements are regulation issue. His weapons are the 1898 Springfield 30-40 Krag carbine, 1860 light cavalry sabre and an 1896 .38 Colt. His saddle is a brown model 1896 McClellan with all correct accessories as issued.
ENLISTED CAVALRYMAN – 1912 (PUNITIVE EXPEDITION)
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This 1912 Cavalryman wears the new pattern summer khaki uniform with a 1906 pattern campaign hat. He wears the regulation Blucher boots with canvas leather faced leggings. His weapons are the 1903 Springfield 30-06 rifle and model 1911 Colt automatic pistol. He carries a 1906 model sabre. His saddle is the model 1912 experimental with the adjustable side bars and the cumbersome bucket which held his rifle. All the accessories on the saddle were part of the 1912 horse equipment. His bridle and bit are the regulation 1909 pattern.
ENLISTED CAVALRYMAN - WORLD WAR I
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This World War I Cavalryman wears the 1912 pattern wool uniform with the 1917 helmet. He wears the 1912 canvas and leather faced leggings and 1910 hobnail boots. His accoutrements are all regulation for the period. His weapons are the Colt 1911 .45 automatic pistol and the 1903 Springfield rifle. He does not carry a sabre. His saddle is the 1904 model McClellan with all correct accessories.
ENLISTED BUGLER WORLD WAR I	ENLISTED CAVALRYMAN WORLD WAR II
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This Cavalryman is a bugler from the World War I period. He wears the 1912 pattern uniform with the 1912 pattern campaign hat. He wears the issue breeches, boots and leggings. His weapons are the 1903 Springfield rifle, 1911 Colt .45 automatic pistol and the 1913 Patton sabre. His saddle is the 1904 pattern with regulation accessories and standard 1909 bridle and bit.	This Cavalryman is wearing the 1941 field jacket, 1942 helmet, 1938 shirt, breeches and 1941 mounted boots. His weapons are the M1 Garand rifle, 1911 Colt .45 automatic pistol and 1913 Patton sabre which was phased out in 1943. His saddle is the 1928 McClellan model with all regulation accessories attached on the saddle for combat. This configuration is the last example of a mounted cavalryman going into combat.
WORLD WAR I OFFICER	WORLD WAR II OFFICER
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This Second Lieutenant is wearing the 1912 pattern officer’s coat and breeches with riding boots. He is wearing the 1917 steel combat helmet. His weapons are the 1911 Colt .45 automatic pistol and the officer’s version of the 1913 Patton sabre. His saddle is the 1917 officer’s saddle with pommel and cantle bags.	This World War II cavalry officer is wearing the 1942 helmet, the 1941 field jacket, officer’s riding breeches and 1941 pattern mounted boots. His weapon is the 1911 Colt .45 automatic pistol. His saddle is the 1936 Phillips officer’s model with private purchase bridle and bit. The pommel and cantle bags are attached to the saddle.

GARRISON AND DRESS UNIFORMS
1881 DRESS UNIFORM ENLISTED	1902 OFFICER
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This Private is wearing the 1881 pattern enlisted cavalry dress uniform coat with the breast cords. He wears the plumed helmet and the reinforced mounted trousers. His boots are the 1872 pattern. He carries a 1860 light cavalry sabre.	This Second Lieutenant is wearing the officer’s 1902 dress uniform with the mounted trousers, bullion dress belt and riding boots. He carries the 1902 officer’s sword. His hat is the 1902 pattern.
1902 DRESS ENLISTED	1905 OFFICER UNDRESS
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This Corporal is wearing the 1902 pattern dress uniform with the breast cords, mounted trousers and the Blucher service boots and canvas leggings. His hat is the 1902 bell crown dress hat. He is carrying the 1906 sabre.	This 1st Lieutenant is wearing the 1895 pattern officer’s undress tunic with shoulder straps. His hat is the model 1905 visor hat that was regulation with this tunic until 1910. He wears his trousers over his boots as prescribed for garrison duty. The sabre he is carrying is the 1872 cavalry officer’s sabre.
1924 CAVALRY OFFICER	1924 ENLISTED CAVALRY
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The Major is wearing the uniform that reflects the 1924 changes in regulations. The main change was gilt buttons and insignia instead of the previous bronze color. The collar insignia indicates he is an Aide to a Major General. The 1920s also was the start of the practice of wearing ribbons on the uniforms. It was regulation in earlier years, but few wore them. The hat eagle also changed to gilt on this 1912 pattern visor hat.	This enlisted Cavalryman is wearing the 1924 uniform with regulation changes. These include gilt collar discs that have a stippled background and buttons are now gilt instead of bronze. His breeches, boots and leggings remain the same. The disc on the 1912 enlisted visor hat is now gilt instead of bronze.
1926 CAVALRY OFFICER	1930's ENLISTED CAVALRYMAN
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This Captain is wearing the new regulation jacket that was authorized in 1926. The high collar was replaced with an open lapel as shown in the photograph. He is wearing the breeches, boots and Sam Browne belt that remained unchanged. His hat is the 1912 pattern and he carries the 1902 officer’s sword as well as the 1911 Colt .45 automatic pistol.	This is a typical Cavalryman from the 1940 period. He wears the service blouse from 1936 and his visor hat is the pre war pattern also. He wears the 1930s mounted trousers with the 1931 model cavalry boots.
1940s CAVALRY OFFICER
Click image to enlarge This Lieutenant is wearing the new pattern Ike jacket and breeches. This is a good example of how the typical cavalry officer dressed in the early World War II period performing duty stateside. Some officers choose to continue to wear the four pocket jacket but the authorization of the short Eisenhower style jacket proved to be very popular.
Major General John B. Coulter Click here to view bio Chocolate Service uniform Commanding General - 85th Division WW II