2d Dragoons

David.Gettman January 14th, 2009

After three months of strenuous preparation under Colonel Twiggs at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, the regimental headquarters and Companies B, C, and K left there by marching September 5, 1837, for the field of action in Florida. The line of route passed through Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Rosses Landing, Tennessee, and Milledgeville, Georgia, and they arrived in Jacksonville, east Florida, October 31. Leaving that place the next day, they reached Fort Mellon on Lake Monroe, east Florida, November 26, where they remained only a few weeks before beginning the campaign. Continue Reading »

• Seminole War 1836-1842
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David.Gettman January 13th, 2009

For the purpose of improving the instruction and raising the moral of the Florida troops, the War Department issued G.O. No. 28, May 20, 1839, permitting such units as could be spared to be sent to camps in the north. At the same time it was decided to start recruiting the Second Dragoons to full strength. Regimental headquarters and band moved to Fort McHenry, Md., in May and there started recruiting. In compliance with G.O. No. 5, W.D., May 19, 1839, and S.O. No. 37, W.D., June 1, 1839, Companies A, E, G, H, I, and K marched to Garey’s Ferry, east Florida, in the early part of June, turned over their horses, and sailed for Fort Columbus, N.Y., all arriving by the end of the month. A few men from these companies remained in Florida. Continue Reading »

• Seminole War 1836-1842
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TacomaDave January 13th, 2009

ON the evening of the 6th inst., I met Judge SMITH, of St. Augustine, at a private house in this city, and found him in the presence of ladies, indulging in rude and ungentlemanly language of altercation and dispute, which I felt it my duty to put an end to, as soon as my attention was called to it. In my endeavors to do this, I incurred the like treatment, which resulted in a personal affray, and was stopped by the intercession of others, and in respect for the host, and the presence of the ladies – with the understanding that it would be attended to on the morrow. I accordingly this morning addressed him the following note:

ST. AUGUSTINE, E.F. June 7th, 1839.
SIR, – For your ungentlemanly and rude attack upon me last night at Mr. CLELAND’S, under circumstances that prevented any action on my part at the time, I have to request immediate satisfaction, and meeting at the earliest possible moment, as I am obliged to leave town on duty in the morning.
I am Sir,
Your ob’t Serv’t,
N. DARLING,
Lt. 2d Dragoons.
To Judge SMITH,
St. Augustine

Which he returned to my friend, with the simple remark that finding my name attached to it, he did not choose to be acquainted with its contents, alleging that he only knew me by report, and from the meeting of last evening – which was of a nature, in his opinion, to forbid any further intercourse. Under these circumstances, I pronounce him a COWARDLY SCOUNDREL, and deem no apology necessary for taking satisfaction from him whenever and wherever I meet him.
N. DARLING,
Lt. 2d Dragoons
St. Augustine, June 7, 1839

The above affair has just ended by
Darling’s giving Judge Smith a most thorough thrashing – the Judge having first attacked him.

• Seminole War 1836-1842
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David.Gettman January 12th, 2009

The companies sent north to recuperate from the Florida campaign were finally brought together at Camp Washington, Trenton, New Jersey, for an inspection and review in October, 1839. Inspector General Wool and Colonel Twiggs went over the men thoroughly and pronounced them fit for field service. At this time the only arm of the privates was the carbine, but General Wool recommended the sword and it was later adopted. Regimental Headquarters and band and the six companies sailed from Fort Columbus, New York, in November, and arrived at Garey’s Ferry, east Florida, via Savannah, Georgia, the same month. Colonel Twiggs took station with the headquarters and band at Fort Heileman, east Florida, and the companies were placed at strategic points on the Atlantic side of the territory. Continue Reading »

• Seminole War 1836-1842
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David.Gettman January 11th, 2009

Notable among the many scouts made by the Second Dragoons in 1841, was the one made by Company I under Captain B. L. Beall as a part of a force of 450 men under Colonel Worth, comprising also the Eighth Infantry. Leaving January 22, they traveled from Fort Brooke toward the Kissemmee River but found the entire country inundated. The net result was that the chieftain, Coacoochee, agreed to meet Colonel Worth in conference March 5. As it was desired to convince him of the necessity of moving his tribe to Arkansas he was treated with much courtesy. On one occasion when the officers were giving toasts while having a drink, Coacoochee asked what they meant. The interpreter, at a loss, told him their meaning was “How d’you do”. The chief immediately said, “Hough”, in a strong voice, and it was repeated by the officers present and, later, became popular throughout the army in Florida. This is supposed to have been the origin of the famous toast used now all over our land. Continue Reading »

• Seminole War 1836-1842
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David.Gettman January 10th, 2009

During the fall of 1841, operations were partially suspended due to less activity on the part of the Indians. The Second Dragoons within the district of Lieutenant Colonel Whistler, Seventh Infantry, patrolled the Georgia frontier. Those in the district around Fort King examined the country for the trail of the Chiefs, Halleck, Tustenugge, and Short Grass, toward Orange Lake and Micanopy. The Chief, Coacoochee, finally convinced that further resistance was useless, persuaded his people to surrender and they were sent to Arkansas, along with some other small bands, October 12. Due to illness, which was mostly caused by the unhealthful climate, the regiment was greatly reduced in strength at this time. Company C had thirty sick men out of a total strength of forty-eight. Continue Reading »

• Seminole War 1836-1842
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David.Gettman January 9th, 2009

An extensive expedition into the cypress swamp was begun in November 1841, under Captain Belknap, Eighth Infantry, of which Companies F and K, Second Dragoons, under Captains Thornton and Ker, were a part. Depots were established on the border of the swamp and mules were used to carry the kitchen utensils and rations. In addition the men carried blankets and food for seven days. The Indians were driven out of this area, and a few captured or killed. After two months campaigning in mud and water, the detachment finally brought their wanderings to a close on February 8, 1842. Although few Indians were found, the results were that towns and fields were destroyed and the savages forced to break up into small bands and flee for safety. Continue Reading »

• Seminole War 1836-1842
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David.Gettman January 9th, 2009

Fort Jesup, Louisiana

As the war with the Seminoles began to wind down, the Regiment was repositioned in Louisiana, which formed part of the eastern frontier of the Louisiana Purchase. This was the Regiment’s first posting in the state of Louisiana.

In October 1842, Company’s A, D, E, F, and G were ordered to move to Fort Jesup, Louisiana, and Fort Towson, Arkansas. The remaining Companies worked to improve their positions and to scout for the last band of hostile Indians in Florida. Upon completion of their tasks in Florida, these Company’s went to Louisiana, where the entire Regiment assembled. Headquarters were at Fort Jesup and additional postings were to the Arkansas Territory and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In August 1842 Congress passed a resolution to dismount the Regiment as a cost-saving measure, and it was reconstituted as a Regiment of Riflemen. The Secretary of War noted in his report of 1842 that dismounting the Regiment saved very little money. It was also pointed out that the distances along the frontier and the mounted Indian tribes of the area necessitated more mounted formations. In March of 1843 the Regiment was re-mounted and again designated as the Second Dragoons. Continue Reading »

• Dragoon 1836-1861
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David.Gettman January 8th, 2009

Upon arrival of the regiment at the new stations in Louisiana and Arkansas, Colonel Twiggs began a strenuous schedule of training. Captain William J. Hardee, later the famous Confederate lieutenant general, had just returned from a tour of observation of European cavalry, and was made executive officer, supervising the tactical exercises and mounted drill of the regiment. Four companies at Fort Jesup were armed with lances for a short time and became very proficient with this weapon. The other companies were armed with the curved saber, and all companies were also issued the carbine and horse pistols. Continue Reading »

• 2d Regiment of Riflemen 1843-1844
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David.Gettman January 7th, 2009

In July of 1845, General Taylor’s force began moving to Texas. Most of his force embarked from New Orleans bound for Corpus Christi, Texas. The Second Dragoons were the exception, choosing to proceed over land from Fort Jessup to Corpus Christi. They made the 501-mile march in 32 days, and reported to General Taylor in fine shape, contrary to some predictions from others outside the command. In March of 1846 General Taylor was ordered to move his force to the Rio Grande River in order to repel any invasion. General Taylor’s force departed Corpus Christi to establish a base of operations at Point Isabel. The vanguard of his force, led by a squadron from the Second Dragoons and Major Ringold’s Flying Artillery, subsequently moved to establish Fort Texas along the Rio Grande River. This position was directly across from the Mexican city of Matamoras, near what is now Brownsville, Texas. Continue Reading »

• Mexican War 1846-1848
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