The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Dragoon Expeditions (1843-1845) - Feb. 2nd, 2005

www.nps.gov ^

[SAMWolf]

Dragoons on Patrol

The year 1843 also saw the first significant migration over the Oregon Trail. To protect the emigrant traffic, the dragoons again went out on expeditions in 1844 and 1845. To strengthen security in the area and to end the fighting between the Pawnee and the Sioux, five companies of dragoons (including Company A from Fort Scott) traveled to Pawnee country in August of 1844. The next year, 1845, the dragoons met with the Sioux and other tribes during what is known as the South Pass expedition.

One of the purposes of the expeditions was to impress the Pawnee and Sioux with the strength of the dragoons. The soldiers came armed with sabers, breech-loading Hall's carbines, pistols and two howitzers or cannons. The dragoons requested the Pawnee to make a truce with the Sioux and to refrain from horse stealing. The Pawnee, at first refused to comply. The dragoons left the Pawnee camp, but as they did so they fired their howitzers as a demonstration. The Pawnee were impressed. They remained peaceful for the next four years.

The Sioux met with the dragoons near Fort Laramie in 1845. They were equally awed by the firepower of the howitzers. They thought that the dragoons were "a new and superior kind of white people." They agreed to leave the emigrant traffic alone, if the emigrants behaved themselves.

"54º 40" or Fight"

Colonel Stephen Kearney commanded the South Pass expedition. He led the soldiers along the Oregon Trail to Fort Laramie and then to South Pass, which they reached in June of 1845. This was the first time that an active U.S. military force traveled west of the Continental Divide.

An unstated purpose of the expedition was to place a military force near Oregon in the event of war. The United States and Great Britain both laid claim to all of the Oregon Territory and were unwilling to relinquish. 54º 40" was the line of latitude that marked the northern boundary of Oregon Territory.

The war cry "54º 40" or Fight", heard during President Polk's presidential campaign, reflected the desire of some Americans to control all of Oregon or go to war.

The threat of war with Great Britain must have loomed large in Colonel Kearny's mind as he awaited further instruction at South Pass. He waited one day and with no word of war, he and his troops began their return journey.

Compromise had staved off conflict. The problem was solved by extending the existing boundary between the U.S. and Canada-the 49th parallel-to the Pacific Coast, which divided the Oregon Territory in two.

"A straight forward, simple and well-meaning people"

While patrolling the Oregon Trail, the soldiers encountered several wagon trains heading west. This was of some concern to the dragoons because the teams and herds of the wagon trains consumed the grasses as effectively as a prairie fire, leaving little for the dragoons' horses.

One dragoon officer praised the Oregon emigrants as a "straight forward, simple and well-meaning people." He reflected that the trip to Oregon would take a great deal of courage and perseverance. For the most part, the relationship between the emigrants and the dragoons was mutually beneficial. The emigrants enjoyed the dragoons' protection, while the dragoons enjoyed the attention that the emigrant girls lavished on them.

Other pleasures of the trail included the scenery, the buffalo hunts and the welcome break from the daily routine of garrison life. The dragoons experienced the adventures of two trails in 1845. They returned via the Santa Fe Trail in order to escort the wagons heading east that year, completing a march of 2200 miles in just 99 days!

The dragoons accomplished a number of things on their expedition. They gained valuable experience which would be useful during the Mexican War. They attained knowledge of the terrain and established friendly relations with many Indian tribes. They also made the trail safer for overland travel, which encouraged further westward expansion and contributed to the fulfillment of Manifest Destiny.

[SAMWolf]

Light Cavalry vs. Dragoons
By
Buford

Dragoons were basically mounted infantry (differences to be discussed). They carried a weapon known as a musketoon in the early days, which was a shortened musket. Later, they carried carbines. They basically used their horses to move them from place to place, not for fighting. Most, if not all, of their fighting was done dismounted.

Light cavalry served an entirely different purpose. It was primarily intended to scout and screen an army's advance, and to do whatever fighting it did do mounted, typically using either the saber or pistols. Stuart's men were classic light cavalry.

In the early days (1840's), the only mounted unit in the US Army was the 1st Dragoons. In 1849, the 2nd Dragoons were formed, as was another unit called the Regiment of Mounted Rifles. Finally, in the 1850's, the 1st U.S. Cavalry was formed, which was light cavalry. It was followed in 1856 by the 2nd US Cavalry, which ranked among its early officers Edwin V. Sumner and colonel, RE Lee as lt. colonel, and a young lieutenant named John Bell Hood. In 1861, when the Late Unpleasantness commenced, these units were reorganized. The 1st Dragoons became the 1st US Cavalry, the 2nd Dragoons (the regiment that produced Buford, Merrit, Pleasonton, and Beverly H. Robertson, among others) became the 2nd US Cavalry, the Regiment of Mounted Rifles (which produced Buford's West Point classmate W.E."Grumble" Jones) became the 3rd US Cavalry, which served in the West, the 1st US Cavalry became the 3rd US Cavalry (which also served in the Western Theatre), and the 2nd US Cavalry became the 5th US Cavalry, which was a fine unit. A new regiment was recruited in the summer of 1861, which became the 6th US Cavalry, which was the only Regular cavalry regiment formed during the Civil War. Its men came from the area around Pittsburgh, who typically enlisted for a term of five rather than three years. The 6th US, of course, is the unit that got chopped to shreds at Fairfield.

Additional Sources:

www.civilwarhome.com

[SAMWolf]

Mounted Infantry vs. Dragoons

The main difference between mounted infantry and dragoons was armament. Mounted infantry carried rifles (Enfields, Springfields and the like). Dragoons carried either musketoons or carbines. I would categorize Forrest's command as being mounted infantry. The mounted infantry would have a hard firing and reloading mounted, since they were using muzzle-loading weapons. Carbines, like the sharps, were breech-loaders, so they could be fired and reloaded mounted. That would make a major difference.

[SAMWolf]

Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization. The primary area of concern to all VetsCoR members is that our national and local educational systems fall short in teaching students and all American citizens the history and underlying principles on which our Constitutional republic-based system of self-government was founded. VetsCoR members are also very concerned that the Federal government long ago over-stepped its limited authority as clearly specified in the United States Constitution, as well as the Founding Fathers' supporting letters, essays, and other public documents.

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Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

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We here at Blue Stars For A Safe Return are working hard to honor all of our military, past and present, and their families. Inlcuding the veterans, and POW/MIA's. I feel that not enough is done to recognize the past efforts of the veterans, and remember those who have never been found.

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UPDATED THROUGH APRIL 2004



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[snippy_about_it]

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[snippy_about_it]

This one's for you. Thanks for the suggestion ijcr. ;-)

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.

[alfa6]

Off to work bump for the Foxhole

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alfa6 ;>}

[GailA]

Good morning, it's pouring rain here this morning...means Rocky gets spared the 'dreaded' bath again today.

[Professional Engineer]

Good morning ladies. Flag-o-Gram.

[Samwise]

G'morning, PE!

[The Mayor]

February 2, 2005

My Compliments

Read:
Colossians 1:3-8

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints. -Colossians 1:3-4

Bible In One Year: Exodus 18-20

When I receive a compliment, it gives me a warm, inner glow. At times I have felt guilty for enjoying a commendation. After all, isn't that a form of pride? But I have concluded that it is not wrong to feel good when we receive a sincere compliment because of something we have done.

By finding pleasure in being commended, we allow others to exercise their gift of encouragement. Their words can lift our spirits.

We also show that pride hasn't gained the upper hand in our lives when we praise others. A proud person is so preoccupied with himself that he doesn't notice what others do and has no desire to compliment them.

Paul freely commended his friends in Colosse because he knew it would encourage them. And we should do likewise.

Give people a pat on the back when they deserve it. Compliment the child who does something well. Commend the single mother who regularly brings her children to church. Encourage the man who keeps helping others even though he receives little appreciation from them. Keep trying to please God and the people around you.

No need to feel guilty about feeling good when someone compliments you. -Herb Vander Lugt

For Further Thought
How do I respond when someone commends me?
Why is it sometimes hard to accept a compliment?
Do I freely praise others for their accomplishments?

Praise loudly, blame softly.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Self Esteem: What Does The Bible Say?

[Professional Engineer]

Howdy, I guess you didn't get burned as a newbie yesterday. Good deal. ;-)

[Samwise]

Those threads are old, but they come to life every once in a while. When that happened, I laughed so hard tears rolled. It's a wonder I'm still here...but then again I have lifetime posting rights. I never got that lunch with Jim Robinson or the trip to Disney World. LOL

[SAMWolf]

Morning Aeronaut.

[SAMWolf]

Morning E.G.C.

Rain didn't show up yesterday. :-)

[SAMWolf]

Morning alfa6.

[SAMWolf]

Morning GailA.

[SAMWolf]

Freeper Net Command?? :-)