Not quite Civil War vintage, but there’s been a definite lack of color and pictures lately so I decided to mix it up a little. There’s still a Civil War tie-in, of course. The 2nd U.S. Cavalry, currently designated as the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, has been on continuous active service since 1836, and has a distinguished Civil War history. One of the great things about cavalry units specifically and army units in general is that traditions endure. Despite the redesignations in August 1861, for example, the regiment is still referred to internally as the Second Dragoons.

Versions of this flag have flown over regimental headquarters, wherever in the world that might be, for as far back as anyone that I’ve contacted can remember. While probably not historically accurate in design (see the excellent flag and guidon post over at Hoofbeats and Cold Steel that JD Petruzzi and Mike Nugent put together some months ago), it’s a tradition that endures. This particular picture shows the flag being raised on September 13th of last year as the regiment settled in Baghdad for its second tour in Iraq.

There’s just someting warming about seeing red and white cloth….

During the consolidation of the Regular regiments at the beginning of the Civil War, several companies were lost in the shuffle and greatly delayed in rejoining their regiments. The 1st Dragoons left two companies behind, and the 2nd Dragoons left three. Over the next few weeks, I will try to tell the tales of these “lost companies.”

Company G, 2nd Dragoons remained in New Mexico territory when the regiment began its consolidation. It participated in the campaign that culminated in the battle of Valverde, serving as artillerymen in McRae’s Battery along with members of the 3rd US Cavalry. They manned the battery with skill commended by General Crook, though the battery’s commander, Captain Alexander McRae of the 3rd Cavalry, was killed during the battle. The company returned to Fort Leavenworth in October 1862, where it was joined by Company I.

Company I remained at Fort Garland, Colorado at the outbreak of the war, tasked with protecting civilians from hostile Indians until volunteer units could be organized and trained. Once the two companies were united, they marched to Washington, where they arrived together on November 23, 1863.