US Cavalry Association

US Cavalry Association The U.S. Cavalry Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit preserving U.S. Celebrating our 50th Anniversary. Cavalry service. Every U.S. Army’s mounted services.

Army Cavalry history, traditions, and the legacy of the American horse soldier through competitions, education, and our Museum & Archives. The mission of the United States Cavalry Association (USCA) is to preserve the history and traditions of the U.S. We accomplish this goal through publications, events, and preservation of artifacts, photographs and written materials associated with the cavalry

in our Museum and Research Library. Cavalry Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. Olympic and National Team horse and rider up through 1948 came from the U.S. Today the U.S. Cavalry Association preserves this fine tradition through sponsorship of the annual National Cavalry Competition (NCC) and regional competitions. The National Cavalry Competition classes include military and combat horsemanship, military field jumping, mounted saber, mounted pistol, and cross-country mobility. After three days of competition, one trooper is named NCC Champion. The only prerequisites for participation are the ability to ride and the willingness to learn the traditional skills of the cavalry trooper. Competitors include civilians and military personnel from the U.S. and overseas.

🐴 US Cavalry Friday Fun FactDid you know that the U.S. Cavalry's official crossed sabers insignia has been worn since 18...
05/29/2026

🐴 US Cavalry Friday Fun Fact

Did you know that the U.S. Cavalry's official crossed sabers insignia has been worn since 1851? The sabers are modeled after the 1840 Light Cavalry Saber, often called the "wrist-breaker" because of its weight and effectiveness in combat.

Another iconic symbol of the frontier Army was the crossed arrows insignia worn by Indian Scouts. Authorized in 1890, the crossed arrows recognized the vital role Native American scouts played in reconnaissance, tracking, and guiding U.S. Army units across challenging terrain.

Friday Fun Fact: While Cavalry troopers wore crossed sabers and Indian Scouts wore crossed arrows, both symbols represent traditions of scouting, reconnaissance, and service that helped shape American military history. ⚔️🏹🐎🇺🇸

What Happened Wednesday ⚔️🐎May 27, 1864 | U.S. Cavalry Crosses the Pamunkey RiverOn May 27, 1864, Union cavalry under Ma...
05/27/2026

What Happened Wednesday ⚔️🐎

May 27, 1864 | U.S. Cavalry Crosses the Pamunkey River

On May 27, 1864, Union cavalry under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan crossed the Pamunkey River at Hanovertown during General Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign. Brig. Gen. George A. Custer’s cavalry brigade helped secure the crossing by driving back Confederate cavalry pickets, allowing Union engineers to construct pontoon bridges for the advancing army. These operations led directly to the cavalry fighting at Haw’s Shop and the larger battles around Totopotomoy Creek as Union forces continued their movement toward Richmond.

The actions on May 27 demonstrated the growing effectiveness of U.S. Cavalry operations during the Civil War, where mounted troops carried out reconnaissance, screening, rapid maneuver, and combat missions that were critical to army movements and battlefield success.

Did you know you can see many of these correspondences, historical records, and research materials at the US Cavalry Association Museum, Archives, and Library? The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and use of the archives and library is free during research hours.

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We were not open yesterday, and were observing the holiday with our own celebrations of loved ones who have served, laug...
05/26/2026

We were not open yesterday, and were observing the holiday with our own celebrations of loved ones who have served, laughing with family about memories of them, and wishing they were still here with us today, so thank you for understanding there will be no Monday Museum Moment.

The United States Cavalry Association would still like to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. From the earliest mounted cavalry troopers to today’s modern soldiers, generations of Americans have answered the call to defend freedom with courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication.

We remember not only the battles fought, but the families, friendships, and futures that were forever changed by service to this country. Memorial Day is a time to pause beneath the quiet flutter of our flag and reflect on those who never returned home, yet whose legacy continues to ride beside us in the freedoms we enjoy every day.

The spirit of the Cavalry has always been built upon duty, honor, perseverance, and service before self. We proudly remember the soldiers who rode into uncertainty, stood beside their brothers and sisters in arms, and carried the weight of protecting this nation across every generation of American history.

We honor all who served, all who sacrificed, and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage will never be forgotten.

“Ride Boldly. Remember Always.”

🎉 Friday Fun Fact! 🎉Thanks to the generous support of the Mary K. Ashbrook Foundation for El Reno, the US Cavalry Associ...
05/22/2026

🎉 Friday Fun Fact! 🎉

Thanks to the generous support of the Mary K. Ashbrook Foundation for El Reno, the US Cavalry Association is able to bring history to life for hundreds of students this year! 🇺🇸🐴

Their grant helps us bus 200 to 400 kids out to Fort Reno to experience the Nationals competition and participate in our interactive history stations. Students get hands-on opportunities to learn about the proud history of the US Cavalry through crafts, educational activities, and even wagon rides! 🛞✨

There’s nothing quite like watching kids step back in time while discovering the traditions, horsemanship, and stories that shaped our nation’s cavalry heritage.

A huge THANK YOU to the Mary K. Ashbrook Foundation for helping us create unforgettable educational experiences for these students! ❤️

We are still looking for additional sponsors and community partners to help expand these programs. If you are a business interested in working with us, please call or message us. We would love to partner with you and are happy to work with sponsors of all sizes!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 ⚔️🐴On May 20, 1863, Union and Confederate cavalry forces collided near Cheneyville, Louisiana, i...
05/20/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 ⚔️🐴

On May 20, 1863, Union and Confederate cavalry forces collided near Cheneyville, Louisiana, in one of the fiercest mounted engagements of the Civil War. The brutal fight later earned the nickname:

“The Carnival of Death.”

Unlike the long-range rifle battles many imagine from the Civil War, cavalry combat was fast, chaotic, and terrifyingly close. Troopers charged through clouds of dust with sabers drawn and revolvers blazing at point-blank range.

One Texas cavalry officer reportedly told his men before the attack:

“All who are afraid to die now, drop out.”

The fighting became legendary among surviving cavalrymen and remains a powerful reminder of the courage, danger, and raw intensity faced by mounted soldiers during the war.

Battles like Cheneyville helped shape the future identity and tactics of the United States Cavalry, where speed, mobility, and fearless action became hallmarks of mounted warfare.

All information for this post was obtained from an online source:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/4233734?utm_source

🐎🎺 Museum Monday 🎺🐎Pictured here is the 7th Cavalry Band at Fort Bliss, Texas, in the early 1900s. Military bands were a...
05/18/2026

🐎🎺 Museum Monday 🎺🐎

Pictured here is the 7th Cavalry Band at Fort Bliss, Texas, in the early 1900s. Military bands were an essential part of U.S. Cavalry life, serving not only as musicians for ceremonies and parades, but also as a source of morale, discipline, and unity for soldiers stationed on remote frontier posts.

The sound of the cavalry band marked daily Army life, from reveille and drills to community dances and regimental celebrations. In many frontier towns, cavalry bands also connected the Army to local civilians, making them an important symbol of military tradition and pride.

Fort Bliss, established in 1849, became one of the Army’s major cavalry posts in the Southwest. The 7th Cavalry Regiment, organized in 1866, served throughout the American frontier and along the Mexican border during a defining era in U.S. Army history.

Informational Sources Used:
• National Park Service – Buffalo Soldiers Regiments
• Fort Bliss Historical Overview
• 7th Cavalry Regiment History

🐎 Friday Fun Fact: U.S. Cavalry Edition 🐪In the 1850s, the U.S. Army launched one of the strangest military experiments ...
05/15/2026

🐎 Friday Fun Fact: U.S. Cavalry Edition 🐪
In the 1850s, the U.S. Army launched one of the strangest military experiments in cavalry history: the U.S. Camel Corps.

Secretary of War Jefferson Davis convinced Congress in 1855 to fund the importation of camels for military transport in the deserts of the American Southwest. Army leaders hoped camels could outperform horses and mules in harsh desert conditions.

And honestly… the camels worked remarkably well

They carried heavier loads, needed less water, and traveled efficiently across rough terrain in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The Army eventually imported about 70 camels and stationed them at Camp Verde, Texas.

But there was one major problem:

🐴 Cavalry horses were terrified of them.
Historical accounts describe horses panicking at the sight, smell, and sounds of the camels, creating chaos during drills and transport operations. Camels had a long reputation in warfare for unsettling horses, dating back to ancient armies.

When the Civil War erupted in 1861, the experiment lost support and was eventually abandoned. Some camels were sold, while others reportedly wandered free across the Southwest for years afterward, inspiring frontier legends of mysterious “red ghosts” roaming the desert.

What Happened Wednesday? 🇺🇸 On This Day in Cavalry History | May 13, 1846 🇺🇸On May 13, 1846, the United States formally ...
05/13/2026

What Happened Wednesday?

🇺🇸 On This Day in Cavalry History | May 13, 1846 🇺🇸

On May 13, 1846, the United States formally declared war on Mexico, launching the Mexican-American War after months of growing tension along the Texas border.

Following the annexation of Texas in 1845, disputes over the southern boundary quickly escalated. The United States claimed the Rio Grande as the border, while Mexico insisted the boundary remained at the Nueces River farther north. When U.S. troops under General Zachary Taylor moved into the disputed territory, Mexican forces attacked an American patrol in what became known as the Thornton Affair. News of the clash reached Washington, where President James K. Polk declared that “American blood has been shed on American soil,” leading Congress to approve a declaration of war.

U.S. Cavalry and mounted rifle units became critical throughout the conflict. Cavalry troops served as scouts, messengers, escorts, and rapid-strike forces across the harsh terrain of Texas and northern Mexico. Their speed and mobility allowed commanders to gather intelligence, protect supply lines, pursue enemy forces, and move quickly across ground where infantry struggled to keep pace.

The war also became a proving ground for many young officers who would later become famous Civil War leaders. The effectiveness of mounted troops during the campaign helped cement the importance of cavalry in the expanding United States Army.

From dusty border trails to sweeping cavalry charges across northern Mexico, the horse soldier played a vital role in shaping the outcome of the war and the future of American military history.

🐴 “Mobility, endurance, and the bond between rider and horse gave the cavalry its edge on the battlefield.”

🏇📜 Two sharp young homeschoolers rode into the US Cavalry Association Museum today and conquered the Ole Bill’s Scavenge...
05/12/2026

🏇📜 Two sharp young homeschoolers rode into the US Cavalry Association Museum today and conquered the Ole Bill’s Scavenger Hunt like seasoned scouts on the frontier!

After cracking clues and exploring Cavalry history, they stepped into the boots of real troopers by creating their very own guidons, and let’s just say… any Cavalry unit would be proud to carry these colors into the field. 🚩✨

A huge thank you to these boys for stopping by, learning about the history and traditions of the US Cavalry, and bringing such great energy with them today!

As the school year winds down and restless kids start circling the wagons at home, the US Cavalry Association Museum knows exactly how to wrangle curiosity, adventure, and hands-on fun into one unforgettable visit. 🤠🐴

Come see what discoveries are waiting at the museum!

05/11/2026

Monday’s Museum Moment gets a rewind this week. 🐴🎖️

There were a few comments suggesting the Association is “losing its way” or posting items connected to other military branches. Let’s clear the dust from the trail and set the record straight with facts, history, and documentation.

The United States Cavalry Association supports and honors all veterans. We work alongside many branches, museums, historians, and military organizations that help preserve the legacy of mounted service and American military history as a whole. There is no rivalry here. No branch-versus-branch contest. Just education, preservation, and respect for those who served.

Now, about the uniform in question...

After additional research and several phone calls last week, we confirmed that this parade uniform and shako are from West Point, the United States Military Academy (USMA), an Army institution founded in 1802.

The uniform belonged to Colonel Samuel L. Myers, Jr., West Point Class of 1958. Colonel

Myers served honorably in the:

1st Armored Cavalry Regiment

2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment

3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment

14th Armored Cavalry Regiment

He was also a personal friend and board member of this Association.

Most importantly:

Colonel Myers was never a Marine.

The confusion appears to come from the ceremonial style of the uniform itself. Historic cavalry and academy parade uniforms often share visual similarities with other 19th-century military dress traditions, especially dark coats, brass insignia, shakos, plumes, and chin scales. To modern eyes, people sometimes mistake these features for Marine ceremonial dress. But the insignia tells the true story.

The brass shako plate clearly bears the official heraldry of the United States Military Academy:

“WEST POINT”
“USMA” (United States Military Academy)
“MDCCCII” representing the academy’s founding year, 1802
and the famous academy motto: “DUTY • HONOR • COUNTRY.”

The emblem also contains the traditional West Point coat of arms, including the eagle, shield, Athena’s helmet, and sword, symbols tied directly to Army officer education and leadership.

There was also some confusion surrounding the letters “MCC.” In this instance, MCC refers to the Mounted Cavalry Club, a West Point cadet organization dedicated to preserving mounted cavalry traditions, horsemanship, ceremonial riding, and cavalry history. This is tied directly to Army cavalry heritage and West Point tradition, not the United States Marine Corps.

Nothing on this uniform identifies it as Marine Corps attire. Everything about it identifies it as West Point and Army cavalry history.

History matters. Details matter. Research matters.

And here at the United States Cavalry
Association, we will continue doing the work to preserve these stories accurately, proudly, and without apology. 🐎🇺🇸

Galloping forward....

Let’s all remain civil and take the time to ask questions or contact the office for additional information before attempting to criticize or slander the organization on social media. We are always happy to research, clarify, and share the history behind the artifacts entrusted to our care.

Have a wonderful week and thank you to all the Mothers out there! 🫶🤠

Address

3220 N. Jesse Reno Street
El Reno, OK
73036

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+14054226330

Website

https://uscavalryassociation.org/events/

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