The 14th Regiment of the United States Cavalry was organized at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, March 5, 1901.  The organization was soon completed and the squadrons joined their respective stations, 1st Squadron at Fort Riley, Kansas; Troop E and H, 2nd Squadron, at Fort Logan, Colorado; Troops F and G at Fort Wingate, New Mexico; 3RD Squadron, Band, Regimental Headquarters and non-commissioned staff at historic old Fort Grant, Arizona.  Training went steadily forward and many practice marches were made.  At times certain troops were stationed at Fort Huachuca, in the picturesque Huachuca Mountains of southern Arizona near old Chief Cochise’s highland stronghold – both of these latter posts in the midst of the scenes of the Apache and Navajo Indian wars of earlier days.  Troops E and H were chosen as escort to President Roosevelt at Denver, Colorado, May 4, 1902.  About this time serious trouble arose at Morenci, in the great mining district of Arizona.  Economic differences were sharp and the miners went on strike – feelings ran high and grave consequences were imminent.  Troops B, D, I, K and L were ordered to Morenci for strike duty and, due to their presence, serious riots were averted and domestic tranquillity preserved.

 On September 5th the regiment sailed from San Francisco for the Philippines, and on September 29th arrived at Manila.  The squadrons took the following stations: 1st at Malabang, Mindanao; 2nd and Regimental Headquarters a Camp Overton, Mindanao; 3rd at Jolo-Jolo, on the Island of Jolo.  At this time the Philippines were far from pacified.  Although for a time in 1900 and part of 1901 all outward manifestation of armed insurrection had practically ceased, and though our troops had occupied these provinces for about two years, no American was safe outside the immediate confines of garrisoned towns.  No American thought of traveling without a guard.  All trains of supplies were escorted and, even from Batangas to Bauan, a distance of only four miles.  The brigade commander had considered it necessary to direct that officers should not ride alone, for Americans were liable to be shot at any time of the day or night if they ventured away from the garrisoned towns.  It was stated by the Department commander that the situation was without parallel in the history of any country long occupied by an invading and conquering army.  During this first tour of Philippine service numerous historic expeditions were made, many engagements were fought, and many Americans died miserably, yet bravely under the savage tortures of Filipino barbarism.  For this was in the days of the Philippine campaigns of pacification when life in “The Islands “ meant eternal vigilance, with constant struggles and daily fights with the Moros, who with their keen-edged bolos, were no mean adversaries.  During 1903 the expeditions to Salankan, Jolo, to Maharajah Andung’s Cotta, and the Jolo Column were sent out, reconnaissance of Lake Lanao was accomplished and the second Sulu expedition under Brigadier General Wood was sent against Panglima Hassan.  A detachment under Sergeant Orlando Hughes defeated a greatly superior force of Moros near Crater Lake, and in the course of an engagement a detachment of six men under Captain Alonzo Gray by a brilliant flank maneuver routed 100 Moros who were entrenched at Sulimaan Mountain.  Captain Gray, Sergeant Hughes and the detachments were cited in orders of gallantry.  The Jolo Column under Major Hugh L. Scott, then governor of Sulu, later chief of staff, U.S. Army, defeated the Moros near Mt. Sulimaan and captured the outlaw chieftains, Biroa and Panglima Hassan, who was the most noted and most powerful chieftain of Jolo.  Engagements were fought at Look Valley, Cotta Lubbock, Seit Lake, and Can Massian.  An expedition to Parang covered the ground of the second Sulu expedition and the vicinity of Mt. Sulimaan.

 During 1904 the first and second Rio Grande expeditions were made under General Wood, and the expeditions to Nauaan, Mindanao, to Cotta Orang Cayo Tallu and to the Look District were also sent out.  Troops B and C reconnoitered the Taraca River and made expedition from Camp Vicars to Cudarangan, patrolling through Pinud-Gata, Seranaya, Lebac, and Talayan.  The first Taraca expedition under General Wood defeated the Moros in a series of engagements, captured arms, brought the insurrection home to the Moros, and pacified the vicinity of the Taraca River.  The Cottabatto Valley expedition through the dense jungle under Captain C. C. Smith was a striking example of courage, determination, and endurance.  Through the broiling sun and the pouring rain, through the cogon grass which commonly grew to a height of fifteen feet, through mud waist deep, in the face of tropical fevers and venomous snakes, in the midst of millions of mosquitoes, through the treacherous swamps, the column of 100 picked men and four officers under Captain Smith pushed on and operated in the Cottabatto Valley from August, 1903, until February, 1905.  This expedition was characteristic of the others-here the soldiers of the 14th operated, lived, fought, conquered, and died under the difficulties and hardships encountered only in the tropical jungle.   Troop F was commended for excellent service at the Marahui and Troops B and C tool part in the Butig expedition.  The Pinud-Gata expedition followed, during which Fort Seranaya was captured and the Moros defeated near Bulman and numerous other places.  Major H. L. Scott, Captains C. B. Drake, H. P. Howard and J. H. Reeves, 2nd Lieutenant J. W. Jewell and 1st Sergeant Robert Elder were cited in orders for distinguished services.

 During two years in the Philippines the command, acting alone or acting with other troops took part in twenty-two major expeditions and scores of minor encounters.  A new regiment; a regiment of true brave hearts, and their spurs were won by valor, loyalty and honor!  And now!  A regiment entitled to adopt the shield of the knights, displayed with heraldic bearings, as its Regimental Crest, or Coat of Arms.   SUIVEZ  MOI

  The 2nd Squadron and Troops C and D were called upon for important services during the great San Francisco earthquake and fire emergency, where, services of the highest order were performed by the troopers.  This year the machine gun platoon was organized.  This was the beginning of the practical use of that terrible, yet wonderful, weapon of destruction, which has revolutionized modern warfare.

 Nineteen Hundred Seven and Eight saw the troops at their respective stations.  The regimental headquarters, field staff, band and troops A, B, C, and D of the 1st Squadron were stationed at Fort Walla Walla, Washington from December 6, 1905 to at least the end of 1908 but most likely sometime in 1909. The 1st Squadron was selected as escort for President Taft, at Spokane, Washington, in September 1909. On November 5, 1909, the regiment sailed for its second tour in the Philippines and relieved the 1st Cavalry, took station at Camp Stotsenburg and for the first time in history, the entire regiment was together in the same post.  During this tour, in addition to the regular duties performed, the regiment took part in maneuvers of the Philippine Division, Blue Brigade, in the Southern Luzon in 1910.  In the Department of Luzon, Southern Army, 1911, commended by the Inspector for Esprit, Harmony, and fine training: commended by the Division Commander, Major General Duval, for efficiency: commended by the Inspector General for “alertness, general intelligence, interest, instruction, and efficiency”.  On March 9, 1912, sailed for the United States via Nagasaki, Japan, and Honolulu, and took the following stations: Regimental Headquarters, Band, 1st and 2nd Squadrons, Fort Clark, Texas: 3rd Squadron at Fort McIntosh, April 8, 1912.

  On June 1, 1912, began the long, grueling tour of patrol duty, enforcing the neutrality laws along the International Border of Mexico.  During the following year, 1913, the International Line was maintained without cessation, Troop G patrolling the vicinity of Sam Fordyce and Hidalgo, Troop L as San Ygnacio, and Troop M at Brownsville.  In September and October 1913, patrols from Troop A covered 1,135 miles; Troop E, 2,900 miles; Troop K, 2,902 miles; Troop M, 4,774 miles.
 This year well illustrates the regular and usual work carried on by the regiment during its years of border patrol.  Approximately 850 miles of International Border were constantly patrolled and guarded by the 14th Cavalry.  The distance covered by patrols and detachments in 1913 was 34,682 miles.  The border patrol continued without relaxation during 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, and until early in 1918.

  A telegram from the Adjutant General of the Army directed the 14th Cavalry to prepare at the earliest practicable date for overseas service.  A later wire directed the regiment to go mounted.  The regiment took station at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, after approximately six years of hard border service.  A short time later the organization was moved to Camp Travis, Texas, where the intensive training continued.  Here the 14th Cavalry was reported ready for overseas service.   The disappointment was bitter when the movement overseas was temporarily suspended, and, due to the signing of the Armistice, was never consummated.  Border disturbances called the 1st Squadron back to Fort Clark, in August 1918.  In December of this year Troop A occupied Povlo; Troop B Evertts Ranch; Troop C, and Squadron Headquarters held Marfa; Troop D, at Ruidosa.  They remained on the border, covering these and other points in the vicinity until March 1919, when the concentration was made with the rest of the regiment, which had taken station at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

 During 1919 the regiment remained at this station, performing the usual garrison duties and making most of garrison life, the first opportunity since leaving Camp Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands, February 1912.  On April 15, 1920, the regiment departed from Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and proceeded to the Brownsville District on the Texas border; Regimental Headquarters, Machine Gun and Supply Troops and 1st Squadron at Fort Ringgold, 2nd Squadron at Sam Fordyce, and 3rd Squadron at McAllen.

 Here, indeed, was historic county.  For example, at old Fort Ringgold still stands, occupied, the house of Captain Robert E. Lee, afterwards Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate forces during our Civil War of ’61.  Here amongst the scenes of former campaigns, throughout the dust, heat, the isolation, under the burning rays of the Mexican sun, beneath the radiant beauty of the summer moon, the 14th horse maintained ceaseless guardianship over their assigned sector “ in Texas, down by the Rio Grande.”

 Welcome, indeed, after eight years of sand, sage brush, and mesquite, bandits and border runners, was the order to take station at Fort Des Moines, amongst the kindly and hospitable people of Iowa.  The regiment took station a Fort Des Moines on August 19, 1920, with the 3rd Squadron temporarily at Camp Dodge.  Following the reorganization of 1921, the 1st Squadron, under command of Major Levi C. Brown, left overland for Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where it has since been stationed.  Headquarters Troop, Band, Machine Gun Troop, and 2nd Squadron remained at Fort Des Moines.  Here, in these two pleasant northern stations, the 14th Cavalry is carrying on the traditions, and reputation of the regiment gained so gloriously in “the Islands” and “in Texas, down by the Rio Grande.”

 Fort Des Moines, after abandonment by Cavalry Troops since 1912; and after being used as a general hospital since World War, until August 19, 1920, has rapidly been taking on the appearance of a cavalry station.  Here again, now, may be seen daily the mounted troops at drill, the jumping of hurdles and practice in horsemanship, the flashing of sabers, the spirited cavalry charge.  Again the sports and mounted games of former years may be seen; polo, the “paper-chase”, the cross-country and Russian ride, horse shows and the social activities are resumed.  Again lives, as in other days and other years, the hard-working, hard-fighting, hard-playing, romantic life of the cavalryman.

SUIVEZ MOI
 

(We would like to see this account extended to cover the period  1922 - 1943.  Help please.)