[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         220TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE U.S. CALVARY

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                        HON. BARBARA B. KENNELLY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 220th anniversary 
of the U.S. Calvary, celebrated last December.
  On December 16, 1776, in the town of Wethersfield, CT, Revolutionary 
troops were organized as the 1st Calvary Regiment in the Continental 
Army under orders of the First Continental Congress. Today, the town of 
Wethersfield, located in the First Congressional District, is proud to 
be honored as the birthplace of the U.S. Calvary.
  Recognized by the U.S. Army's Center of Military History, Sheldon's 
Horse, 2d Continental Light Dragoons, were organized in Wethersfield. 
This was the first dragoon regiment to be organized directly into the 
Continental Army. Training grounds for this regiment were erected by a 
Wethersfield resident, Capt. Benjamin Tallmadge. This regiment made 
several key contributions in the Revolutionary War effort by 
participating in combat in northern New Jersey and at the defense of 
Philadelphia.
  The U.S. Calvary that had its origins in Wethersfield continued to 
serve our Nation long after the war ended, fighting epic battles at 
Brandy Station during the Civil War and the Punity Expedition before 
World War I.
  The founding of the U.S. Calvary is just one example of the important 
role that the town of Wethersfield has played in securing and 
preserving America's independence. From the historic Webb House, where 
Gen. George Washington met with Comte de Rochambeau to discuss 
strategies for the Battle of Yorktown, to the modern development of the 
Silas Deane Highway, the quaintness of Wethersfield is intermingled 
with the heroic greatness represented by the U.S. Calvary.
  The U.S. Calvary, historically headquartered in Fort Riley, KS, will 
be forever linked with Wethersfield and the First Congressional 
District. I applaud the efforts of the friends and residents of the 
town of Wethersfield who have brought this significant part of American 
history the recognition it greatly deserves.

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