[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 25, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 220th 
anniversary of the U.S. Cavalry and the contributions the town of 
Wethersfield, CT, made to the Revolutionary War effort.
  In my home State of Connecticut, the town of Wethersfield is proud to 
be recognized as the first home and training ground for the Continental 
Army's first cavalry regiment, known as Sheldon's Horse, the Second 
Continental Light Dragoons. In a time when armies were slow moving, the 
Second Continental Dragoons were unique for their swiftness and daring. 
The Second Dragoons were composed of mounted and dismounted men able to 
quickly advance on the enemy's flank.
  By orders of the First Continental Congress and General Washington, 
the Second Dragoon Regiment was the first cavalry regiment directly 
organized by the Continental Army. According to the Connecticut 
Historical Commission, on December 12, 1776, the Continental Congress 
appointed Elisha Sheldon of Salisbury as lieutenant colonel commandant 
of a regiment of the Continental Cavalry, the first such unit of the 
Continental Army. He was ordered to enlist six troops to form his 
regiment at Wethersfield. Among the first officers chosen by Colonel 
Sheldon was Wethersfield resident, Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge. In the late 
winter and early spring of 1977, Major Tallmadge erected a training 
ground for the training and breaking of horses for the regiment in 
Wethersfield.
  Under Major Tallmadge's direction and leadership, the Second Regiment 
fought in the battles of Short Hills, Brandywine, Trenton, Saratoga, 
and White Plains, and during the harsh winter at Valley Forge, the 
Dragoons patrolled the area for General Washington.
  Currently, the U.S. Cavalry is based in Fort Riley, KS, but it will 
be forever linked to the town of Wethersfield and Connecticut. I 
applaud the efforts of the people of Wethersfield to celebrate their 
history and the contributions they have made to ensuring the 
independence of America.

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