3D Armored Cavalry Regiment (United States) - Mexican-American War

Mexican-American War

The Regiment was authorized by act of Congress in May 1846 to protect emigrants in the Oregon Trail, and it was under orders to proceed on its mission at the earliest practical date. However, the Mexican-American War intervened and the Regiment found itself diverted to participate in the invasion of Mexico. Here, in the heat of the campaign, was born the Regimental Accolade. As the Regiment lay bloodied and exhausted from fierce fighting at Contreras, Mexico, General Scott arrived and each man stood at attention as the General approached. General Scott, who was about to order them into another fierce battle, became so overcome by this display of valor that he removed his hat, bowed low and proclaimed: "Brave Rifles! Veterans! You have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel!" So was born the Regimental Accolade, and the source of the Regimental Motto.

The climax to the Regiment’s participation in the Mexican War came on 13 September 1847 when the brigade the Regiment belonged to was ordered to support the assault on the fortress of Chapultepec, the site of the Mexican National Military Academy. Leading the American forces, the Regiment stormed into Mexico City at 1:20 pm At 7:00 am on 14 September 1847, Sergeant James Manly of F Company and Captain Benjamin Roberts of C Company raised the National Colors over the National Palace while Captain Porter, commander of F Company, unfurled the Regimental Standard from the balcony.

During the Mexican War, eleven Troopers were commissioned from the ranks and nineteen officers received brevet promotions for gallantry in action. Regimental losses in Mexico were approximately four officers and 40 men killed, 13 officers and 180 wounded (many of whom would eventually die), and one officer and 180 men who died of other causes.

The Regiment returned to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, on 24 July 1848, where its veteran troopers were permitted to muster out, and recruited a new regiment. On 10 May 1849, it began the grueling 2,000-mile (3,200 km) march to the Oregon Territory to accomplish the mission for which it was originally organized.In May 1851, The Mounted Riflemen were ordered to return to Jefferson Barracks. All the horses and Troopers were transferred to the 1st Dragoons in California, and the officers and NCOs traveled by ship to Panama. After crossing the Isthmus, they boarded another ship and returned to the Regiment's birthplace, arriving on 16 July 1851. For the next six months, the Regiment recruited, re-equipped, and re-trained.

In December 1851, the Regiment was ordered to Texas. By January 1852, the Regiment arrived at Fort Merrill, where for the next four years it operated against the Indian tribes living in the area. Patrols, skirmishes, guard, and escort duty were all part of the daily routine. In 1853, the Regiment was redesignated as the First Regiment of Mounted Riflemen because the Army was considering raising another mounted rifle regiment. This did not happen, but the "First" designation remained.

In 1856, Indian troubles in the New Mexico Territory required additional troops and the Regiment moved further West, replaced by the newly-created 2nd Cavalry. Fort Union, New Mexico became the new home base for the Mounted Riflemen. Service in New Mexico was constant and most exacting. The companies of the 1st Mounted Rifles were widely scattered and the number of troops available was wholly inadequate for the task of patrolling an area that extended from Denver, Colorado to the Mexican border, and from West Texas to Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.