2nd Cavalry Regiment, US Army

2ND CAVALRY REGIMENT, US ARMY

History: Constituted and Organized 23 May 1836 as 2nd Regiment of Dragoons. Dismounted and redesignated 5 March 1843 as Regiment of Riflemen. Remounted and redesignated 4 April 1844 as 2nd Regiment of Dragoons, Redesignated 3 August 1861 as 2nd Cavalry.

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Tenné, a Dragoon in the uniform of the Mexican War mounted on a white horse brandishing a sabre and
charging a Mexican Field Gun defended by a gunner armed with his rammer all proper, in chief two eight-pointed mullets or.
Crest: Ona wreath of the color (or and tenné) the head dress of the Dragoons of 1836 proper.
Motto: Toujours pret (Always ready)

Origin/meaning

The colour of the facing of the old Dragoon Regiment was Orange, hence the Tenné Field. The Dragoon Insignia was a Eight-pointed Star, here two are used to indicate the Regiment's Number. The Main Motive indicates the charge of Captain May's Squadron against the Mexican Artillery at Resaca del Palma during the US-Mexican War 1846-1847.

Literature: Armor-Cavalry Historical Services Division Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army.