US Cavalry Association

THROUGH THE MUSEUM THURSDAY

We're Saddling Up for Geekapalooza!

We're taking the U.S. Cavalry Association Museum on the road, and our next stop is Geekapalooza at Rose State College on Saturday, November 7, 2026!

Bring the kids out for some SPUR-of-the-moment fun with the U.S. Cavalry!

We're bringing a little piece of cavalry history out of the museum and into the hands of curious young explorers!

What do a cavalry soldier, a museum archivist, and a mystery artifact have in common?

Well, you'll just have to come see for yourself!

We have a special hands-on activity planned that will give kids a chance to discover how museums uncover clues, solve historical mysteries, and preserve the stories of the past.

Who knows? We might even inspire a few future historians and museum detectives along the way!

A huge thank-you to MetroFamily Magazine for inviting the U.S. Cavalry Association to participate in this wonderful community event. We're excited to join other organizations in celebrating curiosity, creativity, learning, and discovery.

Whether your kids love history, science, solving mysteries, or just getting their hands on something interesting, we hope you'll stop by our booth and say hello!

Saturday, November 7, 2026 Rose State College | Midwest City, Oklahoma

Come discover why history is anything but boring!

We can't wait to see you there!

WHAT HAPPENED WEDNESDAY WHEN THE WAGONS CHARGED! November 8, 1874 | McClellan Creek, Texas

Can you imagine charging into battle aboard a supply wagon?

During the Red River War, a detachment led by Lt. Frank D. Baldwin encountered a Cheyenne village near McClellan Creek. His force included Troop D, 6th U.S. Cavalry, Company D, 5th U.S. Infantry, and scouts.

Baldwin had 23 empty supply wagons. Instead of leaving them behind, he turned them into an unexpected part of his attack.

He arranged the wagons in two columns, placed infantrymen inside, and positioned mounted cavalry and scouts along the flanks. Then the entire formation advanced toward the village!

The surprise assault drove Cheyenne families and warriors from their camp. For the Cheyenne, this was part of a desperate struggle against U.S. military campaigns aimed at forcing Southern Plains nations onto reservations.

But the soldiers' search of the village led to a startling discovery.

Hidden among buffalo hides were two sisters, Julia and Adelaide German, who had been taken captive after an attack on their family in Kansas that September. The girls were rescued, and their two older sisters were freed the following year.

Baldwin later received his second Medal of Honor for his actions that day, becoming one of the rare service members to earn the distinction twice.

The Battle of McClellan Creek stands out for its unconventional tactics and its human story, reminding us that cavalry history is more complex than a charge on horseback.

Had you ever heard of a wagon-train charge?

TROOPER TUESDAY: The Cavalryman Who Came Home Without a Horse

“He returned from the war horseless and in rags.”

Those few words, preserved in our Cavalry Biography (BioCav) collection, tell a powerful story about Confederate cavalryman Joseph Wellington Crunkleton (1835–1900).

Born February 2, 1835, in Burke County, North Carolina, Joseph served as a private in Company K, 1st North Carolina Cavalry, also designated the 9th North Carolina Troops. His company was known as the Nantahala Rangers, organized from Macon County.

During the Civil War, his regiment participated in some of the conflict's major engagements, including the Battle of Brandy Station in 1863, the Gettysburg Campaign, the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864, and Five Forks in 1865.

But Joseph's story did not end on the battlefield.

When he returned home, he reportedly had neither his horse nor much more than the tattered clothing on his back. For a cavalryman, losing his horse meant losing an essential companion and the very means by which he had served.

Waiting beyond the hardships of war was a life still to be lived.

Joseph and his wife, Sarah Ann Keener, had an astonishing 13 children! Their growing family spanned the years before, during, and long after the Civil War.

Joseph lived until May 1, 1900, passing away in Macon County, North Carolina, at age 65.

His story reminds us that military history is about more than battles, regiments, and commanders. It is also about the ordinary lives interrupted by war and the families who carried on afterward.

Thanks to our BioCav collection, personal stories like Joseph's can be preserved for future generations.

Do you have a cavalry ancestor whose story deserves to be remembered? We'd love to hear about them!

Monday Museum Moment: What Does a Stereoscope Have to Do with the Cavalry?

A few weeks ago, we shared a stereoscope from one of our upstairs bedrooms here at the museum. Someone asked a pretty good question: "What does that have to do with the Cavalry?"

Well, quite a bit, actually!

Before television, the internet, and YouTube, people had to find other ways to see the world beyond their own front doors. Stereoscopes were a popular form of entertainment AND education! By viewing two slightly different photographs through a special viewer, people could see an image that appeared three-dimensional.

They could explore distant countries, witness historical events, and even get a glimpse of military life without ever leaving home.

Now, here's where the story gets fun!

Last week, a wonderful young Army soldier visited our museum and was absolutely thrilled to explore our archives. As we talked, he mentioned that he actually owns a collection of these stereoscopic cards!

And let me tell you, he educated ME! (Not that it's particularly difficult to do with Cavalry history! )

It was such a treat to have someone so enthusiastic about history share his knowledge with us. That's one of my favorite things about working at a museum. Sometimes our visitors become the teachers!

The photograph we're sharing today is from our collection. It shows an anti-aircraft gun in action on the French Front during World War I. Imagine being able to experience scenes like this in 3D more than a century ago!

And for those still wondering what stereoscopes have to do with the Cavalry, our collection also includes some wonderful photographs of mounted Cavalry and General John J. Pershing!

But you'll have to come visit the museum to see those!

History isn't just about the soldiers, battles, and equipment. It's also about how people experienced, understood, and remembered the world around them.

Have you ever looked through an old-fashioned stereoscope?

FIGURE IT OUT FRIDAY: WHO'S THAT CAVALRYMAN?

It's time to put your cavalry history knowledge to the test!

This week's mystery officer had quite the military career, serving in the U.S. Army for more than four decades.

Here are a few clues:

· He began his military career as a cadet at West Point in 1823.

· He served with the U.S. Dragoons long before the Civil War.

· His military service took him from the frontier of New Mexico to Tennessee and Alabama during the Civil War.

· In 1862, he became a colonel of one of the U.S. Army's historic cavalry regiments.

Now it's your turn to figure it out!

Can you identify BOTH the officer pictured AND the cavalry regiment he served with as colonel?

Think you know your cavalry history? Drop your guesses in the comments below!

Every uniform has a history, and every soldier has a story. Help us keep those stories alive.

Some of the most valuable treasures of the U.S. Cavalry Association aren't found in our collections. They're the wonderful people who give their time, share their passion, and go the extra mile to keep cavalry history alive.

Today, we're celebrating one of those special people, Nancy Raney! ❤️

On Saturday, October 24, Nancy represented the U.S. Cavalry Association at the Fort Smith Fall Festival in Fort Smith, Arkansas, setting up a booth for our Fall Membership Drive and sharing our mission with festival visitors.

And we couldn't be more grateful!

Nancy didn't just represent our organization that day. She gave her own time and energy to help introduce new people to the history we work so hard to preserve. Every conversation, every introduction, and every opportunity to share our mission helps ensure that the stories of America's cavalry continue to be told.

That's what makes volunteers like Nancy so special.

For an organization like ours, every helping hand makes a difference. Having someone willing to step forward, represent us with pride, and carry our mission beyond the walls of our museum means more than words can express.

Nancy, we want you to know just how much we appreciate you. Your kindness, dedication, and willingness to help are a wonderful reminder that the strength of the U.S. Cavalry Association has always been its people.

Thank you for being part of our cavalry family and for helping us preserve the legacy of those who served. 🐎❤️

We would also like to thank the organizers of the Fort Smith Fall Festival and the Fort Smith National Historic Site for bringing together so many wonderful opportunities to experience and celebrate history!

📜 Want to help keep cavalry history alive?

Our members and volunteers are the heart of our mission. Whether you're a lifelong cavalry enthusiast or just discovering this fascinating part of American history, there's a place for you in our ranks!

After all, you don't have to wear a uniform to serve a great mission!

👏 Please join us in giving Nancy a well-deserved round of applause for going above and beyond for the Cav!

WHAT HAPPENED WEDNESDAY Halloween Edition: The Cavalrymen Who Disappeared at Unsan

On October 28, 1950, the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division received orders to advance toward Unsan, North Korea.

Among its units was the 8th Cavalry Regiment, a group of soldiers carrying on the historic cavalry name, although by 1950 they fought on foot rather than horseback.

A NIGHT OF CHAOS

On November 1, Chinese forces launched a massive nighttime assault near Unsan.

American soldiers suddenly found themselves surrounded. Communications failed, escape routes were blocked, and the fighting continued into the following day.

The 8th Cavalry Regiment suffered devastating losses, particularly its 3rd Battalion, which was effectively destroyed as a fighting force.

Some soldiers managed to escape through the mountains. Others were captured or killed.

Many simply disappeared in the confusion.

When the survivors regrouped, the Army faced a heartbreaking question: What happened to the men who never returned?

A MYSTERY SOLVED 57 YEARS LATER

Among the missing was Sergeant Agostino Di Rienzo of the 8th Cavalry Regiment.

He disappeared during the Battle of Unsan in November 1950, and his family spent decades without knowing his final resting place.

In 2002, investigators recovered remains near the battlefield. Using DNA testing, dental records, and historical evidence, they eventually identified the soldier.

In 2007, more than 56 years after he disappeared, Sergeant Di Rienzo finally had his name returned to history.

THE MYSTERY CONTINUES

Not every missing soldier from the Korean War has been identified. Researchers continue searching military records, studying battlefield evidence, and using modern forensic technology to answer questions left unresolved for generations.

This Halloween, we're sharing a different kind of mystery. One without ghosts or legends, but with real soldiers, missing records, and families who spent decades waiting for answers.

Sometimes the most haunting stories in history are the ones that actually happened.

At the U.S. Cavalry Association Museum, we believe every soldier deserves a story, including those still waiting to be found.

TROOPER TUESDAY: Seven Wounds, One Remarkable Rough Rider

Some cavalrymen become household names. Others leave behind stories so extraordinary that more than a century later, historians are still searching for the full truth.

Today, we introduce you to Private Thomas "Tom" Isbell, a Cherokee Rough Rider who served with Troop L of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry during the Spanish-American War of 1898.

On June 24, 1898, Isbell was serving with an advance party under Sergeant Hamilton Fish as American forces moved toward Spanish positions near Las Guásimas, Cuba.

As the soldiers advanced through the thick vegetation, they encountered enemy troops. Isbell was among the first Americans in his regiment to open fire.

What happened next was extraordinary.

During the fighting, Isbell was wounded seven times, suffering injuries to his neck, hands, hip, and head. Yet, according to Theodore Roosevelt's own account, Isbell remained on the firing line until blood loss finally forced him to withdraw.

Roosevelt later wrote of Isbell in his book The Rough Riders:

"The man's wiry toughness was as notable as his courage."

It is remarkable testimony from the man who commanded the Rough Riders and would later become the 26th President of the United States.

But Isbell's story did not end in Cuba.

Roosevelt's writings reveal that following his military service, Isbell joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, adding another fascinating chapter to the life of this frontier cavalryman.

We have several individuals who are particularly interested in preserving Thomas Isbell's history and legacy, and we would love to hear from anyone who may have additional information.

At the U.S. Cavalry Association, we believe every trooper deserves to have their story remembered.

Help us keep Tom Isbell's story alive!

Sources: Theodore Roosevelt, The Rough Riders (1899). Prescott Holmes, Young Peoples' History of the War with Spain (1900). Library of Congress, Frances Benjamin Johnston Collection, Troop L, 1898

Monday Macabre Museum Moment: Halloween Edition

The Cavalry Horse Who Had Hundreds of Hooves!

The Legend of Garry Owen

Garry Owen was one of the Army's most accomplished jumping horses.

His talent made him something of a celebrity. According to a 1948 newspaper account, admirers once offered the Army an astonishing $7,000 to purchase him. The government refused to sell its champion.

In 1928, he reportedly won 28 jumping and hunting events at Madison Square Garden alone!

He was reportedly buried with military honors at Fort Bliss, with Taps sounded in his memory.

But that wasn't quite the end of Garry Owen's story.

The Horse Who Wouldn't Stay Buried

During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, preserving the hoof of a cherished horse as an inkwell was not particularly unusual. Military officers and horsemen sometimes commissioned these rather macabre keepsakes to remember their faithful mounts.

Garry Owen was apparently no exception.

But here is where the story takes a delightfully strange turn.

According to cavalry folklore, Garry Owen's fame made his hoof such a desirable souvenir that additional inkwells supposedly began circulating under his name.

The legend claims that so many people eventually possessed a hoof attributed to Garry Owen that the poor horse would have needed hundreds of legs to supply them all!

Was someone manufacturing commemorative souvenirs? Were ordinary hoof inkwells being passed off as pieces of the famous champion? Or did the story simply grow taller with each retelling?

We haven't been able to establish how many were actually produced, or even whether the tale of hundreds of hooves is historically accurate.

One thing is certain: Garry Owen was an extraordinary cavalry horse. Whether he left behind four hooves or four hundred, his legend has certainly outlived him!

Sources: The Cavalry Journal (1928–1929); El Paso Times (November 4, 1948, and October 24, 1971); National Army Museum collections documenting the tradition of commemorative horse hoof inkwells.

Well, look who stopped by the U.S. Cavalry Association Museum!

If you've been on Facebook this weekend, you've probably noticed that Jason Momoa has been making his way around Oklahoma!

With the Hollywood star in our state filming a movie, businesses everywhere have jumped on the trend of using AI to create photos of him stopping by for a visit.

Naturally, we couldn't let everyone else have all the fun!

We decided to do things a little old-fashioned and create our own photo edit. No AI required!

And wouldn't you know it? Mr. Momoa apparently found his way to US Cavalry Association!

We would love to tell you more about his visit, but we seem to have suddenly forgotten everything we know about cavalry history.

In completely unrelated news, the U.S. Cavalry Association Museum will be closed tomorrow, Monday, October 26. 🤣

Disclaimer: No Hollywood actors were actually harmed, kidnapped, or otherwise detained in the making of this photograph.