The Yellowlegs: The Story of the United States Cavalry

The story of America’s cavalry is rich with colorful personalities and thrilling action, shaping much of the early military history of the United States. In this lively account, the author, an avid horseman, explores the key events and figures that defined the cavalry’s formative years. From the American Revolution, where figures like Henry ‘Light-Horse Harry’ Lee III and Francis Marion pioneered guerrilla tactics, the narrative moves to Stephen Kearny, known as the ‘Father of the Cavalry.’ Kearny’s Dragoons famously traveled West to California on mules. The account also highlights other iconic figures, including Jonathan ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, George Crook, who respected the Native Americans he was ordered to fight, and George Armstrong Custer, whose tragic defeat at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876 remains a pivotal moment in American history. The narrative also touches on Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and Black Jack Pershing, who led his troops in automobiles. This saga of daring raids, epic marches, and grueling battles reflects not only the legacy of the U.S. Cavalry but also the birth and growth of America itself.