June/July 2023 Issue

Page 4 June/July 2023 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Reenactors Bring the World of Revolutionary War Dragoons to Life By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Reenactors bring history to life for the modern world, and some of them do it with hors- es. The 4th Continental Light Dragoons carefully replicate one of four mounted units that existed during the American Revolution- ary War. In the 18th century, dragoons were mounted soldiers, which would later be called caval- ry. The reenactors have done extensive research to make sure their uniforms, equipment and clothing are as close as possible to historical standards. Some changes have been made to certain aspects of the turnout for practical purposes and educated guesses have been made where information does not exist. The goal is to recreate the history of the 4th Light Dragoons and enjoy yourselves while doing it. Historically, Stephan Moylan was commissioned Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons on Jan. 5, 1777, at Philadelphia by his Excellency George Washington. The regi- ment was known for taking the field in captured British scarlet coats, until Washington direct- ed them to dye their uniforms to avoid confusion with British dragoons. During the war there were 250 riders in the unit, but you rarely saw all of them togeth- er because they were doing a variety of jobs. The dragoons had various responsibilities, includ- ing skirmishing with the enemy, scouting, foraging and escorting continental goods. The 4th Light Dragoons played a large part in the Petite Guerre (small foraging war) during the Grand Forage of 1778. They were the fourth of the four continental dragoon units, recruited from the colonies of Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware. The unit fought in the battles of Norwalk, Brandywine, Germantown, and Guilford Court House and held the position of honor on General Washington’s right flank during the Siege of Yorktown. From January 1781 to December 1782, they were sent to Savannah, Georgia and then to Charleston, South Carolina to face the Crown forces and an Indian uprising. In 1783 they returned to Philadel- phia, were furloughed in June and disbanded in November of that year. Information on saddles of the period is very sparce. One ex- ample is very similar to modern Australian saddles, so riders often use one of these as a starting point. “There are only maybe two or three saddles that were definitely known to exist [at that time] and they would be like a hunt saddle. There have been very few changes in English saddles from then to now,” unit leader Jim French said. He noted that one known example is the saddle of Prussian general Johann de Kalb who fought as a con- tinental general, and it has leg bolsters. “We use an Australian saddle without a horn, the type that has the leg bolsters on the front. Once we put on our pistol buckets with the bearskin covers and our portmanteaus or bedrolls you cannot tell the difference.” Each saddle has period-style stirrup irons made by one of the unit members. French makes most of the halters and bridles that are used, modeling them from well documented examples. The unit even has members who sew their uniforms, and French makes the leather and horsehair helmets. In the Revolutionary War the standard for the dragoons was a medium brown horse, with possibly a palomino or grey for the leader or a trumpeter. In reality, recruits might bring their personal riding horse of a differ- ent color. Additionally, if a mount was lamed or killed in combat the horseless rider might take the horse of a fallen enemy no matter its color. “We use any horse that can stand gunfire and crowds and flags,” French said. Horses in the reenactor unit are a variety of breeds and colors including Quarter Horses, a Morgan/Belgian cross, paints, and grades in colors of bay, chest- nut, roan, and spotted. The most important factor is how well they respond to the training. A new horse will first be introduced to the other horses and ridden with the group to see how well he or she gets along with them and where they will fit best in the ranks. “When we first start riding together, we go for a nice slow ride and you see who wants to (Continued on page 25) Members of the 1st and 4th Continental Light Dragoons form a “Company” during a mounted drill. The dragoons welcome new members and can provide loaner equipment, clothing and resources and help with the lease or purchase of a horse. Photo credit: Alacia Wright