Fabulous multi-colored Civil War broadside circa August, 1861, with woodcut of elaborately-uniformed cavalry officer (“Dragoon”).  When the Federal government finally realized that the Civil War could not be fought without additional volunteer cavalry, Governor Andrew organized various mounted militia units of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts into a regiment of cavalry. The 1st Massachusetts Essex County Cavalry was one of the first of the 272 volunteer cavalry regiments to be accepted for Federal service, being organized at Camp Brigham, Readville, Massachusetts, in September 1861.

Ordered up in time for the 1862 Antietam campaign, the regiment was sent out to assist in the pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia.   In 1863 the regiment was involved the battle of Brandy Station. After Brandy Station, the Federals pursued that Confederates northward. There were many skirmishes and nasty fights whenever the opposing cavalry troops met, and many losses on both sides; especially at Aldie’s Gap.  After the losses at Aldie’s Gap, the regiment participated at Gettysburg, where they were deployed in the line of battle. After Gettysburg, the cavalry continued to Harper's Ferry engaging in reconnaissance and skirmishes with the retreating Army of the Virginia. Successful raids and engagements brought hard won respect and honor for the cavalrymen through the remaining course of the War.

Possibly the only one of its kind remaining, this broadside has been preserved in its archival frame. Woodcuts of Dragoons on Civil War broadsides are extremely rare and were used to elicit the feeling that the Dragoons were fearless leaders fighting a noble cause. The word "dragoon" is derived from the French Army designation dragon which itself was originally the name of a type of firearm (whose name means dragon) carried by French dragoons. The title has been retained through various wars by a number of mounted regiments.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!