The upper bar is a simple pin-back stamped brass frame with celluloid insert and label reading “member.” The ribbon is woven orange silk, appropriate as the old branch of service color for US dragoons. The particular reunion is indicated in white lettering: “38^th Annual Reunion of the 1^st N.Y. Dragoons Portage Bridge, N.Y.” with a flourish underneath. This event took place in 1908. Suspended from the bottom of the ribbon by a small ring is a shield shaped brass frame holding a celluloid photo of  a gray haired veteran in civilian clothes who appears to be Major Howard Smith, judging from the photo of him in their 1900 regimental history.

Organized originally as the 130^th Infantry from July to September 1862, the regiment was converted to a mounted regiment and designated the 19^th NY Cavalry in July and August 1863 and re-designated again as the 1^st NY Dragoons in September. It served early on at Suffolk, Va., and in the 7^th Army Corps, before transferring to the Army of the Potomac, where it served in the Cavalry Corps after being mounted.

This was a hard-fighting unit that saw lots of action, losing 3 officers and 88 enlisted men who were killed in action and another officer and 39 enlistedmen who died of wounds, place many others wounded and recovered or died of disease. They fought in Grant’s overland campaign at Wilderness and Cold Harbor, Trevilian Station, in the Shenandoah Valley, and many other locations right through Appomattox. Smith started out as Captain of Co. B, was promoted Major in late 1863, and served with the regiment until mustering out with the regiment June 30, 1865. He was breveted Lieutenant Colonel.  [sr]

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