"Theophilus F. Rodenbough served as an officer with the Second Dragoons (still in operation today as the Second Armored Cavalry). Supplementing his account with personal recollections of other officers, he relates the history of the unit, beginning with operations in the Everglades against the Seminoles. He then follows Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott during the Mexican War, recounting engagements at Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, and Molino del Rey, as well as the siege of Mexico City. Returning from expeditions to California and Utah, Rodenbough and his fellow officers next plunged into the Civil War, with the unit redesignated as the second Cavalry. They fought at Bull Run, Brandy Station, Gettysburg, Yellow Tavern, Trevilian Station, Winchester, and Cedar Creek. In the post-Civil War period on the western frontier, the Second Cavalry accompanied expeditions against the Sioux, Piegan, and Arapaho Indians, suffering its most grievous losses in the Fetterman Massacre of 1866"--Page 4 of cover.

Originally published: New York : D. Van Nostrand, 1875.

pt. 1. First period : 1836-42 : the Florida War. Early operations : general organization, Jessup -- Campaign, 1838-39, Taylor, Macomb -- Campaign, 1839-40, Camp Washington, Everglade expedition -- Personal recollections : scouting with Ben Beall -- Campaign, 1841, Worth's operations, summer work -- Closing campaign, regiment leaves Florida -- pt. 2. Second period : 1843-44 : Louisiana, Texas. Army legislation, dismounting of the regiment -- Recuperation, renovation, remounting -- pt. 3. Third period : 1845-48 : the War with Mexico. From New Orleans to Matamoras -- La Rosia, Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma -- Matamoras, Monterrey, Pass of Santa Rosa -- La Hedionda, Agua Nueva, Buena Vista -- Scott's operations, Vera Cruz, Medelin -- Antigua, Cerro Gordo, La Hoya, San Juan de lo? Llanos -- Closing campaign, Molina del Rey, City of Mexico, Agua Fria -- pt. 4. Fourth period : 1848-60 : California, Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Utah. The California expedition, Indian and Mormon campaigns -- Personal recollections : campaign of 1855-60 -- Personal recollections : a trumpeter's notes (1852-58) -- pt. 5. Fifth period : 1861-66 : war of 'The Rebellion'. Bull Run, Val Verde, Southwestern campaign -- Personal recollections : the Cavalry School at Carlisle -- Personal recollections : letters of a subaltern (1862) -- Personal recollections : the Stoneman Raid ('63) -- Personal recollections : Beverly Ford to Mitchell's station -- Personal recollections : a ride to Richmond in 1864 -- Personal recollections : prison life -- Personal recollections, Deep Bottom to Winchester (1864) -- Personal recollections : Fisher's Hill-Cedar Creek -- pt. 6. Sixth period : 1866-75 : Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana. Personal recollections : post-bellum, campaigning in the Northwest -- Personal recollections : the Piegan expedition of 1870 -- Personal recollections : two Yellowstone expeditions -- Cavalry of the future : its prospects and requirements.