Dedicated to maintaining the history and life of the cavalry

James Sullivan O'Connor

As one of the second generation of American born children, my Grandmother spent most of my childhood not allowing me to forget the life of my ancestors. Our family descended from Irish gypsies, horse people, as Grandmother would call them in her brilliant stories. Of course, the small stable and carriage house, with a blacksmith shop our family owned in Beverly , Virginia , did not echo the greatness my Grandmother painted in my mind. I am James Sullivan O’Connor, descendant of gypsies and son to a hard working blacksmith. Once I was big enough to hold onto the reins of a team, my father decided that I no longer needed to attend schooling. I spent the rest of my younger years running a freight team for my father, bringing hay and straw in from the farmer’s fields for the stable.

With Virginia ’s secession from the Union , we found ourselves on the border of a new enemy…our neighbors and friends. I found myself wishing there was something I could do. I found my answer one morning, while speaking with a young gentleman who stopped for the night. We spoke as he saddled his horse; he was from Elkins head north to join with the US Cavalry being formed in Washington . I begged him to allow me a few hours, and I would ride with him. He agreed, mentioning that company would be nice.

After a short discussion with my father, he agreed to allow me to join. He selected one of our better horses, a spirited chestnut, Sky, the son of my Grandfather’s horse brought from Ireland , and told me to take what I would need for food.

I found myself galloping north into the night with the young gentleman. After many days hard travel we found ourselves in Washington . The young gentleman was assigned to the 1^st US Cavalry, company A. It was the last that I saw of him. I was attached to the 1^st US Cavalry, company E,  a very colorful unit.

It’s been almost a year, many of my fellows in the company have been transferred or wounded, there are not many left in the company, only our 1^st Lieutenant, 1^st Sergeant, one Corporal, and a handful of the toughest troopers. It is rumored that Washington may reform us into the 2^nd US Cavalry regiment.