Horse Marines

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The term Horse Marines has been used to describe cavalry soldiers capturing ships, or mounted marines operating ashore.

Texas Revolution

The name horse marines was first used by Colonel Edward J. Wilson in the Kentucky Gazette to describe a group of mounted volunteer rangers during the Texas Revolution. Under the direction of Thomas Jefferson Rusk these horse marines patrolled the Texas coast in anticipation of a landing of Mexican troops. On 2 June 1836 a company of horse marines found the schooner Watchman in Copano Bay loaded with supplies for the Mexican armies. The horse marines captured Watchman, and used it to capture the schooners Comanche and Fanny Butler which were also carrying supplies for the Mexican armies. The captured schooners were sailed to Galveston as prizes. These American-owned ships were later returned to their owners;[1] but their cargo of food, weapons and ammunition were retained by the rebellious Texans.[2]

United States Marine Corps

Mounted Marines with sabers on parade in Peking about 1936

The

Browning Automatic Rifles, three Thompson submachine guns, twenty M1903 Springfield rifles, and an M1917 Browning machine gun. Notable commanders of the detachment included James Devereux and Chesty Puller.[3]

Although the horse Marines of Peking were the Corps' only officially designated cavalry detachment,

color guard of Marines stationed at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow appeared at rodeos and events such as the Rose Parade into the 21st century.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ Huson, Hobart. "Horse Marines". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Isaac Watts Burton and the Texas "Horse Marines"". Medium. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "Mounted Detachment, Marine Guard, American Legation, Peking, China" (PDF). MCRD San Diego Command Museum Foundation. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Mounted Detachment". The China Marines. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b Macomber, Frank. "Horse Marines...Rich in History", Sunday The Indianapolis Star Magazine, volume 64, number 126, October 9, 1966, pages 30 and 32. (subscription required)
  6. ^ Pearson, Laurie. "Last Marine Unit on Horseback Celebrates 50th Anniversary". United States Department of Defense. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  7. ^ Bricker, Thomas. "Horse Marines prepare for success". Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
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