<P> The First Dragoons served in the Mexican War, and Charles A. May's squadron of the Second Dragoons helped decide the Battle of Resaca de la Palma . </P> <P> Shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War, the Army's dragoon regiments were designated as "Cavalry", losing their previous distinctions . The change was an unpopular one and the former dragoons retained their orange braided blue jackets until they wore out and had to be replaced with cavalry yellow . The 1st United States Cavalry fought in virtually every campaign in the north during the American Civil War . </P> <P> The U.S. Cavalry played a prominent role in the American Indian Wars, particularly in the American Old West . Particularly notable were the 7th Cavalry, associated with General George Armstrong Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and the 9th and 10th Cavalry, the Buffalo Soldiers . Infantry units, called by the Indians "walkaheaps", were also involved and in some cases were the main force deployed . Infantry, when mounted, were called "mounted infantry"; they lacked training and skill in horsemanship and cavalry tactics . </P> <Ul> <Li> <P> U.S. Army poster illustrating field uniforms circa 1876 </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Roasting the Christmas Beef, Frederic Remington, Harper's Weekly, 24 December 1892 </P> </Li> <Li> <P> "Cavalry Soldier" sculpture, Bent County Courthouse in Las Animas, Colorado . </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Company "A" 1st US Cavalry Sgt wearing Hardee hat, 1866 </P> </Li> </Ul>

Soldier nickname given to 19th century us cavalrymen fighting on the frontier