First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry

Welcome back to our Troopers following a successful Annual Training!

For almost 250 years the Troop’s members have been putting their lives on the line in defense of Liberty. Today we honor the memories of the Troopers and other service members who sacrificed their lives for that cause.

in 1898, members of the "Pennsylvania Division" were sworn into Federal service for the Spanish American War.

On April 21, 1898, the United States declared war against Spain and President William McKinley called for 125,000 volunteers, triggering the largest call to arms in the United States since 1861. Four days later Pennsylvania Gov. Daniel Hastings ordered the National Guard of Pennsylvania, or NGP, to muster at Mount Gretna in Lebanon County for state service.

With no legal requirement for the National Guard to serve beyond the coastal boundaries of the country, 97% of those enrolled in the NGP volunteered for federal service and were allowed to enroll as complete units. Pennsylvania was given a quota to assemble 10,800 men for war service, and between May 6 and July 22, 12,000 officers and men were mustered in.

The Division itself did not enter service during the war, but several of it's subordinate units did. Though no Pennsylvania National Guard units would serve in the fighting in Cuba itself, Pennsylvania soldiers of the 4th and 16th Infantry, along with its three artillery batteries, and the mounted cavalrymen of Governor’s Troop, Sheridan Troop and First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry would see action in Puerto Rico, and the "Fighting Tenth" Infantry would see action in the Philippines. Today battle streamers can be seen for these mobilizations on the colors of individual companies across the state, and the battalion/group colors of the 1st Battalion 110th Infantry Regiment, 1st and 2d Battalions 112th Infantry, and 213th Regional Support Group.

For more on the 28th Infantry Division and the Spanish American War, check out this article: https://www.pa.ng.mil/Site-Management/News-Article-View/Article/3384370/pa-guard-mobilized-for-spanish-american-war-125-years-ago/

Many of our followers are familiar with First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry and their very distinct uniforms. But did you know this historic unit is the only one of its type in the nation - complete with an official designation by the National Guard Bureau?