US Cavalry Museum, Ft Riley, Kansas

Eighteen miles east of Abilene, near Junction City, Kansas, is the Army base of Ft. Riley. The site for the fort was selected in 1852, and became known for its School of Cavalry and Light Artillery. Originally constructed to provide protection for the westward expansion during the 1850's, the post has established itself as one of the foremost educational facilities in the country, with many of the officers who served here also serving in the Civil War; "Jeb" Stuart, John Buford, and Phillip St. George Cooke all served here. General George A. Custer occupied a set of officers quarters, Quarters 21, which have since been destroyed by fire and remodeled.  Quarters 24 is the only remaining set of officers quarters from the Fort's construction in the 1850's and is a sister set to the building that Custer occupied.

After the WWI, the post served as the Cavalry School until the mounted cavalry was disbanded just as WWII started.  It now serves as the home of the 1st Infantry Division.

The Museum is dedicated to the men and animals that have served and died in the Army, from the days of the "Dragoons" in the 1700's to the mobile forces of today. Housed  in a building originally built in 1855 as the Post Hospital, then Headquarters for the Cavalry School and then the museum in 1957, it is a great example of the architectural flavor and history of the Post.

At the entrance to the museum is a statue that sets the tone for the base.  A Cavalry soldier would be at a disadvantage without his mount, so great care was taken with horses and mules.  This statue exemplifies the bond between the soldier and his horse.

The inscription on the base says: "In memory of the one and one half million horses and mules of the Union and Confederate armies who were killed, who were wounded, or died from disease during the Civil War." It is a moving monument showing an emaciated and exhausted horse about to fall.

In 1855, Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee was posted to Ft Riley to preside over the court marshal of an Army surgeon that was accused of desertion.  He only remained on the post until the trial was completed.

The museum has hundreds of displays showing the role of the  "Big Red One" through the years from the 1800's to modern times.  There remains, however, a strong sense of history as exemplified by a monument that marks the gravesite of "Chief", the last Cavalry mount registered on government roles.

A monument honoring the 1st Cavalry's history is just outside the museum, on the way to the parking lot.

A quick stop for groceries and a cup of iced coffee and we were back on the road to "home" to prepare for our next journey tomorrow.  Stay tuned!