Author Topic: Interested in Horse Soldiers circa 1914-1917 TX? (Read 1432 times)

zipperzap · « **on:** March 19, 2006, 08:55:29 AM »

Here are some of my wife's grandfather's photos - a Sgt. in the 3rd Cav, Ft. Ruidosa, Texas.
He defended the border against Mexican bandit raids from 1914 until 1916 when he accompanied
General 'Black Jack' Pershing (and the future Gen. Geo. Patton) into Mexico (The 1916-1917 Mexican
Incursion) after Pancho Villa. I'm not done yet as there are very many photographs! Here are some
interesting ones.

It was the first time the U.S. Army used trucks at war.

Put this in your browser address field. http://media.putfile.com/EarlSwaneeSwanCavmov

Set 'View Size' to 800

Give it some time to load.

Enjoy!

Sgt. 'Swanee' Swan is sitting in the 'doorway' of his tent
in the first photo and is the boxer to the left in the second photo.
Although, 5'7"/152 Lbs., apparently, you didn't ever want to
tangle with him - it's said he never lost a fight ... with, or without
the gloves!

In 1920, 'Swanee' was again a civilian, looking for a job - drifted to Venice, CA and found himself at a
poker table with a bunch of city slicker 'flickers' makers who needed an expert in The Old Wild West -
knowledgeable of saloons, saddles, guns, etc. Thus began Swanee's 39 year career of one of Hollywood's
top propmen.

Pretty interesting guy - passed away in 1959. I would have loved to have been able to chat about his
experiences.

Scott

Fast Reader?

The photo captions in order.

Â‘Sgt.SwaneeÂ’InTentDoorway
EarlSwanBoxingMatch/Left
1TroopForcedMarch
2HobbsOnHorse
3RollingHisOwn
4TransportWagon
5Mexican&Troopers
6MexicansCrossingRiver
7ClowningRuidosa
8WatergHorsesRioGrde
9TruckInDitch
10GuardDetailInsptd
11RollingCraps
12FirstSgt&Cook
13FristLeiut&2Pvts
14TheCookAhorse
15ToughSoldiersAug'14
16Dopey'Garrett&Mexicans
17Mexican'sAdobeHouse
18OutfitMounted
19In.ditches.Ruidosa.TX
20Bobcat.at.Marfa.TX
21AdvanceGuardOnBorder
22TrucksRestOnRoad
23BurroInTent
24PupTentInsptn
25MexicansHouseFireMarfa
26Marfa,TX
27NightGuardInspectn
28PvtJimBrownAhorse
29PatrolResting
30MexicanWomanAndHog
31SqdronBackToFtSamH
32WaterCall.Horses
33SickHorseToWater
34OutOnPatrol
35AtRestForNight
36PullingWagonO'ofWt
37PicFromPackardTruck
38TruckStuckInMud
39YoungMX.Musicians
40WildcatPetMarfa
41TwoTroopers
42EatingByTruckTrain
43PlaceToWash
44TownOfRuidosa
45PatrolCountryside
46RestInTheDesert
47PupTentInspection
48TruckTrainOutOfMarfa
49RioGrandeOnRampage
50WallaceWalkerAhorse
51LoneTrooper
52OurCamp!!MosRuidosa
53ES&AnotherTrooper
54TroopersAtRanks
55CampRuidosaFromAir_2
56WaterCall-'MoreWater'
57BabyBurroInTTroopMascot
58AfterWaterCallGdsRifles
59RuidosaSandDunes
60SkirmishingGuardLine
61BigBendDist.2Troopers
62FieldBakery.Bread
63MexicanRanchRioGrande
64CanderliaTXStageMurder
65StuckTruck.Mud
66Mex.AndFamily
67LngstHorse&Mascot'Sunshine'
68ShowDownInspectn
69MexsCrossingRiverAhorse
70.Mexs.&CornPile
71.Mexs.&Belongings
72LookingDownAtTrailsBelow
73CountryWhereWeSoldiered
74/2SoldiersLookingDownRioG
75/3TroopersFrontCave
76BandParkMarfa
77MexicanFord
78Eating&ShotRattler_1
79Eating&ShotRattler_2
80TruckStuckMud
81LookingDownOnRioGrnd
82TrooperAfterBecameBa
83WaterfallInMtns
84'PlentyOfMud.Truck
85ChuckWagonServed
86LeavingBigBend
87CowpuncherAtHeart
88TruckMudStuckSoldie
89AnotherTruckMudStuck
90FiveBrotherSoldiers
91TruckingSoldiers.Marfa
92Closeup2Soldiers

jh45gun · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2006, 02:23:40 PM »

Waiting for it to load. My Dad was a bugler in the 7th Cav (Yep the same one that Custer made infamous) that was there about the same time doing the same thing patroling the border against Pancho Villa They were based out of Fort Bliss Texas. About the only picture we have is him on his horse in his uniform.

jh45gun · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2006, 05:03:21 PM »

Thanks interesting pics kinda gives me a idea of what my dad went through. Not sure how far Ft Bliss was from this area but I am guessing the land may have been about the same??? Do you have any idea how far Ft Bliss was from this area?

williamlayton · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2006, 12:26:19 AM »

It would not load for mee. Too bad.
Blessings

jh45gun · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2006, 07:04:18 AM »

William you have to wait quite a while for it to load and you have to have tbat quick time installed which is free so install that first which takes a few min then run the slide show. If you have dial up it takes about 20 min or so for it to load so just let it load in the background while you are doing other things. Jim

williamlayton · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2006, 01:19:22 AM »

Well now, I finally got to the site--load time was not long, after I could get the site up.
I enjoyed the pics. Some good history here.
Lets see here. Ruidosa is S/W of Alpine which is S/W of Ft Stockton bout 150 miles. from Bliss, as the crow flies, it is about 200 mi. but by road it is about 300 mi.
Have hunted this area, back right after these boys made the trek. It is wild country and cold as a witches tit in winter. rough to get around and hard climbing for Mule deer. Can loose one very easy if you are not good at marking your spot, you will definitely need a pack animal.
I did a couple of book reviews on this area, alibiet poor, at this site some while ago. You might find these ineresting. The books are still in print.
This is part of the old Neuces Strip, though a little North.
Thanx for the pics.
Blessings

jh45gun · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2006, 08:58:48 AM »

Thanks for the info William 200 miles as the crow flies is not that much of a distance and maybe their patrols overlapped so maybe my Dad was in that area or at least close to it anyway.