The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. 163 THE SECOND TEOOP PHILADELPHIA CITY CAVALEY. BY W. A. NEWMAN DORLAND, A.M., M.D., F.A.C.S. Major, Medical Corps, U. S. Army; formerly First Lieutenant and Surgeon of the Troop (April 1, 1898-November 10, 1903.) [For references see pp. 182-191.] (Continued from page 94.) It is not known how long the Second Troop had a civil as well as military association—probably from its very incipiency—but from the following notice which is signed by the First Sergeant as Secretary, and not by his military title, it is evident that at this early period of the Nineteenth Century such an organization ex- isted:478 "The Second City Troop of Cavalry, will meet this evening, at 7 o'clock at Hardy's Inn.474 Punctual atten- dance is requested. "PHILIP STEIN, Sec. "August 4, 1803." The summer exodus from the city which subsequently became so universal among the wealthier classes, was not in vogue at this time; consequently the members of the various military organizations were readily acces- sible, and midsummer meetings were not uncommon. What the object of the present meeting was is not known, but it is interesting to note that a few days later a similar notice appeared in the daily papers announc- ing a meeting of the sister organization, the First City Troop, to elect a successor to the late Captain Dunlap. October, 1803, witnessed a "sham battle"—the first 164 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. mention to be found of this valuable evolution in mili- tary drills—in which the Militia Legion engaged at the old race-grounds between Pine and South streets.475 While the Light Horse did not participate in this event, because of political differences, they indulged in Troop parades on the same day, the First Troop meeting at Fouquet's Inn, in Eleventh near Eace Street, while the Second Troop convened at Bush-hill in obedience to the following Troop Order:—m 1' The Gentlemen attached to the Second City Troop of Cavalry will parade on Monday, the 10th instant (agreeably to law) at Bush-hill, at 3 o'clock P. M., com- pletely equipt. "By order of Captain T. W. FRANCIS. "October 3, [1803]." These manoeuvres were frequently practised by the men of the First Brigade in subsequent years, and be- came spectacles of much interest to the citizens of Philadelphia. On February 6, 1804, the Second Troop suffered a severe loss in the death of William Bingham, at Bath, England, the former distinguished Captain of the Troop. In memory of this efficient officer and dis- tinguished citizen the members of the Troop wore the customary black upon the arm for the period of thirty days. Early in 1804 a memorable event occurred when the officers of the City and County Brigades, including those of the cavalry, met to form an association for the furtherance of military interests in the community. The first intimation we find of this intention was the following notice:—477 "At an adjourned meeting of the commissioned and staff officers of the first division of Pennsylvania Militia, held agreeable to public notice, on the 4th of April, 1804, at the county courthouse :478 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. 165 "Besolved, that the Major general, the two brigadier generals and the commanding officer of each regiment and the major of the 11th battalion with the captain of the 4th troop of cavalry, be appointed a committee to form a constitution for associating the officers of the said division and report the same to the next meeting. "Besolved, that this meeting stand adjourned until Wednesday the 11th instant, at three o'clock P.M. at the court-house, at which time and place the officers of the division are particularly requested to attend, to hear the report of their committee. (Signed) " John Barker, Chairman. " Attest. Anthony Simmons, Secretary. "April7, [1804]." That the Committee thus appointed was active in its labors is witnessed by the following published notice :479 "At a meeting of the committee duly appointed by the association of officers of the 1st division Pennsyl- vania Militia to form a constitution for the government of the same, at the house of Col. Kitts, Market street, Sign of the Indian King, pursuant to public notice given. "Jan Worrell was appointed Chairman, "and John Krips, Secretary. "The following resolution was adopted, viz. Be- solved, That a sub-committee of three members, viz. Cols. [Ebenezer] Ferguson, [John] Connelly,480 and Kripps481 be appointed to draught a Constitution, &c. and report the same to the grand Committee, at a meeting to be held on Wednesday next [April 18] at 11 o'clock A. M. at the above place. "ISAAC WORRELL/82 Chairman. Attest, John Krips, Secretary. "Philadelphia, April 11th, 1804." 166 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. It would be interesting to read the report of the Com- mittee were it accessible, but a careful search has failed to disclose the whereabouts of the records of this early- military association in which the officers of the Second Troop participated. A special business meeting of the Second Troop, which was held on April 27th, according to the following notice, was probably called to determine the question of non-participation in the approaching Louisiana cele- bration :—483 "The members of the 2d troop of Philadelphia City Cavalry, are requested to meet at Hardy's Hotel in Market street, on Friday next [27th], at half past 6 o 'clock in the evening. "By order of Capt. Thomas W. Francis "PHILIP STEIN, Sergt. "April 26, [1800]." Political feeling and animosities were strong and even bitter in the early years of the Nineteenth Cen- tury, and, unfortunately, were allowed to creep into the military affairs of the city. Consequently, when in April484 of this year it was proposed to celebrate on May 12th, the acquisition of Louisiana—the great achievement of the Democratic President—Thomas Jefferson, the three City Troops, whose political affili- ations were with the Federalists, decided not to par- ticipate. On the other hand, the Militia Legion headed the line and other military bodies from the County of Philadelphia and the vicinity joined in the celebration, as is shown by the following Legionary Orders:—485 "Philadelphia 5th May, 1804. i ' SATURDAY next, the TWELFTH, at nine in the morning the Legion will parade in 2d street, in two distinct corps. With the right wing under the immediate orders of Maj. Symonds [Simmons] will be incorpo- The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. 167 rated, Captain Holgate's Troop of horse, and Cap- tain Herkesheimer's [Anthony Hergesheimer] infan- try company, both from Germantown, as well as Captain Worrell's artillery company from Frankford. It will form with its right on Vine St. displayed north- ward. The left wing, commanded by Col. [Thomas] Willis, will form with its left on Green St. extending in the like northern direction; it also will receive the auxiliary troop of horse under Captain Comly—Cap- tain Altimus and Starn's Infantry; with Captain Fes- mire's rifle corps, all of Frankford; as well as Captain Allen's company of infantry from Southwark; recently become a member of the Legion. "A sketch of the line for the day will be furnished to the commander of each wing, likewise to Major [Thomas] Leiper, commanding the cavalry, and to Major [Matthew] Shaw, commander of the Artillery. "John Shee,486 Commandant. "May 5, [1804]." It was the custom at this time, and for some years subsequently, for the three City Troops to unite in some of their parades and drills in squadron forma- tion. On May 7, 1804, such a squadron parade oc- curred, the three Troops under Captains Robert Wharton, Francis and Peter Miercken,™ meeting at Fouquet's tavern, pursuant to the following order:488 "The Second City Troop of Horse will parade on Monday, the 7th May next, (agreeably to Law) at 3 o'clock P.M. at Fouquet's in 10th street, completely equipped. '' THOMAS W. FRANCIS, Capt. "May 3, [1804]." Similar squadron drills were held on May 21 and 28 at Bush Hill, dinner being served to the squadron at 3 o'clock at the Bush Hill Tavern. The Second Troop notice for these drills follows:—489 168 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. "2d TROOP PHILADELPHIA CAVALRY. "The Second Troop of Philadelphia Cavalry will parade on Mondays, the 21st and 28th insts., at 2 o'clock, P. M., at Bush-hill compleatly equipped. "THOMAS W. FRANCIS, Capt. "May 18, [1804]." A change in the complement of officers occurred on May 21st., as the following notice indicates :490 "NOTICE ii The Second Troop of Philadelphia Cavalry, are re- quested to meet at Bushhill, on Monday the 21st inst. to elect one Second Lieutenant for said Troop. " J. H. Hurst,491 "Inspector of Brigade. "May 18, [1804]. The holding of Courts of Appeal, to afford delin- quent and absentee members opportunity to account satisfactorily therefore, was in vogue in the Volunteer service at this time and the Second Troop had adopted the custom. Thus we find the following announce- ment :—492 "THE SECOND TROOP OF PHILADELPHIA CITY CAVALRY, —A Court of Appeals will be held for the said Troop, on Friday, the 8th instant, at Hardy's Hotel, in Market Street, between the hours of 5 and 7 o 'clock P. M. "THOMAS W. FRANCIS, Capt. "June 6, [1804]" The Third Troop, or "Volunteer Greens," held a Court of Appeal at the same place and hour, and the First Troop on the preceding Wednesday [June 6].493 The energy and military zeal of their captain held the Second Troop persistently at work and drills were frequent and exacting.