10th Cavalry Regt Machine Gun Troop

[Retired Army Noncom]

I've always had an interest in both the 9th and 10th Cav Rgts. I have 9th Cav Regt unit marked items from the era of the late 1800s and into the early 1900s but no 10th. So I've been doing more research into the 10ths activity during the Mexican Punitive Expedition which the 10th had a very active roll in.

 

I came across the article of first hand experience with the 10th and his knowledge of the Machine Gun troop involvement during the expidition.

 

Charles Young and the Tenth Cavalry during the Punitive Expedition (U.S. National Park Service)

 

When the 10th returned from duty in the Philippines in 1909 they were sent east to Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont 1910-1913 on their way to Fort Huachucha, AZ. Developed concepts of indirect machine gun fire. I would think it was from this training the Machine Gun troops were organized.

 

IF!!!!! that is what happened, were they issued the M1909 or the M1910 bolo knives. I would say the latter. Can't find concrete info stating which one was issued. I have read that during a time both models were is until the M1909 seized to exist so it could be either model.

 

Anyone with pertinent info pertaining to the above would be greatly appreciated. No pertinent info!!! Opinions welcomed also although the reward will not be as great!!! ;)

 

 

[blademan]

I too have been very interested in the 9th and 10th cavalry. I have a nice 9th officers grouping and a 10th MG uniform that likely belonged to the group you speak of at ft huachuca during the punitive expeditions. The uniform has a 10th MG collar disc and punitive ribbon bar.  I'm never seen another uniform belonging to this MG unit. If anyone has seen another, would love to hear about it. 

[Retired Army Noncom]

1 hour ago, blademan said:

I too have been very interested in the 9th and 10th cavalry. I have a nice 9th officers grouping and a 10th MG uniform that likely belonged to the group you speak of at ft huachuca during the punitive expeditions. The uniform has a 10th MG collar disc and punitive ribbon bar.  I'm never seen another uniform belonging to this MG unit. If anyone has seen another, would love to hear about it. 

I've never seen that patch ever. Cool!!!! Both the 9th and 10th have some interesting history especially the 10th.

[blademan]

53 minutes ago, Retired Army Noncom said:

I've never seen that patch ever. Cool!!!! Both the 9th and 10th have some interesting history especially the 10th.

 

I agree. Their history is very interesting. The 10th grouping I have belonged to an officer Colonel Ayers who general Wheeler field appointed him in charge of the firing line of San Juan Hill battle....

[aefcav]

Blademan, another’s Ayer’s uniform has. Surfaced PM I will connect you.

[Retired Army Noncom]

10 hours ago, blademan said:

 

I agree. Their history is very interesting. The 10th grouping I have belonged to an officer Colonel Ayers who general Wheeler field appointed him in charge of the firing line of San Juan Hill battle....

The only item I've had was the M1902 bridle that belonged to this officer connected to the 10th Cav and Cuba at San Juan Hill was this fellow, Col Letcher Hardeman, DCM. I can't seem to copy and paste so please do the search. West Point grad, Indian fighter, with Teddy at San Juan Hill and was a personal friend of Teddy and was recalled to be in charge of all the remount service during the 1st WW. That bridle is now is a huge personal collection of Don Bailey, president of the NBSSCA in Colorado. His museum is open to the public. In the Fall 2025 magazine issue of the NBSSCA magazine, a article of a saddle and a photo of Col Hardeman's bridle is featured.

[blademan]

4 hours ago, Retired Army Noncom said:

The only item I've had was the M1902 bridle that belonged to this officer connected to the 10th Cav and Cuba at San Juan Hill was this fellow, Col Letcher Hardeman, DCM. I can't seem to copy and paste so please do the search. West Point grad, Indian fighter, with Teddy at San Juan Hill and was a personal friend of Teddy and was recalled to be in charge of all the remount service during the 1st WW. That bridle is now is a huge personal collection of Don Bailey, president of the NBSSCA in Colorado. His museum is open to the public. In the Fall 2025 magazine issue of the NBSSCA magazine, a article of a saddle and a photo of Col Hardeman's bridle is featured.

 

I love the story. I'm sure Hardeman and Ayers knew each other well. Ayers was mentioned in Teddy's book, The Rough Rider, as "the bravest SOB he every knew". If I recall correctly, its been a long time, Teddy recounts seeing Ayers standing next to a pole or tree during the San Juan  battle directing fire with bullets flying and after the battle the bullet count in the pole was mentioned.... Teddy provided a letter of recommendation for Ayers in his bid to become a General Officer. 

 

Teddy also came to Ayers defence over an incident with Ayres son at west point.  His son loaned his cadet overcoat during parade at west point to a young lady who was wet and or cold. He was cited for being out of uniform and eventually drummed out of the cadets. His dad came to his defense and was eventually ordered to retire for interfering. Teddy came to his defense but the outcome ended up being the same. I believe this was called the "Petticoat incident". 

 

All this is incredibly interesting I will read more about Hardeman. Interested to read how he receives the DCM.

[Retired Army Noncom]

43 minutes ago, blademan said:

 

I love the story. I'm sure Hardeman and Ayers knew each other well. Ayers was mentioned in Teddy's book, The Rough Rider, as "the bravest SOB he every knew". If I recall correctly, its been a long time, Teddy recounts seeing Ayers standing next to a pole or tree during the San Juan  battle directing fire with bullets flying and after the battle the bullet count in the pole was mentioned.... Teddy provided a letter of recommendation for Ayers in his bid to become a General Officer. 

 

Teddy also came to Ayers defence over an incident with Ayres son at west point.  His son loaned his cadet overcoat during parade at west point to a young lady who was wet and or cold. He was cited for being out of uniform and eventually drummed out of the cadets. His dad came to his defense and was eventually ordered to retire for interfering. Teddy came to his defense but the outcome ended up being the same. I believe this was called the "Petticoat incident". 

 

All this is incredibly interesting I will read more about Hardeman. Interested to read how he receives the DCM.

If you haven't you will somewhere read about how Hardeman had to resign his active commission to become a Volunteer to go with Teddy to Cuba. When they returned from Cuba, Teddy re-instated his commission and continued on until retirement only to be asked to be recalled to handle the Remount Service during WWI.

[blademan]

Thanks. I'll look to find and read more about Hardeman. Very interesting!

[blademan]

11 hours ago, aefcav said:

Blademan, another’s Ayer’s uniform has. Surfaced PM I will connect you.

 

Thanks for the post. I have sent you A PM.