The First Cavalry was recruited during the Summer of 1861. Its services began during the following Winter. Its first action was at Silver Creek, Mo., where the rebel camp was attacked and routed. In February, 1862, a detachment from the First helped surprise and capture Gen. Price at Warsaw. Another detachment had a brush with guerillas near Montevallo in the following April. During the next few months, the regiment had skirmishes with the rebels near Clinton, Big Creek, Clear Creek and Newtonia. December 7th, the first and third battalions participated in the battle at Prairie Grove. That month the command assisted at the capture of Van Buren, where a number of steamboats, several hundred prisoners and a large amount of stores fell into the hands of our forces. April 26, 1863, the most of the regiment was concerned in a night attack upon a portion of Marmaduke's forces, breaking up the camp and inflicting heavy loss. August 26 and 27, the regiment did gallant service at White River. From September 10 until the following January, the First was stationed at Little Rock. April 24, 1864, the command repulsed a charge of the enemy at Mono River, and had a share in the battle at Jenkins' Ferry on the 30th. The regiment continued doing scout service until January, 1865, when they were sent to Dardanelle, and had a brush with Col. Cooper, driving him off the field. They went thence to Pine Bluff, and to Memphis. From this place they made two incursions into Mississippi. After the war closed, much to the disappointment of the men, the regiment was ordered to Texas with Custer. On the route two or three of the regiment committed some depredations on the inhabitants, contrary to specific orders from Gen. Custer, who was in command. A few of the men were detected and ordered to be flogged. This order created much bitterness of feeling toward Custer, which had hardly disappeared when he met tragic death on the plains.