Governor's Guards facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Connecticut State Guard |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1771 – Present |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance |  Connecticut |
| Branch |  State Defense Force |
| Type | Foot Guards, Horse Guards |
| Role | Public Duties |
The Governor's Guards of Connecticut are four special volunteer units. They are part of the Connecticut State Guard, which is a branch of the state's organized military. There are two "foot guard" units (who march) and two "horse guard" units (who ride horses).
All four units are made up of volunteers. They serve under the Connecticut Adjutant General and the Governor of Connecticut. The Governor is their Commander-in-Chief.
Contents
History of the Governor's Guards
The four Connecticut Governor's Guards units were started a long time ago, during colonial times. Their main job was to serve and protect the Governor as he traveled between New Haven and Hartford. These two cities were both state capitals until 1875. The Guards also escorted important visitors traveling through the state.
One foot guard unit and one horse guard unit served the Hartford area. The other two units served the New Haven area.
- The First Company Governor's Foot Guard was created in 1771. A Second Company was added in 1775. The First Company Governor's Foot Guard is the oldest American military group that has been active without stopping.
- The First Company Governor's Horse Guards started in 1778. It was officially recognized in 1788. It is the oldest, continuously active mounted cavalry unit in the United States.
- The Second Company Governor's Horse Guard was formed in 1808 in New Haven.
First Company Governor's Foot Guard
The First Company Governor's Foot Guard began in Hartford in October 1771. It is the oldest military group in the United States that has been active without interruption. Even if other groups started earlier, this company has a unique record of continuous service.
In 1771, Hartford was a small town with about 3,000 people. It was far from bigger cities like New York or Boston. A trip to those cities took three days by stagecoach.
A group of young men in Hartford decided to form a special company. Their goal was to escort the Governor and the General Assembly during elections. This idea came after a messy escort duty in 1768. Also, a company from East Hartford had done the escort duty in 1769 and 1770. So, Samuel Wyllys and others asked the General Assembly for permission. The Assembly agreed. Samuel Wyllys, then 32, became Captain.
The ceremonial uniform of the First Company looks much like the original one. It has changed a little over the years. People believe the first uniform was copied from the Coldstream Guards. These were the personal bodyguards of Queen Charlotte.
The uniform includes a red coat with buff-colored tails. It has a black velvet front with silver braid. The vest and pants are buff, and the leggings are black velvet. The tall hat, called a 'busby', is made of bear skin. It has the State Coat of Arms on the front and a red and black feather plume on the side.
The First Company Governor's Foot Guard has been part of many historical events. In 1777, they decided to join the patriot army at Saratoga. They were on their way to Saratoga when they heard the good news that Burgoyne's army had surrendered.
Second Company Governor's Foot Guard
Soon, people in New Haven, Connecticut's other capital, wanted their own Governor's Guards unit. The Second Company was formed in New Haven. Benedict Arnold was a key person in starting it and was elected its captain. This led the first unit to be called "First Company Governor's Guard." The new group became "Second Company Governor's Guards."
Later, in 1778, a unit of Governor's Horse Guards was formed. That's when the original unit officially became the "First Company Governor's Foot Guard." The newer unit became the "Second Company Governor's Foot Guard." Both Foot Guard units are recognized as separate groups by Connecticut.
At the start of the American War of Independence, fighting began at Lexington and Concord. Members of the Second Company Governor's Guards wanted to go to Massachusetts to fight. But the colonial leaders wanted them to stay home and locked up their weapons.
On April 22, 1775, Captain Benedict Arnold gathered his men. He demanded the keys to the weapons storage. He said they would break in if they didn't get them. He reportedly stated, "None but the Almighty God shall prevent my marching." This event is remembered on Powder House Day.
During the American Civil War, men from the Second Company formed Company "K" of the 6th Connecticut Volunteers. They fought in 26 battles during the war. The New Haven Armory was the home of the Second Company from about 1930 until 2010.
First Company Governor's Horse Guards
Early Horse Guards (1658-1777)
Having mounted troopers to escort important people has been a tradition in Connecticut since 1658. The first cavalry 'horse guard' troop had 37 men and horses. They were from Hartford and nearby towns. Major John Mason, the colony's military chief, led them. Their uniforms looked like the "Oxford Blues" of England's Royal Regiment of Horse Guards. Their shoulder patch was a winged thunderbolt.
Forming the Horse Guards (1778-1840)
Captain Thomas Y. Seymour, an officer in the Continental Army, started the Horse Guards in 1778. This was after he left the army and returned to Hartford. The members were private citizens, many of whom had fought in the Revolutionary War.
Within ten years, the group grew. They asked the governor to become an official "troop of volunteer Horse, or Light Dragoons." This request was approved. The "Governor's Independent, volunteer Troop of Horse Guards" was officially recognized on May 19, 1788. Captain John Caldwell and First Lieutenant Thomas Seymour were early leaders. The Troop's first base was an armory in Hartford.
The Horse Guards escorted many famous people. These included Connecticut's Governors and others like George Washington in 1789. They also escorted President John Adams in 1798, President James Monroe in 1817, and General The Marquis de Lafayette in 1824. President Andrew Jackson was also escorted through Hartford.
The uniform during this time was fancy. It had a bear skin hat, a white coat with gold lace, a red belt, tight pants, and yellow-topped boots.
Changes and Revival (1840-1911)
The troop was not very active during the 1840s. They didn't seem to escort anyone or take part in drills or parades. Some Hartford citizens wanted to bring the Troop back. They started a new Horse Guard, using the old 1788 charter. Samuel Colt, who invented the Colt revolver, was elected as their leader.
However, the original Horse Guards were still active, led by Major Henry Boardman. When both groups asked to be recognized as the 'true' First Company, the Governor chose Boardman's Horse Guards. This meant Colt's troop had to find a new name. After this confusion, Boardman quickly restarted the troop's activities, escorting presidents and governors.
At this time, the troop's uniform included a bear-skin cap with a rosette and a gilt eagle. They wore a dark blue coat with brass buttons. Their trousers were sky blue with straps under the instep, all trimmed with orange piping.
Becoming Part of the National Guard (1911-1919)
The Connecticut General Assembly passed a law allowing both Governor's Horse Guards units to become cavalry in the Connecticut National Guard. The First Company took some time to agree due to some disagreements. But it eventually reorganized as Troop B Cavalry, C.N.G. The Second Company Governor's Horse Guards had already reorganized as Troop A Cavalry. Troop B then began intense training to meet federal cavalry standards.
In 1911, Troop B raised money for a new armory. This building included stables and a drill shed. It was built between 1912 and 1913 in West Hartford. Today, it is still standing and used as an office building called 'The Armory.'
On June 18, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson called up National Guard troops. This was after an attack by Pancho Villa in New Mexico. Troop B was sent to the Mexican border in Nogales and Arivaca, Arizona. They stayed there for several months, guarding the border.
On April 6, 1917, President Wilson declared war on Germany. This was less than six months after Troop B returned from Arizona. Troop B was split into two Troops, B and L. They were ordered to recruit more members for the war. Troops B and L were called into federal service on August 5, 1917. They became the 101st Machine Gun Battalion, 26th Division. They served in France in several battles. They returned to America in April 1919 and were released from service.
After World War I, in 1919, the unit was reorganized. It became Troop B of the 122nd Cavalry, Connecticut National Guard.
World War II and Beyond (1940-Present)
In May 1940, Troops B and A became part of the 1st Battalion of the 208th Coast Artillery Anti-Aircraft (AAA). This unit was called to active duty three days after Pearl Harbor. It became the 745th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion. The 745th was stationed in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Back home in Connecticut, the Troop trained a "Home Guard." This group had two troops that stayed active during WWII in Avon, Connecticut.
Troop B C.N.G. stopped being a National Guard Unit in 1946. The First Company Governor's Horse Guards then became part of the Organized Militia of the State of Connecticut again. It became a "self-sustaining unit in its military operations."
In 1955, the First Company moved to its current location in Avon, CT. This property has over 37 acres of riding trails, a drill field, a 50-stall stable, and two outdoor riding rings. It still uses the same Charter from 1788.
The Troop performs many ceremonial duties. These include parades, dedication ceremonies, and escorting important people. They also attend events for the Governor and sometimes the President of the United States. The First Company Governor's Horse Guards trains every Thursday evening. During this time, the riding platoon practices mounted drill formations and riding skills.
Training for new members happens once or twice a year and lasts 16 weeks. New recruits learn military posture, drill and ceremony, horsemanship, horse care, and cavalry traditions. Volunteers must be between 18 and 60 years old and a United States citizen. No past military or horse experience is needed.
Horses
The horses of the First Company Governor's Horse Guards are male horses (geldings). They are healthy and have good temperaments. They are usually brown, chestnut, or bay in color. They are between 15 and 18 hands tall (a "hand" is a unit of measurement for horses).
Horses are often given to the troop by private owners or bought with troop money. Once donated or bought, they become property of the Connecticut Military Department. The breeds vary and include Quarter Horses, Standardbreds, Morgans, and Tennessee Walkers.
Second Company Governor's Horse Guard
The Second Company Governor's Horse Guard was officially recognized in 1808. It serves as the New Haven area horse guard unit. It is located in Newtown, Connecticut. This unit performs ceremonial and community duties. It has also developed a program that uses horses to help people with special needs.
The Governor's Guards Today
All four units of the Governor's Guards are still active today. They are part of the Connecticut Military Department. Their main job is still ceremonial. However, they can be called to active service to help the Connecticut National Guard during state emergencies.
They do their annual training every August at Camp Nett in East Lyme. Over the years, their headquarters have moved due to space and cost. Currently, their headquarters are:
- First Company Governor's Foot Guard - Hartford
- Second Company Governor's Foot Guard - Branford
- First Company Governor's Horse Guard - Avon
- Second Company Governor's Horse Guard - Newtown
See also
- Connecticut Wing Civil Air Patrol
- National Lancers
- Naval militia
- United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
