The petition was granted by the Assembly, and Samuel Wyllys, a young man of 32, was elected Captain, William Knox, Lieutenant, and Ebenezer Austin, Ensign.The uniform consists of a scarlet coat, the tails of which are faced with buff, and a black velvet frond crossed with silver braid.As an advance guard of reinforcements under Captain Jonathon Bull, they were crossing the Rhineback Flats on their way to Saratoga when they were met by a messenger with the good news of Burgoyne's surrender.On April 22, 1775, Captain Benedict Arnold called his men together at a tavern and successfully demanded the keys to the magazine for his company's weapons or else they would break into the storehouse.The first cavalry 'horse guard' troop in Connecticut consisted of 37 men and horses from Hartford and surrounding towns, organized under Major John Mason, the colonies' military chief.Their uniforms were styled after the "Oxford Blues" of England's Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, and their shoulder patch was the winged thunderbolt.Lord was succeeded by Captain Samuel Talcott in 1687, who commanded "the troop of horse of that county" when they "conducted [Andros] honorably, from the ferry, through Wethersfield, up to Hartford."The uniform during this period was described as "a bear skin dragoon hat, white broadcloth coat brilliant with lace and braid of gold, red belt above tight pants, and boots with yellow tops."[10] The troop suffered from a period of inactivity during the 1840s; they did not appear to escort anyone or participate in any drills, parades including inaugurals, or other public events.After World War I, in 1919, the unit was reorganized as Troop B of the 122nd Cavalry, Connecticut National Guard.In May 1940, Troops Band A were federalized as part of the 1st Battalion of the 208th Coast Artillery Anti-Aircraft (AAA), which was called to active duty three days after Pearl Harbor as the 745th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion.Volunteers who seek to become recruits must be between 18 and 60 years of age and a United States citizen, and no prior military or horse experience is required.Their mission today remains primarily ceremonial, but they can be called up to active service to augment the Connecticut National Guard for state emergency operations.[14][15] The units periodically train in the practice of assembling and takedown of the mobile field hospitals at Camp Hartell in Windsor Locks.
The First Company Governor's Horse Guards march in full dress blues on parade in downtown Hartford, passing under the
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch
.
Members of the First Company Governor's Horse Guards participate in road rides like this one to desensitize the horses to cars and activity as well as to bring goodwill and visit with community organizations such as local schools and nursing homes.
Troopers in First and Second Horse practice mounted drill formations every Thursday night at their respective drill fields, utilizing centuries-old cavalry commands and traditions. Here, a squad in First Horse practices a squad wedge.