The Lancers were created to provide an armed escort for the governor as well as protect Massachusetts against invasion and insurrection.[3] The National Lancers fought in the American Civil War as a part of the Army of the Potomac designated as Companies C and D, 1st Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry.[3] In June 1916, the Lancers - along with the rest of the 1st Squadron of Cavalry of the Massachusetts National Guard - were federalized and deployed to Texas in support of the Pancho Villa Expedition.In April 1917, the Lancers were re-designated as the Company A, 102d Machine Gun Battalion, 26th Division and subsequently deployed to France to fight in World War I.[3] The National Lancers serve as both the ceremonial cavalry of the Massachusetts Organized Militia and as a search and rescue unit.