The story behind our Coat of Arms

[GSelvester]

I am an American, and we do not have nobility.

Speak for yourself. I think you mean we do not have a nobility, or an aristocracy, or a noble "class" in this country. However, I know plenty of Americans who I might describe as being noble.

[Ryan Shuflin]

There are certainly more than enough of our countrymen who describe themselves as noble

[Martin Goldstraw]

Is it not rather ignoble to describe oneself as noble?

[JMcMillan]

Interestingly one of my relatives was wounded at New Market. He was of course fighting for the "right" side mit Sigel; First New York Cav.

Actually, the 1st NY Cav was on the Union left.

[Chris Green]

There seem to have been no less than three "1st NY Cavalry" regiments: 1st NY Volunteer Cavalry (Lincoln Cavalry), 1st NY Veteran Volunteer Cavalry, and 1st NY Provisional Cavalry, not to mention 1st NY Mounted Rifles and 1st NY Dragoons. Both the Volunteers and the Veteran Volunteers fought at New Market, in the 1st Brigade of Stahel's Cavalry Division. Sadly neither regiment seems to have distinguished it that day.

[Edward Hillenbrand]

Chris, the veteran volunteers were the same as the volunteers, it was a term added to units that had completed three years of service. As to the Dragoons and Mounted Rifles, at least in New York these regiments were raised in part as political plumbs. Somethings never change in Ol' New York.

[Chris Green]

the veteran volunteers were the same as the volunteers

I would have assumed that too, but see the Union order of battle:

http://ebooks.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=moawar&cc=moawar&idno=waro0070&node=waro0070%3A7&view=image&seq=101&size=100

and these records:

http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civ ... avMain.htm

http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civ ... etMain.htm

The 1st (Provisional) was a composite regiment established in the last months of the war:

http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civ ... avMain.htm

[Edward Hillenbrand]

To make this even more confusing, the 1st NY Cav became the 1st NY Veteran VOLUNTEERS at the end of their first enlistment. The only way to tell the difference through the fog of 150 years besides the name is their unit colors. The 1st NYVV Cav used the New York State Coat of Arms on their flag while the 1st NY Veteran Cav used the Federal Coat of Arms.

I love my state! I love my State! I LOVE MY STATE! If I say it enough I may believe it.

Since I am pretty close to the NY military museum I'll give them a call this week and see if they can explain why we have two First New York Cavalry regiments. As with most things New York I am sure it has to do with politics.

[JMcMillan]

Since I am pretty close to the NY military museum I'll give them a call this week and see if they can explain why we have two First New York Cavalry regiments. As with most things New York I am sure it has to do with politics.

I assumed it was just that New York compulsion always to be first. Or claim to be, anyway.

[Edward Hillenbrand]

Joseph, WHICH First Virginia would you like referenced here? Continental Line, Infantry -- "The Old Firsts", Cavalry -- regiment or battalion,your choice, Artillery -- regiment, battalion, light or horse. Or I could go onto the "State Line", militia, local defense and those in Federal service?

Anyway, I called up NYS military museum and they want a letter. If I am going to do that I might as well do the research myself. So I will & hopefully I can find something out as to why NY has two 1st NY Cav's with a "Veterans" designation.