The Regiment of Mounted Riflemen was authorized by an Act of Congress on May 19, 1846. Thus came into existence a new organization in the United States Army: a regiment of riflemen, mounted to provide greater mobility than the Infantry and equipped with percussion rifles to provide greater range and more accurate firepower than the Infantry’s muskets or the Dragoon’s carbines. Through six campaigns of the Mexican War, 23rd Squadron distinguished itself. On 20 August 1847, General Winfield Scott, Commander of American Forces in Mexico, made the speech from which the first sixteen words have become so important to the Regiment. The Regiment laid bloodied and exhausted from the fierce fighting at Contreras. But even so, each man stood at attention as the General approached. General Scott, who had arrived to order the Regiment to Churubsco for an even more difficult battle, became so choked with emotion over the valor of these men, that he removed his hat, bowed low, and proclaimed: "Brave Rifles! Veterans! You have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel!" This accolade is emblazoned on the Regimental Coat of Arms, and it is still the source of the Regimental Motto, "Blood and Steel."

Cavalry Troops

Major Foxwell Much is whispered about Major Cain August Foxwell, and little of it is flattering. Folks say that he graduated from West Point Military Academy... 2nd last in his class. A Lieutenant in the Mexican war, he spent most of it on his back due a leg wound. That's when he started his long and dedicated love affair with the bottle. He saw action in the Civil War too, as office staff for a General who was dismissed by President Lincoln. Since then his fortunes seem to have taken an upturn; a well-placed patron in the U.S. Senate managed to land him a cushy post as the officer in charge of Fort Bloodworth. Perhaps his uncle hadn't heard of the fort's nickname -- Fort Bloodshed.

Captain Richfield The dashing Captain Anthony Richfield seems to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Born to a well to do family in New York, he grew up wanting to escape the high society life. He took regular trips to England and France as a young man, and being dazzled by the military fanfare over there, he got his father to secure him a spot at West Point. Once in, he proved to be a very good soldier and graduated near the top of his class. He went off to serve in the Civil War as a Lieutenant in the Cavalry and made Captain before the war ended. Getting stuck back East for a few years, so when the chance came for a job in the saddle he jumped at the chance. Now he is in Kansas, and stationed at Fort Bloodworth, looking as if he could not be happier.