Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 262, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1917 — Regiment of French Dragoons in Fighting Game Since 1635 [ARTICLE]

Regiment of French Dragoons in Fighting Game Since 1635

The Twenty-second Regiment of Dragoons of the French army is one of the oldest regiments of the republic. It was organized In 1635 under the name of the Of j eans “regTment,' and took part from 1639 to 1756 in all the great wars in which the French were engaged before the Revolution. From 1793 to 1814 ft was continually at work, first under the republic and afterwards in Napoleon’s (time. It took pari in the great battles at Austerlitz. 1805; Jena, 1806; Eyiau, 1807, and Oporto in 1809. Many pennants fly from its standard in honor of its bravery in battles. At the end of July. 1914, the regiment was stationed at Reims, where it

had been for many years in peaceful occupation. War clouds burst suddenly. Soon the city of Reims was awake, the streets filled with people, all wending thei|> way towards the cavalry barracks to have a last glimpse of the departing dragoons. Three hours after the bugle call the regiment stood ready awaiting the command of the colonel to mount. In a long address the colonel reminded the soldiers of the achievements of their forefathers, hoping that they would be brave to add another pennant to those already attached to their standard, with the shout of “Long live France! Long live «the Republic!” they swung into the saddle and left the barrack yard for an unknown destination.