First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry

First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry Visit us at FirstTroop.com This purely volunteer cavalry troop was the first organized in defense of the colonies. Membership is by election.

Today the Troop is certainly the oldest mounted military unit and quite possibly the oldest military unit of any kind that has been in continuous service to the Republic. The times that called it into being, and the character of the original members who fought through the seven years of the American Revolution, together forged concepts of service and a body of tradition that have given it a contin

uity of purpose for almost 250 years. The First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry is a private military organization in the service of the United States. Because unique demands and opportunities are imposed upon its members, they become a closely knit fraternity. Members who serve in the Troop are members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard who serve with A Troop 1-104th Cavalry in the 28th Infantry Division. Many have served overseas, and include deployments to Bosnia, Cuba, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt and other locations during their Troop service or at another time during their military career. New recruits interested in joining the PA National Guard, or prior-service military looking to join are welcome to inquire about membership. Many officers have resigned their commission to join our enlisted ranks from all branches of service. Please feel free to post questions about membership to our Facebook wall. We will get back to you promptly, and will gladly arrange a meeting at your convenience.

Welcome back to our Troopers following a successful Annual Training!
06/17/2026

Welcome back to our Troopers following a successful Annual Training!

06/15/2026
For almost 250 years the Troop’s members have been putting their lives on the line in defense of Liberty. Today we honor...
05/25/2026

For almost 250 years the Troop’s members have been putting their lives on the line in defense of Liberty. Today we honor the memories of the Troopers and other service members who sacrificed their lives for that cause.

05/07/2026

in 1898, members of the "Pennsylvania Division" were sworn into Federal service for the Spanish American War.

On April 21, 1898, the United States declared war against Spain and President William McKinley called for 125,000 volunteers, triggering the largest call to arms in the United States since 1861. Four days later Pennsylvania Gov. Daniel Hastings ordered the National Guard of Pennsylvania, or NGP, to muster at Mount Gretna in Lebanon County for state service.

With no legal requirement for the National Guard to serve beyond the coastal boundaries of the country, 97% of those enrolled in the NGP volunteered for federal service and were allowed to enroll as complete units. Pennsylvania was given a quota to assemble 10,800 men for war service, and between May 6 and July 22, 12,000 officers and men were mustered in.

The Division itself did not enter service during the war, but several of it's subordinate units did. Though no Pennsylvania National Guard units would serve in the fighting in Cuba itself, Pennsylvania soldiers of the 4th and 16th Infantry, along with its three artillery batteries, and the mounted cavalrymen of Governor’s Troop, Sheridan Troop and First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry would see action in Puerto Rico, and the "Fighting Tenth" Infantry would see action in the Philippines. Today battle streamers can be seen for these mobilizations on the colors of individual companies across the state, and the battalion/group colors of the 1st Battalion 110th Infantry Regiment, 1st and 2d Battalions 112th Infantry, and 213th Regional Support Group.

For more on the 28th Infantry Division and the Spanish American War, check out this article: https://www.pa.ng.mil/Site-Management/News-Article-View/Article/3384370/pa-guard-mobilized-for-spanish-american-war-125-years-ago/

04/21/2026

Many of our followers are familiar with First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry and their very distinct uniforms. But did you know this historic unit is the only one of its type in the nation - complete with an official designation by the National Guard Bureau?

Address

Philadelphia, PA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12155641488

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share