From the Forum, Company of Military Historians

Massed Bugles, Re-enactors, Dragoon Regiment, 1938

 

A shame none of the automobile licence plates are visible to confirm the year and state.

I bet this is a 1938 unit similiar to the horse platoon that used to be at Fort Hood (1st Cav. Div.) in the 70s and 80s and the horse artillery section that was at Fort Sill (the Artillery School).

Am sure these gents represent the massed buglers of a dragoon regiment. There were 20 buglers and chief bugler in the dragoons prior to the Civil War. Although there are only 16 men present, it may be that they could not find more than that number who could ride and play.

The 17th figure may be the chief bugler.

He appears to be in a red coat, the regulation color for dragoon buglers. The others are in blue for some unknown reason, perhaps avaiability. The uniforms are of the period 1833-1851 but cannot make out any distinguishing regimental insignia.

Perhaps the local newspaper or the historical officer at fort Riley can help.