US Cav vs other than indians

[cdm]

Looking for some historic scenario ideas where the military forces are fighting something other than indians. Without being and expert in this part of history, I was thinking something like keeping gold miners out of indian reserves, but curious what else they may have done like chase escaped prisoners, bandits or whatever.

Mainly interested in what I can do that doesn't mean fighting indians and being historical occurences

[HerbyF]

There were a number of engagements between US cavalry & Mexicans, both Bandits & self proclaimed Mexican army troops, through out the Old west period. Also later during the early 20th century. I 1857-58 the was the Utah Expedition against the Mormon militias. A bloodless campaign that didn't produce any standing battles. But did have a number of cattle raids & intercepts of supply trains. Mostly actions against the native Americans predominated the actions of the army in the west. After the Civil War there was potential for action against the French in Mexico, or even Finnian militia incursions into Canada against the British. Not much in real actions, but plenty of what ifs.

[Malamute]

I'd vote for Mexican Bandits and or Mexican army with actions either side of the Rio Grande. Or how about Confederate rebels who have fled to Mexico, refusing to accept the war is over..

[Plynkes]

The U.S. Cavalry (6th Cav and 9th Cav ("Buffalo Solidiers")) were involved in the Johnson County War in Wyoming, which was a feud between poor settlers and cattle barons. I think the 9th were involved in a small shooting incident and the 6th were sent to break up the siege of a ranch by the cattle barons' hired guns. The siege ended peacefully but there is what-if potential there.

[cdm]

Thank you for great answers and pointers to research.

I'm less inclined to get into indian wars specifically, but I'm really keen to have my cavalry collection do something. I thought of trying a few cavalry scenarios from movies like Fist Full of Dollars, Rio Lobo etc which first started me on my cavalry love as a child, but I find myself wanting to research some historical action first, but had no idea where to start.

[Harry Faversham]

Deserters, Custer did his nut about 'em!
You could have Lootenent Parnell and his Troop hunting down a bunch who've skedaddled with horse, Carbeen and Army Colt. Give you the chance of painting some figures as half Trooper and half Cowboy... real low down Border trash!

[Patrick R]

The U.S. Cavalry (6th Cav and 9th Cav ("Buffalo Solidiers")) were involved in the Johnson County War in Wyoming, which was a feud between poor settlers and cattle barons. I think the 9th were involved in a small shooting incident and the 6th were sent to break up the siege of a ranch by the cattle barons' hired guns. The siege ended peacefully but there is what-if potential there.

Check the movie "Heaven's Gate" for more inspiration around this event.

[AllenW]

Try watching the movie Major Dundee.  It is near the end of the Civil War so uniforms are not quite what your cavalry have but it gives you an idea.  There is a good scene of a clash on the Rio Grande with French Lancers.  I would go for border incidents with Mexico and the French in Mexico.

[frank xerox]

I think there was also an incident where US troops intervened when their apache scouts got into it with Mexican troops.
Don't know about historical precedent but going after commancheros and/ or scalphunters might a plausible scenario - recovering captives, stopping gun running and that sort of thing.

[Cory]

Us troops were called in several times to deal with striking miners in the west, especially after the 1893 silver crisis.

In the 1856-1860 period there is the Mormon war with plenty of sniping, skirmishes were fewer but the army sure tried to bring on a few.

There were numerous operations against rustlers, smugglers, and those supplying liquor to Indians.

There were some small skirmishes, 10-12 men per side against poachers inside Yellowstone which was initially administered by the Army.

Added - Local to me in the late 1880s was a coordinated jailbreak of a dozen men that the cavalry was called in to help with. Truth defeated drama, the sheriff traded a large quantity of alcohol to the men for their voluntary surrender. Could be a good scenario though.

[Leigh Metford]

A detachment from Fort Stanton ended The Battle of Lincoln, the final shootout of the Lincoln County War, featuring... Billy the Kid! It's been the subject of numerous movies.

[FifteensAway]

Troops were called in to quell some of the railroad 'almost' battles so two rail lines vying for the same pass (which can make a huge difference to the rail line) may need to be separated by the military - and it can be infantry as well as cavalry.  (someone alluded to this, I think, or something along these lines)  Maybe they get caught in a crossfire.  Speaking of which...

But since you've asked a 'really cool question' (for which I award you a badge of high merit!), I have to mention one of my favorite movies, Hallelujah Trail.  Yeah, sure, it has Indians but what about the cavalry against, yes, the Women's Temperance Union!  Okay, pure fiction, but loads of fun.  There is cavalry, the Denver Free Militia, Irish Teamsters, Wagon Master and Train owner, US Cavalry - and, of course, the Indians.  And those women.  From that one movie comes inspiration for all sorts of scenarios.  "Cover both rears simultaneously."   

And then there is that other movie, Paint Your Wagon.  Lee Marvin's 'dragoons' kidnapping those 'French tarts' - but what if the rival town called in the cavalry to rescue the, um, ladies?

And, from history, how about the British versus the US in another extrapolation - from the Pig War.  What if it grew to a full blown altercation?

Or escort a gold shipment from the mines and be attacked by a band of renegades and outlaws?

The Old West is probably the most fertile ground for diverse scenarios out there, and most of them can be based on history with a little creative license tossed in.  And then there is the vast array of western fiction. 

It's not where do you begin to find scenarios to meet your need, it's where do you stop?

[Kamandi]

Well, there was the U.S vs. the Mormons War....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_War

[miltiades]

Mainly interested in what I can do that doesn't mean fighting indians and being historical occurences

I would agree with AllenW: you should see the great film "Major Dundee" . US cavalry attacking and destroying[!] French Lancers. Not Historically Accurate but ...who cares man? try add some hollywood in your wargaming

[carlos marighela]

The Russians only ceded their American possessions to the US in 1867. Suppose they didn't?