Dragoons in the West. Courtesy/ www.chargeofthedragoons.com

LARSO News:

A group of intoxicated soldiers, led by an alcoholic major of the First Dragoons beat up another major in the Taos Plaza March 8, 1855. Pandemonium ensued, with interactions from Kit Carson and Federal District Judge Perry Brocchus.

Court Martials to include executions took place, only to be reduced by President Pierce to incarceration at Fort Leavenworth. This was followed by escape of one prisoner and his participation in the Harper’s Ferry Raid and then execution.

The alcoholic major was cashiered and ended his career on a filibuster expedition to Nicaragua.

The build-up of the tension leading to these events and subsequent history of the principal players will be presented in a free talk by John B. Ramsay at 10 a.m. Monday, April 28 at the Betty Ehart Senior.