Col. Arnold A. Rand
4th Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry
The Battle at High Bridge
by
Major Edward T. Bouvé, U. S. V.
The life of the American Cavalry is almost coeval with that of the American people. Laws were passed for the formation of a mounted force in 1648, when the colony of Massachusetts Bay had not yet attained its majority. Twenty-seven years later, in 1675, when the war with Metacomet (King Philip) broke out there were five troops of cavalry, which in point of equipment, discipline and appearance, had received the commendation of European officers who had seen them.
Captain Prentice’s troop formed a part of Major-General Winslow’s army, which fought at Narrangansett Fort. It participated in the terrible march and the awful battle which ensued. Of that battle, the latest and most exhaustive of its historians says: