THEME, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Theme:

• The monotony of garrison life was alleviated for the dragoons, due to their mobility, their patrols along the overland trails, and their participation in the Mexican War.

  Goals:

• To show the importance of the dragoons to the defense of the frontier.
• To describe what life was like for a dragoon soldier.

  Objectives: After participating in this program, the students will be able to

• Explain why mounted troops were needed on the frontier.
• List two qualifications required to be a dragoon.
• Give two duties the dragoon soldier would have performed on a typical day.
• Name one way the dragoons helped the frontier spread westward. ( patrolled the overland trails, fought in the Mexican War)

  Suggested Activities:

• Have the students be new recruits and inspect them.
  • Have one of them open their mouth so that you can inspect their teeth.
  • Interrogate one of the students to see if they match the age and height requirement.
• Invite a couple of the students to lay down on one of the beds-head to toe.
• Ask a couple of them to perform fatigue duties-(sweep the floor, make one of the beds)
• Let one of the kids try on a dragoon outfit-coat and hat.