Cover Page

Preface

Introduction

In Search of an Identity

Photofile

Bibliography

Notes

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

National Park Service Uniforms In Search of an Identity 1872-1920	Number 2
In Search of an Identity (continued)

Most patrol duties still fell to the troopers in Yellowstone and the California parks. Sometimes they rode in mounted patrols and other times they might be at some lonely strategic spot with a shack and the animals for company. The National Park Service has a photograph depicting Gabriel Souvelewski at just such a place in 1896. As a member of Troop K, 4th U.S. Cavalry, he patrolled Yosemite National Park between 1895 and 1897. During the Spanish-American War his troop was sent to the Philippines. Apparently he was discharged either before the troop shipped out or shortly after its return, for in 1899 he was a civilian packer and guide with the Army at Yosemite. In 1906 Souvelewski was hired as supervisor for Yosemite, beginning his distinguished thirty-year career in the park's civilian ranger service. [4]

Gabriel Souvelewski on patrol in Yosemite National Park, c. 1896. He was a sergeant in Troop K, 4th US Cavalry. In 1906, Gabe became civilian supervisor at Yosemite, beginning thirty years of distinguished service. NPSHPC - YOSE/RL-2751

Guard duty at Teddy Roosevelt's camp at Yellowstone National Park, 1903. NPSHC - YELL/65,305

Souvelewski's picture shows him in the standard Army undress uniform worn in the parks: dark blue wool shirt, sky-blue trousers, canvas leggings, and shoes. Because he is an NCO his trousers have a dark blue stripe down the side. Although the soldiers in the 1888 photograph of the Soldier Station at Yellowstone are dressed more informally, they were probably pulling fatigue duty. Trooper Souvelewski typifies the dress of the soldier on patrol. In the spring of 1898 the military units designated for the parks were sent to Secretary of State John Hay's "splendid little war" in Cuba and the Philippines. During their absence, their place was taken by civilians, hired on a temporary basis and designated as forest rangers. Some of these rangers remained on duty even after the return of the cavalry late that summer.

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