7th Cavalry

The John Donald Garbutt AL Post no. 7 drum and bugle corps was first organized in December 1929, with the late T. T. Tynan serving as drum master.

Their origins were with veterans of World War I who wanted to maintain ties they had forged with comrades during that conflict. The original corps wore World War I uniforms.  The corps has taken part in state and National American Legion conventions in addition to rodeos and western celebrations in many towns in Wyoming and Montana. Affectionately known as the 7^th Cavalry since 1954, they are the only Legion corps remaining in Wyoming and still perform on single valve/rotary bugles with brass finish.

The corps first drew state-wide recognition when it presented a 45-minute exhibition drill at the state Legion convention in Cody in 1931. In 1932, the Sheridan corps went to Portland to take part in the National Legion convention parade. The following year the Sheridan unit was on the go again. The highlight of the 1933 season was a trip to the national convention parade in Chicago. The Garbutt Post entered the field of competition in 1934 and won its first state championship trophy at the state Legion convention in Casper.

After a year of parade and exhibitions, the corps went on to be crowned the State champions from 1936 to 1938, returning to non-competitive status from 1939 to 1941. Status.  In 1941, the Sheridan unit participated in the National conclave in Milwaukee.  After the return from World War II, the organization's future might have been hard to predict as the membership was dwindling. With sporadic activity over the late 40’s to early 50’s. By 1954, though, the corps needed a boost. World War I lay four decades in the past, and it was hard to get, and retain, membership in an organization built around "The Great War." Members decided to change focus and found it in the concept of George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry.

Sheridan's American Legion was the seventh post established in the nation, hence the origin of the "No. 7" in its name. An act of Congress was, literally, needed for the Legion post to wear the uniform of the 7th Cavalry and to carry Gen. Custer's 7th Cavalry pennant, but with the assistance of Wyoming's congressional delegation, the formal legislation passed in 1954. A great deal of research was done to obtain the correct uniform for the men and for that of the drum major who dresses as General Custer. The shoulder patches were designed by Bernard Thomas, former Sheridan artist.

With its new name, in new uniforms, the 7th Cavalry Drum & Bugle Corps made its debut on June 25, 1954, at the 78th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. The unit made its debut in its new uniforms on June 25th, 1954, at the 78th anniversary of Custer's last battle. That year the corps also walked off with top laurels at the drum and bugle competition at the state Legion convention. Their 5^th State title. The Cavalry went on the compete at the State championships the next three seasons, finishing 2^nd in 1955 and ’56 but were out of the “Top 3” in 1957.

Remaining active for the 1958 season, the corps resumed State competition with a 2^nd place finish in1959 and were crowned State champions in 1960 and 1961. That year, the 7^th Cavalry competed for the only time at the AL Nationals, placing 10^th at the finals. Between 1962 to 1967, the unit remained active, competing at the 1963 and 1967 State championships. Despite the lack of suitable personnel, the corps carried on doing the best it could. It was kept busy during the summer months participating in various celebrations in Wyoming and Montana.

In 1978, the Sheridan corps took first place in the parade competition at the State Legion convention. In 1983, the they were honored as the official American Legion “Musical Group” by the American Legion Department of Wyoming. The corps accepted its first female member only in 2003; old customs die hard in the Old West. Because of the organization’s leadership and lasting dedication, they were invited to march in the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. on May 29, 2006. They performed traditional Corps songs such as Garryowen while marching down Constitution Ave.

The 7th Cavalry, led by Lt. Col. George A. Custer, of course, and outfitted in authentic uniforms, performed in a number of parades every year in the surrounding states. They have served as good will ambassador for the city of Sheridan for the past 95 years. earned the title of "Sheridan's Outstanding Ambassadors”, an honor no unit can take away.

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