The Story
Fort Meade was established August 31, 1878, three miles east of Bear Butte, and became headquarters of the rebuilt 7th Cavalry after the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn — commanded for a time by Col. Samuel D. Sturgis, whose son had died in that battle and for whom the neighboring town is named. Marcus Reno was court-martialed here in 1880 over his conduct at Little Bighorn. In 1892 post commander Col. Caleb H. Carlton ordered the anthem played at every retreat and lobbied to spread the custom Army-wide. The post is credited as the last active horse-cavalry post in U.S. history, mounted until after World War II, and hosted Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry. The VA took over in 1945.
Surprising Facts
→ Comanche — the cavalry horse mythologized as the "sole survivor" of Little Bighorn — lived at Fort Meade from 1879 to 1888.
→ It was the last operating horse-cavalry post in the U.S. Army.
→ Today it's the Fort Meade VA Medical Center, a National Guard training site, a national cemetery, and the seasonal Old Fort Meade Museum.