Army and Navy Review 1915 Panama-California Edition - Balboa Park

The regiment was not engaged in the Florida war of this year, but
Colonel Kearny, being called upon subsequently, reports March 16, 1844—
“The only officers of the Regiment of Dragoons who died of wounds received
or diseases contracted during the late contest with the Florida Indians
are 1st Lieutenants J. F. Izard and T. B. Wheelock,” and that no enlisted
men of the regiment served there.
The circumstances attending the death of Lieutenant Izard are interesting.
Being on his way from the east in January, 1836, to join his regiment,
he heard at Memphis of Dade’s massacre. He at once offered his
services to General Gaines as a volunteer for the expedition then being
organized in New Orleans for Florida, was appointed brigade major of the
light brigade organized at Tampa Bay, composed of the 2nd Artillery, 4th
Infantry, and the Louisiana Volunteers, and had also command of the advance
guard assigned him which he retained until he was shot.
On the 26th of February, 1836, the light brigade left Fort King for
Ouithlacoochee, during the passage of which stream an attack by the Indians
was anticipated. On the following day the place where General
Clinch had his battle of December 25th was reached. Here a sharp skirmish
took place and some men were lost. Having learned of a better ford
below, it was decided to take it. Izard, coming with his advance guard to
the bank of the river, posted his guard and went down the river alone to
look for the ford. While wading in the stream he was struck by a bullet in
the inner corner of the left eye, the ball passing out near the right temple.
He fell, but called out while falling, “Lie still, men, and maintain your positions.”
He never spoke afterwards and died on the 5th of March.
First Lieutenant T. B. Wheelock left New York for Florida with a detachment
of recruits in February, 1836. He distinguished himself with a
portion of these recruits on the 10th of June at Fort Micanopy, and died at
that post on the 15th of that month of a fever contracted during his service
in Florida.
During the year 1837 the regiment was not called upon for any especially
hard service. The usual scouting parties were sent out from time to
time, and there were several changes of station, so that in June six companies
were at Leavenworth and four at Fort Gibson.
The following extract from an order issued by General Gaines, commanding
the Western Division, shows the high state of discipline prevailing
in the regiment at this time.