Colonel James E. Fleming

Colonel James E. Fleming

Founder of the Essex Troop

3 June 1890 – 24 March 1895

Colonel Fleming was studying law in Philadelphia when the Civil War broke out. He organized a cavalry unit, took it to Washington D.C. where unit was assigned to Harlan’s 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. A gallant officer, he was wounded twice, taken prisoner and escaped. After his escape from captivity, he was assigned to the staff of General Alfred Gibbs and Brigadier Generals Alfred Terry and Isaac J. Wister.

3 June 1890 at a meeting held at the Newark Board of Trade Building to discuss the formation of a Troop of Light Cavalry, to parade at the dedication of the statue of Seth Borden in Washington Park, Newark, NJ. More than forty of those present enlisted and elected Colonel Fleming as the Captain of the newly formed Essex Troop of Light Cavalry.

On 17 May 1893, the Essex Troop was mustered into the NJ National Guard and designated as Cavalry Company A (Essex Troop). On 24 March 1895, an election of a new captain was held to elect a new Troop Commander of the Essex Troop, Colonel Fleming officially retired on 1 June 1895.