Dragoon officer crossing a river, 1878

A captain of the 5th dragoons mounted on a sorrel horse watches as his squadron crosses a ford. He is followed by his trumpeter, who wears a helmet with a red crest. (By regulation, all trumpeters still rode gray horses during this period). The wide, red woolen belt and tan equestrian boots worn by the captain should also be noted. These non-regulatory clothing pieces were in fashion during the 1870–71 campaign.