Uncle Sam’s Lazy Devils (United Statles Light Dragoons or USLD nickname)

The United States Light Dragoons (USLD) played an important role in the history of the term “Uncle Sam,” the personified representation of the United States government.
 
 
Wikipedia: Regiment of Light Dragoons (United States)
Under the designation Regiment of Light Dragoons existed two different units of the U.S. Army in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, respectively. A first unit of its name was short lived, established just prior the Quasi-War with France, in 1798 and discharged in 1800.
 
The second unit under this designation was activated in 1808. During the War of 1812, it was temporarily designated as the 1st Regiment of Light Dragoons when the War Department created an additional similar regiment. On May 12, 1814, the additional regiment was consolidated with the 1st Regiment, which reverted to its unnumbered designation. The regiment was consolidated with the Corps of Artillery on May 17, 1815.
(...)
Service
Neither the 1st nor the 2nd Regiment were used as consolidated units during the War of 1812. Generals frequently used their assigned dragoons as escorts, couriers and scouts rather than fighting men.
 
Wikipedia: 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons
The 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons was a unit of the U.S. Army in the early nineteenth century. It was first activated in 1812. The regiment was consolidated with the 1st Regiment of Light Dragoons on May 12, 1814, forming the Regiment of Light Dragoons.
(...)
The regiment participated in the attack on Fort George, Upper Canada in May 1813.
 
 
26 May 1813, The Tickler by Toby Scratch ‘Em (Philadelphia, PA), pg. 3, col. 3:
John Miller, Esq. Govenour of the Commonwealth of Catfish, has received an official despatch from Karl Schmidt, (late commandant of the Philadelphia Hurraws, now of the *U. S. L. D.) dated “Indian Village not far from Tonnewonta Creek,” ...
*U. S. L. D. implies Uncle Sam’s Lazy Devils.
   
19 June 1816, American Telegraph (Bridgeport, Brownsville, Fayette County, PA), pg. 4, col. 3:
UNCLE SAM’S LAZY DOGS.
Uncle Sam is a cant phrase significant of the United States; as John Bull signifies England.—The origin of it seems to be this. In the year 1807, I think it was, there was authorized by law, the raising of a regiment of light dragoons.—The initial letters, U. S. L. D. were painted on their caps, meaning the United States Light Dragoons. A countryman seeing a regiment of them passing enquired of a bye-stander what they were “The are UNCLE SAM’S LAZY DOGS,” don’t you see it on their caps! This story soon got amongst the soldiers, and they have ever since denominated the United States “Uncle Sam.”
 
11 August 1817, The Albany Gazette and Daily Advertiser (Albany, NY), pg. 3, col. 1:
“UNCLE SAM.”
This expression, which originated during the war, from the initials “U. S.” on the soldiers’ knapsacks, has come into general use. The Indians at the west, from hearing it often used, have imbibed the idea that it is actually the name of the president; and while at Sackett’s Harbor, a considerable number of Indians and Squaws, crowded round the president, wishing, as they expressed it, “to shake hands with UNCLE SAM.”.