The Civil War Cavalry
In the United States Civil War 20% of the 7.4 million horses and mules in the United States died, whereas only 2% of the people died (Miller 30). The use of horses in warfare changed the battle field dramatically. They were not only used to pull wagons or carry supplies, they were used to carry soldiers into battle, and often times they were the main target because horsepower was the only thing that could pull the heavy wagons, and cannons (Miller 30). The main roles played by the cavalry during the Civil war was scouting and intelligence gathering, although they spent time in battle as well.
The first American Military to be called cavalry were the 1st and 2nd United States cavalry. The 1st cavalry was commanded by Colonel Edwin V. Sumner and assembled at Fort Leavenworth. The 2nd U.S. Cavalry trained at the Jefferson …show more content…
Carbines had a shorter range than rifle muskets because of the the shorter barrel (“Small Arms of the Civil War”). The confederate cavalry carried sabers, revolvers, carbines, with some soldiers carrying rifle or muzzle-loading shotguns (Sayers). Southern cavalry often brought “sawed-off or cutdown” shotguns or hunting rifles from home because they had less of a recoil (“Small Arms of the Civil War”).
Confederate Troopers who did not provide their own guns used standard infantry rifle muskets, but they were uncomfortable and difficult to use on horseback (“Small Arms of the Civil War”). Percussion revolvers were issued to soldiers and allowed them to shoot 5 to 6 times without reloading (“Small Arms of the Civil War”). It was not uncommon for a trooper to carry 2 to 4 revolvers (Sayers). Soldiers on horseback using the revolvers would rarely hit anything from more than 50 yards away due to inaccuracy (“Small Arms of the Civil
In the United States Civil War 20% of the 7.4 million horses and mules in the United States died, whereas only 2% of the people died (Miller 30). The use of horses in warfare changed the battle field dramatically. They were not only used to pull wagons or carry supplies, they were used to carry soldiers into battle, and often times they were the main target because horsepower was the only thing that could pull the heavy wagons, and cannons (Miller 30). The main roles played by the cavalry during the Civil war was scouting and intelligence gathering, although they spent time in battle as well.
The first American Military to be called cavalry were the 1st and 2nd United States cavalry. The 1st cavalry was commanded by Colonel Edwin V. Sumner and assembled at Fort Leavenworth. The 2nd U.S. Cavalry trained at the Jefferson …show more content…
Carbines had a shorter range than rifle muskets because of the the shorter barrel (“Small Arms of the Civil War”). The confederate cavalry carried sabers, revolvers, carbines, with some soldiers carrying rifle or muzzle-loading shotguns (Sayers). Southern cavalry often brought “sawed-off or cutdown” shotguns or hunting rifles from home because they had less of a recoil (“Small Arms of the Civil War”).
Confederate Troopers who did not provide their own guns used standard infantry rifle muskets, but they were uncomfortable and difficult to use on horseback (“Small Arms of the Civil War”). Percussion revolvers were issued to soldiers and allowed them to shoot 5 to 6 times without reloading (“Small Arms of the Civil War”). It was not uncommon for a trooper to carry 2 to 4 revolvers (Sayers). Soldiers on horseback using the revolvers would rarely hit anything from more than 50 yards away due to inaccuracy (“Small Arms of the Civil