Vanity: Need help from a Civil War fans

Kolath | 9/29/2012 | Kolath

[Kolath]

I have a few questions about Civil War Cavalry

1. What makes a cavalry sword different from a regular sword?

2. How big was a typical cavalry regiment?

3. What was the preferred horse rifle?

4. Did any units use lances?

5. What were the differences between light and heavy cavalry?

6. Most notable cavalry officers (North and South)?

[GeronL]

I am definitely wanting to hear the answers to these questions.

I wonder if there are any CW re-enactors on FR?

[Revolting cat!]

Sorry, I am a World War I fan, the massacres were fabulous.

[Hoodat]

Are you referring to the War of Northern Aggression?

[smokingfrog]

North - Joseph Hooker

South - J.E.B. Stuart

[Inyo-Mono]

One of my great-grandfathers was in a cavalry unit of the Confederate 36th Virginia Inf. All I know from info from the Nat’l Archives is that he was captured by Union troops with a saber and a double barrel shotgun.

[RedMDer]

American Civil War: Major General John Buford

... Buford was named Chief of Cavalry for Major General George McClellan's Army of the Potomac. A largely administrative position, he was in this capacity at the Battle of Antietam in September 1862. Kept in his post by Major General Ambrose Burnside he was present at the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13. In the wake of the defeat, Burnside was relieved and Major General Joseph Hooker took command of the army. Returning Buford to the field, Hooker gave him command of the Reserve Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps.

Buford first saw action in his new command during the Chancellorsville Campaign as part Major General George Stoneman's raid into Confederate territory. Though the raid itself failed to achieve its objectives, Buford performed well. A hands-on commander, Buford was often found near the front lines encouraging his men. Recognized as one of the top cavalry commanders in either army, his comrades referred to him as "Old Steadfast." With Stoneman's failure, Hooker relieved the cavalry commander. While he considered the reliable, quiet Buford for the post, he instead selected the flashier Major General Alfred Pleasanton.

Hooker later stated that he felt that made a mistake in overlooking Buford. As part of the reorganization of the Cavalry Corps, Buford was given command of the 1st Division. In this role, he commanded the right wing of Pleasanton's attack on Major General J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry at Brandy Station on June 9, 1863. In a day-long fight, Buford's men succeeded in driving back the enemy before Pleasanton ordered a general withdrawal. In the following weeks, Buford's division provided key intelligence regarding Confederate movements north and frequently clashed with Confederate cavalry. John Buford - Gettysburg and After:

Entering Gettysburg, PA on June 30, Buford realized that the high ground south of the town would be key in any battle fought in the area. Knowing that any combat involving his division would be a delaying action, he dismounted and posted his troopers on the low ridges north and northwest of town with the goal of buying time for the army to come up and occupy the heights. Attacked the next morning by Confederate forces, his outnumbered men fought a two and half hour holding action which allowed for Major General John Reynolds' I Corps to arrive on the field.

As the infantry took over the fight, Buford's men covered their flanks. On July 2, Buford's division patrolled the southern part of the battlefield before being withdrawn by Pleasanton. Buford's keen eye for terrain and tactical awareness on July 1 secured for the Union the position from which they would win the Battle of Gettysburg and turn the tide of the war. In the days following the Union victory, Buford's men pursued General Robert E. Lee's army south as it withdrew to Virginia.

[SERKIT]

As for #3, I don’t think the horses were smart enough, plus there is the lack of thumbs.

[RedMDer]

Very good book to have around.

[blueunicorn6]

I’m not an authority on Civil War Cavalry, but they used sabers or sabres. They had a curved blade so you could deliver a good whack to the head of anybody you were riding by. You had a height advantage by sitting on a horse. There are some real Civil War experts here on Free Republic so be patient and keep posting.

[LS]

1. Most swords/sabers in both infantry (officers) and cavalry were the same general design (slightly curved) although made by different manufacturers.

2. Cavalry preferred a carbine, a shorter-barreled rolling-breach weapon. It had shorter range, faster reload, a rifled barrel, and was lighter than the Springfield musket. But it was expensive and so were its cartridges. 3. A cavalry regiment was the same as an infantry regiment, 1200 men, consisting of two brigades (600 men) of six companies each, with a brigade under the command of a colonel and a regiment under command of a brigadier general.

4. The U.S. did not have “heavy” cavalry. This was European and featured larger horses and men wearing metal helmets and metal breastplates. All American cavalry was “light.”

5. No American units of which I am aware ever used lances.

6. Wade Hampton and JEB Stuart for the South, Alfred Pleasanton and John Buford for the North.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

North - John Wayne

South - John Wayne

[smokingfrog]

http://www.amessword.com/featured.php

[ought-six]

. What makes a cavalry sword different from a regular sword? More curve to the blade.

2. How big was a typical cavalry regiment? varied widely due to manpower availability. Figure 750, though, as an average.

3. What was the preferred horse rifle? Carbine.

4. Did any units use lances? No.

5. What were the differences between light and heavy cavalry? Light cavalry were self-sufficient (i.e., they carried all their weaponry on their horses and on their persons; Heavy cavalry contained units of horse-drawn weapnry such as cannon, gatling guns, etc.

6. Most notable cavalry officers (North and South)? Jeb Stuart and Nathan Bedford Forrest for the Confederacy; Phil Sheridan and John Buford for the Yankees (custer ws part of Sheridan’s command, but he was over-rated).

[smokingfrog]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_1860_Light_Cavalry_Saber

[mountainlion]

I don't know for sure but I would expect that the Officers model were shiner and fancier with gold trim.

[LS]

Yeah, you’re probably right. I’m sure troopers had normal Wal-Mart sabers :)

[ought-six]

“North - John Wayne
South - John Wayne”

[smokingfrog]

[ought-six]

So True!!!