Osprey Warrior 54 : Confederate Cavalryman 1861-1865

The southerner of the mid-19th century had been bred to ride horses. The society from which he came was largely rural, with poor roads and a decided lack of available trains. Men rode horseback wherever they wanted to go. Added to this, the period southerner had long been used to firearms, whether for hunting for pleasure, or food or simply sport. Putting the two together promised that when the southern states seceded beginning in December 1860 the cavalry would be a major combat arm: it was certainly bound to be better than that of the Union forces, that would too often comprise city dwellers unused to either horses or firearms. Added to this was the fact that a large percentage of southern officers who resigned their US Army commissions were cavalrymen: the Confederate cavalry was thus bound to have the upper hand. In fact, Robert E. Lee and Albert Sidney Johnston both came from the 2d US Cavalry just before the war. This book looks at how the men of the Confederate cavalry were recruited, trained, lived and fought. Both routine and campaign life are covered, as well as the weapons and equipment that served them in their combat roles. Key encounters such as the 1863 clash at Brandy Station are also covered. Text by Philip Katcher with illustrations by Gerry Embleton.

Contents

• Introduction
• Regular Cavalry
• Recruiting
• Training
• Uniforms, Equipment and Weapons
• Everyday Life
• Campaign Life
• Battle
• Partisan Rangers
• Scouts and Couriers
• Glossary
• Select Bibliography
• Colour Plate Commentary
• Index