The dark navy coats, capes, high knee boots, and maybe even a plumed hat: this was the cavalry of the Civil War. These brave men fought from above, though it seems more glamorous to be riding onto the field on your trusty stead, they fought just as hard.
Under a good leader, plans and tactics could be made to break enemy lines, or sneak up behind troops for an attack. The cavalry is most famous for their midnight raids. It was in the darkest hours that a brave man would gallop to an enemy area and destroy supplies and communications. Though these stories are the most thrilling, they had little effect on the over all outcome.
The most important unit to the cavalry was the horse. Without one, you would have no cavalry. Throughout the entire Civil War, the north used approximately 600,000 horses; usually a mare or gelding. It was the south that was most successful with their cavalry. They had a supply of mounts that were much more appropriate for war. The north was known for their big drafty horses, used for hauling heavy loads or in some cases farming. The south was known for their racing, thus they had fast, thin horses much more fit for war.
What did it take to care for a civil war horse? Well men who had grown up with horses knew what it took to take care of them, thus a lot of them signed up for the infantry. That’s right, a 1500 pound animal that eats about 10 pounds of grain a day, is not easy to take care of.
Under a good leader, plans and tactics could be made to break enemy lines, or sneak up behind troops for an attack. The cavalry is most famous for their midnight raids. It was in the darkest hours that a brave man would gallop to an enemy area and destroy supplies and communications. Though these stories are the most thrilling, they had little effect on the over all outcome.
The most important unit to the cavalry was the horse. Without one, you would have no cavalry. Throughout the entire Civil War, the north used approximately 600,000 horses; usually a mare or gelding. It was the south that was most successful with their cavalry. They had a supply of mounts that were much more appropriate for war. The north was known for their big drafty horses, used for hauling heavy loads or in some cases farming. The south was known for their racing, thus they had fast, thin horses much more fit for war.
What did it take to care for a civil war horse? Well men who had grown up with horses knew what it took to take care of them, thus a lot of them signed up for the infantry. That’s right, a 1500 pound animal that eats about 10 pounds of grain a day, is not easy to take care of.
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