"Civil War - Cavalry Weapons" Topic

"Sabers were considered the primary weapons for dragoons, and pistols were next in importance in mounted action. Carbines were primarily for use when dismounted. Initially armed with sabers and pistols (and in one case, lances), Federal cavalry troopers quickly added the breech-loading carbine to their inventory of weapons. However, one Federal regiment, the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, carried lances until 1863.

The Dragoons, and later the Cavalry continued to carry the 1840 Dragoon Saber up to the start of the Civil War. In 1857 the Army authorized a Light Cavalry Saber, and began production in 1859 (this is sometimes referred to as the Model 1860). While most Cavalry units received the new saber, once the war started virtually all of the 1840 pattern sabers on hand were issued as well. Mounted members of Light Artillery Batteries dutifully were issued sabers as well, specifically the Model 1840 Light Artillery Saber. Despite images of the dramatic cavalry charge with lifted sabers gleaming in the sun, less that one percent of all the casualties in the Civil War were inflicted by an edged weapon of any type, saber or bayonet…"
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Amicalement
Armand

"Sabers were considered the primary weapons for dragoons, and pistols were next in importance in mounted action. Carbines were primarily for use when dismounted. Initially armed with sabers and pistols (and in one case, lances), Federal cavalry troopers quickly added the breech-loading carbine to their inventory of weapons. However, one Federal regiment, the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, carried lances until 1863.

The Dragoons, and later the Cavalry continued to carry the 1840 Dragoon Saber up to the start of the Civil War. In 1857 the Army authorized a Light Cavalry Saber, and began production in 1859 (this is sometimes referred to as the Model 1860). While most Cavalry units received the new saber, once the war started virtually all of the 1840 pattern sabers on hand were issued as well. Mounted members of Light Artillery Batteries dutifully were issued sabers as well, specifically the Model 1840 Light Artillery Saber. Despite images of the dramatic cavalry charge with lifted sabers gleaming in the sun, less that one percent of all the casualties in the Civil War were inflicted by an edged weapon of any type, saber or bayonet…"
Main page
link

Amicalement
Armand

less that one percent of all the casualties in the Civil War were inflicted by an edged weapon of any type, saber or bayonet…"

Who counted them? This is the kind of made-up statistic that couldn't possibly be accurate because no one was keeping count. It also ignores (or seems to) wounds inflicted by the points of the sabers and bayonets, instead of the edges. And it completely ignores the moral effect. For instance (I believe it was at the Opequon, or maybe Cedar Creek), Custer, when unhorsed, captured several armed Rebels just by threatening them with his saber -- didn't have to inflict any wounds!

I believe it was Paddy Griffith who wrote that a very commonly quoted statistic of low edged weapons was based on one field hospital report from one battle.

Read personal accounts by cavalrymen and there were lots and lots of saber wounds.

Tom

Here's the REAL problem with that theory..

1. supposedly it was asserted from the Surgeon's at the aid station behind the lines. Surgeons are not that close to the actions.

2. Stab wounds and saber cuts tend to be very severe. The soldier, so injured, may never have made it to the aid station for Surgeons to see these soldiers! They probably bled out.

3. Paddy Griffith didn't use common sense.

Don

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

A lot of Confederate cavalry didn't even carry sabers. This did not seem to handicap them in any way.

Scott, They abandoned them and went strictly with pistols. Sheridan's cavalrymen (mid 1864) were instructed to stick to the saber. It proved a disaster for Reb cav when the charging Union cav reached HtH range. They had fired at the chargers at range and had nothing to left but to run for it. From that point on they were no match for Union cav with pistols, sabers and carbines. :)

Don

Did they used double barrel shotguns?… that's a nasty weapon for cavalry…

Amicalement
Armand

Yes, Confederate units used double barrel shotguns to supplement their pistols.

Thanks!.

You have nothing to do against that…

Amicalement
Armand

The lack of carbines within the Rebs cav REALLY hurt them. Pistols and shotguns are worthless when your opponents can stand back and fire, out-range you with more rapid firing weapons. Even shortened rifles are useless when they didn't have enough ammo. Just study the East Cav battle at Gettysburg and you begin to see the beginning of the end.

Don

Thanks also!.

Amicalement
Armand

A lot of Confederate cavalry didn't even carry sabers. This did not seem to handicap them in any way.

Jubal Early, when commanding in the Valley, complained that his cavalry was armed only with rifles, which made them incapable of fighting while mounted.