"how to control discipline in a cavalry attack?" Topic

Attack at a pace that is not a full uncontrolled gallop.
Establishing short targets for an attack in order to limit unit dispersement.
Complete simple orders for after the attack.
Lol, ensure the bugler survives the charge

If they're British cavalry, don't even try. They're a one-shot weapon.

All good points but key ones are the short target and simple orders after the attack – especially not to keep charging! Having very well trained cavalry troopers was important so they knew what they could – and could not – do

The point about British cavalry is a good one – I am reminded of CS Forester's book The General when a junior officer comments that their regiment was decimated at Waterloo because they didn't know when to stop charging

From Arms And The Man by Bernard Shaw:

MAN.
You never saw a cavalry charge, did you?

RAINA.
How could I?

MAN.
Ah, perhaps not—of course. Well, it's a funny sight. It's like slinging a handful of peas against a window pane: first one comes; then two or three close behind him; and then all the rest in a lump.

RAINA.
(her eyes dilating as she raises her clasped hands ecstatically). Yes, first One!—the bravest of the brave!

MAN.
(prosaically). Hm! you should see the poor devil pulling at his horse.

RAINA.
Why should he pull at his horse?

MAN.
(impatient of so stupid a question). It's running away with him, of course: do you suppose the fellow wants to get there before the others and be killed? Then they all come. You can tell the young ones by their wildness and their slashing. The old ones come bunched up under the number one guard: they know that they are mere projectiles, and that it's no use trying to fight. The wounds are mostly broken knees, from the horses cannoning together.

See if can identify number one guard from this:

Le Marchant – Sword Exercise of Cavalry (PDF)

+1 minimo. q.'Bluntschli', Swiss military contractor and former commander of a Serb machine gun battery at the battle of Philipopolis, captured by cavalry attacking from the front, "contrary to all the usages in warfare and the customs of the service."

like this? link

Officers were placed in front of the line to control the pace of advance. One horse length in advance.
When the Charge is sounded they drop back into the line ( a gap being left for this).

link this?

an staying in contact with the bugler? boot to boot

An answer may be found in Antoine de Brack's Light Cavalry Outposts.

link

See pages 203-216 covering charges.

In most wargames, it's a morale test at the end of a successful charge, the Brits being at a distinct disadvantage, the French being at the other end of the spectrum, and everyone else in between.

link

This film gives a good representation of a cavalry advance to the charge. I the early stages you get to see the officer line in front.

Also note how the line is closed up after an artillery hit, not something you would do at a full gallop.

youtu.be/Qv2IXytY0fI

Is it interesting that in the Austerlitz cavalry charge all the troopers are left-handed?

left handed?

any proof what about the dragoon fusil

Just look at the link to the film clip you provided Joe.

Yes, left handed so they have reversed the film somehow.

look at the front rider his saber scabbard is on the left! the number 5? is o.k.!

the first one in view has the sber stil in his scabbard on the left

maybe the saber turned while riding the grip that is?