| 42flanker | 19 Dec 2023 2:20 p.m. PST |
Greetings all. Do we have a reliable source for the description of [name of Plains Indian horse tribe] as the "finest light cavalry" in [name of geographical range]? |
| cavcrazy | 19 Dec 2023 2:55 p.m. PST |
I believe that they were talking about the Comanche. |
John Switzer  | 19 Dec 2023 3:05 p.m. PST |
Comanche (Children of the Sun)
Southern Plains |
| Garryowen | 19 Dec 2023 3:20 p.m. PST |
7th Cavalry officer Captain Benteen said it of the Sioux and Cheyenne at the LBH. Tom |
| advocate | 19 Dec 2023 3:45 p.m. PST |
Did he have a basis for comparison? |
| John Switzer | 19 Dec 2023 4:24 p.m. PST |
Was he sober when he said it? |
| Garryowen | 20 Dec 2023 6:49 a.m. PST |
He was looking for an excuse.
I have always thought a more accurate description would be "the finest irregular light cavalry in the world. Tom |
| Choctaw | 20 Dec 2023 7:35 a.m. PST |
Comanches in Comancheria. It took the finest Indian fighter in United States history to subdue them, Ranald McKenzie. |
 The Virtual Armchair General  | 20 Dec 2023 11:19 a.m. PST |
I believe the original reference was to the Cheyenne. For whatever that's worth. TVAG |
| 42flanker | 20 Dec 2023 11:32 a.m. PST |
So, in answer to my question, it would seem the answer is "Perhaps not" |
| evilgong | 20 Dec 2023 1:02 p.m. PST |
I lost track of the number of 18th-19th c Euro writers who leaving their continent and observing the first riders met declared them; 'the finest light cavalry in the world' Turks, Arabs, Africans, Persians, Cossacks, Mongols, Turkomen and various Central Asians all got the accolade. |
| robert piepenbrink | 20 Dec 2023 8:24 p.m. PST |
42nd "finest light cavalry in the world" gets an impressive number of hits--about two and a half million--but I'm not prepared to spend several lifetimes finding one that's properly sourced. If you are, knock yourself out. But I agree with evilgong to a degree. It's easy to say such a thing, but who had the experience to speak with authority on the subject? How many cavalries would you need to sample? |
| Gray Bear | 20 Dec 2023 8:40 p.m. PST |
I suggest the matter be settled the old fashioned way: game various tribal groups against each other using your favorite period rules. It might be fun and will likely render a result as close to the "truth" as the opinion of any 19th century observer. |
| 42flanker | 20 Dec 2023 10:33 p.m. PST |
@robert piepenbrink Well, there was always just a chance that someone might actually, you know, 'know.' |
| Korvessa | 21 Dec 2023 12:01 a.m. PST |
In other words: They beat me, so they must be the best. |
| robert piepenbrink | 21 Dec 2023 4:16 p.m. PST |
Point, 42nd. I will say "Commanche" was surprisingly common on those hits. I bet if someone tracks down the original, we'll at least get them. Might get others, though. |
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