"Confederate Cavalry Facts" Topic

"A cavalry regiment was organized in a similar fashion to the infantry and artillery. Cavalry regiments were composed of 10 companies of 100 to 110 troopers each. There were 5 squadrons in a regiment, a squadron being a combination of 2 companies. This was later changed and the regiments were divided into 3 battalions. A company was divided into "squadrons" for easy maneuvering on the field. The cavalry regiment was much more expensive to sustain while in service due to the amount of equipment carried by each cavalryman (carbine, saber, pistol, belt set, and equipment for the soldier's mount) and the requirement for horses and their care.

The role of the cavalry at the beginning of the Civil War was very limited. Horsemen of both armies were initially limited to patrolling and scouting, guarding supply trains and railroads, and providing escorts to generals. They were only used in battle as shock troops, a tactic which dated back to the Romans. The foot soldiers believed the cavalry to be "dandies on horseback" who never saw much fighting and always had the easy life. Certainly, the dash and spirit of the more flamboyant cavalry leaders provided the newspapers with many stories of harrowing rides and gallant duels in the saddle. Confederate troopers commanded by Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart had the grandest reputations of being the best horsemen, ready to ride on a raid at a moments notice or rush to the front to do battle just as the tide was beginning to turn. Of course, truth was very different from the romantic descriptions of newspapermen. Soldiering on horseback was a hard life with plenty of danger.

The cavalry's military role had dramatically changed by 1863 and the armies were making use of their horse soldiers in more combat situations. Cavalry divisions were utilized by commanders as advance scouts and as a mobile fighting force. These new strategies culminated in the largest cavalry battle of the war fought on June 9, 1863 at Brandy Station, Virginia. Brandy Station was the opening clash of the Gettysburg Campaign…"

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Armand

I obtained unit histories published for the 1961 centennial. One citation on an infantry Lieutenant who had been wounded and home in Talladega county recovering.
When reported to the muster camp for reassignment, he asked to be sent to a cavalry unit as a private. He provided his own horse and kit.