home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Classic Fond 5
/
ClassicFond05_nopass.iso
/
STRATEGI
/
CIVILWAR.RAR
/
DBDATA
/
CAVWEAP.ENG
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1995-07-04
|
3KB
|
59 lines
~sCAVALRY WEAPONS~
In theory, the ordinary cavalryman carried a sabre and a
revolver, although one or two troops within the regiment
might also carry carbines or rifles. However, in the less
well-organized irregular regiments, and especially in the
South, cavalrymen carried whatever they could find.
Cavalry swords, called sabres, were either the long, straight
Prussian variety, or a lighter, more curved type.~#
Revolvers were usually the Colt percussion Army or Navy
model, sometimes the Remington. While the standard was
to carry one revolver, most cavalrymen would carry two if
they could get them. Mosby's men often carried as many as four.~#
Carbines were shoulder-held, lighter and shorter-barreled
versions of the infantry's weapons, especially made for the
cavalry and artillery. Later in the war, and mainly in the North,
some carbines were breechloaders, mainly the single-shot Sharps
or Burnside, or a repeater such as the seven-shot Spencer. (See
Infantry Weapons for more details.)~#
Rifles used by cavalrymen were usually of the standard infantry
variety. Morgan's men favored the muzzle-loading Enfield.~#
The muzzle-loading double-barreled shotgun was also popular
with irregular cavalrymen.~#
Unusually, one regiment carried a lance during the early years
of the war. The 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry ("Rush's Lancers")
used a nine-foot lance with an eleven-inch steel tip. It was
finally abandoned in May 1863.
~sCavalry Weapons in History~
All the weapons used - including the firearms - had a history
belonging to a branch of traditional cavalry. The lance and
sword were the most obviously traditional weapons. But
in addition, from the time that firearms were first developed for
western warfare, cavalrymen have used them. In the 1500s
fully-armored knights were known to fight on horseback with
pistols. These were the original cuirassiers. Some cavalry were
even armed with the first clumsy muskets, often dismounting to
fight. These were the original dragoons.
~sThe Clash of Technologies in Cavalry Combat~
The epic Battle of Brandy Station, on June 9th, 1863, saw
a host of different cavalry tactics and weaponry brought to
the field.
A cavalry charge was repulsed by mounted enemy cavalry. An
attack by dismounted cavalry against dismounted cavalry in
cover was stopped by enemy fire and then defeated by mounted
charges onto the flanks. A mounted sabre charge was successful
in the face of fire from dismounted cavalry, supported by
some mounted cavalry. And there was a spectacular brigade
charge against a brigade, followed by a counter-charge - all
using only sabres.
@@@