ebooks Confederate Cavalryman 1861–65 (Warrior) by Philip Katcher in History

Review

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Confederate CavalrymanBy K. MurphyThis book is a fascinating work on the cavalry of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. It is a relatively short book (64 pages) and is absorbing and fast-paced; for an interested reader it shouldn't take more than an afternoon. It is nonetheless a very informative and intimate look into the life and times of the Confederate cavalryman; detailing his recruitment; training; uniform; weapons; tactics; and camp life.The author states that horsemanship and the use of firearms were such a part of life for young Southern men in the mid 19th Century that serving in the cavalry was a fairly easy thing for them. Many joined it in search of glory and adventure; and some wrote home urging their little brothers to enlist in the cavalry; not the infantry; who glared with envy at the rather loosely disciplined horsemen. Indeed; though the cavalry forged a reputation for their skill and tactical usefulness; they were not known for their discipline or order taking skills:`If God Almighty had yet in store another plague worse than all the others which he intended to have let loose on the Egyptians in case Pharaoh still hardened his heart; I am sure it must have been a regiment or so of half-armed; half-disciplined Confederate Cavalry' - Z B Vance; governor of NC; c. 1863.One of the most useful sections of the book was that on the weaponry of the cavalry; examining the various styles of carbines and other firearms that came and went in their arsenal; and revealing the fact that pistols and sabres were considered largely useless by many cavalrymen. Another particularly valuable section of the book is on the Partisan Rangers; special cavalry units trained for raids and skirmishing rather than European style cavalry tactics.The color plates are by Gerry Embleton; and are among the more satisfying examples of his work. They depict : (A) a North Carolina cavalry sergeant and his equipment (B) a Virginia cavalry private and his gear (C) riding gear (D) Regimental punishment (E) cavalrymen sharing in the spoils gained from a raid on a Federal wagon (F) a battle between Union and Confederate cavalry (G) a winter camp and (H) wounded cavalrymen in a hospital. Plate `D' was rather humorous; one method of punishment for particularly lazy cavalrymen was to have them sit on a wooden horse all day and hold a huge wooden sword over their shoulders.In summary; this is an excellent title on the cavalrymen of the Confederacy; giving a realistic and enthralling portrait of all aspects of their career; life; and sometimes death.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Love This BookBy Kurt G. ZeiglerLove this Book; just would of loved more colour profiles . IMHO the Greatest Cavalry this side of the pond. for almost three years. they out rode and out fought the yankees. many thanks to Mr. Katcher i do two Cavalry reeanctments one a 2nd SC Regiment and the other a British Queens 18th Hussar 1914-1918 the only low point was loved the book to be bigger.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great service!By Willam L. EwbankGood reference; lots of copy; sparse illustrations; average drawings. Not much new; but compact and easily useable. Happy; happy; happy.