CSBS-17
John Jenkins Designs
The increased accuracy and range of rifled firearms and artillery had brought an end to battle cavalry as used by Frederick the great, Napoleon and as recently as in the wars of the Crimea and Italy. Cavalry had learned to fight mounted and dismounted, in effect becoming dragoons.
Cavalry, normally did not now participate in battles, operating instead in front of and on the edges of armies. They could be scouts, raiders, escorts for wagon trains and mounted generals. The glory years of the horse soldier were almost over. In less than a hundred years they would be replaced by aircraft, motorized and mechanized units.
When a cavalry regiment dismounted, one trooper out of every four held the reins of his own horse and three of his comrades.
A typical cavalry charge against cavalry was a relatively rare occurrence, usually with one side or the other breaking and bolting before contact. If hand to hand combat ensued, the fighting was confusing, vicious and protracted. If one side committed reserve squadrons to the fray, they often carried the day.