Rebel Cavalry

The cavalry of the south were very romanticized, encouraged by novels of Sir Walter Scott. Acting as gentlemen and cavaliers, the southern cavalry gained a reputation of valor, gallantry, horsemanship, bold tactics, and esprit de corps, shocking the country with morale in the beginning of the war, and giving hope at the end of it. Victories and successful raids as well as accomplishments like JEB Stuart’s ride around the Union army for example were also accompanied by flank guarding, collecting intelligence, slowing enemy advances, covering withdrawals, and disrupting supply and communication lines. Southern cavaliers though suffered many of the same depravations as the rest of the army and country to themselves and to their mounts. While Union cavalry often carried breach or cartridge loading carbines, Confederate cavalry usually used muzzle loading imports (British Enfield’s .58 caliber or single/double barreled shotguns), and while confederate cavalry were authorized to carry a heavy saber, they usually opted to carry two or more revolvers and either a Bowie Knife or an Arkansas Toothpick. Mosby’s men typically carried four revolvers; Quantrill’s, five and were trained two use either hand or both at once effectively. While often operating as mounted infantry, they also used formations with which all soldiers could engage the enemy from horseback. Many regiments also had a three-inch ordnance rifle following, drawn by horses.

Information

Attacks (damage × count)

	sabre	blade	8 × 3	melee
	revolver	pierce	3 × 3	ranged

Resistances

	blade	20%			pierce	-20%
	impact	10%			fire	0%
	cold	0%			arcane	20%