Union Army Cavalry
as portrayed by Robin Shields and Gunner
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In 1833 the US Congress organized the cavalry into one regiment- The First US Dragoons. Their initial service was Indian observation in the southwest. In 1855 the cavalry was again reorganized into the 1st and 2nd US Cavalry. In 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil war, the first regiment of volunteer cavalry was authorized by the war department for service. The early cavalry was overacoutered with gear, poorly trained and very poor horsemen as a rule. The 6th Pa Lancers continued to fight with wooden lancers, like the knights of old until 1863 when the carbine was introduced. In 1859 George McClellan designed the McClellan saddle, which was issued to the troopers along with sabers, pistols and carbine rifles. The Colt revolver was the standard, but the Sharps was in time supplemented by the use of Maynard rifles and the Spencer repeating rifle. In the early years of the Civil war the North was at a great cavalry disadvantage to the South for many reasons. Few Northerners rode on a daily basis, or pursued any type of athletic activity, horses were generally relegated to cart work and plowing. The Southern men usually rode on a daily basis and due to the pastime of horse racing, horses were plentiful and of good breeding. The North had a few breeding farms supplying Morgan horses to the Army, but for the most part horses were in short supply, even shipped in from the West in later war years. Southern recruits often brought and resupplied their own horses for war, while the Northern troopers were dependent on Army supply, which usually consisted of untrained mounts. A cavalry depot was established in Giesboro, DC in 1863 to improve the cavalry supply of mounts. It was not until the battle of Brandy Station in Virginia in 1863 that the Northern cavalry showed promise and skill enough to sufficiently threaten the Southern troopers. It was a cavalryman who went forward at the Appomattox site demanding surrender from the South, but the surrender was put on hold until Grant arrived to accept it from Lee to end the war. Grant at that time allowed the Southern troopers and soldiers to return home WITH their horses and arms. Some cavalry facts: The average age of a trooper was between 19-21 years old and he weighed an average of 135 lbs. The average pay for a private was $8/month. Horses were generally between 4-5 years old and cost an average of $150 each. Morgan's were plentiful but there was no established breed. Initially the Army tried to group the regiments by horse color but this proved to be impossible to maintain. Over a million horses were utilized during the Civil War and over 350,000 were killed. 
Civil war Experience:
Member of 4th Virginia Black Horse Cavalry 2004-2006
Member 6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry 2006-present
Adjutant 2007-2009
Weapons Experience:
Full contact Mounted sabre
Colt Revolver
Mounted/Dismounted Sharps Carbine
Contributing writer : Civil War Courier, 11 nation
ally published poems to date; 1 to CD (Unsung Heroes by Peter Kelly).
Civilian/Female impression only when forced..:)
Hobbies: Writing, photography, 3 -day eventing
