Union Cavalryman 1861-65

The bombardment by Confederate artillery of Fort Sumter on 12 April 1861 was the spark that finally ignited the American Civil War, and quickly brought thousands of eager volunteers for the Union cause. It proved especially easy to raise cavalry since recruits naively believed that their military duties would be easier than in the infantry. This section of the Federal army therefore grew rapidly, and played a significant part in the war. This book investigates all aspects of the life and experiences of the Union Cavalryman, including enlistment, training, uniforms, weapons and the discrepancy between the recruit's view of swashbuckling charges and heroic hand-to-hand combat and the less glorious reality.