Confederate Cavalryman 1861-65 (Warrior) [Paperback]

Philip Katcher (Author), Gerry Embleton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Warrior | Publication Date: June 25, 2002

The southerner of the mid-19th century had been bred to ride horses. In addition the period southerner had long been used to handling firearms, through hunting for pleasure, food or simply for sport. The combination of these factors promised that when the southern states began to secede in December 1860, the cavalry would be a major combat arm. This title looks at how the men of the Confederate cavalry were recruited, trained, lived and fought during the Civil War (1861-65). Both routine and campaign life are covered, as well as the weapons and equipment that served them in their combat roles. Key encounters such as the 1863 clash at Brandy Station are also covered in this authoritative text.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Insights into the real lives of history's fighting men, packed with full colour illustrations, highly detailed cutaways, exploded artwork of weaponry and armour, and action-packed battle scenes.

About the Author

Philip Katcher served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He is the author of over 30 books in the field of American military history, and was named a Fellow of the Company of Military Historians for his work on the Vietnam conflict. He is also a member of the living history Civil War unit, serving with Huckstep's First Fluvanna Battery/24th New York Light Artillery.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (June 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841763810
• ISBN-13: 978-1841763811
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #796,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Confederate Cavalryman, February 9, 2008

By 

K. Murphy "Fortune favors the Bold" (The thriving metropolis of Masury, OH) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Confederate Cavalryman 1861-65 (Warrior) (Paperback)

This 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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really good.., March 5, 2007

By 

M. Perrin (Maryland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Confederate Cavalryman 1861-65 (Warrior) (Paperback)

For anyone wanting to start a study of Confederate Cavalry this might be the best place to start. It doesn't just focus on the combat, it covers what it was like to be a Cavalryman with Jeb Stuart and Nathan Forrest. Really good photos and great text!

5.0 out of 5 stars Confederate Cavalryman 1861-1865, February 24, 2009

By 

R. Davis - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Confederate Cavalryman 1861-65 (Warrior) (Paperback)

This book is not a lengthy or involved book, but it contains a lot of interesting information as an overview. The book was delivered quickly and in excellent condition.