Hesitant to ask as my Father was a Cavalryman.
What is the differences between Light and Heavy Cavalry?
Weapons??
Thanks,
Jimmy
What is the differences between Light and Heavy Cavalry?
Weapons??
Thanks,
Jimmy
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Light Cavalry amd Heavy Cavalry?
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Mr Pokeyman
US Veteran
I think that when they got too fat to ride their horses they were the heavy cavalry. Just a guess.
kraigwy
US Veteran
Heavy Cav normally were shock troops. They carried heavier weapons, cannons and such, with wagons for company trains (supplies) and such. They could stay in the field for long periods of time without re-supply.
Light Cav was Recon. They traveled light and counldn't stay in the field long period of time.
Light Cav was Recon. They traveled light and counldn't stay in the field long period of time.
Texas Star
US Veteran
Then there were Dragoons and Mounted Infantry...
Can someone sum these up?
Can someone sum these up?
kraigwy
US Veteran
Mounted infantry is just a method of moving infantry troops. Came in handy during the plains indian wars.
Kind of like todays Mech Infantry vs Light Infantry.
Kind of like todays Mech Infantry vs Light Infantry.
OP
Interesting to note that "cavalrymen" were limited to something like 5'8" and 120 pounds or so. Any larger than that and they exceeded the load limit on the horse.
Those small fellers couldn't take the recoil of the 45-70-500 cartridges in their light carbines. The army reduced the carbine ammo to 45-405-55 so they could get them to shoot the old trapdoors.
They were each issued 12 rounds of practice ammo per year during the Indian wars too. Statistics showed it took over a 1000 rounds per dead Indian. Wonder why?
Those small fellers couldn't take the recoil of the 45-70-500 cartridges in their light carbines. The army reduced the carbine ammo to 45-405-55 so they could get them to shoot the old trapdoors.
They were each issued 12 rounds of practice ammo per year during the Indian wars too. Statistics showed it took over a 1000 rounds per dead Indian. Wonder why?
captorquewrench
Member
My useless info to share on the topic: Cavalry marches are always in 6/8 to match the natural rhythm of horses.
labworm
US Veteran
I once was in the 3/4 Cav about 45 years ago.
But we didn't have any horses, although there were Buffalo present.
But we didn't have any horses, although there were Buffalo present.
jlrhiner
US Veteran
Iggy is right. The max load on a Civil War Cavalry Horse was 200 lbs. Total up all equipment and subtract from 200. That'll give the max weight of the trooper. The Civil War average was about 5'2" to 5'6" with the max at 120 lbs.
David LaPell
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I had a couple of relatives in the Cavalry during the Civil war, part of the 2nd NY Veteran Cavalry also known as the Empire Light Cavalry. All of the men in it were pretty light. I know they were pretty much used for pursuing confederate cavalry and their biggest achievement was as part of the Red River campaign. I know from all of the muster rolls and some of the what they actually had assigned that they didn't even carry long arms most of the times, just sabres and revolvers.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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IIRC the distinction between cavalry and dragoons was that cavalry was only supposed to fight mounted, dragoons were trained to fight mounted or dismounted.
Mounted infantry rode whatever was available-mules, often.
Mounted infantry rode whatever was available-mules, often.
A Dragoon is a large lizard.
Mounted Infantry are soldiers on horses.
WRONG, Everyone knows that the "Dragoons" were the largest ugliest and meanest fighters who wore dresses and makeup into battle.
The "Mounted Infantry" were usually mounted at the rear
and often had a difficult time marching. So they got horses.
Bullzaye
US Veteran
Wait...does this mean that all of those movies where John Wayne played a cavalryman were a bunch of bunk? Say it ain't so!
Tim
Dennis The B
US Veteran
COL Jagdog
Member
Actually, the original distinction came about during the Napoleanic Wars -- Light cavalry carried sabers or lances, heavy calvalry carried both sabers and either a pistol or short stocked musket/rifle. Light cavalry were used as a screening force or for reconnaissance; heavy cavalry were mobile shock troops, designed to break thru enemy infantry forces (specifically to break "squares" of infantry").
Dragoons were heavy cavalry. Marshall Ney and Murat were two of the most famous cavalry generals of the day and responsible for the tactics used. There are some incredible descriptions of Marshall Ney's
dragoons trying to break the British squares near Quatre Bas last in the day at the battle of Waterloo (just as Blucher's Prussians were marching to save the day) -- These beautiful huge horses (almost the size of draft horses) hurtling towards the British squares and then rearing back and trembling as they approached the serried rows of bayonets -- well worth reading about.
Dragoons were heavy cavalry. Marshall Ney and Murat were two of the most famous cavalry generals of the day and responsible for the tactics used. There are some incredible descriptions of Marshall Ney's
dragoons trying to break the British squares near Quatre Bas last in the day at the battle of Waterloo (just as Blucher's Prussians were marching to save the day) -- These beautiful huge horses (almost the size of draft horses) hurtling towards the British squares and then rearing back and trembling as they approached the serried rows of bayonets -- well worth reading about.
Mickey D
Member
A dragoon has a squared trigger guard.
StatesRightist
Member
I suppose there may have been a few "larger than life" heroes allowed in the Cavalry..
Custer, though questionable as a hero, was a bigger guy. JB Hood was a large guy, a NB Forrest was described as a mountain of a man. There were a few.
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