American cavalry has a long and proud tradition. These troops trained to fight on horseback were used effectively in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and the War with Mexico. The Civil War saw a significant change, with Cavalry heavily used as Mounted Infantry. They were soldiers who used their horses for maneuvers and moving […]
“If You Ain’t Cav, You Ain’t…” Read More »
“I am sure that it was the grandest charge that was ever seen by mortal man.” Those are the words of Union Colonel Worthen, whose men at Gettysburg tried to stand against the Mississippi brigade commanded by General Barksdale. Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, and there are many tales of the brave
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It was the autumn of 1863, and Confederates were in the middle of a bold assault on a Union fort near Knoxville, Tennessee. The Rebels reached a defensive ditch surrounding the fort, but were pinned down. One of the men volunteered to make a dash back across the wide open field to get water. Somehow,
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Johann Heros von Borcke was a lieutenant in the 2nd Brandenburg Regiment of Dragoons of the Prussian Army when news arrived of the beginning of the American Civil War. He managed to get released from his unit, and crossed the Atlantic to the island of Bermuda. From there he managed to get onto a Rebel
The “Giant in Gray” Read More »
Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson is one of the most famous military men in history. He came from tough stock. His great-grandfather was born in England, but fought against the British in the American Revolution. Jackson graduated from West Point in 1846, was a hero in the Mexican American War, and taught at the Virginia
“There stands Jackson, like a stone wall” Read More »
Here’s the story of how Confederate Private Sam Watkins got promoted to corporal. You may remember from earlier stories that Sam was a Rebel, in uniform from one end of the Civil War to the other. It seems that one day he was involved in several charges at the Battle of Atlanta. On the final
“Raise Me One Notch Higher” Read More »
The Battle of Olustee, also called Ocean Pond) was the largest Civil War battle in Florida. The battle lasted for six hours in the woods close to Olustee station on February 20, 1864. It has been described as one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. Nearly 3,000 men out of the 11,000 who
At Olustee “We Whipped the Yankees Badly” Read More »
The Confederacy was growing. South Carolina started it all in December 1860, followed by Mississippi, and Florida. Alabama would be the fourth to secede from the Union. Within a month Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas would follow. A great Civil War between the Union and the Confederates was beginning. In January of 1861 delegates met in
Alabama Says “Cease Holding On to Me!” Read More »
A high spirited and handsome young colt with the name “Jeff Davis” seemed destined for greatness. And he certainly was. Described as a flashy dappled grey horse with a black mane and tail, he was striking and regal. When Confederate General Robert E. Lee spotted the colt in the Virginia mountains, he knew he had
Traveller, A “Confederate Grey” Read More »
The legendary Terry’s Texas Rangers is named for the man who formed the unit, Benjamin Franklin Terry. The group’s official name was the 8th Texas Cavalry. Every man who joined had to bring a shotgun or rifle, Colt revolver, and a Bowie knife (this was Texas, after all). They pinned a five-pointed star, the one
Harassing Sherman Texas Ranger Style Read More »
