The Cavalry During the Civil War

Children's Literature

In 1861, thousands of American men went off to fight the Civil War. Among those many volunteers were boys and men who saw war as a great escape from the tedium of everyday life. In this subset of volunteers were men who joined the cavalry in order to pursue the cavalier tradition of days gone by. Cavalry was historically a branch of military service more glamorous than the more mundane infantry and artillery. However, by the time of the Civil War, advancements in weaponry radically changed the roles open to cavalrymen. In The Cavalry During the Civil War author Michael Uschan traces the evolution of cavalry tactics in an age of great violence. In this well researched book, Michael Uschan draws upon a host of primary sources. Frequent quotes drawn from the writings of Civil War soldiers afford the reader a fascinating journey back to the days of that momentous conflict. Uschan touches upon topics such as training, cavalry raids, battlefield experiences, camp life, and medical practices. Through the author's style and skill, readers will come away from this well developed text with a better understanding of the life lived by Civil War cavalrymen. Michael Uschan has produced an outstanding historical study that will be of interest and value to younger Civil War buffs. 2003, Lucent Books, Ages 10 up.
— Greg M. Romaneck