Directed by the U.S. War Department in 1859 to prepare a new, revised manual for U.S. cavalry operations, then-Col. Philip St. George Cooke produced this book after extensive research of cavalry tactics used by the advanced nations in Europe, where he had been an observer in the Crimean War (1854-1856). Originally published in 1860, the book was revised in 1861 and 1862. This 1862 Government Printing Office edition combines the former two volume work into one book.

Originally published in 1862, this military manual provides detailed instructions on the essential tactics and formations for cavalry troops in the United States Army and Volunteers during the Civil War. A must-have for military historians and enthusiasts alike. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This is the manual United States Army cavalry instructors used to train cavalry troops during the American Civil War. Even if you're not a rider, this manual will help you understand the complexities of drills, marching, cavalry camps, formations, and charges, among other tactics. Originally written in 1861, this 1864 edition is little changed and is illustrated to explain formations and movements. It is little wonder that, despite the grousing of the enlisted men, drilling these tactics over and over and over is what made them work in battle and ultimately helped save lives. For less than you'd spend on gas going to the library, this long out-of-print volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample. NOTE: The illustrator is not the grandfather of George S. Patton (who was a Confederate general) but is George Patten.

During the intense, sprawling conflict that was the American Civil War, both Union and Confederate forces fielded substantial numbers of cavalry, which carried out the crucial tasks of reconnaissance, raiding, and conveying messages. The perception was that cavalry's effectiveness on the battlefield would be drastically reduced in this age of improved infantry firearms. This title, however, demonstrates how cavalry's lethal combination of mobility and dismounted firepower meant it was still very much a force to be reckoned with in battle, and charts the swing in the qualitative difference of the cavalry forces fielded by the two sides as the war progressed. In this book, three fierce cavalry actions of the American Civil War are assessed, including the battles of Second Bull Run/Manassas (1862), Buckland Mills (1863) and Tom's Brook (1864).