29erUK (sj@c1944.demon.co.uk)
Tue, 7 Dec 1999 01:03:25 +0000
In message <0.d6c2cce3.257d9796@aol.com>, COB9KY@aol.com writes
>Erm no, it was Lee's decimated Army (what was left of Gordon's and
>Longstreet's Corps) turning round at Appomattox only to discover the massed
>ranks of the XXIV, V, II and VI Corps (Infantry) that caused Lee to seek
>terms.
Beg to differ there. Lee was expecting to meet his supply trains at
Appomattox Cout House, only to discover that Sheridan's Cavalry had
arrived there first. Lacking the food and ammunition to continue the
struggle, he had no option but to seek terms. The ANV was never
frightened of taking on Federal infantry at unfavourable odds.
> Cavalry could not successfully attack formed Infantry with rifled
>longarms full stop.
Custer's 1st Division did just that, once they had the Spencer repeating
rifle. Dug in infantry at that. Although it wasn't normally their job
to attack the enemy line directly. Once they had effective armament and
decent Generalship, they operated almost like the airborne forces of
WWII It was the Strategic, not the tactical role of the cavalry that
proved effective.
-- Stuart K Jarman 29th US infantry Division WWII reenactors (UK)
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