Well, that's exactly what happened to the Confederate infantry occupying the Slyder Farm lane on July 3, 1863, as Farnsworth's Charge bore down on them. There are many stories of the Rebs swinging clubbed muskets and even accounts of them knocking Vermonters from their horses with rocks. Ugly stuff.

Eric

Imagine your surprise.........you see the cavalry pounding down on your position,and your ram rod is busy shoving powder and ball down the barrel when suddenly the air is filled with hot lead fired at a rate heretofore unknown........the shock of THAT moment may well have made them wish they HAD joined the Navy.-------Dan

Thanx Eric,
I couldn't remember the location.The "cultural shock" of that moment must've been incredibly strong. The intensity of the firepower,alone would cause many to rethink the advisability of their political/miliary positions.
And while I have you here.......ladies and gentlemen,I am here to learn.....so if I sometimes seem a little out of it in Cavalry discussions it's because that while I WAS a part of the 1st Air Cav,but we had no horses........ though we were foolish enough to jump out of perfectly good airplanes......

• RE: Cavalry armament - Eric Wittenberg 10/19/2000 10:04:16 EDT (0)