67th Tigers
Captain
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2006
I am also genuinely interested. Those who analysed the problem at the time, such as the historian of the 6th US, understood the issue; the US Cavalry lacked carbines and so couldn't operate without infantry support. By 1863 they have sufficient carbines and numbers to operate without infantry support.
As to the cavalry during Stuart's Raid, it was mostly under Stoneman north of the Chickahominy. South of the Chickahominy was only the 3rd Pa Cav, a squadron or battalion of the 8th Illinois Cav, the 3rd Bn of the 6th NY and that attached to McClellan's HQ.
Stoneman's command consisted of a line of pickets consisting of the 8th Illinois from the Chickahominy to Pole Green Church, with the 1st NY Cavalry encamped with the base of the 8th Illinois as a reserve for that part of the line. At Pole Green Church was a combat outpost of the 5th US Cavalry (Royall's battalion, 2 sqns), with a coy pushed out to watch Totopotomoy Creek there. The 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry picketed the length of the creek to the right of the Church. The rest of the reserve (1st, 5th(-) and 6th US and the 6th Pa Cav) were concentrated in a camp near Old Cold Harbor.
Stuart punched through Royall's battalion of the 5th US Cavalry, and the int Royall sent back was that the enemy had a division of infantry with them. Cooke immediately reacted by sending the 5th (-) and 6th US to gain contact with this force, and sending for a brigade of infantry. The 6th Pa Cav and 1st US Cav followed. The next day the 3rd Pa Cav moved out to try and head Stuart off.
The main body of the pursuing force was concentrated, and had enough combat power. The problem was finding Stuart, which necessitated dispersing patrols. One of the scouting patrols did intercept Stuart, but was overrun and captured.
There was no really better way to organise the available cavalry that I can see.
As to the cavalry during Stuart's Raid, it was mostly under Stoneman north of the Chickahominy. South of the Chickahominy was only the 3rd Pa Cav, a squadron or battalion of the 8th Illinois Cav, the 3rd Bn of the 6th NY and that attached to McClellan's HQ.
Stoneman's command consisted of a line of pickets consisting of the 8th Illinois from the Chickahominy to Pole Green Church, with the 1st NY Cavalry encamped with the base of the 8th Illinois as a reserve for that part of the line. At Pole Green Church was a combat outpost of the 5th US Cavalry (Royall's battalion, 2 sqns), with a coy pushed out to watch Totopotomoy Creek there. The 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry picketed the length of the creek to the right of the Church. The rest of the reserve (1st, 5th(-) and 6th US and the 6th Pa Cav) were concentrated in a camp near Old Cold Harbor.
Stuart punched through Royall's battalion of the 5th US Cavalry, and the int Royall sent back was that the enemy had a division of infantry with them. Cooke immediately reacted by sending the 5th (-) and 6th US to gain contact with this force, and sending for a brigade of infantry. The 6th Pa Cav and 1st US Cav followed. The next day the 3rd Pa Cav moved out to try and head Stuart off.
The main body of the pursuing force was concentrated, and had enough combat power. The problem was finding Stuart, which necessitated dispersing patrols. One of the scouting patrols did intercept Stuart, but was overrun and captured.
There was no really better way to organise the available cavalry that I can see.