missourian
Private
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2016
- Location
- Missouri
I would really like to better understand the "nuts & bolts" so to speak of how all the different branches of an army function together, for instance, any given army has or may have the following...infantry, artillery, cavalry etc, and when I'm reading about different campaigns and battles I sometimes come away kind of confused as to why certain actions were carried out in the order that they were, so I'm wanting to get an idea of the structure and the coordination between the different branches, like, is there a textbook game plan for an army to follow where its understood that THIS branch leads off in an engagement (ideally), then another will begin and so on, or is it COMPLETELY at the discretion of the commanders of each to take action as they see fit when seeing what they are faced with. I know a lot of things can come into play on the battlefield and that an army may be spread out on its front for several miles and without cell phones, communication was often the deciding factor in winning or losing a battle. I know the cavalry being the eyes and ears of an army and was CRUCIAL to an army, I think of Buford's actions at Gettysburg as an example of, HOLY ****, we are way outnumbered here, but we have to slow them up if at all possible, but was it ALWAYS that way, I mean, a commanders decision, whoever it was and whatever branch to see a situation, use what you have available and engage the enemy? I'm still not sure if I'm making myself understood. Lol. How about this, are there any books, like military school type textbooks from that period that explains the roll of and how to effectively use all your tools, infantry, cavalry etc and when and when NOT to? Books or videos on tactics would be great. Thanks.
Ken.
Ken.