1NCCAV
Sergeant
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2016
I'm not so sure partisans who get around mounted qualify as cavalry.
Mosby's unit was 43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, so he was designated and considered cavalry, as were Forrest's units. But you are right in that Mosby did not perform in a classic cavalry role.
We've done a lot of hair splitting on this thread, and other similar threads, over what is and what is not to be considered cavalry proper. Many insist that being horse mounted or being transported to the fight horseback is not the definition of cavalry. Other's disagree.
It continues to this day. In the modern U.S. Army, cavalry units may be armored cavalry or air cavalry and perform the classic cavalry missions (scout, screen, raid and parade). Cavalry units have armored vehicles and helicopters, but not all units with armored vehicles and helicopters are considered cavalry. Some are designated armor, mechanized infantry, or aviation, instead of cavalry. Same equipment but different missions and employment. And so it goes.
Last edited: