USCT Cavalry Regiments

[major bill]

Although there were 135 USCT infantry regiments their was only 6 USCT cavalry regiments. I wonder if this is a fair use of the brave recruits who were signing up to fight for the Union. Has anyone read that the
Federal Government attempted to limit the number of USCT cavalrymen? It would seem to me that black recruits would make just as good mounted troops as foot troops. The same seem troop with USCT forming many heavy artillery units but few light artillery units. Many blacks would have been use to caring for horses and use to being around horses. Also has anyone read that the USCT cavalry regiments were considered top notch mounted men?

 

[Patrick H]

This is all news to me. I would love to read more and learn more about these guys. I am dead certain these guys were as good in the saddle as they were on foot. It's amazing that we don't know more about them.

 

[major bill]

I do think when most people envision USCT they think of Infantry regiments. There are no real reasons for people to think this way except that many may fall for the myth that USCT could not fight and were only garrison units. If they could fight, they could lean to fight on horse back.

 

[mofederal]

They fought pretty hard in the post war as the 9th and 10th Cavalry. We wouldn't they have during the war if given the chance. The first 3 regiments saw a lot of action in Virginia. The 4th in mostly Louisiana and 5th saw less action, in southwestern Virginia and later in Ky. The 6th was active in Kentucky. Only the 5th has casualties listed 35 enlisted KIA or mortally wounded and 1 officer and 151 died of disease. It sounds to me that they were very active, just has their service buried in the records.