Random Cavalry Question

[john duffer]

I'm reading HELL RIDERS - THE TRUE STORY OF THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE and it mentions videttes using a daytime long distance signal system where they ride in circles when the enemy is approaching, CW for cavalry, CCW for infantry, one man each way for both, more rapidly the greater the force, etc. The author gives a couple of first person quotes that sound like it's not something he's just misunderstanding. So the question is - was there anything like this among American cavalry or was the US too wooded or is the author just full of it?

[Tom Craig]

Re: Random Cavalry Question

John,

Although I don't recall the correct manual off the top of my head to quote from, there is at least one CW period manual concerning cavalry where just such a practice is proscribed. Cavalry was supposed to operate with a full compliment of advance and rear guard, as well as flankers, that would operate at a sizeable distance from the column. In the manual, it was laid out that the trooper who saw the enemy was to halt and then ride in circles to indicate that he saw something. The closer the enemy, the faster the gait he was supposed to ride at. I'll see if I can dig out which manual it comes from...might either be Congdon's Cavalry Compendium or Mahan's outpost.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Linkstrap]

Re: Random Cavalry Question

Good call Tom! This from Congdon's:

BY DAY. - When a vedette discovers any thing suspicious in the direction of the enemy, as, for instance, a rising dust or the glittering of arms, he should move his horse round in a circle, or make any other signal ordered by the officer of the guard, on which the officer should instantly proceed to the vedette, accompanied by a corporal and four men, and if he cannot distinctly discover the cause of the dust, &c. he should send off the men that accompanied him to reconnoitre, or go himself; for if he sees troops, he should be able to report how strong they are, whether cavalry, infantry or artillery, and particularly, in which direction they are marching. If the vedettes positively observe troops marching towards them, but at a great distance, they ride the circle in a trot. If the enemy's troops approach to within a mile, the vedettes circle at a gallop. If the enemy us so close at hand that the vedettes are obliged to gallop to their guard for their own security, they should first discharge at him both their carbine and pistols

[Andrew German]

Re: Random Cavalry Question

Gentlemen,

There's an unpublished memoir by a 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry trooper that describes the riding-in-circles method of communicating information about the enemy. Presumably he was writing from experience rather than quoting manuals. It was also important that the vedette be both on high ground to see, but concealed from the view of the enemy, and at the same time visible to the reserve post. We think about mounted sabre charges and dismounted skirmishing, but this degree of constant vigilance was a far more common role for the cavalry.

Andrew German

[Mark Choate]

Re: Random Cavalry Question

Well done, fellas,

When I first read John's question, I was certain that I had seen it in Mahans Outpost. In fact, I am still not sure that there isn't a reference there, but the Congdon's nails it.

Also, Andrew, your reference to lay-of-the-land is critical. From a practical standpoint, I don't think the terrain and foilage of the eastern U.S. was ideal for the implementation of these tactics.

good excercise.
Mark

[john duffer]

Re: Random Cavalry Question

Thanks gentlemen!