Page "belles_lettres" Paragraph 970

Well led, properly organized cavalry, in its complementary role to infantry, had four functions.

First, it could locate the enemy infantry, learn what they were doing, and hold them until the heavy foot columns could come up and take over.

Second, it could screen its own infantry from the sight of the enemy.

Third, it could threaten at all times, and destroy when possible, the enemy communications.

It could reach key tactical points faster than infantry and destroy them or hold them as the case might be for the foot soldier.

Its climactic role was to pursue and demoralize a defeated enemy but this chance never came in the Atlanta campaign.

Thomas tried hard to have his cavalry ready for the test it was to meet, but his plans were wrecked when it was forced into a campaign without optimum mobility and with its commander stripped from it.