The Golden Age of Cavalry Tactics

For military commanders of the mid-19th century, few sights were as thrilling—or as romanticized—as a massed cavalry charge. Thousands of horsemen, divided into squadrons, would thunder across the battlefield in a synchronized assault, firing pistols or carbines at point-blank range before clashing in a whirlwind of sabers and lances. These dramatic engagements, often decided in mere seconds, symbolized the pinnacle of martial glory.

The Austro-Prussian War (1866) featured one of history’s largest cavalry clashes at the Battle of Strehletz (Střeleč), immortalized in a grand painting by Václav Sochor. To Prussian Prince Friedrich Karl, the charge represented triumph; to Austrian commander Ludwig von Benedek, it was a desperate rearguard action. Yet neither achieved their strategic goals—a telling sign of cavalry’s fading relevance in industrialized warfare.

The Roots of Cavalry Dominance

From the 17th to early 19th centuries, cavalry reigned as the decisive shock force of European armies. Their mobility allowed them to exploit gaps in enemy lines, particularly during the vulnerable reloading intervals of musket-armed infantry. Napoleon Bonaparte perfected cavalry tactics, using heavy cuirassiers to break formations and light hussars for reconnaissance.

However, the Napoleonic Wars also exposed cavalry’s limitations. At Waterloo (1815), neither the British Union Brigade’s charge nor Marshal Kellerman’s French cavalry could overcome disciplined infantry squares. The advent of rifled muskets—with longer range and accuracy—further eroded cavalry’s battlefield dominance.

The Illusion of Glory: Cavalry’s Failures in the Industrial Age

### Crimea and the “Thin Red Line”

The Crimean War (1853–56) delivered stark lessons. At Balaclava (1854), the celebrated “Charge of the Light Brigade”—where 600 British cavalrymen mistakenly attacked Russian artillery—ended in catastrophe. Meanwhile, the 93rd Highlanders proved infantry’s superiority by repelling Russian cavalry with just “two thin red lines” of riflemen.

### The American Civil War: A Tactical Revolution

Across the Atlantic, the U.S. Civil War (1861–65) reshaped cavalry’s role. Vast battlefields and railroads birthed new tactics:
– Raiding over charging: J.E.B. Stuart (Confederate) and Philip Sheridan (Union) used cavalry to disrupt supply lines and gather intelligence.
– Dismounted combat: Carbine-armed horsemen often fought on foot, presaging mechanized infantry.
– Brandy Station (1863): The war’s largest cavalry battle proved inconsequential—infantry and artillery still decided campaigns.

Prussia’s Cavalry Crisis in the Austro-Prussian War

Despite observing the Civil War, Prussia failed to adapt its cavalry doctrine by 1866. Critical flaws emerged:
– Poor reconnaissance: At Jung-Bunzlau, Prince Friedrich Karl overestimated Austrian forces due to inadequate scouting.
– Misallocation: Cavalry languished as reserves while infantry won battles with breech-loading “needle guns.”
– Strehletz’s hollow victory: Though 31 Prussian squadrons clashed with 40 Austrian ones, neither side gained advantage. Mounted troops simply couldn’t withstand modern firepower.

The Paradox of Survival: Cavalry’s Late Revival

Ironically, Prussia’s cavalry redeemed itself in the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71):
– Psychological warfare: Uhlans (lancers) terrorized French rear areas, shouting their name to sow panic.
– Mars-la-Tour: A rare successful charge by the 1st Guards Dragoons showcased cavalry’s lingering potential.

Yet these were exceptions. By World War I, trenches and machine guns rendered massed charges obsolete—the era of cavalry had ended.

Legacy: From Sabers to Sensors

The 19th century’s cavalry struggles mirror modern militaries grappling with disruptive technologies. Key takeaways:
1. Romanticism vs. reality: Tactical nostalgia often impedes adaptation.
2. The reconnaissance imperative: Cavalry’s scouting role (now fulfilled by drones) proved more enduring than shock combat.
3. Doctrinal inertia: Prussia’s 1866 failures highlight the cost of ignoring battlefield evolution.

As historian Gordon Craig noted, cavalry’s twilight was less a sudden collapse than a slow reckoning with industrialization’s relentless advance. Their story remains a cautionary tale for any military institution clinging to fading paradigms.